Quick Answer: HostGuide offers the best value at $20/year for 20 properties, Hostfully excels for enterprise property managers with complex needs, and Touch Stay provides mid-tier features with premium pricing.

Why Digital Guidebooks Matter in 2026

The vacation rental landscape has evolved dramatically. According to Statista vacation rental market research, guests expect instant access to property information on their mobile devices, and hosts need tools that save time while improving the guest experience. Digital guidebooks have become essential infrastructure for successful short-term rentals.

However, not all digital guidebook platforms are created equal. Some target enterprise property managers with hundreds of units, while others focus on individual hosts managing 1-5 properties. Pricing, features, and complexity vary wildly across platforms.

Platform Comparison: At a Glance

Platform	Pricing	Best For	Setup Time
HostGuide	$20/year (up to 20 properties)	Individual hosts, small portfolios	5-10 minutes
Hostfully	$29/mo + $5/property	Enterprise property managers	30-60 minutes
Touch Stay	$8/mo per property	Mid-size operators (5-20 units)	15-30 minutes
Guidey	$19/mo (5 properties)	Small-medium hosts	10-20 minutes

Detailed Platform Reviews

HostGuide - Best Value

Pricing: $20 USD/year for up to 20 properties (no hidden fees)

Strengths:

Exceptional value: Flat annual pricing covers 20 properties - unbeatable for hosts with multiple units
AI-powered content generation: Create complete guidebook sections in seconds
Rapid setup: Most hosts complete their first guidebook in under 10 minutes
Mobile-first design: 2026 redesign with 5 clear categories and swipe navigation
Individual QR codes: Generate unique QR codes for each How-To Guide

Best for: Individual hosts managing 1-20 properties who want professional guidebooks without complexity or high costs.

Hostfully - Enterprise Choice

Pricing: Starting at $29/month + $5/property (annual billing)

Strengths:

Comprehensive platform: Full property management system with guidebooks, channel management, and guest messaging
Extensive integrations: Connects with Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and 100+ tools
Team collaboration: Multi-user accounts with role-based permissions
White-label options: Complete branding customization

Best for: Professional property managers with 50+ units who need a complete operations platform.

Touch Stay - Premium Features

Pricing: $8/month per property ($6.50/month annual)

Strengths:

Offline access: Guests can download guidebooks as PWAs
Beautiful templates: Professionally designed themes
Upselling tools: Built-in marketplace for local experiences
Translation support: Multi-language guidebooks

Best for: Mid-size operators (5-15 properties) who prioritize guest experience features.

Pricing Deep Dive: Real Cost Comparison

Platform	1 Property	5 Properties	10 Properties	20 Properties
HostGuide	$20/year	$20/year	$20/year	$20/year
Hostfully	$408/year	$648/year	$948/year	$1,548/year
Touch Stay	$78/year	$390/year	$780/year	$1,560/year

💰 Cost Savings Example:

A host managing 10 properties would save $760/year with HostGuide vs. Touch Stay, or $928/year vs. Hostfully. Over 5 years, that's $3,800-$4,640 saved.

Which Platform is Right for You?

Choose HostGuide if you:

• Manage 1-20 properties as an individual host
• Want exceptional value without sacrificing features
• Need AI-powered content generation to save time
• Value mobile-first design for your guests

Choose Hostfully if you:

• Manage 20+ properties with a professional team
• Need complete property management platform
• Require extensive third-party integrations
• Budget allows for $1,000+ annual investment

Choose Touch Stay if you:

• Manage 3-10 premium/luxury properties
• Guests frequently need offline access
• Want to upsell local experiences
• Need multi-language support

Final Verdict

For 90% of hosts, HostGuide offers the best combination of value, simplicity, and features. The $20/year pricing for 20 properties is unmatched, and AI content generation saves hours of manual writing.

If you're a professional property manager with 50+ units, Hostfully is worth the premium. Touch Stay makes sense for luxury operators prioritizing offline access and upselling.

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