Nowistay vs Lodgify: AI co-host versus all-in-one vacation rental software

Nowistay vs Lodgify: which platform suits your vacation rental needs?

Nowistay and Lodgify both serve vacation rental hosts, but with fundamentally different approaches. Nowistay focuses on AI-powered guest communication, while Lodgify provides a website builder and property management system. This comparison helps you understand which is right for your business — or why you might want both.

Company overview

Nowistay

Nowistay is an AI co-hosting platform founded in 2023 that automates guest communication for short-term rental hosts. Its AI co-host responds to guest messages 24/7 on Airbnb and Booking.com in 90+ languages, while its digital welcome guide helps hosts create professional property guides. Over 300 property managers trust Nowistay to process 10,000+ guest messages daily.

Lodgify

Lodgify is a vacation rental software founded in 2012 in Barcelona that helps hosts build direct booking websites, manage reservations, and sync across channels. Known for its drag-and-drop website builder, Lodgify enables property managers to reduce dependence on OTAs by accepting direct bookings through their own branded website.

Feature comparison

AI guest communication

Nowistay: Advanced AI co-host that reads and understands guest messages in context. It considers property information, booking details, house rules, and previous conversation history to generate natural, personalized responses. The AI handles 90%+ of guest inquiries autonomously — including check-in instructions, WiFi passwords, local recommendations, and even early check-in negotiations (coordinating with cleaning teams automatically). Emergency detection alerts hosts instantly via WhatsApp.

Lodgify: Provides automated email and messaging templates triggered by booking events (confirmation, pre-arrival, post-checkout). Lodgify does not include a conversational AI assistant. Guest communication automation is template-based and event-driven rather than responsive to individual message content.

Direct booking website

Nowistay: Does not include a website builder. Nowistay focuses on guest communication and experience rather than distribution.

Lodgify: This is Lodgify's standout feature. Drag-and-drop website builder with SEO optimization, integrated booking engine, payment processing, and customizable templates. Hosts can create a professional direct booking website without coding knowledge.

Digital welcome guide

Nowistay: Comprehensive digital welcome guide with property details, house rules, local recommendations, check-in/check-out instructions, AI translations to 90+ languages, QR code access, embedded videos, and a guest add-on shop for upselling services.

Lodgify: Basic guest area where travelers can view their booking details and property information. Does not include a dedicated welcome guide product with features like QR sharing, AI translations, or upselling shop.

Channel management

Nowistay: Connects to Airbnb and Booking.com directly, plus integrates with PMS platforms including Lodgify, Beds24, Smoobu, SuperHote, Hostaway, Guesty, Hostfully, Smily, and Hostify.

Lodgify: Syncs with Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia, Google Vacation Rentals, and more. Includes iCal import for broader channel connectivity.

Pricing comparison

Nowistay pricing

• Welcome Guide only: EUR 10/year per property (EUR 0.83/month)
• AI Co-Host + Welcome Guide: EUR 90/year per property (EUR 9/month)
• Volume discounts for 5+ properties
• Free trial, no credit card required

Lodgify pricing

• Starter: From $17/month (1 listing, basic features)
• Professional: From $32/month (more listings, full channel manager)
• Ultimate: From $48/month (priority support, advanced features)
• Annual billing saves up to 20%
• 7-day free trial available

Cost analysis: Nowistay at EUR 9/property/month focuses on AI communication and welcome guides. Lodgify's pricing starts higher but includes website builder, channel management, and booking engine. For hosts using Lodgify who want AI messaging, adding Nowistay (EUR 9/property/month) is a cost-effective way to get the best of both worlds.

Who should choose Nowistay?

• Hosts who want intelligent AI guest communication, not just templates
• Property managers already using a PMS who want to add AI messaging
• Hosts who value digital welcome guides with upselling capabilities
• Anyone looking for the most affordable AI co-host solution
• Managers who want 24/7 automated responses in 90+ languages

Who should choose Lodgify?

• Hosts wanting to build a direct booking website to reduce OTA commissions
• Property managers needing an all-in-one platform (website + PMS + channels)
• Hosts who prioritize direct bookings and brand building
• Managers who need built-in payment processing

Using Nowistay and Lodgify together

Nowistay integrates directly with Lodgify, making them perfect companions. Use Lodgify for your direct booking website, channel management, and operations — and add Nowistay's AI co-host to automate all your guest communication across Airbnb and Booking.com.

This combination means your guests get instant, intelligent responses 24/7 while you maintain full control of your distribution and operations through Lodgify. Many hosts report saving 10+ hours per week on guest messaging alone after adding Nowistay to their Lodgify setup.