Key by PrepBnB · Smart Lock Automation for Airbnb
Auto-rotating door codes for Airbnb. $10/device/mo.
Per-guest 4-digit codes generated from your Airbnb iCal feed. Valid check-in to checkout, automatically. Works with 50+ smart-lock brands — no hardware lock-in. A free PrepBnB account is included — turnover scheduling, cleaner pool, photo proof. Already a host? The upgrade is one click.
No setup fees · cancel anytime · US-based properties · PrepBnB cleaning ops free
Free PrepBnB included
Cleaning ops + door codes from one dashboard.
Bring your own lock
Yale, Schlage, Level, August — 50+ brands supported.
Built for Airbnb
iCal-native. No CSV imports, no API plumbing.
Trusted infrastructure
- Stripe handles billing & cards
- Seam manages 50+ lock vendors
- Airbnb iCal — no scraping
- Vendor passwords never touch our servers
How it works
Three connections, then it runs forever. Most hosts are live in under five minutes.
Sign up — free, takes 60 seconds
Create a PrepBnB account and paste your Airbnb iCal export URL. The free tier (1 listing, no card) is yours for keeps — turnover scheduling, cleaner pool, and photo proof come included whether or not you add Key. Already a PrepBnB host? You're already done with this step.
Link your lock from the dashboard
One click in /dashboard/keys opens our secure connect flow. Authenticate with Yale, Schlage, Level, August, Salto, igloohome, Kwikset — 50+ brands supported. We never see your vendor password.
Codes rotate automatically
Every reservation gets a unique 4-digit code (last-4 of guest phone) valid from check-in time to checkout + buffer. New code per guest. Old codes auto-expire. You forget the feature exists; the lock just works.
How Key compares
For PrepBnB hosts considering a separate lock-management product instead. Honest comparison — including where the others win.
| Feature | Key by PrepBnB | RemoteLock | Operto | Manual / DIY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-generate codes from Airbnb iCal | ||||
| Bring your own smart lock (no hardware lock-in) | ||||
| Per-listing checkin / checkout windows | ||||
| Per-guest code rotation (last-4 of phone) | ||||
| Per-reservation overrides | ||||
| Built specifically for Airbnb hosts | ||||
| Works with 50+ smart-lock brands | ||||
| Plugs into the rest of PrepBnB (turnovers, cleaners, payments) | ||||
| Pricing model | $10/device/mo | $7–15/door/mo + hardware | $20+/listing/mo | Free |
| Hardware required from vendor | ||||
| Setup time | 5 min | 1–2 weeks (ship + install) | 1–3 days | — |
Legend: yes · partial / paid add-on · no. Pricing reflects published rates as of 2026 — RemoteLock and Operto often quote individually for multi-listing hosts.
Per-device pricing. PrepBnB account included free.
You only pay for locks you actually connect. Cleaning ops — turnover scheduling, cleaner pool, photo proof — comes bundled at no extra cost.
Key by PrepBnB
Billed alongside your PrepBnB plan. Disconnect any lock anytime to stop the charge. Bring your own lock.
- Unlimited per-guest code rotations
- Per-listing checkin / checkout windows
- Per-reservation manual overrides
- Auto-cleanup of expired codes
- 50+ smart-lock brands supported
- Free PrepBnB account included — cleaner pool, turnover schedule, photo proof
$10/lock billed monthly. Cancel anytime.
Already have a PrepBnB account? Sign in and add Key in 5 minutes.
Frequently asked
Is this a standalone product or do I need PrepBnB?+
Key runs on PrepBnB — but they're bundled, so it works for both audiences. New to PrepBnB? Sign up free (1 listing free, no card needed), connect your iCal, and add Key when self-serve onboarding opens. You get the cleaning-ops platform — turnover scheduling, cleaner pool, photo proof — at no extra cost. Already a PrepBnB host? Just add Key to your existing listings; the rest of your account is unchanged. Either way the price is $10 per connected lock per month.
Which smart locks work?+
We support 50+ smart-lock brands — Yale, Schlage, Level, August, Salto, Kwikset, igloohome, Wyze, Smarty Locks, Lockly, Aqara, and more. If you can buy it on Amazon and it has a keypad + WiFi or Z-Wave hub, it probably works. We'll publish a compatibility list before public launch.
How much does it cost?+
$10/device/month — billed only for locks you've connected. A listing with one front-door lock is $10/mo; add a garage lock and it's $20/mo. No setup fees, no per-code charges, no PrepBnB subscription required (the platform comes free with Key). The lock hardware itself is one-time, $100–250 per door from your retailer of choice.
How does the lock connect to PrepBnB?+
From /dashboard/keys you click 'Connect a lock'. We open a secure connect page where you sign in with your lock vendor (e.g. Yale, August). PrepBnB never sees your vendor password. Once you authorize a device, it appears in your dashboard and starts receiving codes on the next sync.
Can I keep manual codes for my cleaner or maintenance?+
Yes. Key only manages codes it created (tagged with a PrepBnB prefix). Any manual codes you've set on the lock — for your cleaner, family, contractor — are left untouched.
What if a guest extends or cancels?+
When the iCal feed updates, Key diffs against existing codes and adjusts: extends the code's expiration, or revokes it for a cancellation. Synced once per hour by default; manual sync available too.
How does this compare to RemoteLock or Operto?+
RemoteLock and Operto are pure lock-management tools — you'd still need separate software for cleaning ops. Key bundles both: $10/device for the lock automation, with PrepBnB's cleaning ops (cleaner pool, turnover scheduling, photo proof) included free. The comparison table above shows the feature delta — they each have spots where they win.
Is there a free trial?+
Key is $10/lock/month, billed monthly via Stripe with no setup fee. PrepBnB itself is free for 1 listing forever, so you can sign up, set up your turnover schedule and cleaner pool, and only start paying once you decide to add a smart lock. Cancel Key anytime from the dashboard — you keep code-pushing service through the end of the current cycle.
Compare Key with alternatives
- Key vs RemoteLock → The price-and-hardware comparison.
- Key vs Operto → For solo hosts who don't need a portfolio dashboard.
- Key vs Hospitable smart-lock add-ons → When you only want door codes, not a full PMS.
Setup guides by lock brand
- Yale Assure 2 + Airbnb → Conexis, Assure SL, Smart Cabinet too.
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock + Airbnb → All gens, with or without bridge.
- Schlage Encode + Airbnb → The most-recommended lock for hosts.
Set up Key in 5 minutes
Sign up free, add a listing, connect your lock, start syncing codes. No card during signup — Stripe captures it after you connect a lock. First invoice on connect.
- 1Create a free PrepBnB account (1 minute)
- 2Add your Airbnb listing — name + iCal URL only (1 minute)
- 3Connect your lock through our secure flow (2 minutes)
- 4Pay $10/lock/month — first invoice when you connect
No card needed to sign up · cancel anytime · US-based properties
Not ready? Drop your email and we'll send a 1-page quickstart you can read first.
Email me the quickstart
Quick setup guide tailored to Airbnb hosts running 1–10 properties.