Landlory
Hostaway vs Rentec Direct
In short.
Pick Hostaway if you run Airbnb & short-term rentals;
pick Rentec Direct if you run property management companies.
Hostaway starts with custom pricing,
Rentec Direct at $45/mo.
Short-term-rental PMS for growing professional STR portfolios.
- Best forAirbnb & short-term rentals
- Starts atCustom
- Free optionNo
- Mobile appYes
Established, no-contract PM software with strong trust accounting.
- Best forProperty management companies
- Starts at$45/mo
- Free optionFree trial
- Mobile appYes
Feature comparison
Hostaway |
Rentec Direct |
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✕ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing
Hostaway
| Customquote-based · get a free quote | $None |
|---|
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Rentec Direct
| Rentec Profor landlords · billed annually ($50/mo monthly) · scales with units | $45/mo |
|---|---|
| Rentec PMfor property managers · usage-based · scales with units | $50/mo |
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Pros & cons
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
Rentec Direct
Pros
- Strong trust accounting for PM companies
- No contracts or setup fees; responsive US-based support
- Recurring affiliate (25% for 12 months)
Cons
- Dated UI versus DoorLoop/AppFolio
- Fewer modern AI features
FAQ
What is the difference between Hostaway and Rentec Direct?
Hostaway is best for Airbnb & short-term rentals, while Rentec Direct is best for property management companies.
Is Hostaway or Rentec Direct cheaper?
Rentec Direct is the cheaper option — it starts at $45/mo.
Which is better for Airbnb & short-term rentals?
For Airbnb & short-term rentals, Hostaway rates slightly higher (4.7★ on Capterra).