Choosing a vacation rental property management system (PMS) isn’t just about features—it’s also about how pricing scales as your portfolio grows. Hostfully is popular among short-term rental managers, but how does its pricing really stack up against other vacation rental PMS tools like Hostaway, Guesty, OwnerRez, Lodgify, and others?

This guide breaks down Hostfully’s pricing structure, compares it to similar platforms, and highlights where it’s cost-effective—and where it might not be.

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Overview: How Hostfully Charges Compared to Other PMS Tools

Most vacation rental PMS platforms combine three elements:

• Base subscription fee – a fixed monthly or annual amount
• Per-property or tiered fees – added costs as you add listings
• Optional add-ons – e.g., website builder, owner portal, advanced automations, or channel fees

Hostfully follows this standard structure but tends to offer:

• Lower entry-level costs than enterprise platforms like Guesty or Hostaway
• More transparent, published prices than many “sales-quote-only” PMS tools
• Competitive per-property pricing for small–mid-size managers (2–50 listings)

However, it’s not always the cheapest once you factor in:

• Certain paid add-ons (e.g., digital guidebooks if you upgrade beyond the free tier)
• External costs (e.g., payment processor fees, dynamic pricing tools, etc.)

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Hostfully Pricing Structure: Key Components

Hostfully has two main products relevant for vacation rental managers:

1. Property Management Platform (PMP/PMS) – core operations, channel manager, automations
2. Digital Guidebooks – guest-facing guides, upsells, and communication tools

Exact pricing can change, but the structure is typically:

1. Base Subscription and Property Tiers

Hostfully generally uses tiers based on the number of properties you manage. Common patterns:

• Small portfolios (1–4 properties)

  • Lower monthly base fee
  • Per-property cost often bundled or minimal
  • Good for hosts upgrading from Airbnb-only management

• Growing/mid-size portfolios (5–50 properties)

  • Higher base fee
  • Per-property pricing that usually decreases as you scale
  • Often the “sweet spot” where Hostfully is very competitive

• Larger portfolios (50+ properties)

  • Custom or enterprise-style pricing
  • Negotiated discounts and bulk rates
  • May start overlapping with enterprise PMS competitors

Hostfully frequently offers discounts for annual billing, which effectively lower the monthly cost compared to month-to-month.

Tip: If you’re serious about growth, always ask Hostfully sales for a quote based on your projected property count 12–18 months out and compare that to competitors.

2. Digital Guidebooks Pricing

Hostfully’s popular guidebooks product has:

• A free tier (with limits on number of guidebooks or features)
• Paid tiers that unlock:
  • More guidebooks or properties
  • Branding control
  • Upsell features (e.g., selling early check-ins, local services)

When comparing total PMS cost, include guidebooks if:

• You currently pay for a separate tool (e.g., Hostfully Guidebooks vs. Touch Stay vs. custom PDFs)
• You rely on upsells and guest experience for extra revenue

Sometimes Hostfully’s guidebooks can offset PMS costs if you actually generate incremental upsell revenue.

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How Hostfully Compares to Common PMS Competitors

Below is a general comparison landscape. Precise numbers shift, but the relative pricing position is stable.

1. Hostfully vs. Guesty

Guesty is often seen as a higher-end, enterprise-oriented PMS.

Guesty pricing tendencies:

• Frequently uses commission-based pricing (percentage of bookings) or
• Higher monthly base + per-property fees
• Often more expensive overall, especially for smaller portfolios (< 25 units)

Hostfully tends to be:

• More affordable for small and mid-size managers (1–50 properties)
• More transparent and predictable, especially if you prefer fixed fees over revenue share
• Better for managers who don’t need advanced enterprise features and heavy customization

When Guesty can make sense despite higher pricing:

• You manage 100+ properties with complex operations
• You need built-in call centers, advanced owner accounting, or deep enterprise integrations
• The added features and support justify higher costs

Bottom line:
For most independent managers and small agencies, Hostfully usually beats Guesty on price for similar core functionality.

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2. Hostfully vs. Hostaway

Hostaway targets both serious pros and mid-sized agencies and is often compared directly with Hostfully.

Hostaway pricing tendencies:

• Typically higher base fees, often quote-based
• Per-property pricing that becomes more competitive as you scale
• Strong channel management and automations, but often at a higher overall price for small portfolios

Hostfully vs. Hostaway:

• For 1–30 properties: Hostfully is often less expensive
• For 30–100 properties: Pricing becomes more comparable; negotiations and specific deals matter
• For 100+ properties: Either platform may offer custom deals—total cost depends on your specific requirements and bargaining power

Cost factors to compare:

• Setup fees (if any)
• Whether onboarding/training is included
• Cost of add-ons (e.g., website, owner portal, API access)

Bottom line:
Hostfully often undercuts Hostaway for smaller managers and remains competitive for mid-sized operations.

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3. Hostfully vs. Lodgify

Lodgify markets heavily to hosts and small property managers and is known for its website builder.

Lodgify pricing tendencies:

• Lower entry-level monthly costs
• Tiered by number of listings
• Some plans charge a booking fee (commission) unless you choose a higher fixed-fee plan
• Website builder is a core part of the product

Hostfully vs. Lodgify:

• Lodgify can be cheaper for very small portfolios (1–3 listings) if you’re okay with:
  • A small booking commission, or
  • Fewer advanced PMS features and add-ons
• Hostfully becomes more attractive as:
  • You expand to more properties
  • You want deeper integrations and workflow automation
  • You need robust multi-channel support with owner management

Bottom line:
Lodgify is often cheaper for new or hobby hosts, while Hostfully is better value for serious operators with growth plans.

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4. Hostfully vs. OwnerRez

OwnerRez is widely used by professional hosts who want flexibility and detailed control.

OwnerRez pricing tendencies:

• Transparent monthly pricing on their website
• Low base package, then add-ons (like channel management) priced separately
• Per-property pricing that scales sensibly

Hostfully vs. OwnerRez:

• For hosts wanting laser control and modular add-ons, OwnerRez can be cost-effective
• For managers who prefer an all-in-one PMS feel with guidebooks and rich guest experience tools, Hostfully may provide more bundled value
• Depending on which OwnerRez add-ons you need (e.g., channel management, QuickBooks sync), your actual monthly cost can approach or exceed Hostfully’s package pricing

Bottom line:
OwnerRez may win purely on cost if you carefully choose minimal add-ons, but Hostfully can be competitively priced when you factor in bundled features like guidebooks and certain automations.

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5. Hostfully vs. Other PMS Tools (Hosthub, Guesty for Hosts, etc.)

Other tools often fall into two categories:

• Budget-focused PMS tools:

  • Lower monthly fees, but fewer advanced tools
  • May lack robust owner reporting, complex automations, or deep integrations
  • Good for small portfolios on a tight budget

• Premium or niche platforms:

  • Custom quotes, higher prices
  • Industry-specific features (e.g., luxury villas, aparthotels, serviced apartments)
  • Suitable for specialized use cases

In most of these comparisons:

• Hostfully sits in the middle: not the cheapest bare-bones option, not the most expensive enterprise tool
• Value is strongest for professional managers who want solid automation and guest experience tools without enterprise-level pricing

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Where Hostfully is Cost-Effective

Hostfully’s pricing is especially attractive in these scenarios:

1. Small–Medium Managers (2–50 Properties)

If you:

• Manage more than a handful of properties
• Generate most bookings through major OTAs (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com)
• Want an integrated tool for:
  • Channel management
  • Messaging automation
  • Owner communication
  • Guest guidebooks

Then Hostfully tends to be:

• Cheaper than enterprise tools like Guesty, Hostaway, and many custom-quote platforms
• More feature-rich and scalable than budget-entry tools or single-channel solutions

2. Multi-Channel Operators

If you’re on:

• Airbnb + Vrbo + Booking.com + direct website

The marginal cost of Hostfully can be lower than:

• Paying for separate channel managers
• Using extra third-party tools for communication and guest experience
• Adding custom integrations yourself

The more channels and automations you use, the more Hostfully’s bundled approach offsets the subscription cost.

3. When You Use Guidebooks for Upsells

If you actively:

• Sell late check-outs, early check-ins, tours, or local services
• Promote paid add-ons inside guidebooks
• Use guidebooks to reduce guest questions

Then Hostfully’s guidebooks product can directly generate or protect revenue, effectively lowering your net PMS cost.

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Where Hostfully May Not Be the Cheapest Choice

Hostfully might be less price-competitive if:

1. You Only Manage 1–2 Properties and Don’t Need Advanced Features

In that case, consider:

• Free or low-cost tools
• Airbnb-only management with basic automation
• Budget PMS options or lite plans with booking commissions

Hostfully’s strength is more aligned with professional management rather than casual hosting.

2. You Need Enterprise-Level Features and Customization

For 100+ properties with:

• Complex owner structures
• Multiple brands
• Detailed custom reporting and accounting

Enterprise PMS platforms may cost more than Hostfully but can include:

• Dedicated account managers
• Deep integrations with CRMs, revenue management systems, and accounting platforms
• Custom development or API work

If price is secondary to highly customized workflows, Hostfully might not be the perfect fit—even if it’s cheaper.

3. You Already Have a Stack of Specialized Tools

If you’re already paying for:

• A standalone guidebook solution
• A separate channel manager
• A robust CRM or operations platform

Then you’ll want to ensure Hostfully doesn’t duplicate tools you’ve already invested in. Sometimes the most cost-efficient solution is optimizing your existing stack rather than moving to a unified PMS.

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Practical Steps to Compare Hostfully Pricing for Your Business

To make a fair comparison, follow this process:

1. List Your Must-Have Features

Write down the features you absolutely need, such as:

• Channel management (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, direct bookings)
• Automated messaging and templates
• Owner statements and payouts
• Unified inbox
• Dynamic pricing integration
• Website builder
• Digital guidebooks or guest portals

This prevents you from comparing a low-cost, bare-bones PMS to Hostfully and concluding it’s “cheaper” when it actually doesn’t meet your needs.

2. Request Quotes for the Same Property Count

For each PMS (Hostfully and competitors):

• Use the same number of properties (e.g., 10, 25, 50, or 100 units)
• Ask for:
  • Monthly or annual costs
  • Setup or onboarding fees
  • Any booking commissions or per-reservation fees
  • Extra costs for add-ons (website, guidebooks, owner portal, etc.)

Put it in a simple comparison table (even just a spreadsheet) so you can see:

• Total cost per month
• Cost per property per month

3. Include Hidden or “Soft” Costs

Add in:

• Payment processing fees (Stripe, etc.)
• Dynamic pricing tool subscription (PriceLabs, Wheelhouse, etc.)
• Extra tools you still need (e.g., separate guidebook platform if not included)

Hostfully often looks more cost-effective once you factor in features you no longer need to buy separately.

4. Evaluate Support and Onboarding

An underappreciated cost factor is time and frustration:

• Does Hostfully include onboarding in the price?
• Are there training resources to help your team ramp up?
• Is support responsive?

A slightly higher subscription can still be cheaper overall if it saves you hours each week in manual work or troubleshooting.

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Example Cost Scenarios (Conceptual)

These are conceptual comparisons to illustrate patterns, not exact quotes. Always verify with vendors.

Scenario 1: 5 Properties, Professional Host

• Needs: multi-channel sync, automated messaging, simple owner reporting, guest guidebooks
• Likely outcome:
  • Budget PMS: lowest monthly fee, limited features
  • Lodgify: might be cheaper or similar on low-level plan, but fewer advanced features
  • Guesty/Hostaway: higher base cost, may be overkill
  • Hostfully: mid-range price, strong feature set with guidebooks

Result: Hostfully often offers the best value-for-money for a host in this range intending to grow.

Scenario 2: 30 Properties, Small Agency

• Needs: advanced automations, owner statements, integrations, polished guest experience
• Likely outcome:
  • Budget tools: start to break down operationally
  • Lodgify: may struggle with more complex agency workflows
  • OwnerRez: cost-competitive if configured carefully
  • Guesty/Hostaway: more powerful but significantly higher cost
  • Hostfully: competitive price with strong operations tools and guest experience features

Result: Hostfully tends to be one of the most cost-effective “pro” options.

Scenario 3: 120 Properties, Growing Company

• Needs: custom reporting, multi-brand support, many staff users, robust owner handling
• Likely outcome:
  • Budget PMS: not realistic
  • Hostfully: can work with custom or enterprise pricing; solid value if requirements are moderate
  • Guesty/Hostaway/enterprise tools: more expensive, but more customization and support

Result: Hostfully may still be cheaper, but you’ll weigh price against enterprise features and deep integrations.

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FAQ: Hostfully Pricing vs. Other PMS Tools

Is Hostfully cheaper than Guesty?
For most small to mid-sized managers (under ~50 properties), Hostfully tends to be cheaper than Guesty, especially if you prefer fixed monthly pricing instead of commission-based pricing.

How does Hostfully’s per-property pricing compare to others?
Hostfully’s per-property pricing is typically competitive and often lower than enterprise tools, especially once you pass a handful of properties. It’s generally higher than ultra-budget PMS options but offers more features.

Does Hostfully charge commission on bookings?
Hostfully primarily follows a subscription model rather than a percentage-based commission on bookings, making costs more predictable. Always confirm current terms with Hostfully directly.

What extra costs should I expect with Hostfully?
Beyond the core subscription, you may pay for:

• Higher-tier digital guidebooks
• Payment processing fees (via your payment provider)
• Third-party integrations like dynamic pricing tools or accounting systems

Is Hostfully worth it for just one or two listings?
If you only manage 1–2 listings, a simpler or cheaper tool (or even just Airbnb tools plus a channel manager) may be more cost-effective. Hostfully is best value once you treat your rentals as a professional operation and plan to scale.

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Key Takeaways

• Positioning: Hostfully sits between low-cost entry tools and expensive enterprise PMS platforms.
• Best-fit segment: Professional managers with 2–50 properties who want strong automation, channel management, and guest experience features without enterprise-level pricing.
• Price vs. competitors: Typically cheaper than Guesty and often Hostaway for small–mid portfolios, competitive with OwnerRez depending on add-ons, and more expensive than bare-bones budget tools.
• True cost: To compare fairly, add up all subscription fees, booking commissions, add-ons, and third-party tools—and consider time savings and operational efficiency.

If you’re actively managing a growing vacation rental portfolio, Hostfully is usually worth including on your shortlist, and often comes out as one of the better-priced options for the feature depth it provides.