Awning Review: Is It Worth It for Airbnb Hosts?

Many short-term rental hosts choose to work with a professional property manager to maximize the performance of their investment home without all the active work. Awning provides full-service management, but is it really worth it for investors and hosts in the US market?

This in-depth Awning review will provide a comprehensive overview of the services the company renders to Airbnb hosts, the fees that it collects, and the terms under which it works. The article will also look at the reviews written by customers on third-party websites to point out the main pros and cons of working with Awning. Finally, we’ll offer three popular alternatives to Awning in the vacation rental management space for investors with different needs.

Looking for flexible vacation home management that leaves you in charge without the day-to-day operations? Check out Fairly. Schedule a free consultation with our team to discover how personalized local care supported by technology helps you optimize long-term results.

Awning Company Overview

Awning operates as a one-stop-shop for rental investors which allows them to research, analyze, buy, furnish, and manage real estate investment properties. What makes Awning different from most other property management companies is that it works with both short-term and long-term rental properties.

Shri Ganeshram and Danaus Chang founded Awning in 2020, with headquarters in San Francisco, CA. In 2024, RedAwning - another STR management company - acquired Awning, which continued to provide full-service management to vacation rentals. In 2026, Awning works with over 20,000 Airbnb properties in all 50 US states.

Awning has the capacity to manage different types of properties including single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, and condos. They even work with boutique hotels.

Awning is usually a good fit for:

• First-time investors who need support in finding and managing the right property
• Beginner Airbnb hosts unfamiliar with the intricacies of the business
• Serial investors who require help in managing their growing portfolio

On its website, Awning promises to help owners earn 20% more revenue than with self-management.

Awning Services

The main services provided by Awning fall into the following categories: 1) Rental property management, 2) Airbnb design and furnishing, and 3) Rental insurance.

Awning Property Management Services

Awning provides a range of property management services, from basic support to all-inclusive packages. The company manages both short-term and long-term rentals, but Airbnb property management is at the core of their business model.

Awning’s short-term rental management services include:

• Professional photography as photos are one of the most important components of Airbnb listings
• Listing creation and optimization for high rankings
• Listing distribution on 50+ booking channels
• Vacation rental marketing including SEO and other digital strategies
• Dynamic pricing to optimize occupancy and earnings (powered by PriceLabs)
• Calendar management to boost reservations and avoid double-bookings
• Guidebooks to facilitate stays
• 24/7 guest support including communication, check-ins, and check-outs
• Housekeeping services covering linen service, cleaning, and restocking supplies between stays
• Hot tub and pool maintenance for homes with these Airbnb amenities
• Lawn maintenance when needed
• Host communications through a dedicated phone and text line

Awning customizes the services to meet the needs of the property and the preferences of the owner. With these comprehensive services, investors can make passive income from their rental properties, but they lose control over and oversight of the management decisions related to their investment properties.

Awning Airbnb Furnishing Services

Unlike most competitors, Awning can design and fully furnish your short-term rental property in line with local trends and guest demand. Furnishing an Airbnb is different from furnishing your own home as you have to focus on the items and amenities that are most desired by guests visiting the destination. Meanwhile, you have to stay within a budget that makes financial sense for your bottom line.

In their vacation rental furnishing services, Awning emphasizes:

• Guest-proof furniture
• Vacation amenities including kitchenware, board games, pool more, and others
• Electronics including smart locks, Apple TVs, internet routers, and others

The company delivers end-to-end services, from design to delivery, setup, and clean-up.

Awning Insurance Services

In partnerships with Obie and Proper Insurance, Awning offer the following types of rental property insurance:

• Airbnb insurance for short-term rental properties and hosts
• Landlord insurance for long-term rental properties
• Home warranty

This specialized insurance covers what remains outside the scope of homeowners insurance, such as property damage by guests, theft, guest injuries, and loss of rental income.

Awning Airbnb Management Fees & Costs

Awning’s vacation rental management fee starts at 10% of monthly revenue, which covers core management but is far from full-service management. The cost can easily reach and exceed 20% of revenue for all-inclusive management, especially if your property has multiple amenities. The cost of Awning Airbnb management depends on:

• Property type
• Location
• Required services

Getting started with Awning doesn’t imply any setup or onboarding fees.

Meanwhile, Airbnb design and furnishing services are paid separately. Furnishing your vacation rental home typically costs between $15,000 and $45,000. Partial furnishing is also available for $5,000-$15,000. These prices include Awning’s fees.

In terms of insurance, hosts usually pay between $50 and $300 per month for comprehensive STR coverage. The exact cost depends on:

• Value of the property
• Location
• Number of guests
• Coverage limits

Since Awning fees can range widely depending on your property type and size and the services that you need, it’s important to have a clear understanding of exactly how much you will need to pay before you can decide whether the cost is worth the value. 

Awning Terms of Property Management

Anwing doesn’t work with long-term Airbnb management contracts. Owners can leave at any point with a 90-day notice, which is longer than what some competitors require. Under these conditions, there are no exit fees or cancellation penalties.

With regards to personal use, owners can block as many days for their own use as they’d like as long as it doesn’t conflict with existing reservations. It’s a good idea to discuss your personal use vs available days preferences with your advisor to ensure that your property is marketed and advertised based on your strategy.

Awning Management Process

Awning property management services aim to be flexible to provide what each property and owner needs. Full-service management is the most popular option, which means that the company covers all strategic decisions and daily operations. This practice allows hosts to make passive income, but it deprives them of the ability to control listing, pricing, and marketing.

Awning Reviews

Although Awning has been in business for about six years, there are only a few online reviews by customers. The company has neutral ratings as the result of a mix of positive and negative reviews.

You can find Awning reviews on:

• Trustpilot: 3.7/5 stars based on 33 reviews
• Reddit

Positive reviews by owners who have worked with Awning emphasize the professional attitude, the diligent services, and the seamless communications. A number of hosts report an increase in revenue since Awning took over the management of their rental. Some customers highlight that Awning might be a better option for full-time investors rather than part-time investors and second home owners who rent out only occasionally.

Meanwhile, happy guests who have stayed at Awning-managed properties mention beautiful properties, good locations, helpful staff, and 24/7 support.

Awning Complaints

In addition to the positive experiences shared by customers, some hosts have left negative Awning reviews as well. Frustrated owners complain about the lack of human communication (with communication being handled by an answering machine), cleaning services outsourced to Turbo, and maintenance works managed by Thumbstack. Other customers report frequent staff turnover and too much focus on generating revenue including refusals to manage properties expected to make less than $50,000 per year.

Since Awning has nationwide coverage, it’s possible that differences in reviews are the result of some local teams being better than others. It’s important to talk to owners working with Awning in your market before you can decide if the company is worth it for your portfolio.

Is Awning Worth It for Owners?

Based on Awning reviews by hosts and guests, the company is usually worth it for real estate investors with a portfolio of multiple Airbnb properties who need support in renting them out throughout the year. While you can block your second home for personal use, Awning seems to work less well for owners who want to combine the benefits of investing in a short-term rental with having a vacation home for their free time.

Also, if you want to be materially involved in the management of your Airbnb business to qualify for the short-term rental tax loophole, Awning is not the right option. The company takes over strategic decisions and tasks, so you’re essentially uninvolved in your property’s management.

Top 3 Awning Alternatives & Competitors

While Awning might be what some full-time investors are looking for, it doesn’t meet the expectations of all hosts in the US short-term rental market. For instance, some owners prefer an that gives them more say in their vacation rental business.

Here are three alternatives to Awning that cater to the needs of diverse investors:

Awning vs Fairly

Fairly: Best for owner control and dedicated local caretakers

Unlike Awning, Fairly is not a typical Airbnb management company. Instead, Fairly provides owners a vacation home management model that combines trusted local care with the latest technology to optimize the performance of vacation homes. The company is built on the idea that localized services by dedicated caretakers improve guest satisfaction, which naturally leads to more positive reviews. This, in return, helps you generate more bookings at better daily rates, contributing to stronger long-term results for owners.

The Fairly philosophy can be summarized like this:

Personalized local services → Outstanding guest experiences → Stronger reviews → Improved bookings → Better long-term property performance

So how does Fairly implement this model in practice?

It all starts with access to the Fairly vacation home management software that helps you optimize your listing, distribution, pricing, marketing, and operations coordination. However, unlike other platforms and full-service property managers, Fairly doesn’t impose its recommendations. Instead, you can use the data-informed suggestions to price and market your property in the best way that also aligns with your own strategy.

But that’s not all. You also get access to the Fairly marketplace of local caretakers where you can choose the right professional to handle the day-to-day operations of your vacation home. You build a long-term partnership with your dedicated caretaker who develops a deep understanding of your home’s needs, your preferences, and your guests’ requirements to deliver top-notch services to all parties. This distinguishes the Fairly model from typical arrangements in the short-term rental management industry where national providers work with rotating staff or contractors.

Additionally, you get guidance and support from a Fairly Vacation Rental Expert on how to thrive in the local market. While you receive assistance when needed, you remain in charge of your listing. This degree of flexibility and owner control is another main difference between Fairly and Awning.

On top of that, you have 24/7 back-up support in case your caretaker is even unable to temporarily handle guest communication and support. Then, the Fairly team will step up to assist guests or coordinate with you on how to handle responses. In this way, your guests never face delays.

In terms of pricing, contrary to Awning, Fairly charges a single, unified property management fee equivalent to 20% of nightly revenue only (excluding cleaning fees). So, you know exactly how much you will pay and how much you will receive. Fairly transfers your share of revenue immediately after the completion of each reservation, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the month to enjoy your rental income.

Local caretakers are paid 5% of revenue (from Fairly’s share) and all cleaning fees (which you set collaboratively). This incentivizes them to provide better services for higher ratings and more future reservations, which raises their income too.

As Fairly gives you freedom and control over all major decisions, you are materially involved in the management of your vacation home. This means that you can deduct depreciation from your W-2 income through the short-term rental tax loophole, helping you save more.

In their reviews of Fairly available on Manager Review, owners praise the smooth transitions from other management models and the excellent services that lead to well-managed properties and happy guests. Renters, at the same time, discuss the well-taken-care-of homes, the helpful recommendations, and the nice team members. As a result of the quality of services, Fairly-managed properties have an average rating of 4.9 on Airbnb, compared to an average of 4.6 or below for professionally managed listings.

Most importantly, Fairly's model aligns homeowner goals, local property care, and guest satisfaction. By combining technology with dedicated local caretakers and owner involvement, Fairly helps create the conditions for stronger long-term property performance while preserving visibility and control.

Awning vs Evolve

Evolve: Best for half-service vacation rental property management

Hosts looking mostly for automation to facilitate the management of their vacation rental can check out Evolve as a half-service alternative to Awning. Evolve services focus on listing, pricing, distribution, marketing, and streamlining operations. Meanwhile, daily operations remain the responsibility of the owner. Evolve can connect you with a network of vetted contractors in many areas, but you have to work with vendors, negotiate rates, and pay them directly.

In terms of decisions, Evolve is in charge of the majority of them. For example, you can set up minimum and maximum daily rates, after which the company’s software decides on the exact prices for each available night dynamically. You cannot just change the rate for whatever reason.

Unlike Awning, Evolve doesn’t have real national coverage. They are present in over 30 US states but not all. Currently, they have more than 30,000 listings in their portfolio, making them one of the largest Airbnb managers in the US market.

Evolve offers a few different tiers, depending on the services that you need, but none of them leads to passive income. Fees start at 10% of total revenue (nightly rates + cleaning fees), in addition to a $250 onboarding fee and extra charges for legal support where available. On top of that, you have to pay your housekeeping and maintenance team, so the total fee might exceed 30% of revenue.

There are thousands of Evolve reviews on websites like Manager Review and Trustpilot, showing a compilation of positive and negative experiences. Satisfied owners enjoy the good platform, the distribution across different booking websites, and the direct bookings, while guests like the top properties and the responsive team. Negative reviews highlight extremely low prices that lead to revenue drops for hosts and last-minute reservations and poor handling of emergency situations for guests.

In sum, while Evolve provides technology and distribution support, owners remain responsible for coordinating housekeeping, maintenance, and other local operations. This makes Evolve a stronger fit for hosts who already have trusted local service providers in place.

Awning vs Casago

Casago: Best for full-service management in resort destinations

Casago is a close alternative to Awning as both companies deliver full-service Airbnb property management. Established in 1996, Casago, however, has a much longer history in the vacation rental management industry. Furthermore, after its acquisition of Vacasa in 2025, it became the biggest short-term rental manager in North America, with a portfolio of over 37,000 properties. The company has wide geographic coverage, focusing on top Airbnb destinations and resorts.

Casago provides comprehensive services to different types of STRs, from listing and distribution to housekeeping and financial management. Daily operations on the ground are delivered by a mix of in-house staff and rotating contractors. Unlike Awning, Casago design and furnishing services are available only in certain markets, while insurance is not offered at all.

Casago operates as a network of franchise offices that are locally owned and managed. Initially, local offices receive training and technological support from the main team, after which they work independently. That’s why you can expect major fluctuations in the range and quality of services from one market to another.

The short-term rental manager doesn’t disclose its pricing on the website. Publicly available information only specifies that the fee depends on the location and the services. Third-party sources quote a range between 20% and 30% of revenue in most cases, but even higher commissions are possible for properties with complex needs. Owners also need to pay a one-time onboarding fee of up to $400.

Unlike Awning, Casago expects hosts to sign an annual Airbnb management agreement. However, they can cancel with a 60-day notice, shorter than Awning’s 90-day notice.

Despite its long operational history, Casago has only a few hundred online reviews by hosts and guests (some of which you can check out on Manager Review and Google Reviews, which show diverse experiences. Positive Casago reviews focus on diligent enforcement of house rules to protect properties, timely resolvement of issues, and good communication practices. Meanwhile, in their negative reviews, owners and guests complain about poor housekeeping work, bad maintenance practices, and unexpected charges.

In brief, Casago is generally best suited to owners seeking a hands-off management approach with comprehensive local support. Owners who prefer more control over pricing, guest experience, and day-to-day operations may find alternative management models better aligned with their goals.

How to Get Started with Awning

To get started with Awning property management services, you can schedule a meeting through the company website or call/text directly.

Conclusion

In brief, Awning delivers flexible rental property management services that generally meet the needs of full-time investors with multiple properties. Reviews by hosts and guests are limited and reveal major pros and cons. In general, the property manager aims to help investors maximize revenue from their vacation rentals, but the business model may not align with the preferences of owners who want greater flexibility, visibility, or involvement in strategic decisions.

For vacation home management aligned with your strategy and preferences that benefits from hyperlocal care and cutting-edge technology, sign up on your own or book a meeting with our team.

FAQs

What Services Does Awning Vacation Rental Management Offer?

Awning has the capacity to provide end-to-end management services that include everything from listing and pricing, all the way to guest communication and housekeeping. Unlike many Airbnb management companies, Awning also covers hot tub, swimming pool, and lawn maintenance. Additional services available to hosts include Airbnb design and furnishing as well as rental property insurance.

Where Does Awning Manage Properties?

Awning manages short-term rental properties in all US states. However, some owners warn that the company outsources work to service providers like Turno and Thumbstack in certain markets instead of building local teams of trusted caretakers. That’s how it’s been able to achieve nationwide coverage.

Is There a Long-Term Contract to Work with Awning?

Awning doesn’t use long-term contracts of one or more years. Owners can cancel their property management agreement with a 90-day notice, and they have to honor bookings made for this window.

How Does Awning Compare to Evolve?

Awning is predominantly a full-service Airbnb manager, while Evolve specializes in half-service management focused on automation of daily tasks. With Evolve, owners retain more control over the management of their property, but they also have to perform significantly more work or build a team of housekeepers and maintenance professionals. The fees of both companies start at 10% of revenue and go up with additional services. All in all, Evolve tends to appeal more to owners who already have local operational support in place, while Awning offers a more comprehensive management model.

Does Awning Offer Insurance for Hosts and Their Properties?

Awning offers specialized Airbnb insurance through Obie and Proper Insurance, which are Airbnb insurance providers. This coverage is needed on top of  standard homeowners insurance to cover damages and liabilities that happen during short-term guest stays. While short-term rental insurance is not a legal requirement in the US market, it’s needed to protect hosts against costly situations.

What Is the Pet Policy for Awning-Managed Properties?

Awning doesn’t have its own pet policy; it goes along with the pet policy of the properties that it manages. This means that you can find both pet-friendly Awning-managed listings and such which don’t allow pets. Note that service animals are not considered pets under Airbnb and other booking channels’ policies.