Quick take
STR Numbers can stand in for AirDNA only on the first pass: purchase price, nightly rate, occupancy, expenses, cash flow, ROI, cap rate, and break-even occupancy. It does not replace AirDNA's market data or comp research.
Use STR Numbers for
- Checking whether a property can cash flow before you go deeper
- Seeing cash-on-cash return, cap rate, and break-even occupancy in one place
- Stress-testing simple assumptions without signing up for a paid data platform
- Creating a shareable starting point for a partner, lender, realtor, or co-host
Use AirDNA for
- Validating market revenue with comparable listing data
- Researching occupancy, ADR, demand, and market-level trends
- Comparing multiple markets before choosing where to buy
- Replacing rough guesses before you put real money at risk
Run the numbers first
Run cash flow, ROI, cap rate, and break-even occupancy with your own assumptions.
STR Numbers vs AirDNA
This is not about crowning a winner. Pick the tool based on the question you are trying to answer.
Primary job
Run the cash-flow math for one property.
Research STR markets, comps, and revenue potential.
Best first question
Does this deal work with my assumptions?
What does this market or comp set support?
Inputs
User-entered price, financing, revenue, fees, and expenses.
Market and listing data plus user-selected location/property criteria.
Outputs
Cash flow, ROI, cap rate, break-even occupancy, and report download.
Market demand, comparable revenue, ADR, occupancy, and related market signals.
Cost posture
Free calculator, no account required to run the math.
Use current AirDNA pricing and plan details before deciding.
Main limitation
Does not supply proprietary market comps or live demand data.
Market data still needs conservative expenses, financing, and deal math.
How I would use them
Use STR Numbers first when you are screening a single deal
If you already have a property, asking price, financing assumption, and rough revenue estimate, start with the calculator. First see whether the deal survives normal expenses.
Use AirDNA when the revenue assumption is the weak link
If your nightly rate or occupancy is mostly a guess, market data matters. Use a data tool, active listing research, or both before treating the calculator output as a real underwriting case.
Use both before making an offer
One simple way to do it: get a conservative market revenue range, enter the low or middle case into STR Numbers, then check whether cash flow and break-even occupancy still leave enough cushion.
Need market data?
Use market data when your nightly rate, occupancy, or revenue assumptions need validation.
Sponsored partner link
Quick note
STR Numbers is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by AirDNA. AirDNA is a third-party trademark. This page compares the jobs each tool is usually used for.