The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
TLDR
We analyzed 52 verified hotelier reviews, compared feature sets, pricing, and real-world case studies to break down where each platform delivers. The right choice depends on your property type and priorities:
Akia shines in guest messaging and centralized communications — especially for motel properties (5.0/5), with exclusive features like Mobile Friendly and Guest History.
Side-by-side ratings based on 52 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $500/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 52 | 0 |
After analyzing 52 verified reviews, Akia users most value its guest messaging and centralized communications, pre-check-in and pre-arrival guest intake, mini-apps and digital forms collection, while ICG Software users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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ICG Software |
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Guest messaging and centralized communications
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Pre-check-in and pre-arrival guest intake
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Mini-apps and digital forms collection
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Waitlist and last-minute room selling
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Third-party authorization and payment security
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Setup complexity and workflow polish
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Automation and AI-assisted responses
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How each product ranks among Contactless Check-in vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
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ICG Software |
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #4 22 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #4 20 reviews | — |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #8 3 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #16 0 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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ICG Software |
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| Boutique ▾ | #3 28 reviews | — |
| Luxury ▾ | #6 9 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #4 13 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #6 9 reviews | — |
By Region
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ICG Software |
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| North America ▾ | #2 52 reviews | — |
Akia Contactless Check-In and ICG Check-in Online both aim to reduce front desk workload by enabling guests to complete check-in steps remotely. Akia excels in guest messaging, automated communication, and broad integration with property management systems, supported by 52 reviews averaging 4.8/5 overall. ICG Check-in Online offers contactless check-in functionality focused on pre-arrival registration and ID verification but lacks public reviews and integration data.
Akia suits hotels seeking a comprehensive guest communication platform alongside contactless check-in, while ICG appears to target properties looking primarily for a streamlined pre-arrival check-in system. Both reduce physical contact and speed guest arrivals, but Akia’s extensive feature set and proven customer satisfaction make it better for hotels needing an all-in-one messaging and check-in solution.
If you manage a boutique hotel, bed and breakfast, or branded hotel, Akia’s 4.7+ ratings across 28 to 27 reviews in these segments show strong operator satisfaction with its features and communication tools. Its 32 verified integrations with PMS providers like RoomRaccoon and WebRezPro ensure data synchronization critical for these hotel types. Conversely, ICG has no publicly available ratings, integrations, or segment data, making its fit unclear.
For a small vacation rental or limited-service property, Akia’s contactless check-in combined with automated guest messaging and ID verification streamlines operations, as reflected in review praise for reducing front desk workload. Without reviews or feature transparency, ICG carries risk for properties needing evidence-based performance. If your property relies on robust guest communication and automation, Akia is the defensible choice.
Akia scores 4.8/5 for ease of use and 4.7/5 for onboarding across 52 reviews, with users highlighting a user-friendly mobile interface and quick staff adoption. Reviewers appreciate how the system sends guests a text link to check in without app downloads, simplifying guest interaction. Staff mention some complexity in message customization but praise responsive support for training.
ICG Check-in Online has no publicly available ease of use or onboarding ratings, nor is there user feedback to evaluate staff adoption or guest experience ease. Given Akia’s extensive user data and positive remarks on intuitive workflows, its ease of use is verifiable, while ICG’s usability remains unproven.
Edge: Even.
Akia offers 35 unique features including automated guest messaging, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger integration, chatbot booking agents, ID and document scanning, door lock integration, and multi-lingual automatic translations. These features enable front desk staff to automate communication workflows, reduce repetitive tasks, and enhance guest engagement before and during stay.
ICG Check-in Online has no feature data available and shares no verified features with Akia. Without transparency on capabilities such as messaging, upselling, or PMS integration, ICG cannot be credited with features that impact hotel operations beyond contactless check-in itself.
Edge: Akia Contactless Check-In.
Akia scores 4.9/5 for customer support and 4.7/5 for onboarding. Reviewers frequently commend Akia’s technical team for fast, knowledgeable assistance resolving issues. One user noted “getting ahold of a representative has been, by far, the easiest and best customer service we have ever experienced.” Another highlights helpful support during WhatsApp integration setup.
ICG Check-in Online has no customer support ratings or review comments. The lack of feedback means no evidence to assess responsiveness or quality of support. Akia’s high scores and multiple positive support anecdotes establish superior service capability.
Edge: Even.
Akia integrates with 32 verified partners including key PMS providers like RoomRaccoon, WebRezPro, and innRoad, plus door lock systems such as FLEXIPASS Keyless Mobile Access. These integrations enable automated data sharing for reservations, guest profiles, and room access codes, reducing manual entry and errors. This benefits properties with existing PMS infrastructure and smart lock systems.
ICG Check-in Online lists zero verified integrations. Without PMS or third-party connectivity, hotels using ICG may face duplicated manual workflows or limited automation. For hotels relying on technology ecosystems, Akia’s integration breadth is a decisive advantage.
Edge: Akia Contactless Check-In.
Akia holds a 4.8/5 overall rating from 52 reviews, including 9 reviews in the last six months, indicating continued satisfaction. Segment ratings range from 4.3 to 5.0, with boutique hotels at 4.7/5 (28 reviews) and bed and breakfasts at 4.8/5 (27 reviews). Its likelihood to recommend is 97%. ICG Check-in Online has no reviews or ratings, so no comparative data exists.
The volume and recency of Akia’s reviews provide a reliable measure of current product quality, especially across diverse hotel types. ICG’s lack of ratings means no hotelier sentiment is publicly verifiable.
Edge: Even.
Akia publishes a base price of $500 with no monthly fees, per-room pricing, or implementation charges. There is no free trial. The flat base fee model simplifies budgeting for hotels with varying size. ICG Check-in Online does not publish any pricing information or trial availability, leaving cost unknown and requiring direct vendor inquiry.
Without transparent pricing, ICG cannot be reliably compared on value or ROI. Akia’s clear pricing allows hotels to evaluate total cost against its extensive feature set and integration capabilities.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Akia Contactless Check-In differentiates itself through extensive guest communication capabilities, integration with 32 PMS and door lock partners, and a strong history of verified hotelier satisfaction with 52 reviews averaging 4.8/5. It combines contactless check-in, automated messaging, and guest engagement tools that reduce front desk labor and improve guest experience. ICG Check-in Online focuses solely on contactless check-in but lacks public ratings, feature transparency, or integration data.
Choose Akia when your hotel needs a unified platform that manages guest messaging across multiple channels, automates pre-arrival tasks like ID verification and payment authorization, and integrates with existing hotel systems. Its strong support and proven ROI data support confident adoption. Choose ICG Check-in Online only if you require a straightforward check-in tool without public review evidence or integration needs, accepting the risk of unverified performance.
Contactless Check-in pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
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ICG Software | |
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| Starting Price | From $500/mo | — |
These are the features each vendor has configured, organized by feature group — the same data shown in the vendor dashboard. Expand a group to compare features side by side.
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Pre-Arrival & Check-in
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| Hotel Website Check-in Portal | ||
| Lobby Kiosk | ||
| Self Service Checkout | ||
| Self Service Checkin | ||
| Device Agnostic | ||
| Easy Room Selection | ||
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Information Collection
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| Custom Questions | ||
| Terms & Conditions Signing | ||
| Marketing Communications Opt-in | ||
| Pre-regisration info collection | ||
| Document & Passport Scanning | ||
| ID Verification | ||
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Translations
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| Automatic Translations | ||
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Payments & Authorization
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| Registration Card E-signature | ||
| Collect Deposits | ||
| Payment & Authorizations | ||
| ID Verification | ||
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Mobile Key
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| Door Lock Integration | ||
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Upgrades & Upselling
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Other
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We analyzed 1 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Automation emphasizes the guests experience at their fingertips. Akia closes the gap of missed opportunities by acting as a liaison to our guest satisfaction efforts. We have been..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Akia is often described as a single place to manage guest messaging, requests, and inquiries, which helps teams respond faster and keep communication... Akia is often described as a single place to manage guest messaging, requests, and inquiries, which helps teams respond faster and keep communication organized. Reviewers see this as a practical way to improve the guest experience while reducing missed messages and staff coordination overhead.
Users repeatedly say Akia makes pre-check-in easy for both staff and guests, helping hotels move registration steps ahead of arrival and reduce front... Users repeatedly say Akia makes pre-check-in easy for both staff and guests, helping hotels move registration steps ahead of arrival and reduce front desk bottlenecks. Reviewers highlight that it streamlines the guest arrival process and improves convenience by getting key details collected before guests reach the property.
Reviewers strongly value Akia’s mini-apps for collecting registration details, waivers, pet stay forms, and policy acknowledgments before arrival. The... Reviewers strongly value Akia’s mini-apps for collecting registration details, waivers, pet stay forms, and policy acknowledgments before arrival. They describe this as a major time-saver that improves operational efficiency and helps hotels complete compliance and intake tasks without manual follow-up.
Where hoteliers push back
A negative theme is concern about third-party authorization handling and the risk of guests using different credit cards with different names. Reviewe... A negative theme is concern about third-party authorization handling and the risk of guests using different credit cards with different names. Reviewers want stronger security controls here, suggesting that payment validation and fraud prevention could be improved for hotel use cases.
While the platform is considered intuitive once in use, reviewers mention that initial setup can be intense and that some areas like tasks, notes, opp... While the platform is considered intuitive once in use, reviewers mention that initial setup can be intense and that some areas like tasks, notes, opportunities, and orders feel clunky. These comments suggest Akia delivers value, but hotels may need time and internal effort to fully configure it for their operating style.
Unique capabilities
It depends on your requirements. Akia Contactless Check-In and ICG Check-in Online share many core Contactless Check-in features, but each has unique capabilities. Akia Contactless Check-In offers 32 verified integration partners, while ICG Check-in Online offers 0. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Akia Contactless Check-In: No. ICG Check-in Online: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Contactless Check-in vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
The HT Score is a composite ranking that considers 4 criteria groups and over a dozen variables to help hoteliers objectively compare hotel technology products. Akia has an HT Score of 71 and ICG Software has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
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| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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How highly do users recommend this product? Ratings Score, Review Volume, Share of Voice, Review Depth, Review Recency, Success Stories ▾ The most heavily weighted factor. Analyzes average satisfaction ratings (likelihood to recommend, ease of use, support, ROI), total review count relative to category peers, review recency (at least 20 reviews in the trailing 6 months), and share of voice across unique hotel clients to detect selection bias. |
| Partner Ecosystem |
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How highly do tech partners recommend this company? Partner Recommendations, Integration Quantity, Integration Quality ▾ Evaluates partner recommendations as expert votes of confidence, the number of verified integrations, and ecosystem quality — the average HT Scores of integration partners. Products with higher-quality integration ecosystems are more likely to deliver a connected tech stack. |
| Customer Centricity |
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How customer-centric is this organization? Certified Support, Review Consistency, Profile Completeness ▾ Assesses whether the company has earned HTR Customer Support Certification, maintains consistent review collection over time (an indicator of feedback-driven culture), and keeps product profiles complete with capabilities, screenshots, pricing, and features. |
| Reach, Staying Power & Resources |
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How extensive is this company's reach and resourcing? Geographic Reach, Staying Power, Company Resources, Trending Score ▾ Measures global presence (countries and regions served), years in business as a stability proxy, team headcount as a resource proxy, and a trending score based on trailing-twelve-month buyer inquiries, reviews, partner recommendations, and press activity. |
Customer ratings and reviews are by far the most important factor in the HT Score algorithm. HTR does not accept payment for higher rankings. All reviews are verified — only hotel industry practitioners with confirmed affiliations can submit ratings. View full HT Score methodology →
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