DirectBookings
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💰 Save 87% — $9/mo vs $70+/mo

CraftedStays alternative for
vacation rental hosts

CraftedStays charges $70+/month. DirectBookings gives you the same core features — booking website, Stripe payments, calendar sync, and pre-signed guest agreements — for $9/month. 87% less cost.

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Cost comparison

Properties
1 property
DirectBookings
$9/mo
CraftedStays
$70+/mo
5 properties
$29/mo
$70+/mo

Save $700-1,000+ per year with DirectBookings

Why hosts are switching from CraftedStays

CraftedStays has great templates but costs 87% more

💰

87% cost savings

CraftedStays starts at $70+/month. DirectBookings is $9/month for 1 property, $29 for up to 5. Same booking website, same Stripe payments, same calendar sync — fraction of the price.

🛡️

Pre-signed agreements included

DirectBookings includes rental agreements with No Tenancy Rights clause, custom waivers with e-signatures, and overstay fee enforcement. CraftedStays doesn't offer these host agreement features.

⚡

Simpler setup

CraftedStays has a learning curve with its template customization. DirectBookings takes 15 minutes — add your property, connect Stripe, publish. No design decisions needed.

🔑

Automated check-in

Full check-in automation: waivers, rental agreement, door codes — all sent automatically. CraftedStays focuses on the website but leaves check-in to you.

DirectBookings vs CraftedStays

Feature-by-feature comparison

Feature
DirectBookings
CraftedStays
Monthly cost (1 property)
$9 flat
$70+/month
Monthly cost (5 properties)
$29 flat
$70+/month
Booking commissions
✓ $0 forever
✓ $0
Direct booking website
✓ Included
✓ Included
Stripe payments
✓ Integrated
✓ Integrated
Calendar sync
✓ iCal hourly sync
✓ PMS integration
Custom domain
✓ Included
✓ Included
Legal waivers & e-signatures
✓ Unlimited custom waivers
✗ Not available
Rental agreement with No Tenancy Rights
✓ Auto-generated
✗ Not available
Automated check-in flow
✓ Fully automated
✗ Not available
Template customization
Standard templates
✓ Advanced templates
PMS integrations
iCal sync
✓ OwnerRez, Hospitable, HostAway, Guesty
Setup time
15 minutes
30-60 minutes
Best for
1-10 properties, budget-conscious
5-20+ properties, design-focused

Everything vacation rental hosts need

No overpaying — just the essentials

🌐

Direct booking website

Professional booking site with your branding and custom domain. SEO-optimized for Google and AI search engines.

💳

Stripe payments

Accept credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Money goes straight to your Stripe account. No platform commission.

📅

Calendar sync

Hourly iCal sync with Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com. No double bookings. Keep all your existing listings.

✍️

Custom waivers

Create legal waivers guests must sign before check-in. Property damage, pool, pet — fully customizable with e-signatures.

🛡️

Rental agreement

Auto-generated agreement with No Tenancy Rights clause, overstay fees, and trespass protection. IP-logged for legal compliance.

🔑

Automated check-in

Guests sign waivers, accept terms, and receive access credentials automatically. No manual work from you.

Frequently asked questions

How is DirectBookings different from CraftedStays?
CraftedStays focuses on beautiful, customizable website templates with deep PMS integrations. DirectBookings focuses on affordability and pre-signed guest agreements. DirectBookings costs $9/month vs $70+/month and includes rental agreements, custom waivers, and automated check-in that CraftedStays doesn't offer.
What does DirectBookings cost compared to CraftedStays?
DirectBookings costs $9/month for 1 property, $29/month for up to 5, or $79/month for up to 10. CraftedStays starts at $70+/month. For a host with 1-3 properties, that's $9-29/month vs $70+/month — saving $500-700+ per year.
Does CraftedStays have legal waivers?
No. CraftedStays focuses on website building and PMS integration. DirectBookings includes rental agreements with No Tenancy Rights clause, custom waivers with e-signatures, overstay fee enforcement, and IP-logged signatures. These pre-signed agreement features are unique to DirectBookings.
Can I switch from CraftedStays to DirectBookings?
Yes. Set up your DirectBookings site in 15 minutes — add your property details, connect Stripe, sync your calendar, and publish. Your existing Airbnb and VRBO listings stay active. Many hosts switch because the cost savings are significant.
What features does CraftedStays have that DirectBookings doesn't?
CraftedStays offers more advanced template customization, deeper PMS integrations (native API connections with OwnerRez, Hospitable, HostAway, Guesty), and more design flexibility. If you need pixel-perfect design control or manage 20+ properties with a PMS, CraftedStays may be worth the higher cost.
Is DirectBookings good enough for a professional rental website?
Yes. DirectBookings creates professional, SEO-optimized booking websites with custom domains. While CraftedStays offers more design customization, DirectBookings' templates are clean and professional. Most guests care about clear photos, pricing, and a smooth booking flow — not template design.

Switch from CraftedStays and save 87%

$9/month for 1 property. No booking fees. Pre-signed agreements included. 5-day free trial.

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