5 best affordable vacation rental management software (Fewer properties)

In this article, we want to share the best, most proven, and most affordable vacation rental management software options for small rental businesses. We had in mind specifically hosts with up to 10 properties, but rest assured, these tools are suitable for managing even 20 or 50 listings (there is no limit to how much you can grow).

The channel manager is the heart of the software. The primary role of channel managers is to manage your bookings across various booking portals, including your website. Apart from preventing double bookings, this software has many other features like ones that automate messaging and tasks for the cleaning crew.

Vacation rental management software is not only for property owners but also for property managers. It’s never been so easy to prepare reports for the landlords and have a complete overview of the finances. You’ll get an all-in-one solution.

We compiled a list of companies that offer affordable options and good value for money.

1. Smoobu

Trial

14 days free

Booking portals

All major OTSs and many others like regional or niche portals

How will Smoobu benefit my short-term rental business?

With its very user-friendly simple dashboard, it’s as easy to use. Plus, with the mobile app, you can manage your properties on the go.

Smoobu is multi-lingual vacation rental management software, translated into over 30 languages, which makes it a good solution wherever you’re located or for guests arriving from around the world. It allows you to automate most of your communication.

The customer support is excellent according to many reviews. You can choose and pay for the exact number of properties you want to manage, which is perfect if you don’t have a lot of properties just yet. And if you decide to grow your business, there’s a discount on yearly or two-year subscriptions.

Using Smoobu can help eliminate double bookings, which can be a huge headache. The platform automatically updates your calendars across all channels, including Airbnb, Booking.com, but also supports niche and regional portals.

With Smoobu, you can even build a website for free, as it’s included in the price. Overall, Smoobu is an easy-to-use, feature-rich solution that provides value for money.

Check out also our comparative review of Smoobu and Beds24.

2. Hosthub

Trial

Free 14 days trial

Booking portals

They support more than 200, you can choose up to 10.

How will Hosthub benefit my short-term rental business?

Hosthub takes a less-is-more approach by not overwhelming hosts with a bunch of features. Instead, they focus on doing a few things exceptionally well. Still, they have much to offer like automated messaging and team management. They keep up with the competition.

Their top priority is a Zero double-booking guarantee. Managing more properties across different platforms can be a hassle. Hosts can get it solved for an affordable price by synchronizing calendars across channels. And that is what channel manager is mainly about.

Hosts who receive reservations from multiple platforms will benefit from Hosthub’s channel manager. Hosthub prioritizes providing superior-quality speed that eliminates lag and delays.
Seasonal property owners can take advantage of Hosthub’s unique offer: the off-season mode. You can switch to off-season mode twice a year and pay only $3 per month, which is an incredible deal.

With Hosthub, you can also choose the exact number of properties you want to manage and pay only for what you need. This makes Hosthub one of the most cost-effective options for people with 2 or 3 rentals, without sacrificing quality.
One feature that Hosthub does not offer for free is a website builder. They provide it as an independent paid service.

3. OwnerRez

Trial

Free 14 days trial

Booking portals

All major OTSs

How will OwnerRez benefit my short-term rental business?

This tool has received numerous excellent reviews for its functionality and customer service. It’s a feature-rich management tool, similar to others in the market, but what gives them an edge?

They offer a long list of basic features, including features that you may not have thought of like digital signatures. Additionally, they provide premium features that you only pay for if you need them.

Property managers benefit greatly from using this software, especially the premium property management functionality. The property management tool provides precise insight into commissions and expenses. It’s easy to generate statements for property owners.

Another premium feature is QuickBooks integration for accounting and financial transaction management. The premium category also includes a website builder and a WordPress plugin for direct booking websites. Even though these features come at an extra cost, users are blown away by what they get at an affordable price.
Above all, customer support is top-notch. Customers feel listened to and valued by the attentive customer service team.

4. IGMS

Trial

14 days free

Booking portals

All major OTAs

How will IGMS benefit my short-term rental business?

IGMS is a tool that includes many features for the price you pay. They offer a comprehensive package that includes multiple functionalities, ranging from automated messaging to financial reporting. The interface is user-friendly.
For beginners with fewer properties, IGMS offers flexible pricing options. The flex pricing option charges a fee of one dollar per booking but requires a minimum of 20 reservations per month.

The software also includes a website builder and can handle your direct website bookings, making it a convenient way to organize your team and automate tasks for your cleaning crew and other team members.
Automated messaging and reviews provided by IGMS can save you from spending hours on the telephone typing to guests. It is impossible to imagine losing so much time on repetitive tasks today. IGMS efficiently covers all of this and saves your reputation.
In conclusion, IGMS is a feature-rich software with various pricing options suitable for both beginners and long-time professionals.

5. Hospitable

Trial

14 days free

Booking portals

All major OTAs

How will Hospitable benefit my short-term rental business?

Hospitable is one more tool convenient for small short-term rental businesses.
What sets them apart is their guest messaging – their perfectly customized templates are quite sophisticated compared to others. Anyone who relies heavily on automated messaging will appreciate that you can schedule a variety of different messages for your properties, each with custom codes like the guest’s first name.

Another part of automated communication is customized guest reviews. This is a great way to show your appreciation to your guests while encouraging them to leave positive feedback.

Hospitable’s pricing is affordable, with no binding subscription fees. After your first two properties, you only pay for properties that have check-ins within the past 30 days. This is a huge plus for hosts with seasonal properties or those who are still struggling to keep their calendars filled.

Some places have low tourist turnover. Hospitable doesn’t charge you for a property if no check-ins have occurred in the last 30 days, so you’re not paying for properties that aren’t generating any income.
Their messaging platform is unmatched, their pricing is affordable. If you want a tool that can help you manage your properties with ease and efficiency, Hospitable is definitively worth checking out.