Host Tools review
Host Tools offers automated messaging and review publishing that integrates with or replaces a PMS.
★★★★☆ 3.7 · 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. On cost, the published figure is ~$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 suitable for property owners who want to automate guest communication and review management. It's particularly useful if you're looking to streamline these tasks without needing a full Property Management System (PMS).
Our take
Host Tools provides messaging automation and auto-review publishing, functioning as a standalone tool or alongside a PMS. Pricing is approximately $28–$30 per listing per month, with a 14-day trial available. The company does not publish its size, but it is considered mid-tier.
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 capable option for automating guest messaging and reviews. 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:
- Hostfully Guidebooks — Free (1 guidebook); Pro ~$7.99/guidebook/mo.
- Host Pilot — €29/mo flat, unlimited props; 30-day trial.
- Duve — From $120/$150/$200/mo minimum.
The benchmark we hold this against is BnBGenius — see an AI concierge for how the no-PMS setup actually works.
Our owner-first #1 for host software: BnBGenius
See BnBGenius →