Smoobu Review: Best Budget Channel Manager? Complete Guide – Pricing & Alternatives
Have you invested in property for vacation rentals? Want to boost your bookings with one software solution? Discover our Smoobu review, the channel manager from Germany…
What is Smoobu?
Smoobu is a channel manager that synchronizes vacation rental listings across the most popular booking platforms like Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia.
✅ No more double bookings!
But that’s not all – here are some key features:
- Automated messaging
- Integration with modules like Stripe and Pricelabs
- Dashboard to manage your business
- Website with booking engine
Presentation and Use of Smoobu
Founded in 2014 in Germany by Fabian Beckers and Philipp Reuter, Smoobu was designed by tourism professionals facing the same challenges as their users.
Smoobu Key Figures:
- Partner with major platforms (Booking, Agoda, Airbnb)
- Over 100 partners
- Manages over 200,000 active listings
Well-tested technology…
Why Smoobu is the Best Choice for Casual Hosts
Each feature has been designed to improve your daily operations and help you:
- Increase your revenue
- Reduce your workload
- Automate non-value-added tasks
Our Review of Smoobu’s Advantages
Automated Messaging
One of the most time-consuming but essential tasks is guest communication.
That’s why automating a message sequence is crucial to mentally offload yourself without compromising the guest experience. For example:
- Welcome message upon booking
- Check-in instructions on arrival day
Fast Price Synchronization
You can directly adjust your rates on the calendar. They will be instantly updated across all your channels.
Coefficients can be applied to “neutralize” commissions from different channels.
⚡ Everything is set up in just a few clicks!
Online Booking System (PMS)
It enables management of essential tasks for your vacation rental:
- A channel manager
- Service accessible via computer or smartphone
- Centralized communication
- Booking engine, etc.
Exportable Dashboard
Measuring your activity is essential. You’ll find statistics such as:
- Revenue and net cash flows
- RevPAR
- Occupancy tax
- Occupancy rate, among others…
Smoobu Software Disadvantages
Using Smoobu is essential, and we recommend subscribing to this type of tool. However, some limitations may be significant depending on your business and growth strategy.
Basic Calendar
We find it somewhat basic. The design is less suitable for hosts with many properties. This is a notable drawback when compared to other software like Superhote, which is much more user-friendly.
It will be inadequate for a property management company.
Website
The online site is functional; however, the proposed design remains simple. If your strategy is to limit OTA commissions and develop your own brand, opt for Lodgify. It offers turnkey sites with superior quality designs.
✅ ADVANTAGES
- Easy to use
- Ideal for casual hosts
- 14-day trial period
- Competitive pricing
- Responsive customer support
❌ DISADVANTAGES
- Not suitable for owners who delegate maintenance
- Not suitable for property management companies
- Not suitable for hotels
- No iPhone app
- Basic calendar
What are Smoobu’s Main Features?
- Booking system (PMS)
- Channel manager
- Centralized guest communication
- Detailed statistics and reports
- Website
- Centralized calendar
Smoobu’s PMS Booking System
A PMS (Property Management System) allows property management by connecting all your software:
- Reports and statistics
- Integration with your distribution channels
- Direct or automated guest communication
- Easy online access
- And of course, the channel manager…
Smoobu Mobile App
It allows you to check from your smartphone:
- The calendar
- Booking list
- Guest exchanges
- Property statistics
- And much more!
Smoobu’s Channel Manager
The channel manager synchronizes all the platforms you use. With the software, you’ll no longer have double bookings and will save time daily.
No More Double Bookings:
It’s one of the market tools that offers one of the largest numbers of partners. Airbnb and Smoobu are connected, Expedia, Vrbo will also be automatically and instantly updated. Your website will also be synchronized via the commission-free booking engine.
Detailed Statistics and Reports
Like most software, it offers a single summary page of your vacation rental performance. You’ll find:
- Monthly and total revenue
- Property occupancy rate
- Average price per booking
- Occupancy rate from different OTAs and your website
- Number of cancellations to monitor, etc.
Centralized Guest Communication
The developed messaging system centralizes client communication on a single interface. Available settings will improve the guest experience.
One Inbox for All Your Exchanges:
No need to log into different platforms to communicate with your guests. A single interface allows you to send information or respond to requests from Airbnb and Booking. This via your computer or smartphone.
Smoobu’s Website
Today, it’s important not to rely solely on OTAs for your strategy.
Integrated Website Without Commissions:
Of course, no commissions charged. Additionally, it will be fully integrated. Rates and bookings will be automatically synchronized.
What are the Benefits of Creating a Website for Your Vacation Rental?
- Be more visible on Google using Google My Business
- Create a recognizable brand
- Make commission-free sales
- Facilitate professional client loyalty
- Become independent of OTAs
Our Review of Smoobu’s Calendar
This is the weak point. We find it quite basic and less user-friendly than competing software calendars.
Smoobu Customer Reviews
“Smoobu is a very agile software that constantly evolves. It’s a great tool to help you manage your bookings, relationship emails, and online booking site. The French team is super responsive and friendly. Highly recommend!”
“We are delighted and very satisfied working with Smoobu. Excellent service and excellent responsiveness. As a property management company in Nice, we highly recommend!”
“Really great app. I enjoy automating everything with it, lots of features, the ‘guest app’ feature 👌👌 Well done!!!”
“Very good software, practical and easy to install. Smoobu teams do everything to answer any question and remain proactive in updating the software while integrating new features.”
“Smoobu has beneficial features we haven’t even started exploring yet. We successfully integrated our calendar so it works perfectly across our 4 different properties. Customer service speed, knowledge, and friendliness are remarkable.”
Final Rating
SMOOBU
The budget channel manager for casual vacation rental hosts
9.2
Usability & Ease of Use
8.5
Features
9.0
Customer Service
9.0
Value for Money
What is Smoobu’s Pricing?
Like many channel managers, several pricing plans are available.
- Basic: a free version WITHOUT channel manager – not recommended
- Professional: the best choice if you’re managing alone
- Teams: for large organizations with dedicated management teams
💡 Our Recommendation: We recommend the “Professional” plan, sufficient in most cases.
An annual or biannual rate will allow you to get a discount of 10 to 20%. It will vary based on the number of properties you own.
Conclusion: Should You Subscribe to SMOOBU?
Web presence is vital for short-term rental business success. To facilitate this presence, a channel manager is crucial.
Smoobu is a reasonably priced vacation rental management application with the necessary features for your growth.
It has a good number of options and a simple interface. We found the tool to be among the most intuitive we’ve tested.
Final Verdict: Smoobu is a good solution for casual hosts. If price is your main criterion, its entry-level pricing will convince you, especially if you only have one or two properties.
However, if price isn’t your top priority, we suggest prioritizing alternative software. Superhote or Lodgify will offer more features, better user experience, and higher quality customer support.
Alternatives to SMOOBU
SMOOBU VS SUPERHOTE
Superhote ranks 1st in our ranking. Its cleaner style makes setup and use much simpler. Again, if your main criterion isn’t software cost, opt for this tool instead.
SMOOBU VS LODGIFY
Lodgify, the all-in-one solution, is a tool that offers more functions and more attractive site designs. If you prioritize quality over price, it will be a better choice.
SMOOBU VS AMENITIZ
If you own a hotel, Amenitiz will be a more suitable channel manager for your needs, more complete and designed by hoteliers. Its price is however higher.
SMOOBU VS BEDS 24
Beds 24 is known as one of the most complete on the market. Solid and full of features, it will delight settings enthusiasts. The à la carte cost will make it very competitive but at the expense of long and tedious setup. However, if you want to combine cost and simplicity, Smoobu will be the best compromise.
SMOOBU VS EVIIVO
Eviivo is a complete and easy-to-use channel manager. A good alternative for casual vacation rental hosts.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoobu’s Pricing in 2026?
Discover all pricing plans and our exclusive offers up to -30%
What is Smoobu’s Pricing?
Like many channel managers, several pricing plans are available to suit all host profiles.
To discover the software
- Centralized calendar
- Guest messaging
- Basic reports
- Channel Manager
- OTA synchronization
- Website
Best choice if managing alone
- Complete Channel Manager
- Unlimited synchronization
- Automated messaging
- Website included
- Detailed reports
- Mobile app
- Priority support
For teams and organizations
- Everything in Professional
- Multi-user management
- Advanced permissions
- Custom dashboards
- Dedicated support
- Training included
- Advanced API
💡 Our Recommendation
We recommend the “Professional” plan – sufficient in most cases.
This plan offers the best value and includes all essential features to efficiently manage 1 to 10 properties.
How to Save on Your Smoobu Subscription?
💰 Savings Calculator
| Commitment | Monthly Price | Discount | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $29/month | 0% | – |
| Annual | $26/month | -10% | $36/year |
| Biennial | $23/month | -20% | $72/year |
| Annual + Exclusive Offer | $20/month | -30% | $108/year |
🎯 Best Deal: Annual or biennial pricing gets you a 10-20% discount. With our exclusive offer, save up to 30% on annual plans!
Pricing by Number of Properties
Smoobu pricing varies based on the number of properties you own. Here’s a pricing overview:
| Number of Properties | Professional (Monthly) | Professional (Annual -30%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 property | $29/month | $20/month ($240/year) |
| 2-3 properties | $39/month | $27/month ($327/year) |
| 4-5 properties | $49/month | $34/month ($412/year) |
| 6-10 properties | $69/month | $48/month ($579/year) |
| 10+ properties | Teams plan – custom quote | |
📊 Important Note: Exact pricing may vary. We recommend checking directly on Smoobu’s website for a personalized quote based on your exact number of properties.
Does Smoobu Charge Commissions?
✅ Good News: No Commissions Charged!
Smoobu doesn’t charge commissions on your bookings. Only Airbnb and other OTA fees are deducted according to their own pricing policies.
You only pay:
- Your monthly or annual Smoobu subscription
- Platform commissions (Airbnb, Booking, etc.) – unchanged
No additional commission is taken by Smoobu on your direct bookings via your website!
Pricing Comparison: Smoobu vs Competitors
| Channel Manager | Starting Price | Commissions | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoobu | $20/month (with -30%) | ❌ None | ✅ 14 days |
| Superhote | $35/month | ❌ None | ✅ 14 days |
| Lodgify | $16/month | ❌ None | ✅ 7 days |
| Amenitiz | $45/month | ❌ None | ✅ 30 days |
| Beds24 | Variable | ❌ None | ✅ 30 days |
💡 Price Verdict: Smoobu positions itself as one of the most affordable channel managers on the market, particularly with the -30% annual offer. Value for money is excellent for casual hosts managing 1-5 properties.
Hidden Costs to Watch
✅ Included in Your Smoobu Subscription:
- Unlimited synchronization with all platforms
- Unlimited automated messages
- Website at no extra cost
- Customer support in English
- Regular updates
- Mobile app
❌ Not Included (External Costs):
- OTA platform commissions (Airbnb 3%, Booking 15-18%, etc.)
- Custom domain name for your site (~$10/year)
- Additional modules like Pricelabs (dynamic pricing)
- Property management or cleaning services
Is There Smoobu Training?
Good news: training is free and included!
Available Training Resources:
- 📚 Complete documentation in English on Smoobu’s website
- 🎥 Video tutorials for each feature
- 💬 Responsive customer support via chat, email, and phone
- 📖 Knowledge base with detailed articles
- 🎓 Free webinars for new users
⏱️ Training Time: The interface being intuitive, most users become autonomous quickly, usually within just a few days.
💡 Tip: Take advantage of the 14-day trial period to familiarize yourself with all features without financial commitment.
Pricing FAQs
Can I change plans during my subscription?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime. Price adjustments will be prorated.
What happens after the trial period?
After the 14-day free trial, you can choose to subscribe to the plan that suits you. No automatic commitment if you don’t want one.
Are there setup fees?
No, installation and configuration are completely free. Support assists you at no extra cost.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription anytime. For annual subscriptions, check prorated refund conditions.
Smoobu Features: Complete Channel Manager Guide
Discover all the features to automate and optimize your vacation rental
What are Smoobu’s Main Features?
Channel Manager
Automatic synchronization with over 100 platforms including Airbnb, Booking, Expedia, and Vrbo.
PMS System
Complete property management with a professional Property Management System.
Centralized Communication
Unified messaging for all your booking channels in one place.
Detailed Statistics
Complete reports and analytics to manage your business efficiently.
Website
Create your own commission-free booking website.
Centralized Calendar
Overview of all your bookings and availability.
Smoobu’s PMS Booking System
A PMS (Property Management System) enables property management by connecting all your software tools:
- Reports and statistics – Track your performance in real-time
- Integration with distribution channels – Connect all your platforms
- Guest communication – Direct or automated
- Online access – Easily accessible from anywhere
- Channel manager – Automatic availability synchronization
✅ Main Advantage: It ensures complete booking management and helps you track your business. It will simplify your daily tasks, and the time saved will allow you to focus on your guests.
Smoobu Mobile App
The Smoobu mobile app lets you check from your smartphone:
Calendar
View all your bookings on the go
Booking List
Access details of each reservation
Guest Exchanges
Respond to your travelers wherever you are
Statistics
Check your performance in real-time
Smoobu’s Channel Manager
The channel manager synchronizes all the platforms you use. With the software, you’ll no longer have double bookings and will save time daily.
No More Double Bookings
It’s one of the market tools offering one of the largest numbers of partners:
- ✅ Airbnb – Instant synchronization
- ✅ Booking.com – Automatic updates
- ✅ Expedia – Direct connection
- ✅ Vrbo – Complete integration
- ✅ 100+ other platforms
Increased Productivity
Using Smoobu saves several hours every week. It allows you to dedicate your time to your guests rather than administrative management.
Detailed Statistics and Reports
Like most software, it offers a single summary page of your vacation rental performance. You’ll find:
- 📊 Monthly and total revenue
- 📈 Property occupancy rate
- 💰 Average price per booking
- 🌐 Occupancy rate from different OTAs
- 🌍 Your website performance
- ❌ Number of cancellations to monitor
Data Export
All this data can be exported in several formats:
- 📄 CSV for Excel
- 📑 PDF for your reports
- 📊 Excel for in-depth analysis
💡 Custom Sharing: Data sharing is possible either completely or customized. Very convenient for giving your cleaning staff access to booking dates.
Centralized Guest Communication
The developed messaging system centralizes guest communication on a single interface. Available settings will improve the guest experience.
One Inbox for All Your Exchanges
No need to log into different platforms to communicate with your guests. A single interface allows you to send information or respond to requests from Airbnb and Booking. This via your computer or smartphone.
Automated Messaging
It allows you to schedule a message sequence that will improve the guest experience. Sending is done automatically according to the scheduled date and time.
Examples of Automated Messages:
- ✉️ Booking confirmation message
- 🔑 Keybox instructions
- 👋 Welcome message before arrival
- ⏰ Check-out time reminder
- ⭐ Review request after stay
Smoobu offers templates in several languages. You can also configure your own texts. Message creation is simple and “shortcodes” are very convenient.
Smoobu’s Website
Today, it’s important not to rely solely on OTAs for your strategy.
Integrated Website Without Commissions
Of course, no commissions charged. Additionally, it will be fully integrated. Rates and bookings will be automatically synchronized.
The tool will centralize all sales generated by your site in your statistics dashboard.
What are the Benefits of Creating a Website for Your Vacation Rental?
- 🔍 Be more visible on Google with Google My Business
- 🏷️ Create a recognizable brand
- 💰 Make commission-free sales
- 🤝 Facilitate professional client loyalty
- 🆓 Become independent of OTAs
⚠️ Important Note: The online site is functional; however, the proposed design remains simple. If your strategy is to limit OTA commissions and develop your own brand, other solutions like Lodgify offer superior quality designs.
Our Review of Smoobu’s Calendar
This is the weak point. We find it quite basic and less user-friendly than competing software calendars.
Calendar Access
Access is either through the dashboard or its icon.
Areas for Improvement
- ❌ Price display per platform takes up too much space
- ❌ Unable to display multiple properties simultaneously
- ❌ Navigation between bookings not optimal
💡 Our Recommendation: The calendar is perfect for 1-3 properties. Beyond that, you might find the interface limiting, especially if you manage a property management company or large portfolio.
Looking for the cheapest channel manager for your vacation rental business? In this article, we break down the top low-cost channel management solutions that deliver essential features without breaking the bank. We compare pricing, core functionality, ease of use, and value for money so you can decide which budget-friendly option fits your needs. Whether you’re a small owner or a growing property manager, this guide will help you find a cost-effective tool to streamline your bookings and increase your revenue.