STR Rule Watch vs AirDNA: which STR compliance tool is right for you? (2026)
AirDNA answers 'how much can this property earn'. STR Rule Watch answers 'is it legal and what are the exact rules' — with verified, dated, cited regulation data AirDNA's inferred score doesn't provide. They're complements, not substitutes.
At a glance
| STR Rule Watch | AirDNA | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Verified STR regulation database | STR market-data and revenue-analytics platform |
| Coverage | 98 US markets (60 cities, 10 counties, 28 statewide summaries) across 29 states, each field human-verified against official sources with a per-page 'last verified' date | 120,000+ markets (revenue data) |
| Pricing | Free tier; Host $5/mo; Pro $39/mo | ~$12–60/mo by market size |
| How rules are verified | Human-verified from cited official sources, with a real last-verified date on every page | Its regulation signal is an algorithmic 'Market Score' input inferred from host behavior plus licensed zoning data — not a verified, primary-source rules database |
What AirDNA does well
- Deep revenue, occupancy, and ADR estimates for investment underwriting
- Huge market coverage for the performance-data job
Where STR Rule Watch is different
- Its regulation signal is an algorithmic 'Market Score' input inferred from host behavior plus licensed zoning data — not a verified, primary-source rules database
- It explicitly frames regulation notes as not legal advice and points users to read local policies themselves
Where AirDNA wins
AirDNA is the category standard for revenue and market performance data — a job STR Rule Watch doesn't do at all. Use AirDNA for 'how much will it earn', use us for 'is it legal and what are the rules'.
Competitor details were verified from AirDNA’s website on July 13, 2026 and may have changed since — confirm current features and pricing on their site. This comparison is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice.
See STR Rule Watch for your markets
Look up verified, dated short-term rental rules for any covered US market — free.