12 Best Short Term Rental Software Options for 2025

The Best Short-Term Rental Software for 2025

The short-term rental market is more competitive than ever. Relying only on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo means leaving money on the table and giving up control over your brand and guest experience. The right software does not just automate tasks. It becomes the central hub for your entire operation, from managing bookings across multiple channels to streamlining the endless flow of guest communication.

Finding the best short term rental software is critical for scaling efficiently. A robust platform prevents double bookings with a reliable channel manager, automates repetitive guest messaging, and centralizes your operations into a single dashboard. It should give you a single place to manage everything from cleaning schedules to guest inquiries.

This guide cuts through the noise. We will explore the top solutions available, breaking them down by their ideal use cases. Whether you are a host with a single property, a growing manager with 20 listings, or an enterprise looking to scale, this guide will help. We will analyze critical features, uncover potential limitations, and provide practical insights to help you find the platform that aligns perfectly with your business goals. Get ready to transform your STR business from a side hustle into a streamlined, profitable enterprise.

1. Supahost

Best for: AI-Powered Operations and Guest Experience

Supahost stands out as the best short term rental software for managers who want to leverage artificial intelligence to automate their operations and deliver a 5-star guest experience. It is more than just a property management system. It is a dedicated AI assistant that handles up to 90% of guest inquiries, freeing you and your team to focus on growing the business.

The core of Supahost is its advanced AI, which integrates seamlessly into a unified inbox and calendar. The Messaging Autopilot instantly and accurately responds to guest questions, from initial booking inquiries to late-night requests for the Wi-Fi password. What truly sets it apart is the ability to Train Your AI on your specific property details, house rules, and local recommendations. This ensures every automated response is personalized and perfectly reflects your brand's voice.

KEY FEATURES & ANALYSIS

What makes Supahost exceptional is its focus on operational efficiency and complete transparency. The platform’s AI Memory retains context from every conversation, allowing it to handle complex queries and follow-ups without human intervention. Features like Conversation Summaries provide quick overviews of guest interactions, while the AI Confidence & Transparency score shows you exactly why the AI responded the way it did, building trust and giving you ultimate control.

• AI-Powered Messaging: Automates up to 90% of guest communication across all channels with a trainable AI assistant.
• Unified Inbox & Calendar: Manages all bookings, messages, and property schedules in one central hub to prevent double bookings.
• Deep Personalization: Uses AI Memory and custom training to provide helpful, context-aware, and brand-aligned responses.
• Operational Transparency: Gives you complete visibility into the AI's reasoning and performance, ensuring you are always in control.

PROS AND CONS

Pros

• Dramatically reduces manual work by automating guest communication effectively.
• Easy to train and customize the AI to match your specific operational needs and brand voice.
• Seamless integration with existing channels like Airbnb and Vrbo with a simple, 1-click setup.

Cons

• Primarily focused on AI communication and operations, may require other tools for marketing or accounting.
• Best suited for hosts who are ready to embrace AI and automation in their workflow.

2. Guesty

Guesty stands out as an all-in-one property management platform designed to scale with your business, making it one of the best short term rental software options for growth-focused managers. It excels at centralizing operations, from guest communication in a unified inbox to synchronizing calendars across a vast network of online travel agencies (OTAs). The platform’s robust automation capabilities allow users to schedule cleanings, automate guest messages, and manage staff tasks efficiently.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Professional property managers and hosts with 4 to 200+ properties seeking a scalable, comprehensive solution.
• Pricing: The "Lite" plan is available for those with 1-3 listings. The more feature-rich "Pro" and "Enterprise" plans require a custom quote based on portfolio size and needs.
• Pros: Powerful multi-channel distribution, extensive automation, and mature owner management tools.
• Cons: The custom pricing for Pro plans can be a significant investment, and some users report a steep learning curve due to its extensive feature set.

3. Hostaway

Hostaway is a powerful all-in-one vacation rental software engineered for property managers who are serious about growth and operational excellence. It combines a sophisticated property management system (PMS) with a top-tier channel manager, providing deep, reliable integrations with major OTAs like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. The platform is celebrated for its stability and comprehensive feature set, which includes advanced automation, a unified inbox, and robust analytics.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Professional property managers with growing portfolios who need a stable, scalable, and highly customizable central management hub.
• Pricing: Custom quote-based pricing tailored to the number of properties and specific needs. No free trial is available.
• Pros: Renowned for its reliable API connections and system stability, excellent customer support and onboarding, and extensive integration options.
• Cons: The quote-based pricing can represent a high initial investment, and many essential tools (like dynamic pricing) are paid add-ons.

4. Lodgify

Lodgify empowers hosts and property managers by focusing on building their brand and driving direct bookings. It’s an all-in-one solution that excels with its integrated, user-friendly website builder, allowing users to create a professional, bookable website in minutes without any technical skills. This direct-booking focus is combined with a powerful property management system (PMS) and channel manager, making it a strong contender for independent operators.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Independent hosts and small to mid-sized property managers focused on building a direct booking business.
• Pricing: Offers a tiered subscription model (Starter, Pro, Ultimate) based on the number of rentals. A free trial is available, but the Starter plan has a 1.9% booking fee.
• Pros: Excellent for establishing a direct booking channel quickly, transparent US payment fees, and strong onboarding support.
• Cons: The Starter plan includes commission fees on bookings, and the optional dynamic pricing tool adds an extra 0.8% fee per reservation.

5. Hospitable

Hospitable champions an automation-first approach, positioning itself as some of the best short term rental software for hosts who want to minimize manual tasks. It excels in streamlining guest communication with AI-powered messaging and automated workflows, from booking confirmation to checkout instructions. The platform offers a clean, unified inbox that consolidates conversations from Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, making guest management incredibly efficient.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Individual hosts and small property managers with 1 to 20 properties who prioritize guest communication and operational automation.
• Pricing: Starts at $25 per property for the first two properties, with the per-property cost decreasing as you add more listings.
• Pros: Pay only for active properties, which is ideal for seasonal rentals, and a fast, intuitive setup process with a strong emphasis on automation.
• Cons: Per-device fees for some premium smart features can add up, and differences between legacy plans may cause confusion for some users.

6. OwnerRez

OwnerRez is a powerful and feature-rich property management system highly regarded for its robust functionality and transparent pricing model. It excels in providing deep, direct API integrations with major channels like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, making it a reliable choice for managers who prioritize stability and control. Unlike many competitors, OwnerRez offers a unique à-la-carte pricing structure, allowing users to select and pay only for the premium features they need.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Hands-on owners and professional property managers who value deep functionality, direct integrations, and customizable, transparent pricing.
• Pricing: A base per-property monthly fee with optional add-ons for premium features like channel management, websites, and messaging.
• Pros: Extremely transparent per-property pricing, no booking commissions, and a highly scalable feature set with optional premium add-ons.
• Cons: Premium features can add up, increasing the monthly cost, and the initial setup is largely a do-it-yourself process unless a paid professional service is purchased.

7. Hostfully

Hostfully excels at enhancing the guest and owner experience, making it a top choice for managers who prioritize client satisfaction. Its property management platform (PMP) provides robust channel management, a unified inbox, and operational tools. A key differentiator for Hostfully is its award-winning digital guidebooks, which centralize property information, local recommendations, and house rules, significantly improving the guest journey.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Managers of small to medium portfolios who want to provide a premium guest experience and value strong customer support.
• Pricing: Tiered pricing is available for smaller portfolios (starting from $109/month for 1-4 properties), with custom quotes for larger enterprise clients. A one-time implementation fee applies.
• Pros: Excellent onboarding and support, strong focus on guest experience tools, and clear pricing for smaller portfolios.
• Cons: The PMP requires a one-time implementation fee, and some payment processing fees are not included in the monthly subscription.

8. Uplisting

Uplisting positions itself as a highly reliable and intuitive property management system built for hosts scaling their operations. It excels at providing rock-solid channel management and powerful automations, making it great for those prioritizing stability and ease of use. The platform centralizes guest communication with a unified inbox, automates repetitive tasks like guest reviews and cleaning schedules, and offers tools to enhance security and professionalism.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Hosts and managers with growing portfolios who need a dependable, user-friendly system with strong core automation features.
• Pricing: Starts at $100/month for up to 5 properties, with a clear per-property pricing model as you scale. A 14-day free trial is available.
• Pros: Very clear and fair pricing structure, strong reputation for reliability and support, and excellent automation for guest communication and operations.
• Cons: Key features like owner portals and advanced security deposits are paid add-ons, and its marketplace has fewer integrations than larger enterprise platforms.

9. iGMS

iGMS positions itself as a powerful automation tool for hosts focused on operational efficiency. It excels at automating routine tasks like guest messaging, reviews, and cleaning management, freeing up valuable time for hosts and small property managers. The platform consolidates inquiries and bookings from multiple accounts on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com into a single, streamlined inbox and multi-calendar view.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Hosts and small property managers who prioritize guest communication automation and operational efficiency.
• Pricing: Offers various tiered plans including a "Lite" plan for 1-4 properties. Full pricing details are often provided after signing up for a trial.
• Pros: Excellent for automating guest messaging and reviews, user-friendly interface, and direct booking capabilities.
• Cons: Some advanced features are less developed compared to larger competitors, and pricing details are not fully transparent upfront.

10. Smoobu

Smoobu provides an all-in-one vacation rental management solution that prioritizes simplicity and transparent pricing, making it an excellent choice for hosts who want powerful tools without a steep learning curve. The platform bundles essential features like a channel manager, a direct booking website builder, and a unified inbox into an accessible package. This balance of simplicity and capability makes it a great option for those who want to professionalize their operations quickly.

KEY DETAILS & FEATURES

• Best For: Independent hosts and small property managers seeking a user-friendly, all-in-one platform with predictable pricing.
• Pricing: Offers a 14-day free trial. Paid plans use a simple per-unit pricing model, with discounts for annual or biannual commitments.
• Pros: Easy to set up with no setup fees, transparent and affordable pricing, and a comprehensive feature set for its target audience.
• Cons: The optional dynamic pricing add-on incurs an additional cost per property.

11. G2 – Vacation Rental Software Category

While not a software itself, G2’s Vacation Rental category is an indispensable resource for anyone researching the market. It functions as a comprehensive marketplace where real users leave verified reviews, offering unfiltered insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different platforms. This allows property managers to compare tools based on user satisfaction, feature sets, and market presence, cutting through marketing jargon to see how solutions perform in the real world.

12. Capterra – Vacation Rental Software Directory

Similar to G2, Capterra's Vacation Rental Software Directory is an invaluable research hub. It offers verified user reviews, detailed feature comparisons, and pricing snapshots for dozens of platforms. This makes it an essential first stop for property managers looking to find the best short term rental software that fits their specific operational needs and budget. The platform allows users to filter options based on features, business size, and user ratings.

Making Your Final Decision: The Path to Smarter STR Management

Choosing the best short term rental software is a pivotal decision for your business. It is not just about adding a tool. It is about implementing a central operating system that will define your efficiency, shape the guest experience, and ultimately, drive your profitability.

As we have explored, the landscape of STR software is diverse. The 'best' solution is entirely subjective and depends on your unique operational context.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR YOUR SELECTION PROCESS

A solo host managing a few properties will find immense value in the powerful automation and streamlined communication of a tool like Hospitable or Smoobu. Their focus on simplicity and efficiency solves the most common pain points for small-scale operators.

In contrast, a large-scale property management company requires the enterprise-level power of a platform like Guesty or Hostaway. These systems offer robust features for team management, complex reporting, and trust accounting that are non-negotiable for professional operations.

For those focused on growth and efficiency, particularly those aiming to deliver a flawless guest experience without hiring a large team, the choice becomes more strategic. An AI-first platform like Supahost provides a significant competitive advantage. It integrates AI-powered guest service directly into your workflow, allowing you to scale your business without scaling your workload.

YOUR ACTIONABLE NEXT STEPS

Your ideal software lies at the intersection of your current portfolio size, future business goals, and technical comfort level. The path forward requires a structured approach.

1. Shortlist Your Contenders: Based on these reviews, select two or three platforms that seem to be the best fit for your needs. Focus on the features that solve your biggest challenges.
2. Book Live Demos: This is a crucial step. A live demonstration allows you to ask targeted questions and see the software in action. Prepare a list of your must-have features.
3. Utilize Free Trials: Get hands-on with the software. Connect a single property to test the user interface, the onboarding process, and the core functionality. This real-world experience is invaluable.

Investing time in this research now is a strategic investment. By carefully selecting the right foundation, you will build a technology stack that not only resolves today's operational headaches but also scales with your vision for growth.

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