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.

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

FeatureKey by PrepBnBRemoteLockOpertoManual / 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/moFree
Hardware required from vendor
Setup time5 min1–2 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

$10/ device / mo

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
Start Key — $10/lock/month

$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

Setup guides by lock brand

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.

  1. 1Create a free PrepBnB account (1 minute)
  2. 2Add your Airbnb listing — name + iCal URL only (1 minute)
  3. 3Connect your lock through our secure flow (2 minutes)
  4. 4Pay $10/lock/month — first invoice when you connect
Start Key — $10/lock/month

No card needed to sign up · cancel anytime · US-based properties

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