Quick Overview
- 1#1: Guesty - All-in-one property management platform with unified inbox and automated guest messaging for short-term rentals.
- 2#2: Cloudbeds - Cloud-based hotel management system featuring guest messaging, notifications, and communication tools.
- 3#3: Mews - Modern cloud PMS with AI-powered guest messaging via Alice for seamless hotel communications.
- 4#4: Hostaway - Vacation rental software with centralized guest messaging and automation across multiple channels.
- 5#5: RoomRaccoon - All-in-one hotel management solution including guest messaging portal and automated communications.
- 6#6: Lodgify - Vacation rental management software with built-in guest messaging and direct booking tools.
- 7#7: Canary Technologies - Digital guest engagement platform offering contactless messaging and upsell features for hotels.
- 8#8: Smoobu - Channel manager and booking software with integrated guest messaging for property owners.
- 9#9: Uplisting - Property management system providing automated guest messaging and multi-channel support.
- 10#10: iGMS - Automation tool for vacation rentals featuring guest messaging, scheduling, and communication templates.
We ranked these tools by evaluating core features (automation capabilities, multi-channel integration, personalization options), performance under high communication volumes, ease of use for hosts and staff, and long-term value—ensuring each entry delivers tangible benefits for property managers and exceptional guest experiences.
Comparison Table
Guest messaging software is essential for efficient guest interactions, and selecting the right tool can elevate experience and operational flow. This comparison table analyzes key features, integration strengths, and usability of top options like Guesty, Cloudbeds, Mews, Hostaway, RoomRaccoon, and more, guiding readers to identify the best fit for their needs by comparing core functionalities, support offerings, and user feedback.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guesty All-in-one property management platform with unified inbox and automated guest messaging for short-term rentals. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Cloudbeds Cloud-based hotel management system featuring guest messaging, notifications, and communication tools. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Mews Modern cloud PMS with AI-powered guest messaging via Alice for seamless hotel communications. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Hostaway Vacation rental software with centralized guest messaging and automation across multiple channels. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | RoomRaccoon All-in-one hotel management solution including guest messaging portal and automated communications. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 6 | Lodgify Vacation rental management software with built-in guest messaging and direct booking tools. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 7 | Canary Technologies Digital guest engagement platform offering contactless messaging and upsell features for hotels. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Smoobu Channel manager and booking software with integrated guest messaging for property owners. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Uplisting Property management system providing automated guest messaging and multi-channel support. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | iGMS Automation tool for vacation rentals featuring guest messaging, scheduling, and communication templates. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
All-in-one property management platform with unified inbox and automated guest messaging for short-term rentals.
Cloud-based hotel management system featuring guest messaging, notifications, and communication tools.
Modern cloud PMS with AI-powered guest messaging via Alice for seamless hotel communications.
Vacation rental software with centralized guest messaging and automation across multiple channels.
All-in-one hotel management solution including guest messaging portal and automated communications.
Vacation rental management software with built-in guest messaging and direct booking tools.
Digital guest engagement platform offering contactless messaging and upsell features for hotels.
Channel manager and booking software with integrated guest messaging for property owners.
Property management system providing automated guest messaging and multi-channel support.
Automation tool for vacation rentals featuring guest messaging, scheduling, and communication templates.
Guesty
enterpriseAll-in-one property management platform with unified inbox and automated guest messaging for short-term rentals.
AI-powered messaging assistant that generates context-aware, personalized responses across channels in real-time
Guesty is a comprehensive property management platform with top-tier guest messaging tools tailored for short-term rental hosts and managers. It unifies communications from all major booking channels like AI rbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com into a single inbox, enabling seamless management of inquiries, bookings, and guest requests. Advanced automation, customizable templates, AI-powered response suggestions, and team collaboration features ensure efficient, personalized interactions at scale. The integrated Guest App further enhances communication by allowing self-service check-ins and direct messaging.
Pros
- Unified inbox consolidates messages from all OTAs for effortless management
- AI-driven automation and templates save time on repetitive responses
- Scalable team features with task assignments and multi-language support
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger portfolios, less ideal for solo hosts
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive feature set
- Overkill for users needing only basic messaging without full PMS
Best For
Professional property managers and teams handling multiple short-term rentals who require a scalable, all-in-one guest communication solution.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month per property for basic plans; scales to custom enterprise pricing based on portfolio size and features.
Cloudbeds
enterpriseCloud-based hotel management system featuring guest messaging, notifications, and communication tools.
Hyper-personalized messaging powered by real-time PMS reservation data for contextual automations and upsells
Cloudbeds is an all-in-one cloud-based Property Management System (PMS) with integrated guest messaging capabilities designed for hotels and hospitality businesses. It supports omnichannel communication via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, email, and more, allowing automated and personalized interactions like booking confirmations, upsell offers, and inquiry responses. The messaging tool pulls real-time data from the PMS to deliver context-aware messages, streamlining guest communication and enhancing operational efficiency.
Pros
- Seamless omnichannel support including SMS, WhatsApp, and Messenger
- Deep PMS integration for personalized, data-driven messaging
- Automation templates for confirmations, upsells, and feedback collection
Cons
- Not a standalone messaging tool; requires full Cloudbeds PMS subscription
- Pricing scales with property size and can be costly for small operations
- Steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with comprehensive PMS platforms
Best For
Mid-sized hotels and resorts seeking integrated guest messaging within a full hospitality management suite.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting around $3 per occupied room/month (minimum ~$130/month) plus per-message fees for SMS/WhatsApp.
Mews
enterpriseModern cloud PMS with AI-powered guest messaging via Alice for seamless hotel communications.
Seamless PMS integration that pulls guest data like room status and folio in real-time for context-aware messaging
Mews is a cloud-based property management system (PMS) with integrated guest messaging features, enabling hotels to communicate with guests via channels like WhatsApp, SMS, email, and in-app messaging. It supports automated responses, request handling, and personalized interactions to streamline operations and improve guest satisfaction. As part of a full PMS suite, it ties messaging directly to reservations, payments, and housekeeping for a unified workflow.
Pros
- Multi-channel support including WhatsApp Business API, SMS, and email for flexible communication
- Deep integration with Mews PMS for real-time personalization and automation of requests
- Unified inbox and AI-powered response suggestions to boost efficiency
Cons
- Primarily optimized for properties using the full Mews ecosystem, limiting standalone appeal
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small hotels or basic messaging needs
- Initial setup and learning curve due to broader PMS complexity
Best For
Mid-sized to large hotels already on the Mews PMS platform seeking integrated, scalable guest messaging.
Pricing
Custom subscription starting at around €4-€6 per room/month (billed annually), includes messaging as part of core PMS; scales with property size.
Hostaway
enterpriseVacation rental software with centralized guest messaging and automation across multiple channels.
AI-powered co-host assistant for intelligent, context-aware response generation across channels
Hostaway is a comprehensive vacation rental property management system (PMS) with robust guest messaging features via a unified inbox that consolidates communications from major OTAs like AI rbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. It supports automated responses, customizable templates, AI-powered reply suggestions, and team collaboration tools to streamline guest interactions. While not a standalone messaging tool, its messaging is deeply integrated with booking, calendar, and operations management for efficient handling of inquiries, check-ins, and issues.
Pros
- Unified multi-channel inbox reduces switching between platforms
- Advanced automation, AI suggestions, and templates save time
- Seamless PMS integration auto-fills guest details and instructions
Cons
- Overkill and steeper learning curve for messaging-only users
- Pricing scales with number of properties, expensive for small hosts
- Less specialized than dedicated messaging tools like Guesty or iGMS
Best For
Mid-to-large property managers needing integrated messaging within a full PMS suite.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at ~$25-50 per property/month, with tiers for features and volume discounts.
RoomRaccoon
enterpriseAll-in-one hotel management solution including guest messaging portal and automated communications.
Event-based automation that syncs messaging directly with reservation status for timely, contextual guest interactions
RoomRaccoon is an all-in-one cloud-based property management system (PMS) for hotels, featuring integrated guest messaging capabilities. It allows automated, personalized communications via WhatsApp, SMS, email, and their guest portal, triggered by reservation milestones like check-in or checkout. This streamlines guest engagement while tying directly into bookings, housekeeping, and reporting for a unified hotel operation.
Pros
- Seamless PMS integration for event-triggered messaging
- Multi-channel support including 2-way WhatsApp
- User-friendly dashboard with automation templates
Cons
- Messaging features are bundled in PMS, not standalone
- Pricing can escalate quickly for larger properties
- Limited advanced segmentation or A/B testing for campaigns
Best For
Small to mid-sized independent hotels wanting integrated guest messaging without separate tools.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at €109/month for up to 10 rooms, scaling to €300+ for larger properties with full features.
Lodgify
specializedVacation rental management software with built-in guest messaging and direct booking tools.
Multi-channel unified inbox with automated workflow triggers tied directly to bookings
Lodgify is an all-in-one vacation rental management platform with integrated guest messaging features, offering a unified inbox for communications across channels like AI rbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. It supports automated email and SMS messaging for booking confirmations, check-in instructions, maintenance requests, and post-stay reviews. The tool streamlines guest interactions within its property management system (PMS), reducing manual effort for short-term rental hosts.
Pros
- Unified inbox aggregates messages from multiple booking channels
- Robust automation for templated emails and SMS
- Seamless integration with Lodgify's PMS and channel manager
Cons
- Messaging is bundled with full PMS, not available standalone
- Limited advanced AI features like chatbots compared to dedicated tools
- SMS credits add extra costs beyond base subscription
Best For
Vacation rental property managers seeking integrated messaging within a comprehensive booking and PMS platform.
Pricing
Starts at $17/month (Basic, 1 property) up to $117+/month (Advanced), billed annually; SMS and additional features incur extra fees.
Canary Technologies
specializedDigital guest engagement platform offering contactless messaging and upsell features for hotels.
AI-driven personalization and upsell recommendations within guest messages
Canary Technologies provides a robust guest messaging platform tailored for hotels, enabling automated SMS, email, and WhatsApp communications for pre-arrival, in-stay, and post-stay interactions. It integrates deeply with major Property Management Systems (PMS) like Opera and Mews to streamline operations and personalize guest experiences. The tool also supports revenue-driving features such as upsells and digital tipping directly through messaging.
Pros
- Deep PMS integrations for seamless data sync
- Multi-channel support including SMS, email, and WhatsApp
- Revenue-focused tools like upsells and analytics
Cons
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small properties
- Steeper learning curve for advanced automations
- Limited standalone messaging without full platform
Best For
Mid-sized to large hotels needing integrated messaging with revenue management capabilities.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on property size; typically $400-$1,500/month per property with tiered plans.
Smoobu
specializedChannel manager and booking software with integrated guest messaging for property owners.
Seamless multi-channel unified inbox with OTA integrations
Smoobu is a vacation rental management platform with integrated guest messaging tools that centralize communications from multiple channels like AI rbnb and Booking.com into a unified inbox. It offers automated message templates, quick replies, and scheduling features to streamline host-guest interactions. The software supports mobile access and basic automation for common inquiries, making it suitable for property managers handling direct bookings and OTAs.
Pros
- Unified inbox for multi-channel messaging
- Automated templates and quick replies for efficiency
- Mobile app for on-the-go communication
Cons
- Limited advanced automation compared to specialized tools
- Interface can feel cluttered for messaging-only users
- Pricing scales quickly with number of properties
Best For
Small to medium-sized vacation rental hosts who want integrated messaging within a full property management system.
Pricing
Free for 1 property; Essential plan from €29/month (5 properties), Pro from €89/month (unlimited properties).
Uplisting
specializedProperty management system providing automated guest messaging and multi-channel support.
Dynamic automation rules that trigger personalized messages based on real-time booking status changes across connected channels
Uplisting is a vacation rental property management system (PMS) with built-in guest messaging tools designed for short-term rental hosts managing multiple listings. It provides a unified inbox to handle messages from platforms like AI rbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, along with automated templates for inquiries, check-ins, and reviews. The software emphasizes seamless integration with channel managers to centralize communications and reduce manual effort.
Pros
- Unified inbox consolidates messages from multiple OTAs
- Robust automation for templated responses and triggers
- Strong PMS integrations enhance messaging context
Cons
- Messaging is secondary to core PMS functions
- Limited native multi-channel support beyond OTAs (e.g., no built-in SMS/WhatsApp)
- Steeper learning curve for non-PMS users
Best For
Short-term rental hosts and property managers with multiple listings seeking integrated messaging within a full PMS platform.
Pricing
Free for 1 property; paid plans start at $25/month for up to 3 properties, with pricing scaling per listing (e.g., $10/property/month on higher tiers).
iGMS
specializedAutomation tool for vacation rentals featuring guest messaging, scheduling, and communication templates.
Multi-channel unified inbox with WhatsApp integration for real-time guest engagement
iGMS is a vacation rental management platform with integrated guest messaging tools designed for short-term rental hosts. It provides a unified inbox for handling inquiries from AI rbnb, Vrbo, and other channels via email, SMS, and WhatsApp. The software automates messaging workflows with customizable templates and triggers to streamline guest communication throughout the booking process.
Pros
- Unified inbox consolidates messages from 200+ channels
- Automated templates and triggers for efficient workflows
- Supports email, SMS, and WhatsApp for versatile communication
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-PMS users
- Pricing can add up for high-volume properties
- Limited advanced AI features compared to dedicated messaging tools
Best For
Small to medium short-term rental hosts seeking integrated messaging within a full property management system.
Pricing
Free for one property; $1.99 per booking or monthly plans starting at $20 per property, scaling with additional features and properties.
Conclusion
Across the reviewed guest messaging tools, Guesty stands out as the top choice, combining an all-in-one property management platform with a unified inbox and automated messaging for seamless short-term rental management. Cloudbeds and Mews follow, with Cloudbeds offering robust cloud-based hotel communication tools and Mews impressing through AI-powered guest interactions via Alice, catering to different operational needs. These top three reaffirm the importance of efficient guest communication in modern property management.
Start your journey with Guesty to leverage its streamlined messaging and automation, or explore Cloudbeds or Mews to find the ideal tool that aligns with your specific property management goals.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison