Comparison

Host Tools vs Away Messaging

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Host Tools

Automate your short-term rental business with this comprehensive tool. Streamline messaging, manage cleaners, sync calendars across platforms, and automate reviews to enhance guest experience and efficiency.

Highlights
  • Automated messaging
  • Calendar syncing
  • Cleaner management
  • Automated reviews
  • Dynamic pricing
  • Unified inbox
Features
Read full description

Save countless hours automating your short-term rental across platforms. Automate messaging, reviews, availability syncing, cleaner management, smart locks, and more. Host Tools helps give your guests a 5-star experience which helps you receive more 5-star reviews. With Host Tool's intuitive and easy-to-use interface, you won't spend weeks trying to learn a new tool. Simply connect your account, set up a few automation rules using built-in templates, and sit back while Host Tools takes over much of the day-to-day management of your short-term rentals. Host Tools will: - Manage all of your listings and reservations across all channels from one single calendar. - Sync your calendars between Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, etc. in real-time so you never get a double booking. - Send automated customized messages via the channel's messaging system. Your guests will never know your messages are automated. - Automate cleaner communication by sending an e-mail or text to remind your cleaner of cleaning or anytime you get a new booking, if a reservation is canceled, or changed. - Create a unique URL your cleaners or maintenance people can view at any time to see all cleanings on one calendar. - Manage all conversations from a single inbox, receive notifications via the app or in your browser so you can stay on top of communication. - Accept Booking inquiries and requests automatically. - Automate guest reviews and remind guests to leave a review if they haven't right before the review period ends. - Automatically adjust your price, minimum night requirements, and availability based on rules you set up. - Allow you to set pricing rules to automatically raise or lower your prices set on the criteria that you decide. - Save you time by automating most of what you do as a short-term rental host, while also being the easiest to use PMS available. - Integrate seamlessly with all of the leading vacation rental tools such as August Locks, Pricelabs, TurnoverBnb, etc. *Not all of Host Tools' features are accessible through the app* For any feedback or questions feel free to contact me, Tom, the developer of Host Tools at support@hosttools.com

About

Away Messaging

Prepare and schedule personalized text message responses in advance. Create reusable templates for various situations and receive reminders to send them out. This app helps you manage your communications efficiently, especially when you're unavailable.

Highlights
  • Create unlimited message templates
  • Organize templates by situation
  • Select contacts from address book
  • Schedule message sending reminders
  • Privacy-focused design
  • No account or subscription required
Features
Read full description

Never forget to send an important away message again. Away Messaging makes it easy to prepare, organize, and manage personal or professional messages in advance. Whether you're on vacation, out of the office, unavailable, or simply need to follow up later, Away Messaging helps you stay organized and communicate on your schedule. **KEY FEATURES** • Create and save reusable text and email message templates. • Personalize messages for work, vacations, appointments, and everyday situations. • Select recipients directly from your contacts. • Organize and manage your scheduled message queue. • Review previously sent messages and reuse your favorites. • Prepare messages in advance and send them manually when you're ready. • Enjoy a simple, organized interface designed to make message management easier. **AWAY MESSAGING PRO** Upgrade to Away Messaging Pro to unlock additional features, including: • Scheduled message reminders to help you stay on track. • iCloud backup and restore to protect your saved information. Away Messaging offers essential features for free, with an optional Pro Annual subscription for enhanced functionality. **SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION** Pro Annual: $4.99 per year. Payment will be charged to your Apple Account upon confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Renewal is charged within 24 hours before the current period ends. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple Account subscription settings. **IMPORTANT INFORMATION** Away Messaging does not automatically send SMS or email messages. Messages are prepared in advance and sent manually by the user. Terms of Use (Apple Standard EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://awaymessaging.com/privacy.html Support: https://awaymessaging.com

Screenshots

Host Tools4 screens
Away Messaging4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Host Tools at none against Away Messaging's 1. Host Tools also leads on ratings volume (206 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). Away Messaging's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Away Messaging sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Host Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Away Messaging holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Host Tools has 206 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Host Tools ships an update fortnightly, Away Messaging every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Host Tools versus Away Messaging: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHost ToolsAway Messaging
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (206 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings206 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSee What Sticks AppsPaul Montenero

Customer experience

Host Tools

All ratings206 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive53.8%
Neutral15.4%
Negative30.8%

Away Messaging

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Host Tools

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Away Messaging

Subscriptions1
  • Away Messaging Pro Annual$4.991 Year

Questions

Is Host Tools free?
Host Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Away Messaging free?
Away Messaging is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Host Tools or Away Messaging?
Away Messaging is rated higher. Host Tools averages 4.8 out of 5 from 206 ratings, while Away Messaging averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Host Tools or Away Messaging have ads?
Neither Host Tools nor Away Messaging shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Host Tools or Away Messaging?
Host Tools ships an update fortnightly, and Away Messaging every 4 weeks. Most recently, Host Tools was updated on October 24, 2026 and Away Messaging on October 25, 2026.

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