AskYourStay vs Hostaway: Which Is Better?
An honest comparison of AskYourStay and Hostaway for vacation rental hosts. We cover features, pricing, setup, and which tool is the better fit for your situation.
The quick verdict
Hostaway is a full vacation rental management platform. AskYourStay focuses specifically on guest communication through an AI concierge. They solve different problems. Many hosts use a PMS like Hostaway alongside AskYourStay for the best of both worlds.
Pricing comparison
AskYourStay
From £5/mo
Starter plan. Pro at £9.99/mo.
- 30-day free trial, no credit card
- No per-property fees on Starter (up to 3)
- Cancel anytime
Hostaway
$29-$99/listing/mo
Per listing pricing, annual contracts available
- No free trial
- Founded 2015
Feature comparison
| Feature | AskYourStay | Hostaway |
|---|---|---|
| AI-powered guest chat | Full AI concierge (Claude) | Canned responses |
| QR code in-property access | ||
| Multilingual support | 50+ languages | Limited |
| 24/7 instant responses | ||
| Channel manager | ||
| Direct booking website | ||
| Revenue management | ||
| Owner reporting | ||
| Setup time | Under 5 minutes | Hours to days |
| Free trial | 30 days free | No |
Where each tool wins
Choose AskYourStay if you want...
- Much cheaper (£5/mo vs $29-99/listing/mo)
- Free 30-day trial (Hostaway has no free trial)
- True AI that understands context, not canned responses
- Guests scan a QR code for instant help
- No long-term contracts required
Choose Hostaway if you want...
- Comprehensive PMS with channel management and direct bookings
- Revenue management and dynamic pricing tools
- Owner reporting for property management companies
Who is Hostaway best for?
Hostaway is best for: Mid-size property managers who want channel management, automation, and direct booking websites.
AskYourStay is best for: any vacation rental host who wants to stop answering repetitive guest questions. Whether you manage one property or fifty, the AI concierge handles WiFi passwords, check-in instructions, local tips, and appliance guides 24/7 in any language.
Can you use both together?
Yes. AskYourStay focuses on in-property guest support (the questions guests ask after they arrive). Hostaway focuses on all-in-one vacation rental software. These are complementary tools. Many hosts use a property management platform alongside AskYourStay to automate both the booking lifecycle and the in-stay experience.
Frequently asked questions
Is AskYourStay better than Hostaway?
Hostaway is a full vacation rental management platform. AskYourStay focuses specifically on guest communication through an AI concierge. They solve different problems. Many hosts use a PMS like Hostaway alongside AskYourStay for the best of both worlds.
How much does Hostaway cost compared to AskYourStay?
Hostaway costs $29-$99/listing/mo. AskYourStay starts at just £5 per month for the Starter plan and £9.99 per month for Pro. Both include a free 30-day trial with no credit card required.
Does Hostaway have AI guest messaging?
Hostaway offers Canned responses. AskYourStay uses Claude AI to provide full conversational responses to any guest question in 50+ languages, accessible via QR code in the property.
Can I use AskYourStay and Hostaway together?
Yes. AskYourStay focuses on in-property guest support via QR code and AI chat. Hostaway focuses on mid-size property managers who want channel management, automation, and direct booking websites. Many hosts use both tools together for complete automation.