Autohost vs Hospitable (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Autohost if

• Fits if you want guest ID and fraud checks tied to your bookings
• Works for software partners who add checks through the API

Look elsewhere if

• Watch out: the pricing page is written for partners, and platform plans are sold through sales
• Pricey if you screen many guests, as checks bill per use
• Watch out: a US criminal check is $5 and credit history $20 on the self-serve route
• Skip it if you want a full property system, as it covers screening only
• Not for you if you want a free plan, as only $5 of credit is listed

Pick Hospitable if

• Fits if you host on Airbnb and spend most of your time answering guests
• Works for hosts who want a free plan that doesn't cap the number of properties

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you stay free: AI is capped at 10 uses a week, and there's no API, integrations, lock control or direct booking
• Pricey if you grow: Host stops at 2 properties, and each extra property costs $10 to $30 a month by plan
• Not for you if you need owner statements without a sales call, since they need Mogul, which is sold through a demo
• Watch out: direct bookings start on Professional and cost 1%, or 4% plus 3% processing, per booking
• Watch out: the free plan gets only AI and community support, and upsells on it carry a 10% fee

Autohost

• Per-verification prices vary by volume: $0.12 to $0.65 for touchless or ID collection, $0.35 to $1.25 for ID verification, $2.15 to $7.25 for criminal screening.
• The pricing page is written for partners and applies to SDK implementation; platform plans are sold through sales.
• Self-serve checks, from its Checktiv product, are listed at $0.75 for ID, $1 for watchlist, $5 for a US criminal check and $20 for credit history.
• Checks bill per use, so costs track the number of guests screened.

Hospitable

• Host is limited to 2 properties; beyond the included properties, each paid plan charges $10 to $30 per extra active property.
• Direct bookings are only on Professional and Mogul, at a 1% commission (Basic) or 4% plus 3% processing (Premium) per booking.
• Owner portals, owner statements and accounting integrations need the Mogul plan, which is sold through a demo.
• Essentials has AI and community support only; API access, integrations and smart devices need a paid plan.

Autohost

ID verification

Guests photograph a government ID, with options for selfie matching, liveness detection and forensic document checks.

Fraud detection and Screening AI

Device fingerprinting, email and phone validation and an AI screening agent assess the risk of each booking.

Background and watchlist checks

Higher tiers add sex offender registry, criminal background, eviction history, global watchlist and adverse media checks, with optional credit history.

Touchless verification

A lighter option that collects data from the booking source in the background, without asking the guest to do anything.

API, SDKs and hosted portal

Verification can be embedded with web and mobile SDKs, an iFrame guest portal or the API, and the docs list an MCP server.

Network effect data

Checks are weighed against Autohost's reputation and watchlist databases, and data feeds are offered as an extra.

Hospitable

Unified inbox and automated messages

Guest messages from every connected channel in one inbox, with scheduled messages, Q&A auto-replies and a guest portal.

Channel sync

Connects Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com and Agoda on every plan, with iCal imports and Google Vacation Rentals listing for direct bookings.

AI replies and Copilot

Suggested and automatic AI replies, a knowledge hub and AI issue alerts; Essentials is limited to 10 AI uses a week.

Tasks and teammate payouts

Cleaning and teammate workflows with a tasks app, and payouts to cleaners for a fee of 2.5% per clean on Essentials or 1.5% on paid plans, capped at $5.

Smart devices

Professional and Mogul generate smart lock codes and run thermostat automations, with 2 or 4 devices included per property and $5 for each extra.

Direct booking and owner tools

A direct booking website from Professional, at 1% or 4% plus 3% per booking; owner portals, statements and accounting come with Mogul.

Autohost

• Self-serve & SDK$0

  Free to start with $5 in credit, then pay as you go per check. No contract or minimums; this is the Checktiv self-serve product.

• LaunchCustom

  For platforms starting with verification. Usage-based pricing plus a platform fee, sold through sales.

• GrowthCustom

  For growing platforms. Usage-based pricing plus a platform fee, adds fraud detection pro, data verification and Screening AI.

• Scale (Enterprise)Custom

  For large platforms with high volume and custom needs. Volume discounts, a dedicated customer success manager, and custom or waived implementation fees.

Hospitable

• Essentials$0

  Free for unlimited properties. Upsells carry a 10% processing fee, and dynamic pricing is $15 per property a month after a short trial.

• Host$25.52

  per month for 1 property, billed annually ($29 billed monthly)

  For solo hosts, up to 2 properties at $10 for the second. Adds AI message replies, dynamic pricing, the metrics dashboard and API and MCP access.

• Professional$51.92

  per month for 2 properties, billed annually ($59 billed monthly)

  Each extra property is $15. Adds a direct booking website, smart lock and thermostat automation and guest payment collection.

• Mogul$99

  per month for 3 properties, billed monthly

  Each extra property is $30. Adds owner portal, payouts and statements, accounting with QuickBooks, and commission tracking. Sold through a demo.

Autohost

No public discounts listed.

Hospitable

• Annual discount

  Save 12% with annual billing

  Hospitable's pricing page lists a 12% saving for annual billing: Host is $25.52 a month instead of $29, and Professional $51.92 instead of $59.