Smoobu vs Lodgify: two holiday rental tools for small hosts
Updated . Written by The Property Tool, which is neither product; we say where we fit at the end.
The short answer
Both are popular with small holiday rental hosts and managers, especially in Europe. Smoobu leads with an affordable channel manager and property management system for a handful of listings. Lodgify leads with its website builder and booking engine for hosts who want to grow direct bookings, with a channel manager alongside. If double bookings across platforms are your problem, start with Smoobu; if your own website is the plan, start with Lodgify.
| Area | Smoobu | Lodgify |
|---|---|---|
| Built around | Channel manager and calendar for small hosts | Website builder and booking engine, with a channel manager |
| Typical user | Hosts and small managers with a few to a few dozen units | Hosts who want a branded website and direct bookings |
| Direct booking website | Included booking website | A core strength, with templates and a booking engine |
| Guest messaging | Unified inbox with templates | Unified inbox with automation |
| Owner reporting | Basic | Basic |
| Pricing | Plans by number of units | Plans by number of rentals and features |
| Tenancies of a year or more | Outside its scope; built for holiday lets | Outside its scope; built for holiday lets |
What both do well
Both tools give a small host one calendar connected to Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo, a unified inbox for guest messages, a booking website and payment processing for direct bookings. Both are self-serve, both are widely used in Europe and both are built for hosts rather than large operators. For a host with three to fifteen holiday homes, either will replace a paper diary and a set of platform calendars on the first day.
Channel manager versus website builder
The clearest difference is where each one started. Smoobu’s heart is the channel manager: keeping availability and prices in step across platforms for a small number of units at a low price. Lodgify’s heart is the website: templates, a booking engine and the tools to build a brand that takes bookings without a platform commission.
If your bookings come almost entirely through Airbnb and Booking.com, Smoobu’s focus fits. If you are investing in your own brand and repeat guests, Lodgify’s website tools are the reason to choose it. Both offer the other half, at different depths. How to build a direct booking website covers what a direct site needs.
Managing for owners
Neither tool is built mainly around owner accounting. If you manage holiday homes for other owners, check how each handles your management fee, cleaning charges and owner payouts, and whether owners can log in. That is the gap where small management companies most often add a spreadsheet. Vacation rental property management software explains what owner reporting needs.
Local rules in Europe
European hosts also have registration numbers, guest registration and tourist tax to handle, and the rules differ by city. Check how each tool collects guest details and adds tourist tax to direct bookings in your city; the tourist tax calculator shows how the common models work.
Which one should you choose?
Smoobu
Choose Smoobu if you are a host or small manager whose main need is an affordable channel manager and calendar for a handful of holiday rentals.
Lodgify
Choose Lodgify if your plan is to grow direct bookings through your own branded website, with a channel manager alongside.
Lodgify alternativesWhere The Property Tool fits
Choose neither if you manage holiday homes for owners and need owner statements, per-owner splits, cleaning tasks and maintenance in the same system as the calendar. The Property Tool does that for short, mid-term and long stays, includes a direct booking website and two-way channel sync as a per-listing add-on, and is free for two units. It is not the right choice if a branded website builder with many templates is your priority; then Lodgify fits better. See also the Lodgify alternative page.
Common questions
Is Smoobu or Lodgify cheaper?
Both price by number of units or rentals with plan tiers, and both change their prices. Compare the total at your unit count with the features you need, including payment processing.
Which has the better booking website, Smoobu or Lodgify?
Lodgify is built around its website builder and booking engine, so it is usually the stronger choice for a branded direct booking site.
Which has the better channel manager?
Smoobu is built around its channel manager for small hosts; Lodgify includes one as part of a wider package. Test both with your own listings.
Are Smoobu and Lodgify good for property managers with owners?
Both are built mainly for hosts. If you manage for owners, check owner statements, fee calculation and owner logins carefully.
Product features and plans change. This comparison describes how each product is positioned, not its current price; check both vendors' own pages before you decide.
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