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.
Awning is a legitimate full-service competitor and probably the most honest comparison point for HostStarter — both companies publish their fees, both emphasize no hidden charges, and both target serious property owners rather than casual hosts. The differences are real, but they’re narrower than the Vacasa comparison. Here’s where they actually diverge.
Fee comparison
Awning publishes a starting fee of 15% of gross revenue. HostStarter charges 12.5% flat. On a $4,000/month property, that’s $600/month with Awning vs $500/month with HostStarter — $1,200/year difference. Not dramatic, but real money that compounds across a property portfolio.
| Factor | HostStarter | Awning |
|---|---|---|
| Management Fee | 12.5% flat | 15% starting |
| Setup / Onboarding Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Photography | Included | Included |
| Contract Length | 30-day notice, month-to-month | Month-to-month |
| Geographic Coverage | 33 specific markets | Nationwide (all 50 states) |
| Platforms | Airbnb + VRBO | Airbnb + VRBO + 50+ channels |
| Average Rating | 5.0 stars | 4.8 stars |
Where Awning has the edge
Awning’s channel distribution is genuinely broader — they list on 50+ platforms including Booking.com, Google Vacation Rentals, Expedia, and their own direct booking site, alongside Airbnb and VRBO. More channels means more booking exposure, especially for properties in markets where Booking.com drives meaningful traffic.
Awning also operates nationwide. If your property is outside HostStarter’s 33-city coverage, Awning can likely serve you. HostStarter is deliberately focused on markets where we can deliver 5-star results — we don’t take on properties we can’t support well.
Where HostStarter has the edge
- Lower fee — 12.5% vs 15%. Small gap per month, real money per year.
- 5.0 star average — every property we manage, across every market. Awning averages 4.8, which is good but not the same.
- Market depth — in our 33 cities, we have local vendor networks, local expertise, and local relationships that a nationwide platform generalizes around.
- Founder-led — HostStarter was built by David Donley after his own bad experience with overpriced managers. The company is still run by people who care about whether individual properties perform well, not just portfolio metrics.
How to decide
If your property is in one of our 33 markets, get a quote from both and compare performance projections. The fee difference is $1,200–$3,000/year depending on your revenue — enough to matter. If you’re outside our coverage area, Awning is a solid choice and a fair deal compared to most alternatives.
Either way, skip Vacasa. The math doesn’t work at 25–35%, and the listing ownership issue is a deal-breaker for most serious investors.
Want to see HostStarter’s numbers on your specific property? 30-minute free call, no pressure, exact figures.
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) | Not published |
| RedAwning | From 10% | Full-service | Varies |
| Evolve | 10% / 15% / custom | Half-service; owner arranges cleaning | Varies, $250 onboarding |
| Surge | 15-25% | Full-service | 90 days notice |
| Grand Welcome | High teens | Full-service, standardised | Varies |
| AvantStay | Not published | Full-service, luxury tier | Negotiated |
| Vacasa | Not published | Full-service | 90 days notice |
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.
See what your property could earn
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