# OpenKey vs Vacasa

The clearest difference is review sentiment: OpenKey at 73% against Vacasa's 44%. OpenKey also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). Vacasa's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Vacasa holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Vacasa has 24K ratings behind it against 3.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of OpenKey's written reviews are positive against 44% of Vacasa's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

OpenKey ships an update every 2 months, Vacasa every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenKey | Vacasa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openkey/id990142776/reviews) | **[4.9 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vacasa-vacation-rentals/id1454336721/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3.1K | **24K** |
| Positive reviews | **72.6% of reviews** | 43.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 107 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [OPENKEY, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/990142775) | [Vacasa, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1454336720) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenKey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openkey/id990142776)

Unlock hotel rooms worldwide using your smartphone as a secure digital key. Access your room instantly, share keys with companions, and manage your stay with features like check-out details and hotel information.

**Highlights:** Instant room access, Digital key sharing, Contact hotel operations, View check-out details, Room number displayed, Explore hotel amenities, Request check-out

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless experience
- 🔑 Convenient keyless entry
- 💡 Sharing keys with others
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure access

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Needs better instructions
- 🔋 Drains phone battery
- 🤔 Doesn't work consistently

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Fails to unlock doors sometimes
- Issues with updating and reinstalling

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch app integration
- Improved error handling and troubleshooting


### Vacasa

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vacasa-vacation-rentals/id1454336721)

Discover and book thousands of vacation rentals across North America. Browse detailed listings with photos and 3D tours, filter by your needs, and manage your bookings easily. Access trip details offline for a seamless travel experience.

**Highlights:** Thousands of vacation rentals, Advanced search filters, 3D home tours, Save favorite rentals, Offline trip details, Guest management

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy booking process
- 🚀 Fantastic experience with Wyndham Rewards
- 👍 Great for longer-term rentals
- 👍 Excellent management and communication
- 👍 Amazing properties

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive fees
- 🐛 Hidden fees
- 🔍 Lack of direct owner/host communication
- 🔍 Inflexible policies
- 🔍 Poor customer service

**Reported bugs**

- Reservation cancellations without explanation
- Broken/malfunctioning amenities in properties
- Inaccurate property descriptions and listings
- Difficulties with check-in/check-out processes

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit/extend reservations
- Improved communication and transparency
- More flexible policies and refund options
- Enhanced property vetting and quality control


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenKey free?

OpenKey is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Vacasa free?

Vacasa is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, OpenKey or Vacasa?

Vacasa is rated higher. OpenKey averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while Vacasa averages 4.9 from 24K ratings.

### Do OpenKey or Vacasa have ads?

Neither OpenKey nor Vacasa shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OpenKey or Vacasa?

OpenKey ships an update every 2 months, and Vacasa every 3 weeks. Most recently, OpenKey was updated on September 21, 2026 and Vacasa on September 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*