TurnCal vs. Turno: Functional Comparison for Vacation Rental Hosts

TurnCal vs. Turno: Functional Comparison

After trying both TurnCal and Turno for managing our vacation rental cleaning schedules, I wanted to document the key functional differences between these platforms to help other property managers make an informed decision.

Core Functionality Comparison

Both platforms aim to solve the problem of coordinating cleaners for vacation rentals, but they take different approaches:

Calendar Interface

Turno:

  • Complex dashboard with multiple tabs and sections
  • Comprehensive property management features beyond cleaning
  • Configurable but requires time to set up and learn
  • Interface can be slow to load when switching between properties

TurnCal:

  • Minimalist interface focused primarily on calendar display
  • Limited to essential booking and cleaning coordination
  • Immediate usability with minimal configuration
  • Fast page loads and calendar navigation

Cleaner Access System

Turno:

  • Cleaners must create accounts and log in
  • Cleaners navigate through a dashboard to access different properties
  • Supports detailed task lists and cleaning protocols
  • Built-in messaging system between hosts and cleaners

TurnCal:

  • Cleaners access via a simple shared link (no account required)
  • One URL per property that can be bookmarked
  • Basic view of bookings and turnover windows
  • No built-in messaging (relies on your existing communication methods)

Booking Source Integration

Turno:

  • Connects to multiple booking platforms
  • Handles detailed guest information
  • Provides comprehensive reporting
  • Integration can sometimes be delayed

TurnCal:

  • Imports calendar data from standard iCal feeds
  • Focuses on booking dates rather than guest details
  • Offers manual refresh option to force updates
  • Updates calendar data more frequently

Mobile Experience

Turno:

  • Full-featured mobile app
  • Requires download and login
  • Can be resource-intensive on older devices
  • Includes offline functionality

TurnCal:

  • Mobile-responsive web interface
  • No app download required
  • Lightweight and works on any device with a browser
  • Requires internet connection to access

Fee Structure

Turno:

  • Subscription-based pricing tiers
  • Takes a percentage of payments made to cleaners through the platform
  • Additional fees for certain features
  • No permanent free tier

TurnCal:

  • Free tier available with core functionality
  • Premium features available at flat monthly rates
  • No transaction fees or percentages of cleaner payments
  • No payment processing for cleaners built into the platform

Practical Considerations

Setup Time

Turno:

  • Initial setup requires 1-3 hours
  • Complete configuration can take several days
  • Multiple tutorial videos and documentation needed
  • More time-intensive onboarding for cleaners

TurnCal:

  • Basic setup takes 5-10 minutes
  • Full configuration typically under 30 minutes
  • Self-explanatory interface requires minimal instruction
  • Cleaner onboarding consists of sharing a single link

Use Case Fit

Turno works better for:

  • Large property management companies
  • Operations with complex cleaning protocols
  • Businesses wanting an all-in-one management solution
  • Hosts who want to process cleaner payments within the platform

TurnCal works better for:

  • Individual hosts with 1-10 properties
  • Hosts with established communication methods with cleaners
  • Operations focused primarily on calendar sharing
  • Hosts who prioritize simplicity and speed over comprehensive features

Summary of Key Differences

  1. Complexity vs. Simplicity: Turno offers comprehensive management tools with corresponding complexity; TurnCal provides streamlined calendar sharing with minimal complexity.

  2. Account Requirements: Turno requires accounts for all users; TurnCal allows cleaners to access calendars without accounts.

  3. Fee Structure: Turno charges subscription fees plus transaction percentages; TurnCal offers a free tier and flat subscription rates with no transaction fees.

  4. System Access: Turno operates as a closed system requiring logins; TurnCal functions more like a shareable tool with direct URLs.

  5. Loading Speed: TurnCal pages load and operate faster than Turno’s more feature-rich interface.

While Turno offers more features overall, TurnCal provides a faster, simpler solution specifically focused on the calendar sharing aspect of vacation rental management. Your choice between them should depend on your specific needs, the size of your operation, and whether you prefer a comprehensive system or a streamlined tool.

Both platforms offer free trials, so testing them with your specific workflow is recommended before making a decision.