Buildium vs Hostaway
In short.
Pick Buildium if you run property management companies;
pick Hostaway if you run Airbnb & short-term rentals.
Buildium starts at $62/mo,
Hostaway custom.
Full-featured platform for residential property management companies.
- Best forProperty management companies
- Starts at$62/mo
- Free optionFree trial
- Mobile appYes
Short-term-rental PMS for growing professional STR portfolios.
- Best forAirbnb & short-term rentals
- Starts atCustom
- Free optionNo
- Mobile appYes
Feature comparison
| |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Online rent collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tenant screening | ✓ | ✕ |
| Listing syndication | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online applications | ✓ | ✕ |
| Lease management | ✓ | ✕ |
| Maintenance requests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accounting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expense tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Owner portal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tenant portal | ✓ | ✕ |
| Document storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✕ |
| AI features | Partial | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing
Buildium
| EssentialEFT/eSign fees extra | $62/mo |
|---|---|
| Growth | $192/mo |
| Premium | $400/mo |
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Hostaway
| Customquote-based · get a free quote | $None |
|---|
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Pros & cons
Buildium
Pros
- Deep residential PM workflows with strong owner/tenant portals
- Robust accounting plus an association-management module
- Recurring 25% affiliate — best long-term payout in the category
Cons
- Transaction/EFT fees can add 30–50% to the base cost
- Heavy for small landlords; reporting flexibility gaps
Hostaway
Pros
- Strong channel management, automation and integrations
- Scalable for growing STR managers
Cons
- Pricing is opaque and quote-based
- Annual commitment; costly at low listing counts
FAQ
What is the difference between Buildium and Hostaway?
Buildium is best for property management companies, while Hostaway is best for Airbnb & short-term rentals.
Is Buildium or Hostaway cheaper?
Buildium is the cheaper option — it starts at $62/mo.
Which is better for property management companies?
For property management companies, Hostaway rates slightly higher (4.7★ on Capterra).