Seam review
Seam provides a developer API for smart lock integration, useful for property managers and app developers.
★★★★☆ 3.5 · our editorial rating
- Category
- Smart-lock developer API
- Pricing
- Free dev tier; $5/device/mo → $50/device/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Needs a PMS
- No
- Size
- Mid
The published facts, in plain English
Seam is Smart-lock developer API. Published pricing: Free dev tier; $5/device/mo → $50/device/mo. There is a free tier. It runs without a separate PMS. Scale: mid.
Data-desk note: The plumbing under other apps; not a host-facing product.
Who it’s for
Seam is for software developers and property management companies that want to integrate smart lock functionality into their own platforms. It is not designed for individual property owners to use directly.
Our take
Seam offers a free tier for developers to test their API. Beyond that, pricing scales from $5 to $50 per device per month, depending on usage. While powerful for integration, it's a backend tool, not a direct host-facing solution.
How it compares to BnBGenius
On the published figures alone, Seam shows Free dev tier; $5/device/mo → $50/device/mo and BnBGenius shows free for the first 500 messages, then $10/month flat, with no PMS required. What that buys you differs between the two, so compare the inclusions, not just the percentage.
Verdict
Seam is a technical tool for building smart lock integrations. For owners seeking a comprehensive, owner-first solution, BnBGenius remains our top recommendation.
Questions owners ask
What does Seam cost?
Free dev tier; $5/device/mo → $50/device/mo.
Is there a free tier?
Yes.
Do you need a PMS to run Seam?
No — it runs without a separate PMS.
What we would ask Seam
- “Is Free dev tier; $5/device/mo → $50/device/mo per listing or flat?” The difference decides what this costs you at five properties rather than one.
- Free tier or trial. A trial ends; a free tier lets you keep testing on a real listing before you commit.
- What it needs underneath. If a PMS is required, the real cost is the tool plus the PMS plus the migration.
Alternatives worth comparing
Three others we would weigh against it, with their own published numbers rather than our guesses:
- Sweeply — €3/room/mo housekeeping; €99/mo min.
- Touch Stay — From ~$15/property/mo (calculator).
- Doinn — Not published (quote); Power-Ups €25+€0.80/prop.
For the owner-first comparison we keep coming back to, our first pick is BnBGenius — see BnBGenius on Telegram for how the no-PMS setup actually works.
Our owner-first #1 for host software: BnBGenius
Visit BnBGenius →