How Much Does Vacation Rental Software Cost?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re looking to run a vacation rental business, it’s essential to have the right tools to manage your bookings, payments, and guests. One of the most critical tools you’ll need is vacation rental software.

But how much does vacation rental software cost? Let’s take a closer look.

Types of Vacation Rental Software

Before we dive into the cost of vacation rental software, it’s important to understand the different types of software that are available. There are two main types:

Cloud-Based Vacation Rental Software: This type of software is hosted on the vendor’s servers and accessed through a web browser. It’s easy to set up, requires no installation or maintenance on your end, and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Desktop Vacation Rental Software: This type of software is installed on your computer and requires regular updates and maintenance. It offers more customization options but can be more difficult to set up and use.

Factors that Affect Vacation Rental Software Cost

The cost of vacation rental software varies based on several factors:

Number of Properties:

The more properties you have, the more expensive the software will be. Most vendors charge based on the number of properties you manage.

Features:

Different vendors offer different features, such as booking management, payment processing, channel management (integrating with platforms like Airbnb), reporting/analytics, and guest communication tools. The more features you need, the higher the cost will be.

Type of Software:

As mentioned earlier, cloud-based software tends to be less expensive than desktop software due to lower setup and maintenance costs.

Pricing Model:

Some vendors charge a flat monthly fee per property while others charge a percentage of each booking made through their platform.

The Cost Breakdown

The cost of vacation rental software can range from a few dollars per property per month to several hundred dollars per month. Here are some examples:

  • Hostaway: Hostaway charges $1 per property per month for their basic plan, which includes booking management, payment processing, and channel management.
  • Lodgify: Lodgify charges $18 per month per property for their basic plan, which includes a website builder, booking management, payment processing, and channel management.
  • Kigo: Kigo charges a percentage of each booking made through their platform (starting at 2.5%) and offers additional features like guest communication tools and reporting/analytics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of vacation rental software varies widely based on factors like the number of properties you manage, the features you need, and the type of software you choose. It’s important to evaluate your needs carefully and shop around for vendors that offer the features you need at a price point that works for your business. With the right vacation rental software in place, you’ll be able to streamline your operations and provide great experiences for your guests.