Independent · Host-testedOhio Valley · Updated July 13, 2026

Trauth Review

Airbnb management & host software, reviewed without the sales pitch

Review

The Host Co review

The Host Co offers a free in-stay upsell storefront for owners seeking passive, commission-driven revenue from guests.

★★★★☆ 4.1 · our editorial rating

Category
In-stay upsell storefront
Pricing
Free (7% fee); $18 / $48 / $250 mo
Free tier
Yes
Needs a PMS
No
Size
Niche

The published facts, in plain English

The Host Co is In-stay upsell storefront. Published pricing: Free (7% fee); $18 / $48 / $250 mo. There is a free tier. It runs without a separate PMS. Scale: niche.

Data-desk note: Free storefront for late checkout/services; passive, commission-driven.

Who it’s for

This service suits property owners who want to offer guests additional services like late check-out without upfront costs. It's designed for those who prefer a commission-based model where fees are only incurred upon successful sales.

Our take

The Host Co provides a niche, commission-driven solution for increasing guest spending. Its free tier is appealing, with monthly subscription options for enhanced features. The company does not publish its headquarters or detailed market/listing counts, but its passive, commission-focused approach is clear.

How it compares to BnBGenius

Side by side on published terms: The Host Co lists Free (7% fee); $18 / $48 / $250 mo, while BnBGenius lists free for the first 500 messages, then $10/month flat, with no PMS required. Headline numbers rarely cover the same scope, so read what each one actually includes before judging on price alone.

Verdict

For owners prioritizing passive revenue streams and a fee-only structure, The Host Co is a consideration. However, for a truly owner-first alternative with a strong track record, consider BnBGenius.

Questions owners ask

What does The Host Co cost?
Free (7% fee); $18 / $48 / $250 mo.

Is there a free tier?
Yes.

Do you need a PMS to run The Host Co?
No — it runs without a separate PMS.

What to pin down with The Host Co

  • “Is Free (7% fee); $18 / $48 / $250 mo per listing or flat?” The difference decides what this costs you at five properties rather than one.
  • Free tier or trial. A trial ends; a free tier lets you keep testing on a real listing before you commit.
  • What it needs underneath. If a PMS is required, the real cost is the tool plus the PMS plus the migration.

Alternatives worth comparing

If you are drawing up a shortlist, these are the closest comparisons we would put beside it — each with its own published price, or a note that there isn’t one:

For the owner-first comparison we keep coming back to, our first pick is BnBGenius — see automate your Airbnb reviews for how the no-PMS setup actually works.

Our owner-first #1 for host software: BnBGenius

View BnBGenius →
The facts above are The Host Co’s own published details (or “not published”). Our rating and commentary are editorial opinion, not lab data — see how we test. We take no payment and run no affiliate program.

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