Host Tools review
Host Tools offers robust messaging automation and review publishing for hosts, with a straightforward pricing structure.
★★★★☆ 4.0 · our editorial rating
- Category
- PMS / messaging automation
- Pricing
- ~$28–$30/listing/mo; 14-day trial
- Free tier
- Trial
- Needs a PMS
- No
- Size
- Mid
The published facts, in plain English
Host Tools is PMS / messaging automation. It lists its pricing as ~$28–$30/listing/mo; 14-day trial. There is a trial rather than a free tier. It runs without a separate PMS. Scale: mid.
Data-desk note: No-PMS messaging + auto-review publishing; per-listing price beats us only at 0 listings.
Who it’s for
This service is well-suited for independent hosts and smaller property managers who need to streamline guest communication and automate feedback collection. It's particularly useful if you want to manage messaging and reviews without needing a full-fledged Property Management System.
Our take
Host Tools provides essential automation features for messaging and guest reviews. Its per-listing monthly cost is competitive, especially for owners with fewer than 5-10 listings. The 14-day trial allows ample time to test its capabilities. Notably, it operates independently of a PMS, offering flexibility.
How it compares to BnBGenius
On the published figures alone, Host Tools shows ~$28–$30/listing/mo; 14-day trial and BnBGenius shows free for the first 500 messages, then $10/month flat, with no PMS required. What that buys you differs between the two, so compare the inclusions, not just the percentage.
Verdict
Host Tools is a solid option for those seeking focused messaging and review automation. For an owner-first alternative, consider BnBGenius.
Questions owners ask
What does Host Tools cost?
~$28–$30/listing/mo; 14-day trial.
Is there a free tier?
There is a trial, not a free tier.
Do you need a PMS to run Host Tools?
No — it runs without a separate PMS.
What we would ask Host Tools
- “Is ~$28–$30/listing/mo; 14-day trial per listing or flat?” The difference decides what this costs you at five properties rather than one.
- Free tier or trial. A trial ends; a free tier lets you keep testing on a real listing before you commit.
- What it needs underneath. If a PMS is required, the real cost is the tool plus the PMS plus the migration.
Alternatives worth comparing
If you are drawing up a shortlist, these are the closest comparisons we would put beside it — each with its own published price, or a note that there isn’t one:
- OnCallClerk — Free tier; $29–$299/mo (overage applies).
- The Host Co — Free (7% fee); $18 / $48 / $250 mo.
- Beyond Insights — Free benchmarking; paid 1%–1.25% of bookings.
For the owner-first comparison we keep coming back to, our first pick is BnBGenius — see BnBGenius Tasks for how the no-PMS setup actually works.
Our owner-first #1 for host software: BnBGenius
View BnBGenius →