Hostshare Reviews: Real Hosts, Real Trips, Real Numbers

Hostshare is a working host swap network, and the hosts who use it mostly talk about one thing: money they didn't spend. Members report saving anywhere from $150 on a single night to over $2,000 on one trip, because they paid no nightly rate. Below are their words, what a stay costs today, and straight answers to the doubts hosts raise before joining.

What do Hostshare members say?

Every quote below is from a real member, shown by first name, last initial and where they host. The quotes are verbatim. You can read more on our public review wall.

Some of these reviews were written under our original plan, when a last-minute stay cost only the cleaning fee. Today every stay costs the cleaning fee plus a small service fee. More on that below.

Family trips

Austin J., Canyon Lake, TX: "What an idea - this is amazing. We saved over $2,100 on our stay."
Jessica P., Marion, IN: "Three families stayed together under one roof and we saved $800 by using Hostshare!"
Paula O., Woodville, WI: "In just two nights our family saved more than what we paid to be a member of Hostshare for an entire year!"
Amanda B., Starkville, MS: "We just got back from Orlando and saved at least $600 on a three-night stay using Hostshare."
Daniel B., Colorado Springs, CO: "We saved over $2300 by using Hostshare!"

Weekends and short trips

Stephanie S., Nashville, TN: "I saved over $150 using Hostshare for one night!"
Joseph D., Southampton, NY: "We saved $623 on our first 2 night stay over hotels."
Kristijan M., Las Vegas, NV: "Paid $200 for a 4 night stay. Only with Hostshare. Priceless!"
Ali M., Fayetteville, AR: "We have already enjoyed the benefits of comfort and having more space than a hotel, as well as saving $500-$800 per weekend."
Nancy S., Mesa, AZ: "Saved over $1000 on just a 2 night stay, trading our unused nights that would have sat there anyways."

The homes

Melinda P., Hubbardston, MA: "I saved over $1500.00 on accommodations on my last vacation and the salt water pool was AMAZING!"
Kelley C., Seaside, CA: "With a trip to a rural area of Washington on the beach with a hot tub, I was able to save close to $700."
Michelle S., Holly Hill, FL: "We were able to stay in an amazing place with over the top amenities for less than $150 total!"
Alicia H., Galva, IL: "The house we stayed at was amazing and saved over $1,000 going for 3 nights!"
George M., Pigeon Forge, TN: "We are on other rental swapping sites but Hostshare is the best!"

Hosting other members

From member interviews we published in 2025:

Bryan S., who has managed rentals for 20 years: "They appreciate the little things and communicate well!"
Trey M., a host for 8+ years, on getting feedback from a fellow host: "I'd much rather have a host who has a host eye looking at my property and saying, you know, hey, this is what I'm seeing. Not when there's a review, right?"
Heather D., Stone City Treehouse and Glamping, Hardwick, VT: "I always enjoy staying at other rentals so I can learn how they do things and how I might be able to improve my business."
Troy and Donna, Airbnb hosts: "We're Airbnb hosts, so using Hostshare was just as easy."

What does a Hostshare stay cost today?

No nightly rate. You book with travel nights you earn when other members stay at your place.
Cleaning fee. You pay the host's cleaning fee. It goes to that host in full.
A small service fee. It's based on the value of the nights you book. Truvi damage protection is built into it, so there's no separate charge.
Credits. The annual plans, Pro and Pro+, include credits worth $1 each that come off the service fee automatically. A minimum fee for protection and processing still applies.
Joining is free. No credit card. Every plan is on the pricing page.

Is Hostshare legit?

Yes. Here's what you can check for yourself:

Verified members. Every member verifies a government ID with a selfie match, plus a phone number and email.
Reviewed listings. Each listing needs proof of the right to host, and our team reviews it before anyone can book it.
Real protection. Truvi damage protection comes with every booking.
Real partners. Hospitable and Truvi work with Hostshare.
Named reviews. The review wall shows members by name.

What do hosts worry about before joining?

Will other members treat my home well?

Every guest is a host with a verified listing of their own. They know what a bad review or a damage claim costs. Reviews go both ways after each stay, and Truvi covers damage.

Will I lose paying bookings?

No. You pick the nights you share. Share as few as 3 a year, block out up to 200, and keep your listing live on Airbnb and Vrbo.

Are there homes where I want to go?

It depends on where members host. Browse member homes before you commit. Joining is free.

What's the catch?

Every stay costs the cleaning fee plus a small service fee. Stays run up to 7 nights. Nights earned on the free plan expire after 6 months. The annual plans, Pro and Pro+, ask for a one-year share commitment in exchange for nights and credits up front.

How does Hostshare work?

List your home for free, then verify yourself and your listing.
Choose the nights you'd rather share than leave empty.
When a member books one of those nights, you earn travel nights.
Spend them at member homes. One earned night books one night, with no nightly rate.

The full walkthrough is on how Hostshare works. If you're comparing options, read HomeExchange vs Hostshare and Kindred vs Hostshare.

FAQ

Is Hostshare free?

Joining is free, with no credit card. Each stay costs the host's cleaning fee plus a small service fee, with no nightly rate. The annual plans, Pro and Pro+, add nights and credits up front: see pricing.

Who can join Hostshare?

Short-term rental hosts with a home they have the right to host. You can show that as the host or co-host on Airbnb, or with a document if you're not listed there.

Can I keep renting my place on Airbnb?

Yes. Your listing stays live on every platform. Calendars sync by iCal, and Hospitable users can connect their account.

How long can I stay?

Stays run up to 7 nights, and you can book up to 6 months ahead. How many nights you earn depends on the nights you share, your listing's value and local demand.

Where can I read more Hostshare reviews?

On our public review wall.

Ready to try it?

See how Hostshare works and pricing first, or jump in.

Start Traveling. Free to join, no credit card.