TL;DR: Guesty wins for operators who want one platform from startup to scale. Guesty Lite matches Lodgify’s price point but has more advanced automation. At 20+ units, Guesty’s native tools (payments, accounting, guest screening) outperform Hostaway’s integration-dependent model. Property managers who switched from Hostaway saw 16.4% more revenue per listing within 12 months; those from Lodgify saw 17%.
Your property management software isn’t just where you update calendars. It’s where revenue either compounds or leaks. Choosing between Guesty, Hostaway, and Lodgify comes down to one question: where is your business headed?
| Feature | Guesty | Hostaway | Lodgify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Growth at any stage | Mid-size, on a few channels | Small-scale hosts |
| Direct channels | 60+ | 32 | 12 |
| Sync speed | Real-time | Can have up to 30-minute delays | Real-time |
| Support team | 230+ | 60+ | 30+ |
| R&D team | 250+ engineers | 50+ | ~100 |
Which platform works best for small hosts with 1–3 properties?
Price matters at the start. But what matters more is whether your first software choice forces a painful migration when you grow.
Lodgify is best suited for smaller operations and is known for its drag-and-drop website builder. The problem surfaces as you grow and realize the channel manager connects to just 10 booking sites, automation feels basic, and scaling means starting over.
Guesty Lite enters at a similar price point but builds differently. From day one, you’re on the same platform that manages 500+ properties globally. The Unified Inbox pulls Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, WhatsApp, email, and SMS into one view (Lodgify’s inbox doesn’t include email). You set up advanced communication workflows once, while Lodgify’s automation remains somewhat basic.
For a single Airbnb listing, both work. For anyone thinking beyond that first rental, Guesty Lite offers the foundation without the eventual rebuild.
https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/6941be1909e98e08500e3e9a
What changes when you scale past 20 properties?
At 20+ units, software problems become operational drag. Every workaround from the early days now multiplies. This is where Guesty Pro and Hostaway diverge sharply.
Hostaway built its reputation on integrations. Want better guest screening? Add Autohost. Trust accounting? Find a third-party solution. Each tool adds a login, a tab, a billing cycle, a point of contact, and a potential point of failure. The approach works until it doesn’t.
Guesty Pro takes the opposite approach, building all essential tools directly into the platform. The payment processor is built in. Accounting, task management, and purpose-built Owner Portals. All Guesty features share the same database, update in real-time, and require zero integration maintenance.
This architectural difference shows up in sync speed. Guesty pushes availability updates to all 60+ connected channels instantly. Hostaway’s sync can lag 30 minutes or more. Long enough for a double booking.
The numbers tell the story. Property managers who switched from Hostaway to Guesty reported:
- 16.4% higher revenue per listing within 12 months
- ADR increase from $293 to $309 (5.3%)
- Occupancy jump from 49.3% to 54.7% (11.2%)
For a more comprehensive breakdown, check out our in-depth Guesty vs. Hostaway comparison here.
“I still needed to basically do the bookkeeping twice. It didn’t create any efficiency. In my opinion, Hostaway just took what Guesty is and made a substitute — it’s just not as user-friendly. I loved how Guesty automatically captures guest contact info. Hostaway didn’t retain that after checkout, which meant we couldn’t build a direct booking base. Now we can.”
Flip Flop Vacation Rentals LLC, 10 listings,
How do these platforms compare on features and support?
Support quality only matters when something breaks. Then it matters a lot.
Guesty runs a 230-person support team with 24/7 availability and phone support. Hostaway’s team is smaller at just over 60, and Lodgify’s team is around 30.
The gap widens for technical issues. Guesty provides dedicated Technical Program Managers for complex implementations. Both competitors lack this layer, leaving property managers to troubleshoot technical issues through standard support channels.
“With Hostaway, I struggled with poor support. The platform itself felt outdated, and the app didn’t meet the needs of my growing business. Guesty has consistently been recommended by industry peers. I love Guesty’s intuitive layout. The support team is outstanding. Guesty truly understands what property managers need.”
50 listings | Mexico
Feature comparison
| Feature | Guesty | Hostaway | Lodgify |
| Trust accounting (NC compliant) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 24/7 guest communication services | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Communication workflows | Advanced | ✗ | Basic |
| Owners portal | Desktop + app | ✗ | ✗ |
| CRM and lead management | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Guest screening tools | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Multi-unit management | Advanced | ✓ | Basic |
| Booking.com SEA badge | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
The growth argument: Why switching software is the worst kind of busy work
Migrating between property management platforms ranks somewhere between an audit and a root canal on the enjoyment scale. You’re re-entering listing details, rebuilding automation rules, retraining staff, and holding your breath during the transition period.
The smartest move is choosing software you won’t outgrow. Guesty Lite costs roughly what Lodgify charges but runs on the same infrastructure as Guesty Enterprise, which manages portfolios of 500+ units. That means you can upgrade and unlock features without the hassle of migration.
Frequently asked questions
Both handle one listing adequately. Guesty Lite offers stronger automation and connects to 60+ channels versus Lodgify’s 10, which matters more as you add properties.
Guesty’s mobile app includes full task management. You can create tasks, attach photos, assign to team members, and track completion.
Yes. Guesty’s onboarding team handles migration, including reservation history and listing details. Most property managers complete the transition within 4 weeks.
Guesty’s talented marketing team is comprised of passionate professionals who share insightful industry knowledge and shape brand narratives. By bringing a diverse blend of expertise to the table, we are the visionary architects behind the Guesty brand and innovative campaigns that help people understand our product.
