Hostaway vs. Smoobu:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Hostaway and Smoobu boils down to your property's needs, scale, and your priorities. While both platforms aim to streamline vacation rental management, Hostaway’s extensive features and proven track record give it a clear edge for most professional operators. Smoobu, on the other hand, offers a simpler, more limited solution, primarily suited for individual owners or small portfolios.

If you're looking for a comprehensive, scalable management system supported by a broad integration network and robust customer support, Hostaway is the stronger choice. But if simplicity and basic functionality suffice, Smoobu might still be worth considering.

Is Hostaway or Smoobu Better for Hotels?

Both Hostaway and Smoobu are designed for vacation rental management, but they diverge significantly in scope and maturity. Hostaway, trusted by over 20,000 property managers worldwide, offers a well-rounded platform with detailed reporting, owner portals, and a large partner network. Its features facilitate managing multiple properties across various channels with automation that saves time and increases revenue.

Smoobu, by contrast, has no reviews or ratings, indicating limited market presence and a lack of proven features or customer feedback. It provides core functionalities like calendar synchronization and guest communication but lacks the depth of Hostaway’s toolset.

For a hotelier, the key question is: do you need a solution that scales and integrates deeply, or will a simple, straightforward platform meet your needs? The lack of recent reviews for Smoobu suggests it may not be reliable for complex operations.

Hostaway vs Smoobu: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a feature-rich system with advanced automation, dynamic pricing, and extensive integrations, go with Hostaway. Its capabilities support scaling, team collaboration, and detailed financial reporting—ideal for larger or growing properties.

If your hotel is small or just starting out, and you prioritize simplicity over depth, Smoobu might be enough. However, with no recent reviews or proven market presence, its suitability for more demanding hotel operations remains questionable.

Given Hostaway’s high overall ratings, recent review activity, and wide feature set, it’s the safer bet for hotels aiming for growth and efficiency.

Is Hostaway or Smoobu Easier to Use?

Hostaway scores 4.63 out of 5 for ease of use, with many users praising its intuitive interface and helpful onboarding. Customers highlight that the platform is accessible for both beginners and experienced users, with a well-designed mobile app and strong support resources.

Smoobu, with no available ratings or reviews, offers an unknown user experience. Without feedback, it's impossible to gauge how user-friendly or reliable the platform is, especially for teams unfamiliar with vacation rental management.

Edge: Hostaway.

Which Has Better Features: Hostaway or Smoobu?

Hostaway leads with 10 unique features, including financial reporting, owner portals, a guest portal, promotional rates, a mobile app, trust accounting, CRM tools, and a dedicated app marketplace. These features support complex operations, revenue optimization, and professional management.

Smoobu does not list additional features beyond basic calendar synchronization, guest messaging, and analytics, lacking advanced tools or integrations. Its limited feature set makes it less suitable for professional or multi-property management.

Edge: Hostaway.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Hostaway or Smoobu?

Hostaway boasts a customer support rating of 4.75 out of 5, with many reviews praising its quick, helpful responses and 24/7 phone support. Customers appreciate dedicated onboarding, detailed help resources, and the availability of live support when needed.

Smoobu offers no publicly available support ratings or recent reviews, making it difficult to assess its support quality. Given Hostaway’s strong support ratings and active customer feedback, it clearly outperforms in this area.

Edge: Hostaway.

Which Has More Integrations: Hostaway or Smoobu?

Hostaway connects with 14 verified partners, including major platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and additional tools such as PriceLabs, Stripe, and Duve. Its extensive integrations support automation, accounting, and marketing efforts.

Smoobu has no verified partners, limiting its connectivity and automation potential. The absence of integrations could hinder workflows and data management for larger operations.

Edge: Hostaway.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Hostaway or Smoobu?

Hostaway’s reviews, totaling 80 with 51 recent in the last six months, reflect a 5/5 overall rating and 95% likelihood to recommend. Users across diverse property types, especially larger operations, consistently praise its functionality, support, and automation.

Smoobu has no reviews or ratings, indicating a lack of proven user satisfaction or presence in the industry. For hotels seeking confidence backed by user feedback, Hostaway is the clear leader.

Edge: Hostaway.

How Much Do Hostaway and Smoobu Cost?

Hostaway does not publicly list pricing, but it operates on custom quotes based on property count and features, with no free plan or trial. Its value proposition involves a significant investment but offers extensive features for the price.

Smoobu also lacks transparent pricing details, and with no reviews or user feedback, its cost-effectiveness remains uncertain. For clarity and value, Hostaway’s transparent feature-based approach offers better insight into potential ROI.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Hostaway?

• Hotels managing 5 or more properties seeking automation and channel management.
• Teams looking to scale operations across multiple platforms.
• Hotels that require detailed financial reporting and owner portals.
• Properties needing extensive integrations with third-party tools.
• Managers who value dedicated support and onboarding.
• Not ideal if your hotel operates only one property or prefers very simple management solutions.
• Not ideal if your team is uncomfortable with complex systems or customization.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Smoobu?

• Small property owners managing a handful of listings.
• Hotels just starting in vacation rentals and needing basic tools.
• Teams seeking a straightforward calendar and guest messaging system.
• Properties with minimal need for integrations or automation.
• Hotels that prefer a simple, no-frills management platform.
• Not ideal if you plan to grow significantly or require advanced features.
• Not ideal if you need robust support, detailed reporting, or extensive integrations.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Hostaway is a comprehensive, well-supported platform built for scalable, multi-property management. Its extensive feature set, integrations, and recent positive reviews make it an ideal choice for hotels aiming for growth and efficiency.

Smoobu offers a minimal, basic solution lacking proven customer feedback or advanced features. It may serve small operators with simple needs but falls short for larger or more complex hotel operations.

If you want a solution backed by recent reviews and a proven track record, Hostaway is the clear winner. For those with very limited needs, Smoobu might suffice, but caution is advised due to its limited market presence and lack of review data.