21 Must-Have Airbnb Tools To Up Your Hosting Game

In an industry where more than 450 million people use vacation rentals worldwide, taking advantage of the best Airbnb tools out there can help you outrank the competition and increase your occupancy rates.

Key insights by Transparent’s latest Vacation Rental Survey found that around 70% of property managers believe that using more technology-based tools — otherwise known as property technology — would benefit their business. 

The survey also found the proportion of property managers using intelligence data tools for their rental properties increased from 13% to 62%. 

With technological advancements developing at lightning-fast speeds, Airbnb tools have developed just as quickly. Hosts can now boost almost every aspect of their Airbnb business by adding property technology to their hosting routines. 

We have compiled the ultimate list of our top 21 hosting tools across the categories that hosts can benefit from the most by using property technology. The tools and apps mentioned in this list are industry leaders preferred by iGMS customers.

Read further to find out how these Airbnb tools and apps can give your business a competitive edge.

How Automation Gives Airbnb Hosts the Upper Hand

The main driving factor behind any sort of automation is to make something simpler or faster. Automating your Airbnb through host tools and apps is no different. 

Here is how Airbnb host tools can give you an advantage over your competition:

1. Save Time

Airbnb tools can take mundane and repetitive tasks and automate them. This saves tons of your time, giving you the freedom to explore new opportunities in growing your business.

The best part of saving time through automation is that it also saves the time of your guests.  

Through tools like automated messages, guests will be able to receive prompt responses which, in turn, will have a positive effect on your response time on the platform. 

2. Minimize Mistakes

When performing business activities manually, there is always a risk of human error.  Airbnb tools and technology help avoid double bookings and assists with keeping multiple channels in order.

When an Airbnb host has multiple properties to manage at once, and each of them is listed on more than one rental platform, it can be overwhelming for one person to manage and sync them manually.

By using Airbnb tools to automate these processes, it will eliminate the risk of human error and ensure that all your data is accurately synced.

3. Enhance the Guest Experience

Taking advantage of the different Airbnb tools for hosts will enhance the experience for guests. Guests appreciate the convenience and speed that technology brings and appreciate when you bring them on board. 

For example, by introducing smart locks to your Airbnb you will be able to set up a seamless self-check-in process. This adds convenience and flexibility to your guests’ arrivals and departures which will enhance the guest experience. 

Taking advantage of automated messaging will make your guest communication faster and more efficient.

As a result, guests will leave better reviews for your Airbnb, thus boosting your ratings even more.

4. Increase ROI

With the right combination of Airbnb tools for hosts, you will be able to leverage their strengths to increase your return on investment in a number of different ways. 

While some tools can help to save on costs, there are also those that can help you boost your revenue. 

For example, dynamic pricing tools will always make sure your rental rates are set at the best possible price point to maximize your earnings.

The Best Airbnb Tools That Every Host Should Use

From automated messaging to market research, there are tools available for every facet of Airbnb rental management. 

Here are some of our top recommendations to make up your winning combination:

Channel Manager and Automated Messaging 

A channel manager can support hosts with managing their properties across different short-term rental platforms and online travel agencies. 

You can use a channel manager to automatically update rates, availability, and bookings across multiple channels in real-time.

When managing multiple Airbnb listings, or multiple listings across a variety of platforms, it helps to make use of vacation rental software solutions. This option is a more comprehensive tool that is better equipped for task management than a channel manager.

The difference lies in its capabilities. While a channel manager helps manage your listings across multiple platforms, vacation rental software helps optimize all the aspects of property management. 

This allows hosts to speed up the time it takes to send important guest communication using templates, triggered automated messages, and predefined message variables.

Vacation rental management software also has added benefits and capabilities, including a multi-calendar, better reviews management, automated hosting tasks, and some could even have unique apps and services like productivity tracking to elevate your hosting game even more. 

1. iGMS

iGMS is an all-in-one vacation rental software and a Preferred Airbnb Software Partner, that offers not only a robust channel manager and automated messages but also automation tools for every step of the hosting process. 

iGMS top features include:

• Synchronizing reservations across the top short-term rental platforms like Airbnb into a multi-calendar to eliminate the risk of getting a double-booking
• Triggered automated messaging and a unified inbox to organize your messages into a single feed and ensure prompt replies
• Receiving payouts and creating invoices by connecting your Stripe account to iGMS
• Managing direct bookings using a direct booking management toolkit
• Creating essential reports within minutes and tracking key metrics with our Dashboard feature
• Adjusting your pricing in a dynamic way through smart pricing integrations with PriceLabs, DPGO, and Wheelhouse.
• Taking advantage of the multiple hosting tools that iGMS has integrations with.

Dynamic Pricing 

Using a dynamic pricing app is a smart way to maximize the revenue potential of your Airbnb. It is defined as pricing that changes in real-time, based on influential market fluctuations. 

These fluctuations could include changes in demand and supply, changes in season, or be based on events happening in the area of your Airbnb property.

Here are some of the leading smart pricing tools and apps for your Airbnb listing:

2. Beyond Pricing 

Beyond Pricing specializes in revenue management solutions for Airbnb rental hosts. This tool was the first automated pricing app to appear on the market. 

Driven to offer an alternative to static pricing, it utilizes big data machine learning and predictive analytics to price over 340,000 listings across 7,500 cities worldwide. 

Beyond Pricing offers:

• A dynamic pricing tool to automate your Airbnb prices in a way that maximizes revenue
• Synchronization of your prices across online travel agencies
• A website builder and direct booking engine
• Business insights and revenue forecasting.

3. PriceLabs

Pricelabs offers a dynamic pricing app for leading rental platforms, like Airbnb, and over 50 property management systems, including iGMS. 

Their smart pricing algorithm uses local events, trends, and seasonal changes to optimize the prices of booking vacation rental properties like Airbnb. 

PriceLabs top features include: 

• A dynamic pricing tool to maximize revenue
• Portfolio analytics to help analyze your booking patterns
• Market dashboards with actionable insights.

4. Wheelhouse

Wheelhouse is a trusted smart pricing tool that helps its users increase their rental revenue by up to 40% through smart price management.  

Wheelhouse was the People’s Choice winner of the “Innovation of the Year” award at the 2021 Data and Revenue Management (DARM) Conference. 

In previous years, its users experienced an average revenue increase of 22.6%.

Wheelhouse offers:

• A dynamic pricing tool
• Short-term rental data and reports 
• Competitive intel.

5. DPGO

As an AI-driven dynamic pricing tool, DPGO utilizes machine learning, yield management, and deep learning to present the right price at the right time. 

Their AI systems are able to evaluate over 200 market data points in order to create optimal pricing recommendations. 

These considerations range from competing Airbnb hosts’ prices to types of properties and amenities, and everything in between. 

DPGO’s top features include:

• Optimized Airbnb pricing 
• Daily updates to your prices for maximizing revenue
• Pricing forecasts for 52 weeks in advance.

Key Exchange and Security 

Key exchange apps are essential additions to your set of host tools and apps that are used to facilitate the checking in and out journey. 

They help improve the guest experience by enabling guests to access their Airbnb with little to no input from the host.

Some of the leading key exchange tools include:

6. KeyNest

KeyNest offers simple and convenient key exchange solutions for Airbnb hosts, serviced apartment operators, and estate agents. 

Their network of stores acts as pick-up and drop-off points for keys so that Airbnb hosts do not need to rearrange their schedules to match guest arrival times.

KeyNest offers:

• Key exchange services at their network of over 4,000 locations, for thousands of users, across 12 countries
• KeyNest Office — a smart key tracking service to track your keys remotely at any given time.

7. Keycafe

Specializing in smart key management, Keycafe offers simple and reliable key exchange services to businesses and the public alike. 

Similar to KeyNest, Keycafe users are able to hand over keys via their public locations to facilitate guest arrivals and departures. 

Keycafe’s top features include:

• Publicly available SmartBoxes for automated Airbnb rental key exchange
• Business key exchange solutions with integrated key tracking capabilities.

8. Lynx

Able to integrate into property management systems, Lynx offers smart keyless entry and home automation options to Airbnb hosts. 

Lynx currently operates in more than 330 cities and has processed more than 2.5 million VirtualKeys.

Lynx offers:

• Keyless contactless check-in and out
• Guest communication with automated messaging 
• Operations automation
• Smart device management.

9. Jervis Systems

Jervis Systems provide access and automation solutions to Airbnb hosts. 

Its technology helps manage multiple locks from a single interface while ensuring the host’s property remains secure.

Jervis Systems top features include:

1. Smart simple entry technology
2. Key exchange automation
3. Guest communication and automated messaging. 

Guest Experience Tools

Using Airbnb technology that builds a better experience for guests is an excellent investment in the growth of your Airbnb business. 

These tools help you to collect guest information and improve their stay at your rental.

Here are our top picks of guest experience host tools:

10. Showplace

Showplace has a unique offering to hosts. It helps to enhance the experience of guests by offering Airbnb hosts certain products for free which they can place in their properties and will enhance the guest experience in one way or another. 

The kind of products Showplace may offer to enhance your place could be anything from free beverages to new mattresses for your bedrooms.

Showplace offers:

• Free products for hosts to enhance their rental for guests
• Full control over which products you actually want in your properties
• Product delivery within 5 days once your application is approved.

11. Touch Stay

Specializing in a digital guest book tool for the tech-savvy host, Touch Stay’s app offers an alternative to traditional printed welcome books. 

Well-thought-out welcome books mean that guests will be able to get familiar with the house rules, local recommendations, and have fewer questions when settling into your property. 

This will result in a more pleasant experience for guests.

Touch Stay’s top features include:

• Easy access to practical information about your properties, including your house rules
• Built-in Google Places software functionality
• Automated messaging
• Multiple language translations
• Beautiful design templates for your digital welcome book. 

12. StayFi

StayFi’s mission is to create a better experience for guests through collecting valuable guest information, driving direct bookings, and creating a better WiFi experience. 

StayFi offers:

• Branded guest WiFi
• Collection of guest and short-term rental data
• Increased direct bookings
• A better WiFi experience for guests.

Vacation Rental Insurance and Guest Screening

Insurance-based host tools and apps help mitigate the risk of loss and damage to your Airbnb. 

They could also offer preventative measures like pre-screening of guests to avoid the risk before it becomes a concern.

Our top picks for insurance-based host tools include:

13. Safely

Safely offers comprehensive guest screening and Airbnb insurance for hosts. 

Their technology allows you to screen potential guests for concerning factors like criminal records or even guests with consistent negative reviews. 

Safely boasts over $40 billion in homeowner liability cover since 2015.

Safely’s top features include:

• Airbnb insurance and claims
• Comprehensive guest screening.

14. InsuraGuest

InsuraGuest helps hosts by acting as the first line of defense in protection for your Airbnb. 

It provides insurance cover against theft, in-room damage, and accidental medical expenses to give hosts peace of mind while running their business.

Insuraguest offers:

• Up to $1,000,000 in coverage for your Airbnb rental, its contents, and medical emergencies 
• Insurance that is automatically attached to every reservation.

Data Analytics, and Business Intelligence 

When it comes to growing your business, it is essential to stay up to date with the latest industry research and trends. 

Technology within the short-term rental industry has evolved to such a degree that there are now apps available to help hosts stay informed and shine in a competitive industry. 

Here are the best Airbnb tools we recommend for every host:

15. AirDNA

AirDNA provides custom data solutions and insights for the short-term rental industry to set hosts apart from their competitors. 

From analytics to property forecasts, AirDNA is an essential tool for hosts who would like to stay ahead of the curve.

AirDNA’s top features include:

• Research and analytics software to understand exactly how the short-term rental industry is evolving
• Enterprise Data Solutions tool to dig deeper into the rental market. From property-level to trend reports and future-looking forecasts, hosts have access to granular insights behind the industry and their business. 

16. Transparent

Transparent currently tracks over 35 million Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and TripAdvisor listings to empower hosts with insights about their properties. 

The app helps hosts optimize their prices, occupancy rates, and growth. 

Transparent offers:

• Market Insights
• Various learning courses for hosts to elevate their business.

17. AllTheRooms

AllTheRooms is another convenient tool providing valuable business insights and analytics. 

This tool helps you better understand the industry you are operating in to help boost your business performance.

AllTheRooms top features include:

• Market research and intelligence
• Property analysis and scores  
• Competitive intelligence.

Luggage Storage

When your guests are traveling with lots of luggage, it is a thoughtful gesture to offer luggage storage options while they are staying at your Airbnb.

Here are some of our best Airbnb tool recommendations for luggage storage:

18. Luggage Hero 

Luggage Hero saves Airbnb guests from having to drag their heavy luggage around the city. It has a growing network of luggage storage sites around the world.

As a special offer, each host who uses iGMS software can earn 10% in commission and give one hour of free luggage storage to your guests.

Luggage Hero offers:

• An online search and storage booking app
• Luggage Hero drop-off points in more than 1,000 locations worldwide.

19. Bounce Luggage Storage

Bounce is the largest luggage storage network in North America with more than 500 locations to choose from. 

It offers luggage storage options for before your guest checks in or after they check out.

You could benefit from Bounce’s affiliate program and earn a 15% commission every time a guest makes a booking through Bounce. 

You are also able to use code IGMS to get 15% off when signing up.

Bounce offers:

• 24/7 availability of their storage locations
• $5,000 insurance guarantee on every booking
• 24/7 customer support.

20. Radical Storage

Another good option for guest luggage storage is Radical Storage. Their online app offers a smart platform to make and track bookings, and manage commissions and invoices too.

As a bonus to hosts and property managers, any partner who signs up gets a 10% commission on all successful bookings or a 10% discount for your customers. To benefit from the offer, type iGMS beside your name when registering for the app.

Radical Storage’s top features include:

• Flexible integration
• A smart booking platform on the app
• Luggage storage locations across 350 cities.

21. Stasher

Stasher is the world’s largest luggage storage network. It connects guests with hotels and stores all over the world that can keep their luggage safe while they enjoy their travels.

As a special perk, you can use code IGMS for a 10% discount (with unlimited uses).

Stasher offers:

• Cash-free bookings – with Stasher, you can book on-demand
• Free bag insurance 
• 24/7 customer service for added peace of mind. 

Take Full Advantage of All Your Tools 

It could be difficult to keep track of all the different tools at your disposal, and when each should be used. 

To maximize the effectiveness of each tool and improve all possible aspects of your Airbnb business, it’s a smart idea to master a combination of these tools and apps.

There are many ways to take advantage of each tool individually, but because iGMS provides all-in-one vacation rental software, it is one of the best ways to get the most out of the Airbnb property technology.

What’s more, as an iGMS member, you will receive exclusive discounts and perks on many of the tools mentioned above, as a way to add even more value for our users.

About the Author

Callan Riddles is the Content and Social Media Specialist at iGMS. Callan has a passion for finding new ways to help vacation rental businesses thrive. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, and experience all the new things that life has to offer.