The Best Channel Managers to Use in 2025

Choosing an effective Channel Manager to support your vacation rental business can be challenging for any owner or manager. In this comprehensive guide, discover all the keys to choosing the best Channel Manager for vacation rentals, facilitating your booking calendar management, and avoiding double bookings.

What is a Channel Manager for vacation rentals?

A Channel Manager for vacation rentals is software that allows you to automatically synchronize and update reservation calendars and rates in real time on several reservation platforms, such as Airbnb, Booking.com, or even your direct reservation website.

The Channel Manager thus avoids the risk of double bookings by automating updating your various connected calendars. Additionally, channel manager software helps property owners efficiently manage property details across multiple online channels, ensuring accurate and consistent listings.

What are the advantages of using a Channel Manager for short-term rentals?

A Channel Manager is an indispensable tool for short-term rental owners and managers who want to improve and professionalize their business management. It streamlines operations, reduces manual work, and enhances overall efficiency.

Among the many advantages of using a Channel Manager for vacation rentals are:

• Synchronization of rates and availability across multiple booking platforms in real time. Thanks to calendar synchronization, avoid the risk of double bookings (and their consequences on your business).
• Direct connections to major online travel agencies ensure accurate and up-to-date listings.
• Improved visibility on various online channels, attracting more potential guests.
• Automated updates to property details, reducing the risk of errors and double bookings.
• Enhanced guest experience through seamless booking processes and instant confirmations.
• Maximizing visibility on different booking platforms and major booking channels thanks to multi-channel management and synchronization, automatically synchronizing prices per night for efficient rate management, and centrally managing all bookings to save valuable time.
• Increase revenue to boost the profitability of your business.
• Significant time savings by avoiding managing each site individually and manually while eliminating human error.

What is the best channel manager for vacation rentals in 2025?

The best vacation rental channel manager in 2025 will depend on your needs, property portfolio size, and preferred features. Leading solutions such as Smoobu, Cloudbeds, and Guesty provide advanced automation, real-time synchronization with major booking platforms, and seamless integration with property management systems. 

When selecting the appropriate tool, consider factors such as ease of use, pricing, customer support, and the capacity to streamline your vacation rental operations efficiently.

1. Supported online booking platforms

An effective vacation rental Channel Manager should offer vacation rental owners and managers direct API connections to major booking portals such as Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia.

Last but not least, the channel managers on the market will be able to offer connections with French-speaking booking sites such as Maison Nature, gites.net, PAPVacance, and many more.

Be sure to choose a Channel Manager that suits your needs and allows you to develop your business by adding new listings on new sites to multiply your contact points.

iCal or API connection: what are the differences?

Channel managers offer two solutions to ensure efficient calendar synchronization between different booking platforms: the iCal connection and the API connection.

The iCal connection allows for a simple exchange of availability in files synchronized at regular intervals, which is ideal for avoiding double bookings. However, it is limited to read-only and may present a slight update delay.

Conversely, the API offers real-time synchronization and complete reservation management, allowing users to add, modify, and delete stays directly from the software. This solution guarantees optimal fluidity and total centralization of schedules, which is ideal for maximizing occupancy and avoiding management errors.

In summary:

• iCal connection = Simple, but more limited.
• API connection = More complete and faster.

2. The price of the Channel Manager

Another fundamental aspect to consider is the price of your future Channel Manager integrated into management software, on the one hand, and its subscription model, on the other: fixed cost, commission, or freemium.

Fixed monthly, annual, or bi-annual pricing

In most cases, you will find these three subscription durations.

• Monthly subscription: Higher monthly price but the possibility of canceling every month.
• Annual subscription: committing for 12 months usually offers you a discount.
• Bi-annual subscription: Your 24-month commitment will give you an even more significant discount.

Smoobu tip: Once you have studied the different options, you can more easily commit to a long-term plan.

The pricing model

In addition to the introductory price defined by contract duration, companies generally offer several pricing plans to suit vacation rental managers' needs best.

Thus, you will often find several types of pricing:

• Fixed pricing: as seen above.
• Pricing by number of properties: Generally, companies offer an introductory rate for one property. An additional rate applies for each additional property.
• Pricing by commission (%) on bookings: The software is free, but additional commission fees are charged for each new booking. You decide what is most profitable for your business.
• Hybrid model (fixed + commission): You pay a fixed subscription and a commission on your bookings. Once again, it's up to you to do the math.

The “hidden” costs

Some software solutions may charge mandatory additional installation or training fees.

The add-on modules

Some software allows adding extra features according to customer needs, such as dynamic pricing or accounting solutions. This type of addition is optional, but asking for information can be beneficial.

3. Customer service and support

Another essential aspect to consider is customer service! The questions below may help.

• How can you contact customer service for any inquiries or potential problems?
  • By chat?
  • By email?
  • By phone?
  • By ticket system?
• Is a knowledge base or online help center available to help you set up your account and expand its capabilities?
• Pay attention to the abovementioned points to ensure optimal use of your Channel Manager.

4. Customer reviews

Customer reviews are a strategic avenue to explore when choosing your future Channel Manager. Nothing like user reviews to help you form an informed opinion about a product.

You can check positive and negative reviews on reliable platforms such as Capterra, Trustpilot, Google, etc.

Customer comments reflect their experience with the product. Their reviews help you understand the channel manager you want to subscribe to.

5. Try out the product

Once you have read the reviews, there is nothing like a free trial to discover the features of your future Channel Manager and test its functionality.

Before committing, check whether the software you have identified offers a free trial version with no obligation or credit card details required. Most serious solutions offer one, usually a 14-day free trial or a 30-day free trial.

Why is it important to try the Channel Manager?

The free versions allow future users to:

• Become familiar with the software interface
• Test the ergonomics and ease of use
• Evaluate the responsiveness of customer support
• Connect your portals (Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.)

Test the automations (emails, pricing, calendar synchronization, etc.)

• Test the automation (emails, pricing, calendar synchronization, etc.)
• Check that the software is available in French

It is also an opportunity to see if the software suits your technical competence level. Some Channel Managers are incredibly comprehensive but can be complex to master without support.

5 points to check during the trial

1. The fluidity of synchronization between channels
2. The initial configuration of the software
3. The ease of creating and managing manual reservations
4. Access to key features without restrictions (some free versions are limited)
5. The quality of customer support (chat, email, phone, FAQ)

A Channel Manager at the heart of vacation rental management software

In 2025, a high-performance Channel Manager will no longer be limited to synchronizing calendars between Airbnb, Booking.com, and other well-known or targeted booking sites. The Channel Manager is often at the heart of a comprehensive vacation rental management software that simplifies and automates your daily operations. In a way, it is the beating heart of your business.

The Channel Manager then becomes a central function, connected to other essential features:

• Booking management system: a clear dashboard to track bookings, occupancy rates, and income.
• Guest communication: a unified inbox to manage all messages, personalize, and automate your communication from one place.
• Website creator: Create a direct booking site that is commission-free and in your brand image.
• Dynamic pricing functionality allows you to rent at the best market price.
• Statistics: dynamic dashboards with your data to monitor your performance and make informed decisions.
• Integrations: With a few clicks, connect with key market partners (connected locks, payment solutions, etc.) to boost your business.

And much more! Why choose a centralized solution? Rather than piling up several management tools, a Channel Manager integrated into a complete platform allows you to: Save time by reducing manual handling.

Why choose a centralized solution?

Rather than piling up several management tools, a Channel Manager integrated into a complete platform allows you to:

• Save time by reducing manual handling
• Avoid errors thanks to automatic and reliable synchronization
• Improve the traveler experience with fluid and responsive communication
• Grow your business according to your needs.

In 2025, owners and property managers of independent vacation rentals and professional managers will look for comprehensive, intuitive, and modular solutions. The Channel Manager is no longer a simple technical tool; it is the strategic core of rental management.

The best channel managers for vacation rentals in 2025

There are some high-performance Channel Managers on the market

• Smoobu
• Lodgify, Guesty, Hostaway
• Cloudbeds
• Beds24

The best for everyone, Smoobu

The Smoobu Channel Manager lets you synchronize your reservation calendars and automatically avoid double bookings, thanks to its advanced features and seamless connectivity with the major online platforms.

Smoobu has been working closely with the Airbnb and Booking.com teams for several years to offer quality service to Airbnb and Booking.com hosts. Indeed, Smoobu is an Airbnb Preferred Software Partner and a Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner, which underlines the efficiency and professionalism of our partnership with these key players in the sector.

In addition to Airbnb and Booking.com, you can connect other booking sites to the Smoobu Channel Manager, such as Expedia, Abritel, Agoda, Misterbnb, Maison Nature, gites, and many others!

In addition to its powerful Channel Manager, Smoobu offers a comprehensive vacation rental management solution designed to help you:

• Streamline daily operations for effortless property management.
• Maximize revenue through optimized pricing and booking strategies.
• Simplify administration with intuitive tools and automation.
• Manage property listings efficiently across multiple platforms.
• Enhance the guest experience with seamless communication and self-service options.
• Handle reservations effortlessly, reducing the risk of overbooking.
• Integrate with booking websites, ensuring accurate availability and pricing updates.

With Smoobu, you can fully control your vacation rental business while improving efficiency and profitability.

High-performance features combined in a single software program

Smoobu wants to provide hosts with the most comprehensive software possible to operate efficiently with the help of intuitive advanced features.

Smoobu's key features include numerous properties, synchronization of rates,

These features interlock and work together throughout the traveler and guest journey. They allow you to ensure efficient and professional rental management, boosting your traveler experience.

Strategic integrations to go further

If you want to do even more, Smoobu has direct integrations with the best players in the market:

• Payment solutions
• Dynamic pricing tools
• Cleaning services and operations
• Marketing and communication services
• Smart home solution
• Insurance

Whether you want to offer your travelers more online payment methods, autonomous arrival via connected locks, additional help with management and housekeeping tasks, or an improved check-in process, Smoobu has integrations to meet your needs.

Smoobu vacation rental management software is a perfect candidate for vacation rental owners and managers, whether they have one property or an extensive portfolio of vacation rentals.

Try Smoobu free for 14 days.

Smoobu alternatives: Guesty, Lodgify, Hostaway

Other Channel Managers are also available on the market, such as Guesty, Lodgify, and Hostaway, to name but a few. These solutions offer a variety of features that can be adapted to different types of seasonal rental managers.

Each software program is distinguished by its interface, level of automation, compatibility with booking platforms, or additional services, such as payment management or traveler communication. Many of these tools integrate with property management systems, allowing for streamlined availability settings and reducing manual tasks.

Therefore, it is important to compare these alternatives based on your specific needs, your volume of rentals, and your objectives to decrease your average time spent on administrative work while optimizing revenue.

The best for hotels - Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds is an all-in-one solution designed primarily for 3-star hotels, 5-star hotels, independent hotels, hostels, aparthotels, and coliving spaces. It integrates a powerful Channel Manager, a comprehensive PMS (Property Management System), and a direct booking engine in a single intuitive interface.

The tool is designed to meet the specific needs of the hotel industry: check-in/check-out, staff management, housekeeping tasks, invoicing, and detailed reports. It also streamlines availability updates and base rates across multiple online travel agents, ensuring accuracy and consistency in pricing.

What sets Cloudbeds apart is its versatility and adaptability to hotel structures of all sizes. Integrated revenue management tools allow for a smooth customer experience while optimizing profitability. Prices are by estimate.

The best for the most technical and extensive portfolio - Beds24

Beds24 is an ultra-flexible channel manager and PMS popular with experienced managers and tech-savvy agencies. It allows you to connect many channels (Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, etc.) while offering advanced customization options: automation, complex pricing rules, API, direct booking engine, and multi-owner management.

This makes it an ideal solution for a property management company handling numerous properties or even hotels that require a powerful and scalable system. Although the interface is more technical and less intuitive than the other solutions, Beds24 is appealing due to its power, stability, and excellent value for money, particularly for medium—to large portfolios.

How much does a Channel Manager for vacation rentals cost?

Take Smoobu, for example. The Channel Manager is fully integrated into our vacation rental management software and is very affordable:

• From €23.20 per month for a property with the Professional Flex plan
• From €28.00 per month for a property with the Professional Prepaid plan (the most popular plan
• From €44.00 per month for a property with the Teams Pro+ plan (team management)
• Find out more about Smoobu's plans on our Pricing page and the list of features.

Try Smoobu – The Ultimate Vacation Rental Management Software

Our advanced platform simplifies your daily vacation rental operations, whether you're an Airbnb host or a property manager handling multiple property listings. Easily manage your properties across top vacation rental sites while ensuring a seamless guest experience with automated communication and booking synchronization.

Take advantage of our key features, including a powerful Channel Manager, to prevent double bookings and streamline availability updates. Try Smoobu risk-free with our 14-day free trial—no strings attached!