RedAwning vs Evolve: Which Offers Better Airbnb Management?

Both RedAwning and Evolve have made a name for themselves by offering services that simplify life for property owners. RedAwning prides itself on robust marketing and distribution, while Evolve takes a more hands-on approach to guest experience and pricing optimization.

In this comparison, we’ll dive into the key aspects of each company—services, costs, geographic reach, and overall value—to help you decide which might be the better fit for your needs.

While both companies provide great tools for maximizing your rental income, they cater to different types of property owners. RedAwning is perfect for those who want widespread listing visibility and marketing support, while Evolve’s transparent pricing and guest-focused model appeal to owners looking for a more budget-friendly option. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which one aligns with your goals.

RedAwning Vs Evolve, Company Overviews

RedAwning entered the vacation rental scene in 2010, founded by Tim Choate with the goal of simplifying property management for owners while enhancing the guest experience. Based in Petaluma, California, RedAwning has steadily grown into one of the largest networks of vacation rentals. In 2017, the company secured $40 million in growth equity funding, which helped expand its offerings and strengthen its technology platform. Today, RedAwning manages over 20,000 properties across more than 10,000 destinations worldwide, making it a significant player in the short-term rental industry.

Evolve, on the other hand, got its start in 2011, founded by Brian Egan and Adam Sherry. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Evolve has carved out a niche for itself as a transparent and cost-effective alternative to traditional vacation rental management. With $224.73 million in funding, including a $100 million Series E round, the company has experienced rapid growth. Evolve now manages over 22,000 properties in more than 750 markets across North America, offering property owners a tech-driven solution to maximize their rental revenue while keeping costs low.

RedAwning Vs Evolve, Geographic Availability

When it comes to geographic reach, both RedAwning and Evolve offer impressive coverage, but they cater to slightly different scopes. RedAwning provides its services across all 50 U.S. states, making it a truly nationwide solution for property owners. Beyond that, RedAwning extends its reach to a variety of international destinations, allowing owners to tap into global markets and appeal to a diverse range of travelers.

Evolve focuses on over 750 markets across North America. While its coverage includes a broad range of locations in the United States and Canada, Evolve also manages properties in select resort destinations in Mexico. This makes it an excellent option for owners who want to attract guests to popular vacation hotspots in these regions while benefiting from Evolve’s focused expertise in these markets. Both platforms provide ample opportunities for exposure, but the choice between them may come down to whether you’re targeting a national or international audience.

RedAwning Vs Evolve, Costs and Fees

Let's break down the costs associated with RedAwning and Evolve to help you make an informed decision.

RedAwning

RedAwning offers a flexible commission-based model tailored to your specific needs:

• Essential Plan: Charges a commission between 10% to 15% of your booking revenue. This plan includes marketing syndication across 50+ channels, dynamic pricing, revenue management, and 24/7 guest services.
• Full-Service Plan: The commission ranges from 15% to 25%, encompassing all features of the Essential Plan plus additional services like cleaning coordination, restocking, and maintenance support.

This tiered approach allows you to select the level of service that best aligns with your management preferences and budget.

Evolve

Evolve provides a straightforward and transparent pricing structure:

• Management Fee: A flat 10% commission on your booking revenue, which includes services such as professional property listing creation, marketing across major platforms, dynamic pricing, and 24/7 guest support.

It's important to note that while Evolve's fee covers a comprehensive range of services, homeowners are responsible for on-the-ground operations like cleaning and maintenance. Evolve can connect you with vetted local service providers to assist with these tasks if needed.

In Summary

Both RedAwning and Evolve offer competitive pricing models designed to cater to different homeowner needs. RedAwning's tiered commission structure provides flexibility depending on the level of service you desire, while Evolve's flat-rate fee offers simplicity and transparency. Consider your specific requirements and the degree of involvement you wish to maintain in your property's day-to-day operations when choosing the best fit for your vacation rental management.

RedAwning Vs Evolve, Services Offered

Both RedAwning and Evolve offer a suite of services designed to enhance your property's performance and guest satisfaction. Here's a breakdown of what each company provides:

RedAwning

• Marketing and Listing Distribution: RedAwning ensures your property gains maximum exposure by distributing your listing across major travel platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia. This extensive reach connects your property with a broad audience of potential guests.
• Dynamic Pricing: To optimize occupancy and revenue, RedAwning employs advanced pricing strategies that adjust rates based on market demand, seasonality, and local events. This approach aims to maximize your earnings by setting the right price at the right time.
• 24/7 Guest Support and Reservation Management: With round-the-clock guest services, RedAwning handles inquiries, bookings, and any issues that may arise during a guest's stay, ensuring a seamless experience for both hosts and guests.
• Damage Waiver: To provide peace of mind, RedAwning includes a $3,000 damage waiver with each booking, eliminating the need for security deposits and simplifying the booking process for guests.
• Owner Portal and Mobile App: Property owners have access to a comprehensive dashboard and mobile application, offering real-time monitoring of bookings, revenues, and property performance, facilitating informed decision-making.
• On-the-Ground Services: While RedAwning offers extensive support in marketing and guest services, property owners are typically responsible for coordinating maintenance and cleaning. However, RedAwning can assist in connecting owners with local service providers if needed.

Evolve

• Custom Property Listings with Professional Photos: Evolve creates tailored listings for your property, complete with high-quality professional photographs, to attract potential guests and showcase your property's unique features.
• Marketing on Major Platforms: Your property is promoted on leading booking sites such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia, as well as Evolve's own platform, ensuring wide visibility to travelers.
• Proprietary SmartRates Technology: Evolve utilizes its SmartRates system to dynamically adjust your property's pricing based on real-time market data, aiming to maximize both occupancy rates and revenue.
• 24/7 Guest Support and Reservation Management: Evolve manages all aspects of guest communication and booking processes, providing continuous support to address any guest needs or concerns during their stay.
• Risk Protection: Evolve offers a standard $1,000,000 liability insurance and $5,000 in property damage protection under their Core Plan, with enhanced coverage available in the Plus Plan, safeguarding your investment.
• Owner Dashboard: Through Evolve's owner portal, you can monitor your property's performance, view booking details, and access financial reports, providing transparency and control over your rental business.
• On-the-Ground Services: While Evolve manages marketing and guest communications, property owners are responsible for arranging cleaning and maintenance. Evolve can connect you with a network of vetted local service providers to assist with these tasks, offering flexibility in how you manage your property.

In summary, both RedAwning and Evolve provide comprehensive marketing, dynamic pricing, and guest support services to enhance your vacation rental business. The primary distinction lies in their approach to on-the-ground services:

• RedAwning offers full-service management, including guest support and operational assistance, while property owners handle maintenance and cleaning.
• Evolve focuses on marketing and booking management, giving owners the flexibility to configure on-site home services to their liking, either by managing them personally or through local partners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is RedAwning?

RedAwning is a technology-driven vacation rental management company that focuses on marketing, reservation management, and guest support. It helps property owners list and manage their rentals on over 50 booking platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia. RedAwning supports properties of all types and sizes and operates across all 50 U.S. states and internationally.

2. What is Evolve?

Evolve is a vacation rental management company offering affordable and flexible solutions for homeowners. It specializes in marketing, booking management, and customer support. Evolve operates in over 750 markets across North America, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Unlike traditional full-service managers, Evolve leaves on-the-ground services like cleaning and maintenance to property owners or their chosen providers.

3. How does RedAwning work?

RedAwning provides end-to-end marketing services, including creating optimized listings, distributing them across major platforms, and using dynamic pricing tools to maximize revenue. The company also handles guest communications, booking management, and 24/7 support. Property owners remain responsible for on-site operations like cleaning and maintenance.

4. How does Evolve work?

Evolve helps homeowners by creating professional property listings, distributing them on major platforms, and using SmartRates technology to optimize pricing. Evolve manages bookings, guest communications, and payments, while property owners handle on-the-ground services. Evolve provides connections to vetted local partners for cleaning and maintenance if needed.

5. What is the best Airbnb property management company?

The best property management company depends on your specific needs as a property owner, but RedAwning stands out as a top choice for many reasons. It offers comprehensive marketing solutions by listing properties on over 50 major booking platforms, ensuring maximum visibility. With dynamic pricing tools, 24/7 guest support, and a $3,000 damage waiver per booking, RedAwning takes the stress out of managing bookings and guest interactions.

Conclusion

RedAwning stands out for its comprehensive marketing and reservation support. They distribute your property across a vast network of over 50 major booking platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and Expedia, ensuring maximum visibility.

Their dynamic pricing strategies, developed in partnership with PriceLabs, aim to optimize your revenue based on real-time market data. Additionally, RedAwning provides 24/7 guest support, handling inquiries and reservations, which can significantly reduce the time and effort you invest in managing your property.

Evolve, on the other hand, offers a cost-effective solution with transparent pricing. Their commission-based model starts at 10% of booking revenue, providing essential services such as marketing, booking management, and customer support.

Evolve creates custom property listings and promotes them across major booking platforms to enhance visibility. However, homeowners are responsible for on-the-ground services like cleaning and maintenance, which allows for greater control but may require additional effort or coordination with local service providers.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and how involved you wish to be in the management of your vacation rental.