Running a short-term rental business can feel like a never-ending juggling act, with an endless list of repetitive tasks that seems impossible to conquer in a single day. If you find yourself grappling with your to-do list, OwnerRez and Hostaway are two powerful tools that can automate these time-consuming responsibilities.
To simplify deciding between two well-regarded and robust vacation rental management platforms, we’ve compared OwnerRez vs Hostaway, taking into account essential factors such as features, pricing, and customer support. So, let’s dive in!
OwnerRez vs Hostaway: An Overview
OwnerRez emerges as one of the leading booking management engines that can automate and centralize everything from website development and channel management to messaging and accounting. It is renowned for its user-friendly interface, integration with numerous popular booking channels, and exceptional customer support. Discover a complete analysis of OwnerRez in our detailed review.
Hostaway is another favored solution among hosts and property managers. This vacation rental software and Airbnb management system can automate every aspect of your business. Its key features are a website builder, channel manager, property management, automation functionalities, dynamic pricing, and reporting.
Pricing
| OwnerRez | |
| ✅ Plans start at $40/mo | ✅ Custom pricing |
| Calculate your cost | Get a quote |
| ✅ Free Trial | ❌ No Free Trial |
| 14 days | Demo available |
Winner: OwnerRez
OwnerRez presents a flexible pricing structure as you can select desired features and customize your plan. The base price is $40/month for a single property with all the features included except a website builder, a WordPress plugin, property management, QuickBooks integration, and SMS messaging, which cost extra. OwnerRez rewards growth with a volume discount, so for 50 properties, for example, the cost is $374/month, amounting to a mere $7.48 per unit.
Hostaway takes a distinct approach to pricing with its personalized structure tailored to your specific needs. After a scheduled demo with their representatives, they will provide you with a custom quote.
Given the advantages of straightforward pricing, volume discount, a la carte features, and a free trial, we lean towards highlighting OwnerRez as a top contender when it comes to pricing.
Features
| OwnerRez | |
| ✅ Multi Calendar | ✅ Multi Calendar |
| Use a central calendar for managing all bookings | Use a central calendar for managing all bookings |
| ✅ Unified Inbox | ✅ Unified Inbox |
| Access all messages and handle replies from a unified inbox (booking sites, SMS) | Access all messages and handle replies from a unified inbox (booking sites, SMS, email, WhatsApp) |
| ✅ Channel Manager | ✅ Channel Manager |
| Connect with channel managers like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Home to Go and synchronize bookings and property information | Connect with channel managers like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Google Vacation Rentals, and Expedia and synchronize bookings and property information |
| ✅ Booking Website Builder | ✅ Booking Website Builder |
| Create a direct bookings website for bookings and payments or add the OwnerRez WordPress plugin to your existing site | Create a direct booking website for bookings and payments or add the Hostaway WordPress plugin to your existing site |
| ✅ Owner Portal | ✅ Owner Portal |
| Keep the property owners informed with owner statements | Keep the property owners informed with owner statements |
| ✅ Accounting Features | ✅ Accounting Features |
| Keep track of income, expenses, and payments, and connect the platform to Quickbooks | Keep track of income, expenses, and payments, and connect the platform to Quickbooks |
| ✅ Automation Tools | ✅ Automation Tools |
| Automate guest messages, reviews, and maintenance management | Automate guest messages, reviews, and maintenance management |
| ✅ Task Management | ✅ Task Management |
| Manage your cleaning with streamlined task assignment | Manage your cleaning with streamlined task assignment |
| ❌ Revenue Management | ❌ Revenue Management |
| Supports dynamic pricing tool integration as well as integrations with revenue management tools like PriceLabs and Beyond | Provides built-in dynamic pricing tool and integrates with revenue management tools like PriceLabs and Beyond as an alternative |
| ✅ Open API | ✅ Open API |
| Build custom integrations | Build custom integrations |
Winner: Hostaway
With an impressive array of tools and extensive integrations that address any potential gaps, OwnerRez and Hostaway can fulfill all the essential operations within vacation rental management businesses. However, after meticulously considering the two solutions for overall comprehensiveness, Hostaway takes the cake due to its abundant built-in features.
A couple of tools that Hostaway offers and OwnerRez lacks are a guest portal, which acts as an information hub for guests, and coupon management functionality that lets you send personalized special offers directly from the platform.
Hostaway also provides unique functionalities that work well for a larger portfolio of units such as its multi-unit support tool that allows you to manage hotel-style setups and its cross-listings feature that supports flexible arrangements for big groups.
Customer Support
| OwnerRez | |
| 4.9 Custom Support rating on Capterra – Email and phone | 4.7 Custom Support rating on Capterra – Email and phone |
Winner: OwnerRez
Both OwnerRez and Hostaway prioritize delivering exceptional customer service, yet OwnerRez sets the gold standard in this area with their near-perfect rating. Responsive customer support is among OwnerRez’s most acclaimed features, but Hostaway manages to keep up with its predominantly positive impressions and several isolated negative experiences.
Conclusion – OwnerRez or Hostaway?
These two powerful platforms rightfully carry the title of leading vacation rental management platforms. However, to make the right choice, it is essential to consider your specific needs and priorities.
OwnerRez proves to be a suitable option for small to medium businesses with its transparent pricing, volume discounts, and the ability to select features a la carte. This platform remains affordable even for those managing a few units, and as your portfolio expands, you can enjoy a lower price per property.
Hostaway, on the other hand, excels in its comprehensive approach and custom pricing, catering particularly well to hosts and managers dealing with a larger number of units. With tailored features like multi-unit support and cross-listings, Hostaway suits the needs of medium to large vacation rental businesses.
Alternatives to OwnerRez and Hostaway
If neither OwnerRez nor Hostaway can rise to the task and meet all your requirements, fret not! There are many other vacation rental management software, starting from our top pick, Uplisting.
Compare vacation rental software options with our spreadsheet.
View spreadsheetWhat makes Uplisting stand out is its robust built-in feature set, consistent focus on improvements, and helpful and responsive customer service that will efficiently handle any issue.
If you’re seeking additional alternatives for full-stack property manager platforms, consider well-regarded tools like Smoobu, iGMS, Lodgify, HostHub, and Hospitable.
