If you’re exploring property management software (PMS) options, it’s likely that Cloudbeds has come up in your search. But is it really the best fit for your vacation rental business? While Cloudbeds offers comprehensive solutions for hotels, many vacation rental managers find its features too hotel-centric, lacking the specialized tools needed for short-term rental success. Perhaps most critically, Cloudbeds’ hotel-first approach means vacation rental-specific features are often afterthoughts or available only through third-party integrations.
Fortunately, there are powerful alternatives designed specifically for vacation rental management that can drive greater revenue, simplify operations, and provide the specialized support your business needs. Below, we’ll explore five top alternatives to Cloudbeds, including why Guesty stands out as the best choice.
Who is Cloudbeds for?
Cloudbeds positions itself as a solution for traditional hospitality businesses, including hotels, hostels, and bed & breakfasts, with some capabilities for vacation rental management. It offers tools for managing bookings, front-desk operations, and hotel-style inventory management across major channels.
However, vacation rental managers seeking purpose-built features, scalable solutions, or specialized short-term rental support may find Cloudbeds’ hotel-centric approach limiting.
What should you look for in a Cloudbeds alternative?
When evaluating alternatives to Cloudbeds, here are some key factors to consider:
- Vacation rental focus: Does the software offer specialized tools designed specifically for short-term and vacation rental management rather than adapted hotel features?
- Native functionality: Are key features built into the platform, or do you need to rely on third-party integrations for essential tools like accounting and owner reporting?
- Mobile capabilities: Can you manage all aspects of your business on the go, not just guest communications?
- Comprehensive CRM: Does the solution offer robust lead management and pipeline tools that help convert more direct bookings?
5 best Cloudbeds alternatives
1. Guesty: Best for short-term and vacation rental-specific management and growth
Guesty is the leading property management software purpose-built for short-term and vacation rental businesses of all sizes. With an industry-leading R&D team of 250+ professionals and continuous platform enhancements, Guesty empowers property managers to streamline operations, attract more property owners, and grow revenue.
Why choose Guesty over Cloudbeds?
- Native functionality: Guesty offers built-in accounting, owner portals, and CRM tools, while Cloudbeds relies on third-party integrations for these essential features.
- Complete mobile management: Guesty’s native app enables full operational control on the go, compared to Cloudbeds’ limited mobile capabilities.
- Purpose-built platform: Designed specifically for vacation rentals rather than adapted from hotel software, with specialized features like smart lock integration and channel reviews management.
- Superior R&D investment: Guesty’s team of 250 R&D professionals consistently delivers innovations, compared to Cloudbeds’ smaller team of 80.
- Advanced dynamic pricing: Guesty’s embedded AI-powered pricing tool ensures optimal rates, while Cloudbeds’ hotel-focused pricing system lacks the flexibility needed for vacation rental dynamic pricing.
View our complete guide comparing Guesty vs Cloudbeds
Cons:
- Higher price point may not suit smaller operations with limited properties
- Feature richness can mean longer ramp-up time for new users
If you’re looking for a technology partner to help your business thrive, Guesty is the clear winner — whether you have 1-3 listings, or hundreds.
2. Little Hotelier: Best for small hotel properties
Little Hotelier offers a basic solution primarily designed for small hotels, with some vacation rental capabilities.
Pros:
- Extensive channel manager with multiple hotel-focused distribution options
- User-friendly insights dashboard
- Simple interface for basic property management
Cons:
- Hotel-centric platform lacking vacation rental-specific features
- Limited feature depth without core capabilities like accounting and communications
- Scale restrictions (suitable only for 1-30 rooms)
3. Webrezpro: Best for multi-vertical hospitality businesses
Operating since 2003, Webrezpro serves various hospitality segments including hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals.
Pros:
- Modern user interface
- Strong group management capabilities
- Versatile platform supporting multiple property types
Cons:
- Not focused on short-term and vacation rental needs
- Limited automation capabilities
- Relies heavily on third-party integrations for advanced features
- Lacking key vacation rental features like owner portal and unified inbox
4. Ciirus: Best for small to medium U.S.-based managers
With 20 years in the industry, Ciirus focuses on the vacation rental market, particularly in the U.S.
Pros:
- Built specifically for vacation rentals
- Includes damage and liability protection features
- Two decades of industry experience
Cons:
- Basic automation capabilities
- No mobile app available
- Limited support hours
- Restricted feature set for modern vacation rental management
5. Hostfully: Best for small-scale operations
Hostfully provides basic vacation rental management tools for hosts with smaller portfolios.
Pros:
- Purpose-built for vacation rentals
- Basic tools for fundamental operations
- Simple automation options
Cons:
- Limited scalability beyond small portfolios
- Basic automation capabilities
- Relies on third-party payment processing
- Recently lost premium partnership with Booking.com
Making the right choice for your short-term and vacation rental business
When evaluating property management systems, the key distinction lies in selecting a platform that’s truly built for short-term and vacation rentals rather than adapted from hotel software. While Cloudbeds excels in traditional hospitality management, short-term and vacation rental operators need specialized tools designed for their unique business model.
Guesty excels as the ideal alternative, providing streamlined automation, extensive guest management, and versatile features that benefit property managers throughout all levels. If you’re seeking to transform your vacation rental enterprise, Guesty furnishes the tools and solutions to boost your performance.
Ready to see how Guesty can make property management easier? Schedule a demo today.