Short answer
Full-service Airbnb management generally costs 15% to 25% of revenue. Cheaper 8% to 10% tiers are usually half-service and exclude cleaning, restocking and maintenance. HostStarter charges 12.5% of revenue plus a $99 per month software fee, month-to-month, with no setup fee.
If you’re managing multiple Airbnb properties yourself — or evaluating property management companies — you’ll encounter three names constantly: Guesty, Hostfully, and Hostaway. These are the leading property management platforms (PMPs) used by professional short-term rental operators. Here’s what actually separates them.
What These Platforms Do
All three are cloud-based property management systems that handle: unified calendar and booking management across OTAs (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com), automated guest messaging, dynamic pricing integrations, housekeeping task management, owner reporting, and accounting. The differences are in depth, pricing, and who they’re built for.
Guesty
Best for: Large portfolios (20+ properties), enterprise operators, companies managing at scale.
Guesty is the most feature-complete platform in the category and integrates with the widest range of third-party tools. It has a robust API, handles complex multi-unit operations, and has enterprise-grade owner portals. The tradeoff: it’s the most expensive option, with pricing starting around $50–70/property/month for smaller portfolios and negotiated contracts for larger ones. Support can be slower for smaller accounts.
Guesty’s GuestyBookings direct booking engine is also genuinely good — it allows property managers to take direct bookings outside of OTA platforms, reducing dependency on Airbnb.
Hostfully
Best for: Mid-sized operators (5–50 properties), hosts who prioritize guest experience tools.
Hostfully is best known for its digital guidebook product — a feature that lets you create a beautifully branded digital guestbook that guests access via a link. For hosts who care about the guest experience touchpoints between booking and check-in, this is Hostfully’s standout feature. Its PMP is solid but less feature-rich than Guesty at the high end. Pricing is more accessible (~$10–20/property/month).
Hostaway
Best for: Growing portfolios (5–100 properties), operators who want broad OTA connectivity.
Hostaway is arguably the fastest-growing platform in the category. It has one of the widest OTA connection libraries (connects to 100+ channels), a clean modern interface, and competitive pricing. It’s won significant market share from operators who found Guesty too expensive and Hostfully too limited. Their customer support is consistently rated highly. Pricing is roughly $10–25/property/month.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Guesty | Hostfully | Hostaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA Connections | 40+ | 20+ | 100+ |
| Direct Booking Engine | Yes (strong) | Yes (basic) | Yes (good) |
| Guest Messaging Automation | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Dynamic Pricing Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Owner Portal | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Starting Price/Property/Month | ~$50+ | ~$10 | ~$10 |
| Best Fit | Enterprise (20+) | Mid-market | Growing operators |
What This Means for Property Owners
If you’re hiring a property manager rather than self-managing, the platform they use affects your experience primarily through the owner portal — how you see your revenue, bookings, and statements. Ask your prospective management company what platform they use and whether you’ll have owner portal access.
HostStarter uses a professional property management platform with full owner transparency — you can see your bookings, revenue, and statements in real time. Ask us how our system works when you get in touch.
How do Airbnb management fees compare?
Advertised starting rates as published by each company in August 2026. Starting rates often apply to the entry service tier, so check what is included before comparing.
| Company | Advertised fee | Service level | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| HostStarter | 12.5% + $99/mo | Full-service | Month-to-month, no setup fee |
| TIDY | From 3.9% | Software-assisted, not full-service | Month-to-month |
| MasterHost | From 8% (Chicago), 10% elsewhere | Tiered; entry tier excludes most operations | Month-to-month |
| Awning | From 10% | Full-service (claimed) | 90 days notice |
| RedAwning | From 10% | Full-service | Varies |
| Evolve | 10% / 15% / custom | Half-service; owner arranges cleaning | Varies, $250 onboarding |
| Surge | 15% | Full-service, local team | No annual contract |
| Grand Welcome | High teens | Full-service, standardised | Varies |
| AvantStay | Not published | Full-service, luxury tier | Negotiated |
| Vacasa | Approx. 25-35% | Full-service | Annual typical |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Airbnb management cost?
Full-service Airbnb management typically runs 15% to 25% of rental revenue. Advertised 8% to 10% tiers are usually half-service, leaving cleaning, restocking and maintenance to the owner. HostStarter charges 12.5% of revenue plus a $99 per month software fee, with no setup fee and no long-term contract.
Is a 10% Airbnb management fee actually cheaper?
Often no. A 10% fee that excludes housekeeping coordination, restocking and maintenance is not cheaper than a 15% fee that includes them, because you still pay for that work separately or do it yourself. Compare all-in cost per year, not the headline percentage.
Do I keep my Airbnb listing and my reviews?
With HostStarter the listing stays in your own account and payouts arrive directly from Airbnb, so your review history and search ranking stay with you if you leave. Some managers move the listing onto their account, which means the reviews you built stay with them.
Is there a long-term contract?
HostStarter is month-to-month with no cancellation penalty and no setup or onboarding fee. Several national managers require annual agreements with early-termination fees, and at least one charges a separate onboarding fee, so read the exit clause before signing.
What is the difference between full-service and half-service management?
Full-service covers listing and pricing plus housekeeping, restocking, maintenance coordination and guest support. Half-service usually covers only the listing, pricing and messaging. The fee gap between the two is mostly explained by which one you are actually buying.
Next steps
- Find a short-term rental to buy - we screen properties for STR viability before you make an offer.
- Full-service Airbnb management - what is included at 12.5% + $99/mo.