Best Guest Screening Tools for Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals
Some hosts think guest screening means fewer bookings or extra hassle, but the opposite is true. Proper guest screening protects your properties from fraud, parties, and costly damage while saving time and stress. And what can be better than a suitable guest screening tool? The right Airbnb tools can save time and effort, and also save hosts from unwanted guests.
After managing dozens of Airbnb and Vrbo calendars, we’ve tried everything from Airbnb’s basic checks to dedicated tools like Superhog and Autohost. Using these verification tools every week has saved our clients from last-minute stress and costly mistakes.
We lean on these tools every week, not because we have to, but because they’ve saved our clients from avoidable headaches more times than we can count. So, today, we are sharing our experience on some of the best guest screening tools.
Let’s tap into the 6 best guest screening tools, with a very detailed overview, pros and cons, and who they are for. Lastly, wait for our manual screening tips for you.
Top 6 Best Guest Screening Tools for Airbnb & S
Top 6 Best Guest Screening Tools for Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals
Some of the top Airbnb guest screening tools for short-term rentals are Autohost, Truvi, and Safely. They connect with property management systems to run ID checks, background reports, fraud detection, and risk scores. These platforms use AI and even biometrics to spot risky bookings, flag fraud, and automate the vetting process.
So today, we are walking you through the six tools we keep coming back to for Airbnb and other short-term rentals.
1. Autohost
Autohost is an AI-powered guest verification and fraud prevention tool for the hospitality world. So far, it has screened more than 12 million guests for short-term rentals and hotels. Instead of relying on a quick profile glance, Autohost uses hundreds of data points to create a risk score for every booking. It checks details against things like criminal records and sex-offender lists.
Autohost plugs right into popular PMS platforms such as Guesty. It can even connect with Airbnb workflows. Once set up, the system quietly runs in the background, verifying IDs, running background and credit checks.
For busy hosts, this means less guesswork, fewer risky bookings, and stronger protection for your property without slowing down the reservation process.
Key Features of Autohost:
- AI-powered ID verification (2,000+ document types), facial liveness checks, behavioral biometrics, device/IP intelligence
- Extensive data feeds: sex offender registries, evictions, global watchlists, threat intelligence
- Fraud engine with risk scoring and hospitality-specific AI recommendations
- Integration via SDK, API, iFrame; easy embedding for PMS platforms
Pros
- Deep AI integration and hospitality-specific data sources.
- Scalable automation, reducing manual workload and enabling upsells.
- Works end-to-end from inquiry to check-in.
Cons
- Feature-rich platform can be heavier to implement for smaller hosts.
Price
- Pay-as-you-go, flat fee, or volume discounts. Contact for a personalized quote.
Best For: Property managers with multiple listings and large portfolios, and companies needing deep fraud protection, custom workflows, and scalable integrations.
2. Truvi (formerly Superhog)
Truvi has screened over 800,000 guests and counting, so millions of guests can trust Truvi like us.
When someone books, Truvi springs into action by verifying their identity and running internal watchlists, all without any extra steps for guests. Hosts get a detailed report back in their platform fast.
It checks for fake names, burner emails, and phone numbers, and integrates smoothly with PMS tools. Hosts also get ID matching, biometric comparisons, age checks (like flagging minors), and sex-offender screening (for US guests) built in.
So for hosts, that means fewer surprises, smarter booking decisions, and streamlined protection tailored to their property’s needs. The process is seamless, and hosts are always informed.
Key Features of Truvi:
- Damage protection packages ranging from small to up to $5 million host guarantee.
- Internal database, IP/VPN checks, and email/phone validation for multi-property verification.
- Automatic screening using email, phone, IP, fake-name detection, and internal watchlist.
- ID + selfie biometric matching, sex offender and criminal check, and global coverage.
- Damage protection (insurance‐backed damage waiver or security deposit) up to $5 million.
- Flexible, per-listing customizable screening and protection packages.
Pros
- All-in-one: screening plus financial protection.
- Global availability, strong deposit/damage waiver handling.
- Integrates with many PMS platforms.
- Scales well with multiple properties.
Cons
- Content insurance caps may be lower than structural limits.
Pricing
1. Screening + Protection (up to $500 damage coverage)
- £13.80 / booking
- €17.50 / booking
- $17.50 / booking
2. Screening + Protection (up to $50K coverage)
- £20.80 / booking
- €25.00 / booking
- $25.00 / booking
3. Screening + Protection (from $500 up to $1M)
- £8.95 / booking
- €10.25 / booking
- $11.00 / booking
Best For: Medium to large hosts/managers wanting both screening and Airbnb host damage protection bundled, global verification, and where high-value damage coverage matters.
3. Safely
Safely provides U.S.-only criminal background checks. However, Safely combines intelligent guest screening with solid insurance coverage, giving hosts protection before, during, and after each stay.
They offer up to $1 million in coverage for property damage, theft, bodily injury, and even, hosts guessed it, “vacation brain” slip-ups. The screening process pulls from analytics, criminal checks, and a database of past trouble-makers to assess risk.
It’s built to help hosts relax, knowing their property and reputation are guarded with both prevention and financial protection.
Key Features of Safely:
- Guest identity checks, background scan (felons, sex offenders, previous damage history via a proprietary “Safely Score”).
- Damage, theft, bodily injury coverage up to $1 million, pet damage, and intentional acts – processed via On-Demand Insurance (affiliate).
- Quick claims, integrates with PMS platforms, guest-paid fee model from as low as $8/night.
- Fast claims process: 80% paid within 4 days, claims take ~5 minutes.
Pros
- Combines screening with high-value insurance and fast claims.
- Transparent fee structure (guest covers cost).
- Integration with PMS like Escapia, Lodgify, and Guesty.
Cons
- U.S. only (limited or no availability elsewhere).
- Does not include chargeback protection.
Pricing
- Screening starts at $5 per screening, or $0.50/night when bundled.
- Protection fees are often guest-paid; as low as $8/night.
Best for: North American hosts/property managers wanting screening with fast, insured protection and simplified claims.
4. Authenticate
Authenticate is a high-accuracy guest verification tool powered by smart AI. It doesn’t just check IDs; it uses forensic ID checks, facial feature mapping, micro-expression analysis, and liveness detection to block deepfake fraud in under 30 seconds.
Plus, hosts can manage screening across multiple properties with its “Brands and Listings” feature, customizing verification workflows, alerts, and brand-specific settings.
If you want top-tier identity confidence and streamlined security, particularly for direct bookings or scaled rentals, this is a go-to.
Key Features of Authenticate:
- ID verification (7,500+ government IDs), facial recognition, liveness detection, knowledge-based quizzes, risk scoring.
- Detect deepfakes and AI fraud with iBeta Level 2 compliance.
- Identity verification within 30 seconds (ID + selfie), biometric, and liveness detection.
- Criminal checks, sex-offender and watchlist scans, risk scoring, fraud detection (deepfakes).
- Custom workflows via API or link, no long-term contracts, pay-as-you-go ($1–$5+ per check).
- Integrates with Guesty, Hostaway, Lodgify, and Hostfully.
Pros
- Fast, flexible, and cost-effective, great for scaling.
- Strong protection against AI-based identity fraud.
- No contracts; customizable and platform-agnostic.
- Flexible integration (links or API), fast (<30 sec) process.
Cons
- Does not handle post-incident resolution.
Pricing
Best for: hosts who want a fast, streamlined verification process
5. Alertify
Alertify pairs smart monitoring with guest screening to keep your property safe from noise, smoking, or gatherings in real time. It spots parties or smoke instantly and even tracks air quality, temperature, and mold risks.
When something happens, it sends polite but firm automated messages to guests. It reminds them of house rules and creates incident reports that hosts can use for disputes or compliance.
In short, it’s a proactive watchdog during the stay, perfect as a supplement to any screening setup, especially if hosts are worried about mid-stay behavior.
Key Features of Alertify:
- WiFi-connected sensors monitor noise, smoking, air quality, occupancy, temperature, and mold risk.
- When triggers occur, automated, customizable alerts and messages are sent to guests.
- WelcomeLink portal allows pre-check-in guest ID/selfie collection, agreement signature, and upsells.
- Generates incident reports with sensor data, timestamps, and guest details for dispute resolution.
- Real-time detection of noise, smoking, and gatherings with incident alerts and reports.
- WelcomeLink automates rental agreements, deposits, and ID + selfie collection during check-in.
Pros
- Prevents parties or smoking before escalation 90% resolved with the first message.
- Helps manage neighbor relations and regulatory risk (noise ordinances).
- Adds revenue opportunities via upsells integrated into guest flow.
Cons
- Requires sensor hardware and installation.
Pricing
- Not publicly listed; device and service costs will vary. Integration via Guesty, Hostex, etc.
Best For: Hosts/operators worried about parties, noise complaints, or smoking violations, especially in tight communities or jurisdictions.
6. Chekin
Chekin takes guest screening into the check-in process and further automates property compliance and upsells. It’s trusted by 150,000+ properties, having processed over 25 million check-ins across more than 45 countries.
You can offer online or in-person check-in, verify IDs with biometric matching, auto-send guest data to local authorities, and even add digital contracts, smart lock keys, upsells, and tourist tax calculations.
Chekin turns check-in into a seamless legal and revenue-generating moment, from compliance to extras, all in one flow.
Key Features of Chekin:
- Online and onsite check-in with OCR scanning, biometric identity verification, digital contracts, digital guidebooks, and personalized contracts with e-signature.
- Guest data is sent automatically to authorities, with legal compliance included.
- Identity verification (biometrics), remote digital keys, automated tourist tax, and upselling capabilities.
- PMS-linked; supports many EU countries; 150k+ properties and 25M+ check-ins.
- Smart lock integration, tourist tax calculation, upsell offers, payment processing, and branded app.
Pros
- Popular in Europe, supports legal/regional compliance demands.
- Saves significant time (e.g., hours daily) for hosts.
- Highly automated check-in + compliance.
- Boosts revenue with upsells and streamlining guest workflow.
Cons
- Not centered on fraud or damage prevention.
Pricing
- Basic 3.95€ per property/month
- Premium 5.95€ per property/month
- Enterprise 7.95€ per property/month
Best For: European hosts juggling legal guest registration, automated check-in, tax compliance, and upsellin, especially multi-unit or managed properties.
Other Guest Screening Options
Guest screening isn’t only about third-party tools; the big platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com all have their own ways of checking guests. For example, if you’ve ever wondered does Airbnb do background checks on guests? Yes, Airbnb does ID checks and some criminal background processes (US & India only), but it’s still not perfect.
Vrbo keeps it pretty light for guest background check. They’ll confirm things like email, phone, and payment details, but they don’t go deep into background checks. That’s why many hosts search specifically for does Vrbo do background checks on guests? Before relying on the platform. We always tell our clients to add their own screening here.
Booking.com is even simpler. Guests can sign up and book without much vetting, which means hosts on this platform really need more secure background checks on guests if they want to feel secure.
We’ve actually put together a full guide comparing Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com’s guest screening side by side. It’s worth a look if you’re wondering how much you can rely on the platforms alone.
On top of that, many PMS tools we work with, like Guesty or Hostaway, now link directly with screening services such as Autohost or Safely. This makes the whole process smoother and less manual work for the host.
Manual Screening Tips for Hosts
Even though platforms and tools are helpful for Airbnb guest screening and other short-term rentals, hosts can add a few manual checks of their own.
- Hosts can read every guest profile carefully to notice missing details.
- They can check how long the account has been active before approving.
- Hosts should review what other hosts have said or the reviews to catch red flags early.
- They can ask guests directly about the purpose of their stay.
- Hosts should trust their gut if a guest avoids questions or feels off.
- Also, be cautious with one-night weekend bookings that often lead to parties.
- Hosts should communicate with guests to confirm who they are and what they plan to do.
How STR Assistance Can Help with Manual & Automated Guest Screening
Our team at STR Assistance, the first step is always hands-on. We read guest profiles, skim through past reviews, and send a few quick questions before confirming a stay. Those tiny details often tell us more than any automated report ever could.
If we’re not fully sure, we bring in extra tools like Superhog or Autohost. They verify IDs, flag unusual patterns, and give us a fast “all clear” or a gentle warning to dig deeper.
For the busy hosts we work with, this means no late-night message juggling, no guessing games. We handle the back-and-forth and keep an eye on every profile. Only greenlight guests we’d welcome, which can be a done-for-you solution too.
We are a short-term rental virtual assistant company, and we have dedicated Airbnb Virtual Assistants who specialize in manual guest screening to add that extra layer of safety and care.
So, whether you want manual or automated guest screening, or a combination of both, share with us. We will help you out.
Conclusion
Guest screening is more about making the vacation rental business safer and smoother. The right tools, whether it’s Autohost, Superhog, or Safely, take a lot of the guesswork out of who’s coming to stay. We have reviewed the 6 best guest screening tools, and here is a summary
- Autohost helps hosts block risky bookings with AI-powered risk scoring and deep PMS integrations.
- Safely gives hosts $1M damage and liability coverage while screening guests in the background.
- Truvi combines ID checks, background reports, and fraud detection into one automated system.
- Authenticate verifies guest identity through government ID and selfie match in under 60 seconds.
- Chekin automates guest registration and legal compliance with ID scanning and police reporting.
Combining these tools with a bit of manual screening saves hosts time, prevents stress, and keeps properties protected.
We are a dedicated team of virtual assistants specializing in managing and optimizing short-term rental properties. With a passion for simplifying the lives of property owners, our team brings years of expertise in guest communication, pricing optimization, cleaning coordination, and overall property management across multiple rental platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com.