Best Vacation Rental Hosting Apps | iOS & Android

Most of us spend our day staring at one screen or another, for work and our personal requirements. This is also true for vacation rental property managers who rely on online platforms to manage their bookings across channels, set optimum rates, managing cleaning and repairs, etc. Vacation rental apps for hosts are a great addition to any host’s repertoire of technology, allowing them to deal with important tasks and urgent issues immediately, even when on the go. Read on to find out our selection of the best vacation rental apps for hosts.

###Top 10 Vacation Rental Apps for Hosts

1. Airbnb
2. Whatsapp
3. Nuki
4. Quickbooks
5. NoiseAware
6. Properly
7. CamScanner
8. Nest
9. Houzz
10. Hostaway

1. Airbnb

Airbnb is home to over 5.6 million listings and over 4 million hosts across the world, enjoying a total of over 1 billion guest arrivals, making it a must-have for any host. The Airbnb app offers users the same functionalities as found on the web platform, from inbox highlights and search to saved responses to questions. It also makes it easier for you to take a photo using your phone camera, do some light editing and send it across to a guest if they ask for a more detailed look at your bathroom for example. Or if you just want to update your Airbnb listing photos with a particularly spectacular view. The app also gives full access to Airbnb’s Help Center for hosts, so you can access customer support directly from your smartphone.

The Airbnb app is available on iOs and Android as well as the Hostaway marketplace.

2. Whatsapp

The most popular messaging app in the world, Whatsapp counts over 2 billion active users in the world. This makes it the best app for communications on your smartphone, as you can count on it being used by guests and staff alike. By integrating into a compatible channel manager, it allows you to easily, reliably, and securely message guests from all over the world. With ‘read receipts’ on you can even see if your staff have read your messages so you know they are working on the tasks you’ve assigned to them.

Whatsapp is available on iOS, Android, Symbian, and Microsoft as well as the Hostaway marketplace.

3. Nuki

Smart locks are increasingly becoming ubiquitous, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape where contactless check-in is slowly becoming the norm. The Nuki app allows you to control the Nuki Smart Lock device through your smartphone, unlocking and locking the door/s of your vacation rental from a distance. You can also check the status of the door/s at any time through the app and manage access permissions for guests.

Nuki is available on iOS and Android as well as the Hostaway marketplace.

4. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is an all-in-one accounting product designed for small businesses including vacation rentals. The QuickBooks app provides users the full functionality of its solutions, allowing small vacation rental businesses to track their expenses, manage bills and invoices, run payroll, manage cash flow, and be prepared for when it is time to file for taxes on their smartphone.

QuickBooks is available on iOS and Android as well as the Hostaway marketplace.

5. NoiseAware

NoiseAware is a popular solution to prevent your vacation rental from incurring a noise complaint or even loss of permit due to bad guests holding loud parties without your permission. The noise monitoring solution does not infringe upon the privacy of your guests, only alerting you on your smartphone when the volume in your property exceeds reasonable levels. With the NoiseAware app, you are the first to know of noise-related incidents giving you the opportunity to curb them immediately. (Check out our article on short-term rental agreements for added deterrence and protection from bad guests.)

NoiseAware is available on iOS and Android as well as the Hostaway marketplace.

6. Properly

A complete quality management solution and certification framework for vacation rentals, Properly integrates with the major booking channels Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com. Properly provides a network of cleaners, handymen, gardeners, etc; best-in-class quality management ensuring turnover is handled efficiently and effectively; and remote inspection services that ensure further compliance.

Properly is available on iOS and Android, as well as the Hostaway marketplace.

7. CamScanner

CamScanner is an extremely helpful tool in the day-to-day running of a vacation rental. The most widely used scanning app in the world, CamScanner is used by lawyers, teachers, secretaries, students, and property managers to scan all types of documentation. You can scan bills, invoices, forms, pretty much any document and convert it into an image or pdf to be used as appropriate.

CamScanner is available on iOS and Android.

8. Nest

Smart homes are a growing trend in the vacation rental business and Google Nest rates high on guests’ preference lists, getting special mentions on reviews and ratings. The Nest app allows you to control your Nest thermostat, secure alarm system, smoke alarm, security cameras, and locks, from your smartphone, wherever you happen to be. Turn off the heat and lights, set your home alarm, be alerted in case of smoke or carbon monoxide, monitor your property with live video, and so much more.

Nest is available on iOS and Android.

9. Houzz

To gain an edge over your competition, you need to make your vacation rental stand out. Great interior décor not only helps you do that but also commands a higher ADR (average daily rate) while doing so. Most of us however are not natural-born decorators nor can we afford the services of a professional. The Houzz app provides a variety of exterior and interior design ideas for all types of properties, from standard homes to unconventional trailers. It also has a marketplace of products providing access to professionals in your location so they are likely to be more affordable. With the Houzz app you can upgrade your vacation rental from your smartphone.

Houzz is available on iOS and Android.

10. Hostaway

Hostaway is a game-changing product that includes an industry-leading PMS, channel manager, and booking engine, allowing you to manage all your vacation rental needs from one app. Communicate with guests, manage payments, receive direct bookings, and adjust rates and availability quickly and easily for over 150 properties at once. The mobile app also gives you and your staff a real-time overview of all your guests on all your properties, from all connected channels. Further, Hostaway is home to an always growing marketplace of over 100 integrated software partners, including a diversity of booking channels, so you don’t have to worry about integration.

Hostaway is available on iOS and Android.