Property management is a lot more than just handing over keys—it’s about creating a seamless experience for guests while keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes. With many properties and so many tasks to juggle, from coordinating bookings to ensuring top-notch cleanliness, having the right tools can make all the difference in the world.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best vacation rental apps that simplify the life of hosts and managers at any level. Whether you need help with automating bookings, keep up with guest communication, or set competitive prices, there’s a vacation rental app out there designed to streamline each part of the process. The goal? Less time on manual tasks and more time focusing on growing your business.
Let’s start with the essentials. To handle short-term rental properties most effectively, hosts need a solid foundation for easy-to-use, reliable tools and management software.
These are the best vacation rental apps around that help manage things like guest communication, the booking process, and routine tasks like cleaning and maintenance. Ideally, it should streamline these core tasks so that nothing slips through the cracks.
As an all-in-one solution for short-term rental management, iGMS can cover all of the above tasks and more. It’s great for automating messaging, bookings, and task assignments and you can sync calendars to keep everything on track.
Plus there’s the added benefit of a designated website builder and a market insights tool as soon as you sign up, so you can take your business to the next level.
The features of this fully integrated app that will appeal to hosts at any stage are:
And, of course, you can do all of that on the go with the iGMS mobile app.
Download the iGMS App
While iGMS is a huge help for automating everything in one place, the Airbnb app is still key for managing your listings directly on the platform that started it all.
The software platform gives you an inside look at how your listings are doing, upload photos, and update your descriptions all while communicating with guests in real time.
Airbnb and iGMS are perfect complements because of:
Show me the money! We hear you. Let’s talk pricing tools to optimize your cash flow. These help hosts stay on top of changing demand, seasonal trends and availability, and local events so your rates stay competitive and profitable giving you the advantage you need.
Beyond Pricing is an automated pricing tool that adjusts rates based on market demand to help maximize your revenue.
What makes this such a great option for your pricing strategy?
They charge 1% of the monthly revenue generated for each listing and hosts have reported that developers are quick to address issues, release updates, and enhance key features, based on user feedback, so the software keeps up with users’ changing needs and expectations.
PriceLabs is an automated tool that has more advanced customization that allows hosts to adjust their prices depending on market demand, local events and more. It is a very flexible choice for short-term rental hosts wanting dynamic pricing that will fit closely with their specific strategy.
PriceLabs is a great option thanks to its:
With flexible plans, starting with a flat monthly fee at $19.99 per listing, extensive customization, and reliable support, PriceLabs is a good tool for hosts that want complete control over their pricing but also want automated tweaks to optimize their income.
Vacation rental apps aren’t just for communication and strategy though. We all know a dirty listing can spell disaster but not everyone has the time to clean themselves, especially if you manage multiple properties.
Turno is an easy tool vacation rental hosts use to automate their cleaning between guests so the place is always ready for the next guest. Turno makes managing turnovers easy by linking hosts to cleaners, automating cleaning schedules, and syncing with booking platforms. Here’s why it’s a great option for cleaning without hassles:
Turno, with a starting price at $6 per turnover or via a monthly subscription, is great for hosts regardless of property type who want to automate their cleaning schedule and provide a great guest experience without any hassles with its scheduling, booking integration and tracking.
Properly is a cleaning management service that ensures vacation rental hosts have everything clean and consistent. Properly offers visual checklists, real-time tracking, and easy integrations to help ensure that every clean meets host and guest standards.
Here’s why it’s the best way to manage turnovers:
Properly, with a starting price of $8 per clean, offers visual checklists, real-time tracking, and booking integration. It’s an ideal solution for hosts wanting high cleanliness standards and an excellent experience for guests every time.
Not all of the tools in your chest need to be specifically vacation rental apps, these organizational apps will help keep you in full control of your business while freeing up your availability so you can manage your property in peace.
Zapier is an awesome automation tool that links up over 5,000 apps, making it easy for vacation rental hosts to cut down on repetitive tasks and set up smooth workflows across platforms.
What makes it a great tool for managing vacation rentals?
Zapier has a free plan for basic workflows, and paid plans with multi-step Zaps and extras start at $19.99/month. With tons of integrations, and flexible workflows it’s a must-have platform for vacation rental hosts who want to automate and streamline their operations.
Slack is a super handy platform that keeps vacation rental hosts connected with their team, from co-hosts to cleaners and maintenance staff. By keeping conversations organized and easy, Slack helps cut down on miscommunication and boosts teamwork.
Here’s why it’s a go-to for property management:
Slack’s free plan works well for small teams, covering unlimited messages from the last 90 days. Paid plans start at $7.25 per user monthly, adding extras like video calls, full message history, and more integrations. Hosts love Slack’s easy-to-use interface and responsive support, making it a great tool for staying connected.
Resy and OpenTable are reservation apps that help vacation rental hosts level up the guest experience by making it super easy to book local dining and activities. If your rental’s in a popular area or near great restaurants, these platforms let guests grab a table or book experiences with just a few clicks.
Here’s why adding Resy or OpenTable can be a win for your guests:
Suggesting Resy or OpenTable is an easy way to add convenience and local flavor to the guest experience. They make it a breeze to reserve dining and activities, helping guests have a memorable stay and giving you a great way to enhance hospitality.
Touch Stay is a cool digital guestbook that helps vacation rental hosts share all the important property details, local recommendations, and essential info in one spot. With Touch Stay, you can whip up a customized digital guidebook that boosts the guest experience from check-in to check-out.
Here’s why Touch Stay is a must-have for hosts who want to make their guests feel at home:
Touch Stay offers a range of plans depending on how many properties you have to rent, starting at about $99 a year for one property. This makes it budget-friendly for hosts of all sizes. Plus, hosts rave about the responsive support team, who regularly updates the app to keep it fresh and aligned with guest needs.
Managing a vacation rental property doesn’t have to be a juggling act. With the right vacation rental apps and technology, you can streamline every aspect of your property hosting—from booking management and pricing to cleaning and guest communication.
By integrating these apps into your workflow, you’ll not only save time but also enhance the quality of your service. Automate routine processes, stay organized, and keep your finger on the pulse of market trends—all from the convenience of your smartphone or computer. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
So why wait? Equip yourself with the best tools in the industry and take your vacation rental business to the next level. Your guests will notice the difference, and you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with efficient, effective management software. Here’s to smoother operations and happier guests!