Understanding the differences between a third-party or "middle" channel manager, such as BookingPal, NextPax, RentalsUnited, and Siteminder, and a property management systems (PMS) like OwnerRez helps you select the most suitable approach for your vacation rental business.
Differences
- Property management systems (PMS) directly sync your listings across booking platforms, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, using various connection methods.
- Third-party channel managers act as an intermediary platform before reaching your channels. Bookings, guest messages, pricing, availability, photos, and descriptions also route through this extra layer.
Connections
Your channel connections determine how accurately and efficiently your listings stay in sync across multiple platforms. Good connections reduce the risk of double bookings, pricing errors, missed reservations, delayed calendar updates, and lost guest messages
Weak or slow syncing can impact guest experience and revenue, so the underlying technology matters. Across the industry, channel connections generally fall into three categories:
- Direct Channel Integrations link your PMS directly to booking platforms, providing fast, reliable syncing of pricing, availability, and messages.
- iCal Connections uses older technology that syncs calendars only—no messaging, dynamic pricing, or advanced features, with a higher risk of delays and double bookings.
- Third-party channel managers add an intermediary platform between your PMS and listing channels.
What makes direct channel integrations better? They eliminate intermediary steps for the fastest, most reliable syncing with platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.
Choosing the Right Approach for Your Business
There are valid reasons why some vacation rental businesses prefer to use third-party channel managers, even why some PMS providers rely on them. They offer a wider channel access to niche booking platforms and a faster setup for PMS providers.
While third-party channel managers may offer a wider reach, there are also many trade-offs to consider.
- Unclear accountability when syncing issues arise—hard to determine whether problems stem from your PMS, channel manager, or booking platform
- Slower updates due to data passing through multiple systems
- Higher costs from per-booking fees or monthly charges that reduce margins
- Added complexity with more systems, interfaces, and support teams to manage
- Inflated channel counts that look impressive but rarely drive meaningful revenue
There is no universal answer to whether third-party channel managers are “good” or “bad.” The right decision depends on your goals, business model, and priorities.
Consider third-party channel managers if you need access to specialized platforms your PMS doesn't support, and value channel quantity over speed and reliability
Why does OwnerRez avoid third-party channel managers? Direct connections offer complete control over performance and reliability, while eliminating delays, additional costs, and accountability issues.