A HostBuddy alternative from A$3.75 per property
HostBuddy AI answers guest messages and connects to a long list of PMS, Resly included. Its plans start at A$11.40 per property a month. HostOwls AI messaging is A$3.75 to A$6 per property, with a guidebook that builds itself from your reservations included. Anything the AI isn't sure of goes to a person.
HostBuddy (also written Host Buddy) facts checked 22 Oct 2026 from their pricing and FAQ pages.
HostBuddy pricing next to HostOwls
Total per month, in AUD, monthly billing. HostBuddy publishes a per-property price that falls with volume; we multiplied it out, marked "works out to".
| Properties | HostOwls AI messaging | HostBuddy Pro | HostBuddy Elite | HostBuddy Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 property | A$3.75 to A$6A$3.75 to A$6 per property, guidebook included | A$11.40A$11.40 per property | A$16.30A$16.30 per property | A$19.55A$19.55 per property |
| 5 properties | A$18.75 to A$30A$3.75 to A$6 per property, guidebook included | works out to A$57A$11.40 per property | works out to A$81.50A$16.30 per property | works out to A$97.75A$19.55 per property |
| 20 properties | A$75 to A$120A$3.75 to A$6 per property, guidebook included | works out to A$210A$10.50 per property | works out to A$290A$14.50 per property | works out to A$355A$17.75 per property |
| 100 properties | A$375 to A$600A$3.75 to A$6 per property, guidebook included | works out to A$910A$9.10 per property | works out to A$1,165A$11.65 per property | works out to A$1,490A$14.90 per property |
- In USD, 1 property is US$7 (Pro), US$10 (Elite) or US$12 (Ultimate) per month.
- 14-day free trial with full access. No free tier.
- HostOwls: no setup fee, contract or commission. HostBuddy's setup fee and contract terms are not stated on its pricing page.
Checked 22 Oct 2026 from hostbuddy.ai/pricing and hostbuddy.ai/faqs. Prices change; tell us if this is out of date.
Features, side by side
What each company says it does. Where HostBuddy's pages don't say, we say so rather than guess.
| Feature | HostOwls | HostBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Setup method | Connect your PMS once. The guidebook builds itself from reservations; house rules and local tips are yours to write. | Pulls property details from your PMS listing plus live reservation data. You can also upload files or fill in a form. |
| Per-guest details | Each guest gets their own link with their door code, Wi-Fi and check-in details. | Uses live reservation data in replies. |
| AI messaging | Replies from the guidebook and the guest’s reservation. Guidebook included. | Yes, the core product. |
| Guidebook | Included with AI messaging. Builds itself from your PMS. | Not described as a product. |
| Escalation when unsure | Anything it isn’t sure of goes to a person instead of a guess. Optional Guest Support Staff: our team covers escalations at night or 24/7, with a 15-minute reply guarantee. | Notifies you of “action items” by email, SMS or Slack, and can be scheduled to cover certain hours. Whether it holds its reply when unsure is not stated. |
| PMS connection, incl. Resly | Resly, plus any PMS with an open API (for example Hostaway, Guesty, Lodgify, Smoobu, OwnerRez). | Guesty, Hostaway, Hostfully, Hostify, Hospitable, Lodgify, Smoobu, Hostex, Beds24, OwnerRez, Zeevou, BookingSync, Resly, Tokeet. |
| Free tier | No free AI messaging tier. The guidebook alone is free for 1 property. | No free tier. 14-day free trial with full access. |
| Setup fee and contract | No setup fee, contract or commission. | Not stated on their pricing page. |
Checked 22 Oct 2026 from hostbuddy.ai/pricing and hostbuddy.ai/faqs. Prices change; tell us if this is out of date.
Where HostBuddy is the better fit
- You want your PMS named on the list. HostBuddy names 14, including Guesty, Hostaway, Hospitable, OwnerRez and Resly.
- You want a full trial first. HostBuddy has a 14-day free trial with full access.
- You want alerts in Slack or by SMS. HostBuddy sends action items by email, SMS or Slack, and can be scheduled for certain hours.
- You'd rather feed it documents. Besides your PMS listing, you can upload files or fill in a form.
Where HostOwls is the better fit
- Price. At 20 properties HostOwls is A$75 to A$120 a month; HostBuddy Pro works out to A$210. At 100 it's A$375 to A$600, against A$910.
- You want a guidebook too. It's included, built from your PMS, and the AI answers from the same data.
- You want a clear rule on uncertainty. If HostOwls isn't sure, the message goes to a person instead of a guess.
- You want terms in writing. No setup fee, contract or commission, published.
Switching from HostBuddy
The one thing to avoid is two AIs answering the same guest. Turn one off before the other goes live.
- Connect your PMS.Resly, or any PMS with an open API.
- Check the guidebook.It builds from your reservations. The AI answers from it, so this is what guests will hear.
- Move what you taught HostBuddy.Answers you added by file or form go into the guidebook as house rules and local tips.
- Turn off HostBuddy replies, then turn on HostOwls.Watch the handoffs for the first week.
Related
Hosts comparing HostBuddy often look at HappyGuest AI too. We haven't checked its pricing, so it isn't on this page.
Questions hosts ask
How much does HostBuddy AI cost?
On monthly billing in AUD, HostBuddy is A$11.40 per property on Pro, A$16.30 on Elite and A$19.55 on Ultimate for 1 to 5 properties. The per-property price falls with volume: at 100 properties it is A$9.10, A$11.65 and A$14.90. In USD, one property is US$7, US$10 or US$12. There is a 14-day free trial and no free tier. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
Is HostOwls cheaper than HostBuddy?
On published prices, yes. HostOwls AI messaging is A$3.75 to A$6 per property with the guidebook included. At 20 properties that is A$75 to A$120 a month; HostBuddy Pro works out to A$210.
Does HostBuddy work with Resly?
Yes. Resly is on HostBuddy’s integration list, alongside Guesty, Hostaway, Hostfully, Hospitable, Lodgify, Smoobu, OwnerRez and others. HostOwls connects to Resly, plus any PMS with an open API.
What happens when the AI isn’t sure?
HostBuddy notifies you of “action items” by email, SMS or Slack, and can be scheduled to cover certain hours. Its pages don’t say whether it holds its reply when unsure. HostOwls hands anything it isn’t sure of to a person and tells the guest someone is on it.
Does HostBuddy include a guidebook?
HostBuddy doesn’t describe a guidebook as a product. HostOwls AI messaging includes a guidebook that builds itself from your PMS, and the AI answers from the same data.
Watch it answer your own guests' questions.
Book a demo and we'll show you the guidebook and replies your guests would get, built around your own listing.
- Guidebook free for your first property
- No setup fee, contract or commission
- Run by people who manage 200 rentals