1. Fee comparison

HelloGuest fees

HelloGuest charges 12% of booking revenue as a fully inclusive management fee. No markups on cleaning. No hidden platform charges. No bundled extras. The fee is charged on the net nightly rate and has not changed since the company launched over ten years ago. There are no fixed-term contracts - hosts can cancel or switch at any time.

Houst fees

Houst starts at 14% for full management, rising to 20% for a part-time management option. The full management fee covers dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest communication, professional photography, multi-channel distribution and a live owner dashboard. No lock-in contracts on standard terms.

The fee gap in practice

The 2% difference between 12% and 14% on a property earning £3,000/month is £60/month or £720/year. On a property earning £5,000/month it is £100/month or £1,200/year. Whether that difference is justified depends on whether the additional income generated through Houst's pricing technology and platform distribution exceeds the cost gap - which for most properties in high-demand markets, it does. But for a host whose primary concern is minimising management cost, HelloGuest's 12% all-in fee is genuinely competitive.

2. Service comparison

Platform distribution

HelloGuest lists on 40+ platforms including Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Tripadvisor, Homelike, Spotahome, Zoopla and Rightmove. The breadth of platforms - including mid-term letting channels like Homelike and Spotahome - gives meaningful reach across both short-stay and monthly rental audiences.

Houst distributes across Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo as standard, with direct booking capability. The focus is on the three platforms that drive the majority of short-let bookings globally rather than maximising listing count.

Both approaches have merit. HelloGuest's 40+ channel approach covers medium-term letting platforms which Houst does not list on by default - useful for UK hosts managing annual income within a night cap or wanting corporate let coverage. Houst's concentrated distribution on the highest-converting platforms may deliver better quality bookings in high-demand markets.

Pricing technology

Houst uses dynamic pricing tools that adjust nightly rates in real time based on demand, local events, competitor availability and seasonality. The owner dashboard gives real-time visibility into earnings, occupancy and booking pace.

HelloGuest uses revenue and occupancy optimisation as part of their service, with a stated focus on consistent performance that does not rely solely on peak seasons. Specific pricing technology details are not published.

Guest communication

Houst provides 24/7 guest communication as standard. HelloGuest has a strong reputation for response speed - highlighted repeatedly in Google reviews - with owners reporting responses within minutes.

Geographic coverage

HelloGuest is UK-wide with particular strength in London, Brighton, Bristol and Manchester. Houst operates across 20+ cities globally including the same UK cities plus Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Dubai, Cape Town, Paris and Edinburgh.

If your property is outside the UK or you own across multiple markets, Houst's international footprint is relevant. For a UK-only portfolio, both cover the main markets.

3. Where each company has an edge

Where HelloGuest has an edge

Fee: 12% all-in is the lowest published full-service rate of any major UK operator and has been consistent for ten years. No cleaning markups, no hidden charges.

Platform breadth: 40+ channels including Homelike and Spotahome covers mid-term letting audiences that Houst's default distribution does not reach. Useful for hosts who want to blend short-stay and corporate/monthly lets.

Local focus: HelloGuest is UK-only, which means their team's attention and expertise is concentrated in the markets they actually serve. For hosts in Brighton, Manchester or Bristol, this local focus translates into genuine neighbourhood-level knowledge.

Track record: Founded in 2014, Airbnb "Hosting Excellence" award in 2024, 97%+ positive Google reviews. A strong trust signal for a company competing primarily on service quality and fee transparency.

Where Houst has an edge

Technology infrastructure: Real-time owner dashboard with live earnings, occupancy and booking data. Dynamic pricing that adjusts in real time across all markets and events.

Global scale: Operations in 20+ cities means Houst's pricing intelligence is informed by demand patterns across markets worldwide, not just UK data. Relevant for hosts who own internationally or want a company with international booking relationships.

Edinburgh and international markets: HelloGuest does not operate in Edinburgh, Paris, Dubai or Sydney. For hosts with properties in these markets, Houst is the relevant choice.

Compliance support across markets: Houst's operations in regulated markets (Edinburgh STL licensing, Sydney STRA registration, Dubai DTCM permits) mean their compliance infrastructure is more developed than a UK-only operator.

4. Which is better for different property types

City centre properties in Brighton, Bristol or Manchester

Both are strong options. HelloGuest has proven local presence and competitive fees in all three cities. Houst brings dynamic pricing and international distribution. The income difference between the two in these markets is likely to be modest - the fee advantage HelloGuest offers may outweigh any income uplift from Houst's technology for mid-range properties.

London properties subject to the 90-day cap

In London, maximising yield within the 90-night window is the primary objective. Every available night must be priced correctly. Houst's dynamic pricing and multi-platform distribution are designed specifically for this - the income generated above HelloGuest's baseline in a high-demand London market is likely to exceed the 2% fee differential. Both offer no lock-in contracts.

Properties in Edinburgh, Paris, Dubai or Sydney

HelloGuest does not operate in these markets. Houst is the relevant choice.

Hosts who prioritise fee minimisation

HelloGuest's 12% all-in fee with no hidden charges is the most transparent lowest-cost full-service option in the UK market. For hosts who self-manage some aspects of their property or whose primary objective is to reduce management cost, HelloGuest is the strongest option on this metric.

Hosts with multiple properties across UK cities

Both cover the main UK markets. Houst's owner dashboard and centralised reporting across multiple properties may be an operational advantage at scale. HelloGuest's local focus means local account management quality may vary more by city.

5. Head-to-head summary

• Fee: HelloGuest 12% all-in vs Houst from 14% - HelloGuest wins on headline rate
• Platform distribution: HelloGuest 40+ channels (incl. MTL platforms) vs Houst Airbnb/Booking.com/Vrbo - depends on your letting strategy
• Technology: Houst real-time dynamic pricing dashboard vs HelloGuest occupancy optimisation - Houst has the edge on tech transparency
• Geographic coverage: HelloGuest UK-only vs Houst 20+ cities globally - Houst for international or Edinburgh/Paris/Dubai
• Contract: Both no fixed-term, cancel anytime
• Reviews: HelloGuest 97%+ positive Google reviews vs Houst strong Trustpilot presence - both well-rated
• Founded: HelloGuest 2014 vs Houst 2015 - comparable track records

For further context see what does Airbnb management include, Airbnb management fees guide and the best Airbnb management companies city-by-city guide.

For city-specific comparisons where HelloGuest operates, see: best Airbnb management companies in Brighton, Bristol and Manchester.

6. FAQ

Is HelloGuest cheaper than Houst?

HelloGuest charges 12% all-in with no cleaning markups or hidden fees. Houst starts at 14%. On a property earning £3,000/month, that is a £60/month or £720/year difference. Whether Houst's higher income from dynamic pricing and platform distribution offsets that depends on your property and market - in high-demand London or Brighton markets, the income uplift from better pricing typically exceeds the fee gap.

Does HelloGuest operate in Edinburgh?

No. HelloGuest is a UK-wide operator focused primarily on London, Brighton, Bristol and Manchester. They do not operate in Edinburgh, Paris, Dubai or Sydney. Houst operates across all of these markets.

Does HelloGuest have hidden fees?

No. HelloGuest's 12% fee is fully inclusive - no cleaning markups, no inflated service charges, no bundled extras. This has been their model for over ten years and is one of their clearest differentiators versus competitors.

Can I switch from HelloGuest to Houst or vice versa?

Both companies operate without fixed-term contracts. You can cancel or switch at any time, though standard notice periods apply. Confirm the notice period before signing with either company - typically 30 days.

Which is better for a Brighton property?

Both are strong options in Brighton. HelloGuest has proven local presence and a competitive 12% fee. Houst operates in Brighton with dynamic pricing and full platform distribution. For a central BN1 property where maximising event-period income (Fringe, Pride) matters, Houst's event-aware pricing may generate more income despite the higher fee. For a host prioritising cost minimisation, HelloGuest's 12% is harder to beat.

This guide reflects publicly available information as of May 2026. Fee structures and service offerings change - always confirm directly with both companies before signing. This is not financial advice.