Hostaway vs. Lodgify: Choosing the Right Vacation Rental Software for Your STR Business

Dec 7

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) can dramatically improve how efficiently your short-term rental operates. From automating guest messages to syncing listings across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, the right software saves time, reduces errors, and makes scaling simpler.

This guide breaks down Hostaway vs Lodgify, helping you understand which platform aligns with your portfolio size, hosting style, and growth goals.

Understanding Hostaway and Lodgify

What Is Hostaway?

Hostaway is a full-featured PMS and channel manager designed for professional hosts, co-hosts, and property management companies. It integrates with major OTAs, automates key workflows, and provides advanced reporting—all in a single, centralized dashboard.

Best for: Hosts and managers handling multiple properties who need automation, analytics, and scalability.

What Is Lodgify?

Lodgify focuses on direct booking websites and branding. It combines a website builder with channel management tools, enabling hosts to accept payments directly while maintaining OTA listings.

Best for: Solo hosts or small portfolios looking to reduce OTA fees and build a branded guest experience.

Feature Comparison

1. Channel Management & Integrations

Hostaway: Offers robust two-way API integrations with Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia. Calendars, rates, and messages sync in real time to prevent double bookings.
Lodgify: Solid channel management, but relies on iCal for some platforms, which can delay updates compared to full API connections.

Winner: Hostaway — better for multi-channel management and advanced integrations.

2. Direct Booking Website

Hostaway: No built-in website builder, but integrates smoothly with external booking engines and CMS tools.
Lodgify: Excels here with a customizable, mobile-friendly direct booking site, complete with Stripe and PayPal integration.

Winner: Lodgify — ideal for hosts prioritizing branding and direct bookings.

3. Automation & Workflow Management

Hostaway: Provides comprehensive automation for guest messaging, cleaning schedules, reviews, and reporting—perfect for scaling operations.
Lodgify: Offers basic automations for emails and messaging but lacks the enterprise-level workflow capabilities of Hostaway.

Winner: Hostaway — best for end-to-end operational automation.

4. Pricing & Affordability

Hostaway: Custom pricing based on property count and feature requirements; higher cost justified for larger portfolios.
Lodgify: Transparent subscription starting around $17/month per property, with discounts for annual plans.

Winner:

Lodgify — best for small-scale hosts and budget-conscious beginners
Hostaway — best for growing managers and multi-property operators

5. Reporting & Analytics

Hostaway: Advanced reporting and data visualization for occupancy, revenue trends, and marketing performance.
Lodgify: Simplified reporting focused on bookings and revenue, without in-depth analytics.

Winner: Hostaway — ideal for data-driven decision-making.

6. Customer Support & Usability

Hostaway: 24/7 support, dedicated account managers, and personalized onboarding; steeper learning curve due to extensive features.
Lodgify: Intuitive interface, easy to set up, with responsive support and helpful online resources.

Winner: Tie — Lodgify for simplicity, Hostaway for in-depth support.

Why This Matters for Hosts and Investors

Your choice of PMS should match your hosting model and growth strategy:

Hostaway: Perfect for multi-property operators needing automation, analytics, and centralized management.
Lodgify: Great for solo hosts or brand-focused owners aiming to reduce OTA fees and create a direct booking channel.

Many hosts begin with Lodgify to capture direct bookings, then scale into Hostaway as they grow their portfolio and operational complexity.

Step-by-Step Decision Guide

1. Evaluate Portfolio Size

1–3 properties → Lodgify for affordability and direct booking capabilities
4+ properties → Hostaway for advanced automation and scalability

2. Determine Priorities

Focus on direct bookings and website presence → Lodgify
Need automation, reporting, and team management → Hostaway

3. Consider Integrations

Hostaway supports more OTAs and pricing tools
Lodgify integrates best with Stripe, PayPal, and CMS systems

4. Test Platforms

Try Hostaway or Lodgify with free trials or demos to see which aligns best with your daily operations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing software based solely on price rather than long-term goals
Ignoring automation potential, leading to manual management
Waiting too long to implement a direct booking strategy
Failing to sync pricing tools or cleaning schedules with the PMS

How Rent Live Play Helps

At Rent Live Play, we combine expert co-hosting with top-tier PMS platforms. For smaller hosts, we implement Lodgify to create professional direct booking sites and enhance guest experience. For larger operators, we leverage Hostaway to automate workflows, optimize pricing, and manage multiple properties efficiently.

Our team ensures your listings run smoothly, occupancy improves, and guest satisfaction stays high—no matter the size of your portfolio.

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult qualified professionals before making real estate or software decisions.