HostStarter Auto-Hosting handles everything — guest communication, dynamic pricing, cleaning, maintenance, and reporting — for 12.5% + $99/month + $99/month. No contracts. No surprises.
One fee. Every service included. No upsells, no add-ons, no surprises.
Full real estate photo shoot for every managed property. Optimized listing title and description written to out-rank comparable properties in your market.
24/7 guest communication — handling inquiries, check-in instructions, mid-stay needs, and review responses automatically.
Nightly rates adjusted in real time — demand signals, local events, competitor data, and seasonal patterns all factored in.
Automated turnover scheduling and cleaner management. We coordinate every clean — you own the cleaner relationship and payment terms.
Our local vendor network handles repairs fast. We coordinate all work, keep you informed, and get your approval above any agreed threshold.
Properties listed and actively managed on both Airbnb and VRBO — maximizing booking exposure and reducing single-platform dependency.
Clear monthly statements showing total revenue, management fee, expenses, and net payout. No surprises or hidden line items.
Ongoing optimization of title, description, photos, and pricing based on performance data. Listings are never set-and-forget.
From your first call to your first payout — simple, transparent, and fast.
Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll learn about your property, answer your questions, and provide a free revenue projection based on real comparable listings in your market.
We schedule professional photography, write an optimized listing, configure dynamic pricing, and publish on Airbnb and VRBO — all within 7–14 days of signing up.
We handle every guest interaction from inquiry to checkout review. Cleaning is automated, maintenance is coordinated through our vendor network, and guest messaging runs around the clock. You do nothing.
You're paid directly by Airbnb and VRBO weekly as guests check in. HostStarter deducts our fee from each payout. You also receive a monthly statement with full revenue, fee, and expense detail.
The industry average for full-service STR management is 18–25% plus extra fees for photography, onboarding, and more. HostStarter Auto-Hosting covers everything for less.
of monthly gross revenue + a $99/month software fee
Everything you need to know before getting started with HostStarter.
Book a free discovery call or send us a message. We'll provide a free revenue projection and answer every question you have — no pressure, no obligation.
30 minutes. No pressure. Get a free revenue projection for your property.
Schedule Now — It's Free →Usually scheduled within 24 hours
Advertised starting rates as published by each company in August 2026. Starting rates usually 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
