Hostaway vs Lodgify: Comparison of the two software packages - Features - Differences - Price - Which one to buy?

Hostaway vs Lodgify: A detailed analysis of the differences :

Website creation :

As an all-in-one solution, both tools include a website. Both allow you to generate your own website. Of course, your website will be:

• Equipped with an integrated booking engine (travelers can book easily and in just a few minutes);
• Responsive design adapted to mobile bookings, which account for over 70% of online bookings;
• Real-time calendar synchronization with OTA platforms
• SEO optimization for Google search engine optimization.

In terms of website functionality, there’s no difference between the two software packages. However, we prefer Lodgify ‘s professional designs .

Centralized messaging on a single interface:

Both tools offer centralized messaging between the Airbnb, Booking and Expedia platforms in addition to your own. You can also manage your SMS, Whatsapp and email messaging from a single interface!

You’ll be able to send personalized messages to your travelers thanks to a “shortcode” system that retrieves booking information directly from the platforms.

For example: Pierre’s booking from 15/08 to 25/08

Hello (Name),

Thank you for booking your stay from (check-in date) to (check-out date).

Hello Pierre,

Thank you for booking your stay from 15/08 to 25/08.

These “shortcodes” found in both tools make it possible to humanize your automatic messages to your guests a little more.

Hostaway offers an interface where all the exchanges with travelers and the functionalities described above can be found.

Lodgify goes one step further with its unified box. In fact, it’s highly intuitive, with a host of features that make it easy to use. Find any conversation in a matter of seconds, sorting and filtering by priority, platform, date of stay etc…

As you can see, we’ve chosen Lodgify because of its fast, easy-to-use messaging system!

Channel manager :

Both the Hostaway and Lodgify channel managers allow you to connect to numerous distribution channels. They also provide a single interface for :

• modify the minimum length of stay to suit low or high seasons;
• manage prices: each of them allows you to send your rates in a few seconds to all platforms (Airbnb, Booking) and your website;
• implement a price increase coefficient to display different prices for each distribution channel
• Manage availabilities (opening and closing of availabilities on a single calendar).
• Connect via a complete bi-directional API, allowing you to carry out the above points instantly and create and manage your rental ads directly on the software!

The difference between the two tools lies in the number of distribution channels available. Of course, the biggest platforms can be connected to both channel managers (Airbnb, Booking, Expedia, Google vacation rentals).

However, if your strategy is to extend your visibility on as many platforms as possible, Hostawayhas the advantage of offering more platforms such as Tripadvisor, Marriott etc…

Integrated dynamic pricing :

Both solutions have recently added dynamic pricingto their functionalities .

If you want to use the integrated pricing tool , we recommend the Lodgify tool, available at no extra cost to your subscription.

If the “price” criterion isn’t the most important to you, you’re better off with Hostaway’s channel manager.

Finally, if you choose to use an external solution such as Pricelabs, Wheelhouse Beyond Printing or others, which has a definite advantage (because it’s more accurate and offers more features), opt for the one that integrates the chosen solution. Here’s a quick comparison of Lodgify vs Hostaway

User-friendly software :

Our analysis of the Hostaway and Lodgify interfaces reveals some notable differences.

• Hostaway software focuses on offering maximum functionality and customization. Numerous options and settings make it more complex to get to grips with than Lodgify. The tool is designed for managers with a large number of properties who will take the time to invest in learning how to use the full power of Hostaway.
• Lodgify vacation rental software has been designed with simplicity and user-friendliness in mind. It’s quick and easy to get to grips with, and includes all the essential functions needed to get started in the vacation rental business. This tool will be accessible to the greatest number of people who don’t want to develop advanced technical skills for lack of time or inclination.

Only your profile and your desires will determine your choice concerning this aspect of two all-in-one solutions.

Customer service and user support :

• Hostaway is renowned for having some of the best customer service in the short-term software market. Personalized assistance according to your profile, your settings, your subscription plans defined at the outset. 24/7 customer service.

Their website features tutorials and a tool support forum. Webinars are also organized to help customers develop their business.

At present, the only problem is that theaudience is mainly in English.

• Lodgify also offers a personalized welcome for new customers on the right track. Numerous tutorials and training courses will also be available on the platform. Customer service will be available by phone, chat and, of course, e-mail. Just like Hostaway, webinars are organized to help the Lodgify community become a real eco-system!

We give Lodgify an advantage because they are present in several countries andcustomer support is therefore available in several languages.

Hostaway and Lodgify prices:

It’s hard to compare the two software packages on this point. But let’s talk about the two offerings.

Lodgify offers you the option of subscribing to one of three price plans. Rates vary according to the number of vacation rentals you connect.

A price that’s one of the most competitive on the market for the basic features needed to manage an Airbnb listing. Go to Lodgify to find out how much your subscription will cost, based on the number of properties you manage.

Hostaway highlights the fact that prices can be customized by adding or subtracting certain options from the base price. A price that decreases sharply for a property manager managing several dozen or even hundreds of units.

Overall, if you’re an owner or manager of up to 20 properties looking for a competitive price with fewer advanced features that are unnecessary for small and medium-sized renters, opt for Lodgify.

If you’re prepared to pay a little more with a small number of properties for a more complete solution, and if you manage 50, 100, 200 or moreunits, opt for Hostaway. Request your personalized quote

Integrating external tools :

Both software packages are designed to be an all-in-one solution for their customers, so they can be integrated with other tools to make them even more complete.

Lodgify connects to :

• Platforms (OTAs),
• Accounting and dynamic pricing software
• Payment system and deposit,
• Connected lock, remote surveillance system, etc…

In short, all these integrations enable you to transform your vacation rental software into a veritable ecosystem in the short-term rental industry!

Hostaway offers the same approach to its partner customers, with numerous extensions that can be added with their open API connections. One of Hostaway’s strong points is its marketplace of connectable software. There are over 100 direct connections, compared with around 30 on the Lodgify side.

For example, you’ll find :

• 3 dynamic pricing software choices at Lodgify and 8 different ones at Hostaway!

On this “external integration”feature,Hostaway wins.

Lodgify user and customer reviews:

Lodgify benefits according to customers:

In addition to our detailed analysis of the two solutions, we list the advantages and disadvantages based on feedback from system users.

• Easy-to-use interface, even for beginners
• Top-notch customer service and responsive support
• Quick and easy website creation with a professional design highlighting available rentals
• Efficient integrated booking engine
• Calendar synchronization is fast and avoids overbooking
• Website increases direct bookings and lowers OTAS commissions
• Flexibility and a wide range of customization options
• Two-way connection with major platforms (Airbnb, Booking)
• Automated customer communication
• Good value for money for small and medium-sized businesses 0 to 50 properties
• Software evolves with new features
• Mobile application available
• Integrated dynamic pricing tool at no extra cost
• Training and resources available on the platform (tutorials, webinars, etc.)

Disadvantages of Lodgify as seen by users :

• Many basic functions are available, but managers of 100 properties or more note that some very advanced functions are missing to help them in their day-to-day management.
• Limited customization options for professional web designers
• Limited analysis reports, not giving a precise, detailed view of the performance of large rental portfolios of 100 properties or more;
• Limited integration with some popular third-party tools

User comments highlight the same aspects: Lodgify has all the features a rental company needs. Lodgify is designed for owners and managers of 0 to 50 properties.

Hostaway user and customer reviews:

Hostaway benefits according to users :

• User-friendly interface
• Excellent integration with major reservation platforms (Airbnb, Booking),
• Possibility of connecting with a wide choice of OTAs, some of them less well-known.
• Instant synchronization of schedules and prices across all distribution channels
• Advanced dynamic pricing features
• Tools available for online booking tasks and payments
• Detailed, customizable reporting and analysis to optimize performance
• Mobile application to manage reservations
• Integration with numerous third-party tools (over 100) to meet the needs of managers of 100 properties or more.
• Responsive customer support with a dedicated manager
• Good scalability tool designed for growth and management of several hundred properties.

Disadvantages of Hostaway described by customers:

• Extremely comprehensive software that requires a long learning curve to master all functions
• Premium tool with higher billing than Lodgify as more units are added
• Mobile interface less powerful than desktop version

Feedback from Hostaway’s customers confirms the idea we’ve been putting forward throughout this article, namely that it is designed for large vacation rental management companies, and is capable of supporting them with numerous tools to be integrated into the ecosystem.

Hostaway is undoubtedly more complete than Lodgify but makes it :

• more complex to master
• higher tariffs
• certainly oversized in functionality for managers of -50 properties.