Managing vacation rentals in 2025 is more mobile than ever. With nearly every aspect of property management now accessible from a smartphone, choosing the right mobile apps can be the difference between a smooth operation and a stressful one.
For busy vacation rental hosts and property managers, especially when catering to global travelers, mobile apps offer the ability to handle tasks on the go, whether it’s updating availability, coordinating with cleaners, responding to guest inquiries, or syncing across multiple booking channels. The vacation rental market is more competitive and connected than ever, and today’s top apps make it easier to stay efficient, organized, and profitable.
In this article, we’ll walk through some of the best mobile tools designed to support your rental business. From pricing optimization and cleaning coordination to guest communication and team management, we’ll highlight the best vacation rental apps for every professional’s toolkit in 2025.
If you're a short-term rental host or property manager in 2025, chances are your phone is your office. From coordinating cleaners and updating listings to responding to guests and adjusting nightly rates, the day-to-day operations of vacation rentals have become increasingly mobile and more complex.
That’s where the right property management mobile apps come in. Today’s best tools don’t just help you stay organized, they automate, integrate and scale with your business. They also make remote hosting a reality, allowing you to manage every aspect of your properties from anywhere in the world, without sacrificing control or guest experience.
Whether you oversee a single cozy cabin or a growing portfolio of urban apartments, the right tech stack can save you hours each week while improving guest satisfaction.
In this article, we’ll explore the top mobile apps that empower hosts to run smarter, more efficient rental operations. From full-scale platforms like Hostaway, to specialized tools for pricing, cleaning, guest access and more you’ll discover which apps are essential for growing your short-term rental business in 2025.
In 2025, mobile apps have become essential tools for managing short-term rentals whether you're adjusting pricing, scheduling cleaners, messaging guests or syncing bookings. But with so many apps on the market, how do you choose the right ones?
Here are the key features and qualities to look for in any app designed for property managers, regardless of its specific function.
You run your business on the go your tools should too. The best apps are fully functional on mobile (iOS and Android), not just watered-down versions of desktop platforms. Prioritize apps with intuitive navigation, real-time syncing and fast loading times.
No app does it all. Look for ones that connect seamlessly with the tools you already use, like your PMS, OTAs (like Airbnb or Vrbo), pricing tools, smart locks, guest messaging apps and cleaning platforms. The best apps become part of your larger tech ecosystem.
When things go wrong, responsive support is mission-critical. Choose apps that offer live chat, email and especially phone support. Look for companies that support all customers not just those on premium tiers.
Did you know? Hostaway was the first in the short-term rental industry to offer 24/7 phone support for all customers at no extra cost. It set a new standard in customer care and many still haven’t caught up.
You’re responsible for sensitive guest data, payment details and property access. Choose tools that prioritize data security, use encryption and offer features like two-factor authentication or user-level permissions.
The right apps reduce manual work by automating repetitive tasks, whether that’s syncing calendars, adjusting nightly rates, assigning turnovers or sending access codes. Automation not only saves time but helps ensure consistency across your operations.
More apps are now incorporating AI to assist with operations, from auto-generating guest messages to forecasting pricing or analyzing reviews. While not every tool needs it, apps that leverage AI thoughtfully can give you a serious edge, especially as your business grows.
Choose apps that can scale with your portfolio. Whether you’re managing one unit or 100, your tools should offer flexible pricing plans, modular features and support for more complex setups when you need them.
Word-of-mouth matters. Before committing, check out what other hosts are saying, especially in local or niche communities.
Pro tip: Join or search local Facebook host groups to see what tools are recommended (or avoided!) by experienced STR owners in your area.
With so many tools available in the short-term rental ecosystem, it can be hard to know where to start. This table gives a quick overview of the top mobile apps that help hosts manage everything from bookings to pricing, turnovers and guest access on the go.
All of these tools are mobile-friendly, widely used by professional hosts and integrate well with Hostaway or other PMS platforms.
App name | Best for | Key features | Notable integrations | Platforms |
Hostaway | All-in-one property management | Channel manager, automation, guest messaging, calendar sync | Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, PriceLabs, Breezeway | iOS, Android, Website |
Breezeway | Cleaning & operations | Turnover scheduling, task checklists, team coordination | Hostaway, smart lock systems | iOS, Android |
Enso Connect | Unified guest experience | Smart guest portals, upsells, messaging, access sync | Hostaway, RemoteLock, Zapier | Website, iOS, Android |
PriceLabs | Dynamic pricing optimization | Market-based pricing, automation rules, comp sets | Hostaway, Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com | Website(optimized for mobile) |
QuickBooks | Bookkeeping & financial tracking | Income/expense tracking, tax reports, invoicing | Hostaway (via Zapier), banks, apps | iOS, Android, Website |
RemoteLock | Smart access control | Auto guest code generation, time-based access | Hostaway, Enso Connect, PMS tools | iOS, Android, Website |
Tip: Most of these tools offer free trials or demos, try a few combinations to see what fits your workflow best.
The table above gives you a side-by-side comparison of the best apps but sometimes the details matter. Each tool in the vacation rental ecosystem plays a different role, whether it’s handling guest access, keeping turnovers on track or centralizing your bookings.
Here's a little about the apps that stand out in 2025.
Hostaway is a leading property management system (PMS) designed to help professional hosts and managers scale efficiently. It centralizes reservations, guest messaging, calendar management and reporting across multiple booking platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com. One of its biggest strengths is its deep integration ecosystem, connecting seamlessly with tools like PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, Breezeway for operations and RemoteLock for smart access.
As the first PMS in the industry to offer 24/7 phone support for all customers at no extra cost, Hostaway also stands out for its customer care. For hosts managing a few listings or hundreds, it serves as the central hub of a tech stack, making remote hosting easier than ever.
Keeping turnovers on schedule and ensuring consistent quality can be one of the toughest challenges in short-term rentals. Breezeway helps hosts and property managers handle this with ease. Its mobile app allows you to schedule cleaners, assign tasks and monitor progress with detailed checklists.
When connected to Hostaway, Breezeway automatically generates tasks based on reservations or cancellations, streamlining operations and reducing missed turnovers. For busy hosts, especially those managing properties remotely, it’s a game-changer for keeping everything running smoothly.
Enso Connect focuses on enhancing the guest journey, offering a modern “boarding pass” system that centralizes communication, access and upsells. Through its smart guest portals, you can provide tailored information, streamline check-ins and even offer upgrades or add-ons to increase revenue.
The app integrates with Hostaway and RemoteLock, allowing you to connect guest experience with operational tools. It’s particularly valuable for hosts who want to deliver a hotel-like experience while keeping operations automated and contactless.
Maximizing revenue requires more than setting static rates. PriceLabs uses real-time market data, competitor analysis and customizable rules to automatically update your nightly rates. This ensures your listings remain competitive while capturing higher revenue during demand spikes.
Through its integration with Hostaway and other OTAs, PriceLabs syncs pricing changes directly to your booking platforms, saving hours of manual updates. For hosts managing multiple units or operating in competitive markets, it’s an essential tool for staying ahead.
Behind every great rental operation is solid bookkeeping. QuickBooks remains a favorite among STR hosts for tracking income, expenses, invoices and tax reports. Its mobile app allows you to scan receipts, categorize expenses and view real-time cash flow all from your phone.
While not short-term rental specific, QuickBooks integrates with Hostaway (via Zapier) and many banking apps, making it easy to automate financial workflows. For hosts serious about treating their rentals like a business, it’s one of the most reliable accounting solutions available.
Lost keys and late-night lockouts are a headache for every host. RemoteLock solves this by syncing smart locks with your booking calendar to automatically generate time-based access codes for guests. This means no more manual code sharing or worrying about security between stays.
When paired with Hostaway or Enso Connect, RemoteLock ensures codes are sent to guests at the right time, fully automating the check-in process. It’s a must-have for remote hosts looking to offer secure, contactless entry that enhances the guest experience.
Not every host needs the same tech stack. The best apps for your short-term rental business will depend on your portfolio size, budget and hosting style. Here are a few things to consider before making your picks:
1–3 listings: You may only need a PMS like Hostaway, plus a dynamic pricing tool and basic cleaning coordination.
5+ listings: Operational complexity increases, look for integrations that automate turnovers, finances and guest communication.
Invest in apps that pay for themselves, either by saving you hours each week or generating higher revenue. Dynamic pricing and automated access control often deliver fast returns, while bookkeeping tools save money at tax time.
If you don’t live near your properties, prioritize tools that let you manage everything from anywhere. RemoteLock, Breezeway and Hostaway integrations make it possible to run your business without being onsite.
Your apps should talk to each other. A PMS that integrates smoothly with pricing, cleaning and access tools is far more efficient than using disconnected platforms. Hostaway’s wide integration ecosystem makes it a strong foundation to build on.
Even if you’re a small host today, choose apps that can grow with your business. Look for flexible pricing tiers, advanced features you can unlock later and strong customer support.
Managing vacation rentals in 2025 isn’t just about juggling bookings, it’s about creating a connected, automated system that supports both hosts and guests. With the right mobile apps, you can streamline daily tasks, cut down on repetitive work and even manage your entire business remotely.
Hostaway serves as the central hub for many professional hosts, while complementary tools like PriceLabs, Breezeway, RemoteLock, Enso Connect and QuickBooks extend its power into specialized areas of your business. Together, they create a tech stack that saves time, reduces stress and helps you deliver an outstanding guest experience.
The takeaway? Don’t just pick one app, choose the combination that matches your hosting style, portfolio size and growth goals. With the right setup, you’ll be ready to manage smarter, scale faster and stay competitive in the ever-evolving short-term rental market.
Yes, many hosts today run their operations completely from mobile apps. While a laptop may be more convenient for setup and reporting, day-to-day management like messaging guests, adjusting rates, scheduling cleaners and checking availability can be done directly from your phone.
Not always. Apps can automate much of the work that property managers traditionally handled, like communication, turnovers and booking coordination. However, some hosts still prefer hiring a local manager for on-the-ground tasks like inspections or emergencies, while using apps for everything else.
OTA apps (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com) are primarily booking platforms where you list your property to attract guests. Property management and supporting apps, on the other hand, help you run the business by managing multiple OTAs, automating operations, tracking finances and coordinating staff.
A good rule of thumb is: if an app saves you more money or time than it costs, it’s worth keeping. For example, dynamic pricing apps may increase revenue by 20–30% and automation tools can save dozens of hours each month. Test free trials and track your ROI before committing.
Most reputable apps use secure servers, encryption and comply with data protection regulations. As a host, it’s still important to use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication and only work with apps that are well-reviewed in the host community.