Kigo review: is it worth it?

Our independent take on Kigo from an STR operator lens. No sponsored placements. From $59/mo • 14-day trial.

Our verdict

Comprehensive channel management hampered by per-booking commissions and reliability issues

What Kigo actually is

Kigo is a SaaS vacation rental booking and channel management system founded in 2008, now a Guesty subsidiary. It provides reservation management, distribution, marketing, revenue management, eSignature, and website creation in one platform for vacation rental managers.

What we like

Extensive channel management and synchronization
Kigo offers seamless integration to major third-party channels with synchronized availability, rates, and content across multiple listing sites, reducing risk of double bookings and opening up sales revenue opportunities.
User-friendly interface for daily operations
Users with 30+ years in vacation rentals find Kigo the quickest and easiest to learn for getting daily tasks completed, with straightforward processes for payments, refunds, and customer communication.
Comprehensive feature coverage in one platform
Kigo integrates reservation management, distribution, marketing, revenue management, eSignature, and website creation in one platform, streamlining operations for property managers.

Where it falls short

High pricing burden on smaller operations
Pricing is consistently noted as high for smaller businesses, with minimum monthly fees that can be prohibitive for operators with limited vacation rental inventory.
Technical complexity and reliability issues
Users report frequent bugs and glitches affecting integrations, calendar syncing, and website functionality, with an average Ease of Use rating of 3.7 versus the 4.5 category average.
Commission charges on all bookings including direct
Unlike many competitors, Kigo charges a percentage of all bookings including direct bookings not acquired through channels, and continues charging commission even on cancelled bookings.

Is Kigo right for you?

Great for

Mid-to-large vacation rental managers seeking comprehensive channel distribution and established integrations

OK for

Small-medium businesses with growth plans who can absorb higher per-booking costs for robust features

Skip if

Budget-conscious small operators or those prioritizing cost efficiency over extensive channel connectivity

Pricing in one line

From $59/mo • 14-day trial

$59/mo flat rate subscription. Kigo charges 1.25% on non-payment bookings (e.g., Airbnb where the OTA collects payment) and 4% on paid bookings (e.g., VRBO, Booking.com, Direct) — the 4% includes credit card processing fees (~2.8% Stripe), making the effective platform commission ~1.2%. Commission is charged even on cancelled bookings. Free trial available, no credit card required.

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