Hostaway or Smoobu?
Pick the platform that fits your property business.
A side-by-side look at pricing, automation and scale, so you can see which platform actually fits your portfolio size today.
AI-driven PMS for scaling portfolios
Flat-fee PMS for independent hosts
Which one should you choose?
Each platform is strongest in a different situation.
Choose Hostaway
If you manage 2 to 200+ listings and want AI-powered guest messaging, dynamic pricing and owner reporting in one platform, and you're comfortable requesting a custom quote.
Choose Smoobu
If you manage up to around 20 properties and want transparent flat-fee pricing with a 14-day free trial, without needing AI-driven pricing or messaging out of the box.
Consider Zeevou
RECOMMENDEDIf you want a free core PMS, 0% commission on direct bookings, and modular add-ons that let you scale from a handful of units to 200+ without re-platforming.
Hostaway vs Smoobu at a glance
Based on publicly available data as of September 2026.
Enterprise-grade PMS with AI messaging, pricing and reporting
SmoobuLean, flat-fee platform for small to medium hosts
See what Zeevou offers
Free core PMS, 0% commission on direct bookings and everything you need to grow from 5 units to 200+.
Book a free consultation“…Easy to board the property and integrate with the OTA’s. I love the monthly chat where we can be updated on features and improvements…”
Tamar Finkelstein“…A game-changer in helping me systemise my business operations while providing a seamless user journey for my guests…”
Jordan Bunton-Williams“…The perfect Channel Manager for our portfolio. ID verification, agreements and security deposits all in one place!…”
Fabian ProsciucA quick feature breakdown
Guest Communication and AI
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| Unified inbox | ||
| Guest CRM | – | |
| Automated messages and emails | ||
| Online check-in process | – | included in Professional plans |
| AI-powered chatbot | – | |
| Airbnb messaging autoresponder | centralized Airbnb messaging via inbox |
Direct Booking
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| Free website | – | included in Professional plans |
| No commission | ||
| Direct booking website builder | ||
| Mobile and SEO friendly | ||
| Custom templates | ||
| Promotions & Vouchers support | – | |
| Review collection | ||
| Upsell and add-ons | upselling via booking engine link | |
| Blog functionality | – | |
| Google Vacation Rental partner | – |
Support
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| Free setup and onboarding | ||
| Email & live chat | – | |
| Phone support | ||
| One-on-one support | – |
Integrations
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | accounting integrations, 50-199+ tier | invoicing solution add-on |
| Dynamic pricing | paid add-on, €12.99/property/mo | |
| Payments | Stripe & PayPal integration | |
| Google tools | – | |
| Communications | ||
| Task management | – | |
| Smart locks | – |
Brand Management
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple property PMS | – |
Operations
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| Task management | – | |
| Centralised calendar | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Check-out management | – | |
| Self check-in | – | |
| Custom rates setting | custom rate plans | set base price, fees, sync pricing |
| Weekly and monthly rates | long-stay rate plans | – |
Automation
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| 2-way API integration (for rates and availability, images, descriptions, and amenities) | ||
| iCal support | – | |
| Payment collection | ||
| Guest details collection | – | |
| Guest CRM | – |
Reporting
| Feature | Hostaway | Smoobu |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time reporting | ||
| Dashboard reporting | ||
| Owner portal | – | |
| Automated owner reporting | – | |
| Booking reports |
Information is based on publicly available data and our independent analysis as of September 2026. Features, pricing and capabilities may change without notice. “–” means the company does not list the feature publicly.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Hostaway or Smoobu?
Smoobu publishes flat-fee pricing starting from €28/month for one unit, with a 14-day free trial and no credit card required. Hostaway's pricing is quote-based and tiered by listing count, so it isn't published and requires contacting Hostaway directly.
Is Hostaway or Smoobu better for a small portfolio?
Smoobu is built for independent hosts and small to medium property managers with up to around 20 properties, with all core features included at every plan tier. Hostaway also serves smaller operators from 2 listings upward, but some reporting and owner portal features are described as available from its 15-49 listing tier.
Does either platform charge a commission on direct bookings?
Smoobu's Professional Prepaid and Teams Pro+ plans carry 0% booking fee, while its Professional Flex plan applies a 0.9% booking commission. Hostaway markets its direct booking website as a way to cut OTA commissions, though its own fee structure isn't published.
What's the main difference between Hostaway and Smoobu?
Hostaway leans into AI, automated guest messaging, dynamic pricing and owner reporting aimed at portfolios scaling toward 200+ units. Smoobu focuses on a simpler, flat-fee, all-in-one toolkit for hosts and smaller property managers, with dynamic pricing offered as a paid add-on rather than built in.
Can I switch from Hostaway or Smoobu to another platform?
Yes, most property management systems support data migration for listings, bookings and calendars, though the process and timeline vary by provider. If you're evaluating alternatives, it's worth comparing free plans, commission structures and support availability before you commit to a migration.
