Free Channel Manager : Ten tips to reduce your bill :

Choosing the right channel manager

As a short-term rental owner, managing your ads on several platforms can quickly become complicated. So the use of a channel manager is a must.

It enables you to synchronize calendars and prices, while avoiding double bookings on different reservation platforms. This tool, as necessary as it is useful, comes at a price.

Read our article on how to use 10 techniques to reduce the cost of your bill.

What is a Channel Manager? What’s it for?

In a nutshell, a channel manager enables you to automate a maximum number of tasks , saving you time and making them more reliable.

It is used by seasonal rental professionals, concierge services, hoteliers and guest houses.

More and more occasional renters are using this tool to free up their time.

How to choose the right channel manager?

Choosing a channel manager is very important, because this tool will follow you throughout your vacation rental adventure.

Here are the main features of a channel manager:

• Optimized rates and availability: By centralizing your reservations and managing rates dynamically.
• Time savings and task automation: Automation is one of the biggest benefits. You no longer need to connect to each platform (OTA) to update your reservations, it synchronizes all your bookings.
• Increased bookings thanks to improved visibility: By managing multiple platforms, you reach a greater number of travelers. More visibility = more bookings.

How can you save on your channel manager’s bill? 10 TIPS :

1. Take advantage of free trial periods:

Like most SAAS, a channel manager very often offers free trial periods. You’ll have access to a free channel manager. All available features.

These periods can vary from 7 to 30 days for the most generous among them!

It’s the best way to test without taking risks!

2. Sign up for a longer commitment period:

After you’ve tested them and chosen the channel manager that’s right for you. We advise you to sign up for a longer period:

1 year minimum, and if you can afford it, 2 years!

Indeed, most channel managers offer large annual discounts.

Lodgify, for example, offers discounts of up to 25% for a 2-year subscription (24 months), i.e. 6 months FREE!

3. Take advantage of promo codes, early season promotions and Black Friday:

During certain periods, a channel manager may offer a promotional code, so be on the lookout!

Some channel managers offer big discounts all year round:

• the best periods are early summer and especially Black Friday

For example, last Black Friday, Lodgify offered a 40% discount on top of its bi-annual 25% discount, for a total saving of 65% !

So you’ve got a 24-month subscription with 16 months free!

Bookmark this address in your browser so you don’t miss out on any promotions! : https://channel-manager-experts.com/channel-manager-code-promo/

Throughout the year, we’ll be listing all current promotions for our different channel managers.

4. Changing rate plans in low season :

A channel manager usually offers several tariffs, ideal if you have large seasonal variations.

In low season, you can opt for a monthly plan with fewer options, unnecessary when you have fewer travelers or your calendar is closed.

5. Reservation-based channel manager price :

If you’re an occasional host, we recommend a channel manager like Holidu, which offers a rate plan based on your bookings. If you don’t rent, the channel manager costs you nothing.

Cutting costs is a good thing, especially when you’re just starting out. But subscribing to a channel manager offers advantages that will help amortize their cost, until it becomes completely painless. Here are the advantages and benefits of using a channel manager:

6. Increase your visibility and sales:

The best channel managers enable you to be present on dozens and dozens of platforms, including the best-known ones (Airbnb, Booking, Abritel).

Amenitiz, for example, offers you visibility on over 120 booking portals!

7. Develop direct bookings :

Among the best channel managers you’ll find all-inclusive vacation rental software with its own website. This type of channel manager makes it possible to obtain direct bookings, without commission from the booking platforms.

Some owners can generate up to 50% of direct bookings!

Imagine the commissions you’ll save with a channel manager.

Example: €2,000 net sales/month, with the 17% commission at Booking you’ll have paid €340 in Booking commission.

If you get 50% direct bookings, you’ll save half the commission, i.e. €170, which more than pays for the channel manager’s subscription.

8. Using a channel manager instead of a concierge :

When used properly, a channel manager can automate a lot of things.

– price and calendar synchronization

– automated dynamic pricing with Pricelabs integration

– answer the message automatically by linking it with Mr Sherlock.ai

– manage staff and housekeeping remotely with dedicated applications etc…

At Channel-manager-experts we advocate this methodology rather than using a concierge service to manage your seasonal rental property.

By managing your Airbnb through channel manager automation , you’ll save between 20 and 25% in concierge fees. Of course, this saving will more than pay for the cost of your channel manager’s subscription.

9. Channel manager conciergerie the essential tool for your business:

Of course, if you’re a concierge company, a channel manager is a must.

In fact, automating your concierge service will save you time and money , enabling you to develop your business while saving an assistant in administrative and management tasks, and therefore saving on payroll.

Compared with these savings, the cost of the tool is negligible.

10 . Channel manager: more administrative time = more fieldwork :

As a concierge, you need to automate as many tasks as possible.

Thanks to the channel manager, you’ll have more time to devote to your business:

• your travellers, for example, for a physical welcome
• For travellers who need you to come to them.
• Owner customers: provide more information in real time and contact them regularly to build loyalty
• Prospecting for new owner customers to develop your concierge service

Selection of the best Free Channel Managers in 2025

Lodgify:

Lodgify is the best channel manager with its own website and the biggest discounts on the market. Easy to use, it is designed for owners/concierge companies with 1 to 20 rentals maximum. 7-day trial period.

Smoobu:

Smoobu is a solution renowned for its ease of use, ideal for homeowners just starting out. The « Free » offer, free of charge, focuses on a single property. It is designed for managers of 1 to 5 units maximum. Its 14-day trial period

Channel manager price comparison chart :

Free channel manager : The opinion of Channel-Manager-Experts :

There’s only so much you can do with a free channel manager. We advise you to subscribe to seasonal rental software. Indeed, getting into Airbnb rentals requires a minimum investment in tools, or in your accommodations.

Software like this is the first step towards successful rentals!

If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask us for advice on your choice of management software. With the list of features, the OTAS on which you want to be visible and the type of hosting, we’ll undoubtedly find the best solution available!