Evolve Property Management is a vacation rental management company that offers a low-cost, marketing-focused approach for short-term rental owners. Unlike traditional property managers, Evolve does not handle on-the-ground operations such as cleaning and maintenance but instead focuses on booking optimization, guest communication, and listing management.
Although Evolve is a recognized name in the vacation rental industry, reviews show a mixed response from property owners and guests. Some appreciate its affordability and marketing expertise, while others find the lack of full-service management a drawback. If you're looking for a more comprehensive property management solution, consider Home Team Luxury Rentals, a top-rated alternative that provides end-to-end management, including maintenance and guest services.
Considered to be one of the best Airbnb management companies, Evolve is a marketing-first vacation rental management company that helps property owners list and promote their rentals on major platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. Founded in 2011, Evolve provides a commission-based model, making it a cost-effective alternative to full-service property managers.
Unlike traditional property management companies that handle everything from guest stays to property maintenance, Evolve primarily focuses on:
Listing optimization and marketing
Dynamic pricing strategies
Guest communication and booking management
This model is ideal for homeowners who want professional booking management but prefer to handle operations like cleaning and maintenance themselves.
Evolve receives varied reviews across different platforms, reflecting both positive and negative experiences from property owners and guests.
Evolve maintains a 3.8-star rating on Trustpilot, with mixed reviews.
Positive reviews show customers praising their communication and seamless booking process. Many property owners commend Evolve for increasing their rental income through strategic marketing and dynamic pricing, and appreciate its onboarding process and reliable support. Guests frequently highlight the cleanliness and quality of the properties, as well as the ease of check-in procedures.
"Evolve has been a great company to work with. They helped me get my rental set up and keep me informed when someone is coming and have answered any question I may have." — Kathy Spurlock, US, February 18, 2025
Negative reviews expressed concerns about delayed or unresponsive customer service, unexpected cancellations, and dissatisfaction with property conditions not matching descriptions. Some property owners also reported issues with payment processing and a lack of transparency in fee structures. Also, owners complained about the company’s lack of accountability which led to multiple issues
"These people are crooks, do not trust them with your property. They mess up every rental, and then back-charge you. They are not available to the customer when they have an issue, they are not available to the owner when they have an issue, and even when you have a personal manager that you've paid extra for, they will not respond." — Vincent Hyatt, HN, February 18, 2025
Evolve holds an A+ rating with the BBB and has been accredited since June 2017. Over the past three years, the company has received over 1,000 complaints.
Many property owners allege misrepresentation of services, noting that initial promises—such as money-back guarantees and proactive guest feedback—were not fulfilled, and communication became sparse post-contract. Guests have also voiced concerns about the cleanliness and maintenance of properties, citing instances of unsanitary conditions and unresponsive customer service when issues were raised. Additionally, there are complaints regarding undisclosed fees added to guest charges without prior consent from property owners.
On Sitejabber, Evolve received 3.4 stars out of 5.
Positive feedback highlights exceptional customer service, with users noting prompt and helpful responses. Many guests appreciate the seamless booking process and the quality of the properties, describing their stays as enjoyable and the accommodations as well-maintained.
“Our place was so clean I felt right at home. It was well stocked and our host was as sweet and as accommodating as could be. We loved it." — Gloria B., Utah, December 20th, 2024
Negative reviews point to issues such as outdated platform features, inconsistent communication, and dissatisfaction with management practices. Some property owners express concerns over cancellation policies, unexpected charges, and lack of flexibility in handling property-related issues.
“They charged us almost $4,000 because we had damages to our home that would not allow guests to stay. We canceled the booking with ample time and sent in documentation to Evolve. They had plenty of time to rebook the guests. We were still charged so much money for this. We completely regret working with Evolve and will tell everyone we know not to make the same mistake." —
Julia M., Texas, February 3rd, 2025
Evolve provides marketing and booking management for short-term rental owners. Services include:
What Evolve Does NOT Provide:
Evolve operates in over 750 markets across the United States, including:
Evolve supports a variety of short-term rental properties, including:
To qualify, each property must have its own entrance, a kitchen or kitchenette, and at least one bathroom. It must have a kitchen sink that’s separate from the required bathroom sink, a hot plate if a stovetop is not available, and a refrigerator. Properties such as private rooms within a home, non-deeded timeshares, RVs, mobile homes, tent sites, or those lacking a full kitchen or attached bathroom do not meet Evolve's criteria.
With over a decade of industry experience, Evolve provides two tailored management plans:
Core Plan:
Plus Plan:
Building upon the Core Plan, the Plus Plan offers additional benefits:
Evolve charges a flat 10% management fee for the Core Plan, and a 15% management fee for the Plus Plan. These fees are significantly lower than what most full-service property management companies charge
Additional Costs:
Evolve Property Management offers a flexible contract structure with specific terms regarding cancellation and property maintenance responsibilities:
Here are the steps to get started with Evolve:
Go live – Hosts start receiving bookings
Home Team Luxury Rentals provides full-service management, including marketing, maintenance, and guest services. It specializes in high-end vacation rental management and is ideal for hands-off property owners.
Key features:
SkyRun Vacation Rentals offers a franchise-based property management model, delivering customized, market-specific services to short-term rental owners. Its localized approach is best for property owners seeking personalized support, regional expertise, and data-driven management solutions.
Key features:
AvantStay is another full-service short-term rental management company that prioritizes better guest experiences and optimized revenue for property owners. It’s ideal for property owners who want high-end, tech-driven hospitality experiences.
Key features:
Evolve Property Management is an attractive option for vacation rental owners looking for a cost-effective, marketing-focused management solution. Its low commission structure and wide platform reach make it appealing for those who want help with marketing, pricing, and guest support while maintaining control over on-the-ground operations like maintenance and cleaning.
However, Evolve's service model isn't for everyone. Many property owners have raised concerns about inconsistent customer
support, lack of full-service management, and unexpected charges. Additionally, guest complaints about property conditions and last-minute cancellations highlight areas where Evolve may fall short compared to traditional full-service managers.
For owners seeking a truly hands-off experience with comprehensive property care, HomeTeamVR stands out as a top alternative. Offering end-to-end management, including marketing, maintenance, and guest services, HomeTeamVR ensures seamless operations and premium guest experiences—making it the better choice for those who prefer a fully managed rental property.