HostDesk, the simple and free Lodgify alternative for small hosts.
Lodgify is a complete tool — real-time channel manager, booking website. But it's paid from the very first property. If you have one to four properties and mostly want to sync your calendars and track your net revenue, HostDesk does the essentials, free for one property.
Free forever · no credit card · set up in 20 minutes
Comparison
HostDesk vs Lodgify: each to their strengths.
An honest comparison. Lodgify does things HostDesk doesn’t — and vice versa.
| Criterion | HostDesk | Lodgify |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free for 1 property | From ~€13/month (observed, to verify) |
| Free for 1 property | Yes, forever | No |
| Booking fees | None | Depends on plan (observed, to verify) |
| Calendar synchronization | Yes, via iCal | Yes, channel manager |
| Real-time channel manager (two-way rates) | No (iCal sync) | Yes |
| Booking website | No | Yes |
| Real net revenue calculation | Yes | Partial / depends on plan |
| Automatic tourist tax | Yes | Depends on setup |
| Cleaning estimate + shareable link | Yes | No |
| Built for | 1 to 4 properties, independent host | Hosts & managers, any volume |
Lodgify figures and features observed publicly, to be verified on their official pricing. Comparison provided in good faith, with no affiliation.
What Lodgify does more
Lodgify is more complete — let’s be fair.
Lodgify is a genuine real-time channel manager combined with a booking website builder. If you want to push your rates and availability in real time across many platforms, or sell directly through your own site with a booking engine, Lodgify does things HostDesk doesn't.
It's a tool built for hosts and managers of any volume, and that's reflected in its price: it's paid from the very first property.
What HostDesk does better for a small host
Simpler, more affordable, focused on your profitability.
For an individual host with one to four properties, HostDesk gets to the essentials: it syncs your calendars via iCal to prevent double bookings, calculates your real net revenue (after platform commissions), handles tourist tax automatically and estimates your cleaning costs with a shareable link for your cleaner.
And above all it's free forever for one property, with no booking fees, then stays under €10/month up to four properties. The trade-off is clear: sync is via iCal, not a real-time channel manager, and there is no booking website.
- Free forever for 1 property, no credit card.
- Real net revenue, tourist tax and cleaning included.
- iCal calendar sync (no real-time rate push).
Frequently asked questions
HostDesk as a Lodgify alternative.
Is HostDesk really a Lodgify alternative?
For a small host, yes: if your main need is to sync your calendars, track your net revenue and manage cleaning, HostDesk covers the essentials, free for one property. However, HostDesk does not replace Lodgify's real-time channel manager or booking website.
Is HostDesk cheaper than Lodgify?
Yes for a small host: HostDesk is free for one property and stays under €10/month for four, with no booking fees. Lodgify is paid from the first property (from around €13/month per their site, to be verified).
What does Lodgify do that HostDesk doesn’t?
Lodgify offers a real-time channel manager (two-way sync of rates and restrictions across many platforms) and a website builder with a booking engine. HostDesk does neither: it syncs calendars via iCal.
What about calendar synchronization, then?
HostDesk syncs your Airbnb, Booking, VRBO and Abritel calendars via iCal to prevent double bookings. It's simpler than a real-time channel manager and enough for most small hosts, but it does not update your rates in real time.
Can I try HostDesk for free?
Yes. The free plan covers one property, forever, with no credit card. You can use it with no time limit as long as you manage a single property, then move to a paid plan if you add more.
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