You’re leaving money on the table if you’re setting Airbnb prices manually or only using the platform’s built-in tools. The vacation rental market hit $97.85 billion in 2025 and is heading toward $134.26 billion by 2034* — but getting your share means pricing smarter.
Airbnb pricing tools automatically adjust your rates based on demand, competition, and market factors. Some hosts use Airbnb’s free Smart Pricing, while others pay for third-party tools with better data and more control. Which approach actually makes you more money?
This guide covers how these tools work, why Smart Pricing might cost you revenue, and the top alternatives that work across all your booking channels.
What is an Airbnb pricing tool?
An Airbnb pricing tool is software that automatically adjusts your nightly rental rates based on market conditions, demand, and competition. These tools analyze hundreds of variables — from local events and seasonality to competitor pricing and booking trends — to recommend or set optimal prices that maximize your revenue and occupancy.
Pricing tools come in two forms: platform-native options like Airbnb’s Smart Pricing, and independent third-party services like PriceLabs, Beyond, and Wheelhouse (more on those later). Platform tools are convenient but limited to one booking channel. Independent tools work across multiple platforms and typically offer more sophisticated algorithms and customization options.
What is Airbnb Smart Pricing?
Smart Pricing is Airbnb’s built-in pricing tool that automatically adjusts your nightly rates. It’s designed to keep your rates competitive with similar properties nearby based on market demand.
How does Airbnb Smart Pricing work?
Airbnb says Smart Pricing considers hundreds of factors to adjust your rates based on demand. The tool looks at your rental’s location, amenities, guest reviews, and property type. It also examines market demand by tracking current and past bookings in your area.
You’re not completely at the mercy of the algorithm. You can set minimum and maximum prices, override rates for specific dates, and toggle the tool on or off without affecting existing reservations.
Is Airbnb Smart Pricing the best pricing tool for your vacation rental?
Smart Pricing is convenient — it’s right there in your dashboard. With a simple toggle, you can automate pricing decisions without constantly adjusting rates manually.
However, you’re not Smart Pricing’s priority. Airbnb takes a commission on every booking, so Smart Pricing’s real goal is to increase overall bookings for Airbnb itself. More bookings usually mean lower prices, which means your revenue interests aren’t being prioritized.
Smart Pricing also only uses Airbnb’s own data, ignoring what’s available on other platforms like Vrbo or Booking.com. This paints an incomplete picture of your actual market. Since Smart Pricing only works on Airbnb, you can’t use it for listings on other platforms either.
Why use third-party Airbnb pricing tools?
Independent pricing tools give you advantages Smart Pricing can’t match. They analyze data across multiple booking platforms, not just Airbnb, giving you a complete view of your market. This means better pricing decisions based on actual competition.
Third-party tools also work across all your listings — Airbnb, Vrbo, direct bookings, anywhere you list. You manage pricing from one dashboard instead of adjusting rates separately on each platform. This saves time and ensures consistency.
Most importantly, independent tools prioritize your revenue, not platform bookings. They optimize for your occupancy and rate goals, not maximizing commission-generating bookings for a specific platform.
What should you look for in an Airbnb pricing tool?
Pricing tools are just one piece of vacation rental revenue management. Here’s what to look for in the right solution:
Strong market data analysis. You want a tool that can analyze data and make smart recommendations based on hundreds of variables to predict how your market behaves. The tool should process large amounts of data quickly and accurately.
User-friendly interface. No matter how powerful a pricing tool is, if you can’t figure out how to use it, it won’t help much. Look for tools designed for regular people, not just tech experts.
Reliable customer support. When something goes wrong, you want someone to contact for help. Check what kind of support comes with your pricing tool — phone, email, chat — and decide if you’ll feel supported.
Integration capabilities. Your pricing tool should connect with Airbnb, other listing sites, and any Property Management Software (PMS) you use. The more platforms it connects to, the better.
Make sure the tool fits your budget and you actually enjoy using it day-to-day. Many tools offer free trials, so test before you commit.
Our Top 5 Best Airbnb Pricing Tools: Alternatives to Airbnb Smart Pricing
These pricing tools go beyond Airbnb’s built-in options, offering cross-platform compatibility, more sophisticated algorithms, and features designed to maximize your revenue rather than platform bookings. Each tool has different strengths depending on your portfolio size, technical comfort level, and pricing strategy.
1. PriceLabs
PriceLabs is a popular choice for dynamic pricing, launched in 2014 by travel industry professionals. The platform serves hosts worldwide who want more control over their revenue management across multiple listing sites and regions.
What it offers: PriceLabs provides three different services focusing on various aspects of revenue management. Their Dynamic Pricing and Portfolio Analytics plan is what works as an Airbnb pricing tool. You get market dashboards, revenue estimates, and dynamic pricing strategies with detailed analytics.
Pricing: Starting at $19.99/month for one listing, plus applicable taxes. Pricing depends on how many properties you have and where they’re located. More properties mean lower per-unit costs – for example, 5 units in the USA cost $79.95/month, or $15.99 per unit monthly. You can also pay through a 1% booking fee instead. They offer a 30-day free trial.
Best for: Hosts with larger portfolios or those looking to scale up. PriceLabs gives you more control over the details of revenue management compared to other tools. The interface isn’t the sleekest, but it may appeal to users who want granular control.
User review: Ruth K. notes the tool has helped eliminate guesswork from Airbnb pricing for her and others in the industry.
2. Beyond
Beyond (formerly Beyond Pricing) is a leading dynamic pricing platform that’s been around since 2013. They specialize in creating pricing tools that integrate easily with various listing platforms and property management systems.
What it offers: Beyond has two plans with different service levels. Growth includes market-driven dynamic pricing, daily price syncing, and real-time market insights. Their Pro plan adds price adjustments based on guest search data, revenue and occupancy insights, advanced market intelligence, and customizable market reports.
Pricing: Growth charges 1% of bookings, while Pro charges 1.25% of bookings. Beyond offers users $50 credit to test their tools for free, plus free STR market insights.
Best for: Hosts with different portfolio sizes who want user-friendly tools.
User review: Brian Biskay highlights the simple, easy-to-navigate layout that makes it accessible for beginners or less tech-confident users.
3. DPGO
Founded in 2019, DPGO focuses on AI-powered pricing designed exclusively for Airbnb users. They’re primarily active in the USA and Canada, using machine learning technology to predict market changes and keep your prices competitive.
What it offers: DPGO only offers one plan – their DPGO Dynamic Pricing solution. This includes AI-driven pricing, market analytics, PMS integration, and other pricing optimization services.
Pricing: Two payment options: $18/month per listing as a flat fee, or $1 per night booked on properties using their pricing. They offer a 30-day free trial.
Best for: Property managers based in the USA or Canada who use Airbnb exclusively or primarily.
User review: Charlotte Rogers on Trustpilot highlights the tool’s effectiveness and ability to work within parameters she sets herself.
4. Wheelhouse
Wheelhouse has operated since 2014 and serves STRs worldwide. The platform can integrate with over 30 PMS tools and Airbnb itself, with regular updates from experienced developers.
What it offers: Wheelhouse Pro includes extensive pricing services, including an 18-month forward-looking pricing calculator that’s unique to them. Their Dynamic Sets service creates a mapping interface to help track competitors and plan pricing strategy. Portfolios with 50+ listings get full onboarding services, with custom plans available for larger portfolios.
Pricing: You can start using Wheelhouse for free with limited services. Wheelhouse Pro costs $19.99/month per listing, dropping to $16.99/month/listing for 10-49 listings, with custom pricing beyond that. Alternative flexible rate is 1% of revenue with a $2.99 monthly minimum. Billing happens when bookings are made, and cancellations are refunded. Dynamic Sets costs $12.99/month per set.
Best for: Hosts who want scalable tools. The custom services for larger portfolios make it great for those wanting tailored help or starting with a tool that grows with them.
User review: Equity Host Development highlights excellent customization options and top-notch market data.
5. Lodgify Dynamic Pricing
Lodgify recently added dynamic pricing to their property management platform. Founded in 2013 by two short-term rental owners, their pricing tool draws from over a decade of bookings and experience the company has gathered.
What it offers: Access to Lodgify Dynamic Pricing comes with the rest of Lodgify’s services, including website builders, channel and reservation managers, and guest messaging services. The pricing tool lets you edit rates based on market data while setting maximum and minimum nightly rates to stay in control.
Pricing: Since Dynamic Pricing is included with Lodgify’s other services, you need to purchase one of their PMS plans. Plans start at $20/month (+1.9% booking fee) for one property, varying by portfolio size and payment frequency. The booking fee is waived on plans above “Starter.” You’ll also pay 0.8% of each booking made with Lodgify Dynamic Pricing. They offer a 7-day free trial.
Best for: Hosts already using Lodgify or those wanting a PMS with integrated dynamic pricing.
User review: Cali Hosts45 notes the convenience if you already use their other tools and points out the intuitive interface.
Choose the right Airbnb pricing tool for your business
Smart Pricing works if you’re just starting out and only list on Airbnb. But if you’re serious about maximizing revenue, have listings on multiple platforms, or want pricing that prioritizes your bottom line over Airbnb’s commission goals, third-party tools deliver better results.
The right pricing tool depends on your portfolio size, technical comfort, and where you list. PriceLabs and Wheelhouse excel for larger portfolios. Beyond and DPGO offer simpler interfaces for hosts who want powerful tools without complexity. Lodgify makes sense if you need a full property management system.
As you scale your rental business and optimize pricing to attract more bookings, you’re positioning yourself to capture more of the growing vacation rental market. Getting short-term rental profitability right requires both smart pricing and property protection.
Truvi’s Guest Screening catches problem bookings before guests arrive, while Truvi’s Damage Protection covers up to $1M in damage with decisions typically within 5 business days. Dynamic pricing fills your calendar — screening and protection ensure those bookings don’t cost you money.
*Source: iGMS
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