Landlory
Hostaway vs Stessa
In short.
Pick Hostaway if you run Airbnb & short-term rentals;
pick Stessa if you run DIY & small landlords.
Hostaway starts with custom pricing,
Stessa free.
Short-term-rental PMS for growing professional STR portfolios.
- Best forAirbnb & short-term rentals
- Starts atCustom
- Free optionNo
- Mobile appYes
Free asset-management and accounting platform for rental investors.
- Best forDIY & small landlords
- Starts atFree
- Free optionFree plan
- Mobile appYes
Feature comparison
Hostaway |
Stessa |
|
|---|---|---|
| Online rent collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tenant screening | ✕ | Partial |
| 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
Hostaway
| Customquote-based · get a free quote | $None |
|---|
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Stessa
| Essentialsunlimited properties, free forever | Free |
|---|---|
| Managepaid annually | $12/mo |
| Propaid annually | $28/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
Stessa
Pros
- Best-in-class free financial tracking and dashboards for investors
- Automated bookkeeping and tax-ready reports
- Affiliate with a 2-year earning window
Cons
- Not a full PM tool (limited leasing/maintenance/tenant portal)
- Rent collection less robust than dedicated PM apps
FAQ
What is the difference between Hostaway and Stessa?
Hostaway is best for Airbnb & short-term rentals, while Stessa is best for DIY & small landlords.
Is Hostaway or Stessa cheaper?
Stessa is the cheaper option — it offers a free plan.
Which is better for Airbnb & short-term rentals?
For Airbnb & short-term rentals, Hostaway rates slightly higher (4.7★ on Capterra).