Comparison

CheckinGuide vs Touch Stay

Touch Stay was built for a different era. CheckinGuide is the modern Touch Stay alternative with AI, better design, and pricing that doesn't punish growth.

Create My Entry Guide View Demo GuideFree for 1 propertyNo credit card required5-minute setup

Built for hosts who list on

and much more

What's the difference between CheckinGuide and Touch Stay?

If you're searching for a Touch Stay alternative, you're not alone. Both CheckinGuide and Touch Stay help hosts share property information with guests - but they take very different approaches to pricing, design, and technology.

Touch Stay focuses on manual, template-based guides at a premium price point (£91+/yr per property + 20% VAT). It's been around longer, but its feature set hasn't kept pace with what modern hosts need.

CheckinGuide is built for 2026, with AI-powered guide writing, an AI Concierge that answers guest questions 24/7, 36+ modern themes, 60+ ready-made templates, and pricing that starts at free. No VAT. No annual lock-in.

See pricing →Explore features →View demo →Touch Stay alternative →Touch Stay pricing breakdown →

Feature comparison

CheckinGuide vs Touch Stay: Feature by feature

See exactly what you get with each platform. CheckinGuide includes everything Touch Stay offers - and much more.

FeatureCheckinGuideTouch StayAI Concierge (24/7 guest chat)AI-powered guide writingQR code accessVideo embedsInteractive local maps100+ language translationsCustom branding & themes36+ theme presetsMobile-first responsive design60+ pre-filled templatesDrag-and-drop section reorderingGuest analytics & engagement trackingIssue reporting with photosMulti-property dashboardFree tier (1 property forever)No VAT chargedCancel anytime (no annual lock-in)PDF download for guestsWelcome gate / landing screenPWA (installable on phone)

Touch Stay review: solid basics, but CheckinGuide leads on AI, design, templates, and value.

Touch Stay pricing vs CheckinGuide

Save hundreds per year compared to Touch Stay

Touch Stay pricing adds up fast, especially with VAT and annual billing. Here's how CheckinGuide compares at every scale.

Touch StayCheckinGuideYou Save1 property~£91/yr + VATFree foreverSave £109+/yr3 properties~£273/yr + VAT£7.28/mo (£87.36/yr)Save £240+/yr5 properties~£456/yr + VAT£14.56/mo (£174.72/yr)Save £372+/yr10 properties~£912/yr + VAT£30.24/mo (£362.88/yr)Save £731+/yr20 properties~£1,824/yr + VAT£58.52/mo (£702.24/yr)Save £1,486+/yrVAT20% VAT addedNo VATBilling lock-inAnnual billingMonthly, cancel anytimeFree trialLimited trial1 property free forever

Why pay over £90 + VAT per property when you can get a more powerful guide for a fraction of the cost?

Ready to switch from Touch Stay?

Join hundreds of hosts who've already made the switch. Your first property is free - no credit card, no risk.

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Switch plans or cancel anytime. No annual commitment like Touch Stay.

Touch Stay doesn't have this

AI Concierge: the feature Touch Stay can't match

CheckinGuide's AI Concierge is trained on your guide content and answers guest questions automatically, 24/7. Touch Stay has no equivalent feature.

24/7 Guest Support

Guests get instant answers about WiFi, check-in, and house rules, even at 3am. No Touch Stay equivalent exists.

80% Fewer Messages

Stop answering the same questions. The AI handles repetitive queries so you can focus on hosting.

AI-Written Guides

Describe your property and our AI writes the entire guide. Touch Stay requires you to write everything manually.

Design

More design freedom than Touch Stay

Touch Stay offers a fairly fixed structure and limited layout control. CheckinGuide gives you far more flexibility.

Multiple layout styles (grid, list, tiles)
36+ professional theme presets
Better mobile-first design
Cleaner, modern UI with glassmorphism effects
Flexible section ordering and visibility
Custom welcome gate with branding

Your property isn't generic. Your guide shouldn't be either. Touch Stay's design limitations hold you back.

Customisation

Built for hosts who want control, not Touch Stay's restrictions

With CheckinGuide you can:

Fully customise sections with drag-and-drop
Choose how content is displayed per section
Update information instantly. Changes go live immediately
Add, remove, or reorder sections anytime
Adapt guides for different property types
Set passcode protection for private guides

Touch Stay works well for basic manuals, but offers far less flexibility once you want to go beyond the basics.

80%

Fewer guest messages

90%+

Guide open rate

5 min

Average setup time

60+

Ready-made templates

Modern hosting

Designed for today's hosting style, not yesterday's

Touch Stay was built years ago. CheckinGuide is built for how hosts actually operate today.

Mobile-first guests

Designed for how guests actually browse, on their phones. Unlike Touch Stay's desktop-first approach.

80% fewer messages

Self-serve information means guests find answers without messaging you at midnight.

One link or QR code

No app downloads. Works alongside Airbnb, Booking.com, and direct bookings.

Cleaner handover

From booking to stay, guests get everything they need in one place. No separate PDF or email chain.

Quick setup

Set up in under 5 minutes. Faster than Touch Stay

No learning curve. No complicated setup. Three simple steps to a professional guest guide.

Choose a template

Pick from 60+ pre-filled templates. Every section is already written for you, or let AI generate it.

Add your details

Drop in your WiFi, entry codes, house rules, and local tips. Customise branding in seconds.

Share the link

Send guests a clean link or print a QR code. Done in under 5 minutes.

Easy migration

Switching from Touch Stay? It takes minutes.

You don't need to export anything from Touch Stay. Just create a new guide on CheckinGuide and share the link.

5-minute setup

Pick a template or let AI write your guide. Add WiFi and entry codes. Done.

Run both side by side

Keep your Touch Stay guide active while you set up CheckinGuide. Cancel Touch Stay when ready.

Free to try

Your first property is free forever. No credit card. Test it before committing.

Is this for you?

Who switches from Touch Stay to CheckinGuide?

Hosts who care about the guest experience and value their own time and money.

Perfect for

Airbnb and short-let hosts, from 1 property to 500+
Touch Stay users frustrated by high pricing + VAT
Hosts who want AI to handle guest questions
Professional operators wanting polished, branded guides
Co-hosts managing properties for multiple owners

Also great for

Serviced apartments, aparthotels and B&Bs
Portfolios of any size, from a single flat to hundreds
Management companies and co-hosting agencies
Longer stays and relocation lets that still need house info

Common frustrations

Why hosts are switching from Touch Stay

These are the most common reasons hosts look for a Touch Stay alternative.

Touch Stay charges £91+ per property per year, plus 20% VAT

CheckinGuide starts free. Additional properties start at £3.64/month, with volume discounts and no VAT.

Touch Stay requires annual billing. You're locked in for 12 months

CheckinGuide is monthly. Cancel anytime. No contracts.

Touch Stay has no AI features. Every word is manual

CheckinGuide's AI writes your entire guide. AI Concierge answers guest questions 24/7.

Touch Stay's design options feel dated and rigid

CheckinGuide offers 36+ modern themes, glassmorphism effects, and full colour customisation.

Touch Stay doesn't offer a free tier for small hosts

Your first property is free forever on CheckinGuide. No credit card required.

Touch Stay lacks issue reporting or guest communication tools

CheckinGuide includes built-in issue reporting with photo uploads.

Why hosts are choosing CheckinGuide over Touch Stay in 2026

Far more affordable than Touch Stay at every tierNo VAT. Save an extra 20%More design and layout options with 36+ themesAI Concierge answers guest questions 24/7Built for modern guest behaviour (mobile-first)Faster to update and manage with drag-and-drop60+ templates vs building from scratchMonthly billing. No annual lock-in like Touch Stay

FAQ

Touch Stay vs CheckinGuide FAQ

Common questions about switching from Touch Stay to CheckinGuide

Touch Stay is a capable tool, but for most hosts in 2026, CheckinGuide offers a more modern, AI-powered, flexible, and affordable alternative. Try it free and see the difference.

Related Touch Stay comparisons

Best Touch Stay Alternative 2026 →Touch Stay Pricing Breakdown →Touch Stay Review 2026 →All Comparisons →All Competitors →Blog →

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Start with CheckinGuide View DemoFree forever for 1 propertyNo credit card required5-minute setup