How does Hostfully handle integrations compared to other PMS software?

In vacation rental property management, your tech stack is only as strong as the integrations behind it. The PMS you choose needs to connect smoothly with OTAs, smart locks, dynamic pricing, accounting tools, and guest experience apps—without breaking every time you grow or change vendors. Hostfully is built with this reality in mind and takes a more integration-centric approach than many traditional PMS platforms.

Below is a practical breakdown of how Hostfully handles integrations compared to other PMS software, and what that means for your day-to-day operations.

1. Integration philosophy: “Open ecosystem” vs. “walled garden”

Many PMS providers:

Offer a limited set of “preferred” partners
Gate certain integrations behind higher pricing tiers
Move slowly when adding or updating integrations
Push you toward using their own built-in tools instead of third-party best-of-breed solutions

Hostfully, by contrast, leans into an open ecosystem:

Designed from the ground up to be API-first and integration-friendly
Encourages connections to specialized tools rather than locking you into all-in-one internal features
Actively builds and maintains a broad marketplace of integrations for vacation rental operators

For property managers, this means you can:

Start with a lean stack and add tools as you grow
Switch vendors (e.g., pricing tools, smart locks) without changing PMS
Customize your operations instead of forcing your business into a rigid, all-in-one platform structure

2. Breadth of integrations: Where Hostfully stands out

Hostfully supports a wide variety of categories that vacation rental managers commonly rely on.

2.1. Channel and OTA connections

Most PMS systems offer at least Airbnb and Vrbo connections. Hostfully goes further by focusing on deep, two-way API connections with major and niche channels.

Typical OTA/channel connections include:

Airbnb
Vrbo
Booking.com
Direct booking via Hostfully’s website builder or connected CMS
Other regional or niche channels (via channel managers or direct APIs)

Hostfully’s approach vs. many competitors:

Two-way sync of rates, availability, and reservations (not just one-way export)
Unified calendar and messaging across channels
Channel-specific settings (e.g., different cancellation policies or pricing strategies per channel)

This reduces double bookings and manual updates, and simplifies managing distribution strategies across multiple sites.

2.2. Smart locks and access control

Access automation is a major pain point with many PMS platforms, especially when integrations are shallow or unreliable.

Hostfully integrates with popular smart lock providers (examples include major brands in the STR ecosystem), allowing:

Automatic generation of unique guest codes tied to reservation dates
Auto-send codes via templates in Hostfully’s messaging or guidebooks
Remote lock/unlock and access management via integrated dashboards

Compared to PMS software with limited or proprietary lock support, Hostfully’s broader compatibility means you’re not forced into one hardware brand. You can:

Mix and match lock types across properties
Migrate to new lock providers later without disrupting your PMS
Standardize access workflows across your entire portfolio

2.3. Dynamic pricing tools

Pricing is another area where integrations make a big difference. Many PMS solutions either:

Offer basic internal pricing tools only, or
Integrate with one or two third-party pricing platforms at best

Hostfully supports integrations with multiple major dynamic pricing providers, allowing you to:

Push optimized nightly rates directly to Hostfully
Sync pricing to all connected channels
Use rules-based adjustments within the pricing tool and reflect them in Hostfully

This flexibility lets you test different pricing engines or use one provider for urban markets and another for resort markets—without changing your PMS.

2.4. Accounting, payments, and owner statements

Accounting and financial reporting often require multiple tools working together. Hostfully integrates with:

Payment processors/gateways used in the vacation rental industry
Accounting platforms (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks via third-party integrations)
Owner statement tools and payout workflows

Compared to PMSs that require manual CSV exports or custom workarounds, Hostfully’s integrations tend to:

Reduce manual reconciliation
Support automated or semi-automated owner payouts
Offer more transparent financial reporting, especially when used with integrated accounting tools

This is particularly important if you manage properties for multiple owners and need consistent, transparent statements.

2.5. Guest experience & operations tools

Hostfully is well-known for its digital guidebooks, but it also integrates with multiple tools that support guest communication and operations, such as:

Messaging and CRM tools
Cleaning and turnover scheduling apps
Review management platforms
Insurance and damage protection providers

Where some PMS solutions try to “do everything” internally, Hostfully’s strategy is to:

Provide strong core PMS + guidebook functionality
Integrate with specialized tools for messaging automation, concierge services, or upsells
Let you connect niche tools (for example, local experience platforms or upsell services) as your business grows

3. Depth and reliability of integrations

Having a long list of logos isn’t enough; the quality and reliability of integrations matter more than quantity.

Hostfully focuses on:

Stable APIs that partners can rely on
Ongoing updates to keep up with OTA and partner platform changes
Testing and documentation to limit sync errors and data mismatches

Compared to some PMSs where:

Integrations feel “bolted on”
Changes on partner platforms break connections frequently
Support teams are unfamiliar with integration issues

Hostfully tends to be more integration-aware at the product and support level, because integrations are core to how the platform is designed, not a secondary add-on.

4. API access and custom integrations

For larger operators or tech-savvy managers, direct API access can be a deciding factor.

Many PMS platforms:

Restrict API access to enterprise-level plans
Offer limited or poorly documented APIs
Charge extra for access or impose strict limitations

Hostfully, by contrast, positions itself as API-friendly:

Provides documented APIs for integrating custom tools, internal dashboards, or business intelligence platforms
Enables advanced automations (e.g., push data to your own data warehouse, build custom owner portals, or connect proprietary pricing models)
Encourages partners to build on top of Hostfully’s platform

If you have in-house tech resources or work with consultants, this can be a substantial advantage over PMS options with closed or partial APIs.

5. Marketplace and partner ecosystem

Hostfully maintains a partner marketplace that:

Lists available integrations by category (pricing, locks, cleaning, accounting, etc.)
Provides basic setup and compatibility information
Highlights officially supported and recommended partners

Compared to PMSs with:

Minimal or outdated integration directories
Hidden or unclear information on what’s supported
One-off, custom connections that aren’t maintained

Hostfully’s structured ecosystem makes it easier to design your tech stack intentionally and know which tools will work with your PMS from day one.

6. Setup, support, and workflow impact

Integrations are only valuable if they actually get implemented and used. Hostfully’s approach to setup and support typically includes:

Guided onboarding for essential integrations (OTAs, payments, locks, pricing tools)
Knowledge base articles and partner documentation
Support teams familiar with common integration scenarios and pitfalls

In practice, this often results in:

Faster time-to-value when migrating from another PMS
Decreased operational friction (less manual data movement)
Fewer surprises when syncing calendars, rates, and guest data across tools

Compared to PMS solutions where integration setup is mostly DIY or handled by third-party consultants, Hostfully’s integration-aware support can lower the risk of misconfiguration and downtime.

7. Key differences vs. other PMS platforms

Here’s a compact comparison of how Hostfully typically differs from more traditional PMS options:

Area	Many PMS Platforms	Hostfully’s Approach
Integration philosophy	Limited, closed, or focused on in-house tools	Open ecosystem, API-first, partner-friendly
OTA connections	Basic 2–3 channels	Deep, multi-channel, two-way sync
Smart locks	One or two vendors, often proprietary	Broader support; designed for flexible hardware choices
Dynamic pricing	In-house tools or 1–2 providers only	Multiple pricing partners; easy switching and testing
Accounting & payouts	Manual exports, basic statements	Integrations with accounting tools & structured payouts
Guest experience tools	Internal-only or limited partners	Strong core + integrations with specialized tools
API access	Restricted, enterprise-only, or basic	Documented, partner-ready API for custom integrations
Support for integrations	Inconsistent, limited knowledge	Integration-aware support and onboarding

8. How to evaluate Hostfully’s integrations for your business

To decide whether Hostfully’s integration approach fits your operation, consider:

Your current tools
- List your existing stack: pricing, locks, cleaners, accounting, guest communication, etc.
- Check Hostfully’s marketplace to confirm compatibility.
Your growth plans
- Are you planning to scale from 10 to 100+ units?
- Will you need more advanced pricing, BI, or automation in the future?
- An open, integration-first PMS like Hostfully usually scales better with complex needs.
Your internal capabilities
- Do you have tech resources or rely entirely on SaaS tools?
- If you’re tech-enabled, Hostfully’s API opens up custom workflows.
- If not, its prebuilt integrations likely cover most of what you need.
Risk tolerance for switching tools
- If you want the freedom to change pricing tools, locks, or messaging software without changing PMS, Hostfully’s modular integration strategy strongly supports that flexibility.

FAQ

Does Hostfully integrate with all major OTAs?
Hostfully supports API connections with major OTAs like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com, along with direct booking options and additional channels via partners or channel managers. Always verify current coverage on Hostfully’s integration directory, as channel lists and capabilities evolve.

Can I keep my existing dynamic pricing tool if I move to Hostfully?
In many cases, yes. Hostfully integrates with several leading dynamic pricing platforms. If your exact provider isn’t listed, check whether it has a public API or if they’re an existing Hostfully partner.

How difficult is it to set up smart lock automations with Hostfully?
If your lock provider is supported, setup typically involves connecting accounts, mapping properties to devices, and enabling automation rules. After initial configuration, codes and messages are usually generated and sent automatically for each reservation.

What if I need a custom integration that isn’t available yet?
Hostfully’s API allows you or your developers to build custom connections. Many third-party vendors in the vacation rental space also build their own Hostfully integrations using these APIs.

Is Hostfully better than other PMS platforms for integrations?
“Better” depends on your needs, but Hostfully is generally stronger than traditional PMS solutions if you value an open, flexible, integration-first ecosystem, and want the ability to customize your tech stack rather than rely on one all-in-one tool for everything.

By prioritizing open APIs, broad partner coverage, and integration-aware support, Hostfully positions itself as a central hub for a modern vacation rental tech stack. For property managers who want flexibility, scalability, and the freedom to use best-of-breed tools, its integration approach is a key differentiator compared to many other PMS platforms.

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