Airbnb Apps: 14 Amazing Ways to Upgrade Your Experience


Airbnb apps can make your experience as a business owner much easier. See 14 amazing options in this post.

Are you a property owner, manager, or Airbnb host looking for the best Airbnb app to make your rental business run smoothly? Look no further! We’ve rounded up 14 of our favorite apps for Airbnb to streamline your processes and increase your revenue. From communication and scheduling to analyzing data and optimizing pricing, these apps will make managing your rental a breeze. Let’s get started!

Choosing the Top Airbnb Apps: Our Methodology

Choosing the right Airbnb app for managing your listings can be pivotal in streamlining your operations and enhancing guest experiences. Here’s our curated methodology for selecting the best Airbnb apps for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector, with each rated on a scale of one to ten, with ten representing the most crucial elements:

  1. User Interface and Ease of Use (9/10)
    • The app should have an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate.
    • Quick learning curve, ensuring you can manage your listings efficiently.
  2. Integration with Airbnb Platform (8/10)
    • Seamless integration with Airbnb to synchronize bookings and messages.
    • Real-time updates to avoid double bookings and other conflicts.
  3. Pricing and Subscription Model (7/10)
    • Transparent pricing without hidden costs.
    • Flexible subscription plans that cater to the size and needs of your business.
  4. Customer Service and Support (8/10)
    • Accessible customer support to assist with issues.
    • Resources like tutorials, FAQs, and community forums for self-help.
  5. Reviews and Ratings (7/10)
    • Positive reviews from other users can indicate reliability and effectiveness.
    • Look for feedback related to your specific needs and business scale.
  6. Additional Features (6/10)
    • Look for features like automated messaging, price optimization, and cleaning schedules.
    • Calendar management and multi-calendar views can enhance operational efficiency.
  7. Security and Data Privacy (8/10)
    • Ensure the app complies with data protection regulations.
    • Secure handling of guest information is paramount.
  8. Mobile Optimization (7/10)
    • The app should be fully functional on mobile devices for on-the-go management.
    • Notifications for new bookings, messages, or issues should be prompt.
  9. Scalability (6/10)
    • The app should accommodate your business growth, handling more listings without performance issues.
    • It should offer features that cater to both small and large-scale operators.
  10. Trial Period or Free Version (5/10)
    • Access to a trial period or a free version can help you assess the app’s suitability.
    • It reduces the risk of committing to a service that doesn’t meet your needs.

Taking these factors into account will help you select an Airbnb app that not only makes managing your listings easier but also enhances your guests’ experience, ultimately contributing to the success of your rental business.

Top Apps for Airbnb Hosts, Managers, and Property Owners

As an Airbnb host, are you looking for the best apps for Airbnb outside of the official Airbnb app? The following list features top apps in various Airbnb categories for hosts, managers, and property owners. These apps are used by expert hosts, giving guests a smooth check-in process, letting guests know about step-free bedroom access, and streamlining and optimizing your hosting experience.

1. Host Tools: Airbnb Tool for Guest Messaging

Host tools is one of the top Airbnb apps available, but it's just one of 14 amazing options for business owners.

Here’s an easy-to-use app that all short-term rental hosts should have in their arsenal. Host Tools has many great features like automated messages allowing you to provide amazing guest communication, calendar syncing to avoid double bookings, automated availability rules, and more.

2. Properly: Best App for Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols

Looking for Airbnb apps to make your experience easier? Properly is one of the best.

Properly is one of the best Airbnb tools for managing listings effortlessly and making sure your guests receive amazing service. One of its best features is the ability to inspect your rental using your mobile device. This is really useful to quickly inspect how well your cleaners did their jobs, which can help as you scale your business.

3. Touch Stay: Best Guest Experience Airbnb App

Touchstay is one of the best apps available for Airbnb hosts.

Touch Stay lets you easily create digital welcome books for your guests. This is a nice touch that’ll make you look like a more professional vacation rental host. It’ll also provide a much smoother, better experience for both you and your guests.

4. Party Squasher: Best for Monitoring Noise Levels in Vacation Rentals

Want to stop parties from being hosted at your rental property or Airbnb? Check out Party Squasher.

Party Squasher is a really useful app for preventing parties at your vacation homes. It continuously monitors the number of people on your property by counting the number of phones both in and around the house using a secure interface.

5. Igloo App: Best App for Smart Key Exchange & Home Security

Looking for a security app for your Airbnb business? Consider Igloohome.

This app works with IglooHome, which provides smart locks and lockboxes for your property. This means that there’s zero chance of guests losing the keys to your short-term rental! Owners can easily unlock the property using Bluetooth or a PIN.

6. KeyCafe: Best Airbnb Tool for Sharing Property Keys

KeyCafe is one of the top Airbnb apps that can help hosts with smart key management for their properties.

KeyCafe is a key management app that allows you to share keys with your rental properties remotely. You’ll need to have a SmartBox in your city, which is where the key exchange will happen. Fortunately, KeyCafe has a SmartBox network in major cities throughout the U.S.

7. Aircover: Airbnb App with Free Top To Bottom Protection

AirCover for guests is one of the most helpful apps available for Airbnb businesses.

Aircover is an integrated tool that offers guests the most comprehensive free protection with every booking. It protects guests from Airbnb host cancellations, listing inaccuracies, and more. The Airbnb app lets guests easily reach out to support during times like this.

According to Airbnb, all accessibility features that a home has gone through an accessibility review process confirmed by their specialists.

For hosts, there is $1 million in damage protection, which covers things like deep cleaning, pet damage, and more. Aircover also provides hosts with $1 million in liability insurance.

8. Turno: Best App to Find a Top-Notch Cleaning Crew

Looking for cleaning services for an Airbnb business? Turno is one of the top apps available.

Turno, formerly known as TurnoverBNB, is a great app for finding cleaners to maintain your properties in-between guest stays. It allows you to schedule and pay your cleaning crew as well as easily communicate with them. You can even use different cleaning crews for any properties you have in different areas.

Feature/FunctionHost ToolsProperlyTouch StayParty SquasherIgloo AppKeyCafeAircoverTurnoverBNB
Primary UseGuest Messaging and ManagementCleaning and Disinfection ProtocolsGuest Experience and InformationNoise Level MonitoringSmart Key Exchange & Home SecurityKey ManagementGuest and Host ProtectionCleaning Crew Management
Automated MessagingYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Calendar SyncingYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Automated Availability RulesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Property Inspection ToolsNoYes, via mobile deviceNoNoNoNoNoNo
Digital Welcome BooksNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNo
Noise Level MonitoringNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNo
Smart Lock IntegrationNoNoNoNoYes, with IglooHome productsNoNoNo
Key ExchangeNoNoNoNoNoYes, requires SmartBoxNoNo
Damage ProtectionNoNoNoNoNoNoYes, up to $1 millionNo
Liability InsuranceNoNoNoNoNoNoYes, up to $1 millionNo
Cleaning/Disinfection ProtocolNoYesNoNoNoNoNoYes, connects with cleaning services
Property Accessibility Review ProcessNoNoNoNoNoNoYesNo
Scheduling and Payment for ServicesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes, for cleaning services
Remote Access/ManagementYesYes, for property inspectionNoYes, for noise monitoringYes, via Bluetooth or PIN for property accessYes, for key exchangeNoYes, for scheduling cleanings

Other Apps and Airbnb Tools for Property Owners, Managers, and Hosts

9. Operto

Operto is an Airbnb app that provides tempereature and energy control for vacation rentals.

Smart locks, smart home devices, and smart home automation are without a doubt the future. Especially when it comes to short-term rentals. With Operto, hosts can generate unique codes for each guest and change them once the guest checks out. This is a great way to ensure your property is always secure and your guests are safe. You can also use Operto to control your properties’ temperature and energy usage.

10. Airbnb Split Stays

Airbnb split stays is a feature that many Airbnb users may find useful.

The innovative new feature Airbnb Split Stays allows guests to book accommodations from their search results for multiple destinations within one trip. Split Stays automatically splits up the reservation and payment, making it easier for travelers to plan their itinerary.

11. iGMS

Want to automate your vacation rental business? iGMS is one of the top apps available.

iGMS is a powerful property management app that enables hosts to keep track of all of their listings in one place. It offers many awesome features like invoice management, the ability to coordinate with your cleaning team, automation tools, and more.

12. Plum Guide

Plum Guide is one of the top airbnb apps available. Learn about it and 13 other options in this post.

Plum Guide is a vacation rental company that hand-selects the top 1% of homes in popular cities around the world. Their team of experts personally visits and vets each property to ensure they meet their high standards for design, comfort, and hosting.

13. Instant Book

Instant book is one of the most helpful Airbnb features available for hosts and guests.

Airbnb Instant Book allows hosts to automatically accept booking requests from guests without manually confirming each request. This feature can save time for busy hosts and make it easier for guests to quickly secure a reservation.

14. RemoteLock

RemoteLock is an Airbnb app that can be immensely helpful for many vacation rental property owners.

RemoteLock allows you to use and control smart locks on your properties using WiFi. You can provide your guest with an access code that self-expires and which you can disable at any time. While this is a great solution for any short-term rental business, it is one of the more expensive ones.

Feature/FunctionOpertoAirbnb Split StaysiGMSPlum GuideInstant BookRemoteLock
Smart Device IntegrationYes (smart locks, thermostats, etc.)Not applicableNot directly (may integrate with other smart device apps)Not applicableNot applicableYes (smart locks)
Unique Code GenerationYesNot applicableNot applicableNot applicableNot applicableYes
Energy Usage ControlYesNot applicableNot applicableNot applicableNot applicableNot specified, but possible if integrated with smart locks
Split Reservation ManagementNoYes (allows splitting reservations for multiple stays)NoNoNoNo
Invoice ManagementNoNot applicableYesNot applicableNot applicableNo
Cleaning CoordinationNoNot applicableYesNot applicableNot applicableNo
Automation ToolsNot specified (likely has automation for devices)Not applicableYesNot applicableNot applicableYes (for access codes)
Hand-Selected PropertiesNoNot applicableNoYes (top 1% of homes)Not applicableNo
Expert VettingNoNot applicableNoYesNot applicableNo
Instant BookingNoNot applicableNoNoYesNo
Remote Access ManagementYesNot applicableYesNot applicableNot applicableYes
Property SecurityEnhanced (via smart device controls)Not applicableNot specifiedNot specifiedNot applicableEnhanced (via smart locks)
Personalized Guest ExperienceNot specified, but possible with smart devicesNot applicableNot specifiedNot specifiedNot applicableNot specified
Property Management EfficiencyYes (through automation and secure access)Not applicableYes (centralized listing and team management)Not applicableYes (speeds up the booking process)Yes (through remote lock management)
CostNot specifiedNo additional cost for using the featureNot specifiedNot specified (but selects top-tier homes)No additional cost for using the featureGenerally more expensive

5 Ways Vacation Rental Apps & Tools Help Airbnb Hosts

Being an Airbnb host is a great way to earn extra income while giving people a place to stay during their next big adventure. Here are five ways vacation rental apps and tools can help Airbnb hosts:

  • Communication and scheduling: With vacation rental apps, you can easily communicate with your guests and schedule cleanings, maintenance, and other appointments.
  • Analyzing data: Review your rental’s performance and make data-driven decisions to optimize your operations.
  • Optimizing pricing: Use dynamic pricing tools to adjust your rates based on demand, seasonality, and other factors.
  • Listing management: Keep your rental listing up-to-date and compliant with local laws and regulations.
  • Guest management: Get to know your guests and provide them with a 5-star experience from start to finish.

 

Maximizing Efficiency with Airbnb Management Tools: Essential Tips for Hosts

  • Leverage Data Analytics: Opt for apps that provide insights into market trends, enabling you to adjust strategies for better occupancy rates and pricing.
  • Automate for Efficiency: Utilize tools that automate repetitive tasks like messaging, scheduling cleanings, and managing bookings.
  • Enhance Guest Experience: Implement apps that help create personalized guest experiences, such as digital guidebooks or streamlined check-ins.
  • Optimize Pricing: Use dynamic pricing tools to adjust rates based on demand, seasonality, and local events.
  • Focus on Security: Choose apps that offer security features like smart locks or noise level monitoring to protect your property and ensure guest safety.
  • Streamline Cleaning and Maintenance: Employ apps designed for task management to schedule and track cleaning and maintenance activities efficiently.
  • Gather Guest Feedback: Incorporate tools that facilitate collecting and managing guest reviews to continually improve your service and attract more bookings.

Image: Depositphotos


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Kevin Ocasio Kevin Ocasio is a staff writer for Small Business Trends, United States Marine Corps veteran, serial entrepreneur, and certified digital marketer, who writes for various online publications including his own Grind Boss blog.

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