Hostaway
Hostaway is an all-in-one vacation rental management software that helps property managers scale their business by automating operations, managing channel distributions, and centralizing guest communications into a single dashboard.
Parcel Tracker
Parcel Tracker is a dedicated internal mailroom management software that automates the logging, notification, and collection process for incoming deliveries in residential and commercial buildings.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Hostaway | Parcel Tracker |
|---|---|---|
| Website | hostaway.com | parceltracker.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2015 | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Helsinki, Finland | London, UK |
Overview
Hostaway
Hostaway is a comprehensive platform designed to help you manage and scale your vacation rental business with ease. Whether you handle a handful of properties or manage thousands, you can centralize your entire operation by connecting with major booking channels like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com. You can eliminate double bookings and manual updates by using the industry-leading channel manager that syncs availability and rates in real-time.
The software solves the complexity of multi-channel hosting by providing a unified inbox for all guest messages and automated tools for tasks like cleaning coordination and payment processing. You can build your own direct booking website to reduce commission fees and use the open API to connect with hundreds of industry tools. It is built specifically for property managers who need a reliable, scalable solution to grow their portfolio without increasing their administrative workload.
Parcel Tracker
Parcel Tracker is a mobile-first mailroom solution designed to eliminate the manual chaos of managing incoming deliveries. You can simply scan any parcel label using your smartphone camera, and the system automatically identifies the recipient and sends them a notification. This replaces paper logs and messy spreadsheets with a digital audit trail that tracks every item from arrival to final collection.
You can manage high volumes of mail across residential complexes, student housing, and corporate offices without needing specialized hardware. The platform allows you to capture digital signatures for proof of pickup and send automated reminders to recipients who forget to collect their items. It helps you clear out storage space faster and provides full transparency for both staff and residents regarding the status of their packages.
Overview
Hostaway Features
- Channel Manager Sync your calendars, rates, and listings across Airbnb, VRBO, and Expedia instantly to prevent overbookings.
- Unified Inbox Read and respond to every guest message from every channel in one single, organized conversation thread.
- Direct Booking Engine Create your own professional website to accept direct reservations and save money on third-party channel commissions.
- Automated Messaging Schedule check-in instructions and review reminders to be sent automatically based on specific guest triggers.
- Task Management Coordinate your cleaning and maintenance teams by automatically assigning tasks and tracking their completion status.
- Payment Processing Collect payments, security deposits, and guest identities securely through integrated gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
- Multi-Unit Support Manage complex property types like boutique hotels or multi-unit buildings with specialized inventory management tools.
- Owner Portal Give your property owners transparent access to performance reports, monthly statements, and upcoming booking data.
Parcel Tracker Features
- Optical Character Recognition. Scan any parcel label with your phone camera to instantly extract recipient names and tracking numbers without typing.
- Automated Notifications. Send instant alerts to recipients via email, SMS, or app notifications the moment their package is checked in.
- Digital Proof of Pickup. Collect digital signatures or take photos during collection to maintain a secure and verifiable chain of custody.
- Custom Reminders. Set up automated follow-up messages for uncollected parcels to ensure your mailroom stays clear of old clutter.
- Multi-Site Management. Monitor and manage mailroom operations across several different buildings or locations from a single centralized dashboard.
- Analytics and Reporting. Generate detailed reports on delivery volumes and collection times to optimize your staff workflows and storage needs.
Pricing Comparison
Hostaway Pricing
Parcel Tracker Pricing
- Up to 10 parcels per month
- Unlimited recipients
- Smartphone scanning (OCR)
- Email notifications
- Digital proof of delivery
- Standard support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Up to 500 parcels per month
- SMS notifications
- Custom branding
- Advanced reporting
- Priority email support
Pros & Cons
Hostaway
Pros
- Extremely reliable sync with major booking channels
- Highly responsive and knowledgeable customer support team
- User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate
- Extensive list of third-party software integrations
- Robust mobile app for managing tasks remotely
Cons
- Initial setup and onboarding takes significant time
- Custom pricing makes it hard to compare costs
- Advanced reporting features have a learning curve
Parcel Tracker
Pros
- Extremely fast setup with no specialized hardware required
- Highly accurate OCR scanning even with damaged labels
- Significantly reduces time spent on manual data entry
- Intuitive interface is easy for rotating staff to learn
Cons
- Free tier has very low monthly parcel limits
- SMS notifications require a paid subscription plan
- Occasional glare issues when scanning glossy parcel surfaces