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 45 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 customer support and onboarding — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like Mobile Friendly and Guest History.
Liverton shines .
Side-by-side ratings based on 45 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 42 | 3 |
After analyzing 45 verified reviews, Akia users most value its guest messaging, team communication and task management, contactless check-in, while Liverton users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Guest messaging
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Team communication and task management
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Contactless check-in
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Customer feedback and reputation management
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Automated responses
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Integration and data synchronization
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Guidebooks and digital tools
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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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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #4 17 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #4 18 reviews | #21 0 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #19 0 reviews | #13 1 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #16 0 reviews | #10 2 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #4 17 reviews | #21 1 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #6 7 reviews | #24 0 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #4 10 reviews | #14 2 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #7 6 reviews | — |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #2 41 reviews | #8 2 reviews |
Choosing between Akia Contactless Check-In by Akia and Self Service Checkin by SmartStay by Liverton hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both solutions aim to reduce front desk interactions, streamline guest arrivals, and improve operational efficiency, but they approach these goals differently. Akia offers a feature-rich, highly reviewed platform with extensive integrations, while Liverton provides a straightforward, kiosk-based experience with less review data. Which product aligns better with your hotel's priorities?
Akia and Liverton tackle the challenge of contactless check-in, but their focus areas differ. Akia emphasizes guest communication, automation, and integrations, making it suitable for hotels seeking a comprehensive digital guest management system. Liverton concentrates on self-service kiosks and pre-arrival check-in automation, appealing to properties prioritizing physical self-check-in stations. With Akia’s 38 reviews and a 4.95/5 rating versus Liverton’s 3 reviews and 0/5 rating, Akia’s recent and numerous reviews provide more reliable insight. Are you looking for a system that supports extensive automation and communication?
Akia’s high review count and recent positive feedback indicate strong hotel user confidence, especially in boutique and independent hotels. Conversely, Liverton’s limited reviews and absence of recent feedback make it harder to assess its current performance. If your team values a well-supported, versatile platform with proven results, Akia clearly stands out. Are you ready for a solution backed by a broad user base and recent reviews?
If your hotel needs a feature-rich, scalable guest communication platform with deep PMS integrations, go with Akia. Its extensive feature set (35 unique features) and proven ability to reduce labor costs make it ideal for hotels looking to enhance guest engagement and streamline operations. Larger properties or those seeking automation tools like automated replies, messaging surveys, or door lock integrations will find Akia’s capabilities invaluable.
If, however, your hotel prefers a straightforward, self-service kiosk-enabled approach for quick check-ins and check-outs, Liverton might seem appealing. Its focus on automated pre-arrival check-in with mobile and kiosk options suits hotels prioritizing physical automation over communication. However, given Liverton’s limited review data and lack of recent feedback, Akia’s more established reputation offers a safer, more comprehensive choice.
For most hoteliers, especially those looking for a trusted, well-reviewed solution, Akia’s versatility and recent positive reviews make it the better option. Should your hotel require extensive automation, guest messaging, and integrations, Akia is your clear pick.
Akia’s ease-of-use rating stands at 4.82/5, with most reviews praising its intuitive interface, quick onboarding, and straightforward staff adoption. Users appreciate Akia’s mobile-friendly design, guest messaging system, and macro features that save time. Some users mention minor glitches or the need for better filtering in team communications, but overall, Akia’s interface is highly rated.
Liverton impresses with a perfect 5/5 ease of use rating, thanks to its simple, no-download, app-less platform. Its mobile and web-based check-in process is straightforward, with positive feedback on reducing front desk queues. However, the limited number of reviews and the absence of recent feedback mean Akia’s usability is better validated today.
Edge: Akia.
Akia boasts 35 unique features, including mobile-friendly interfaces, photo sharing, chatbot booking agents, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger integrations, automated replies, guest history, secure data, and PMS integration. These features support a full-scale contactless guest management system, covering everything from registration to door lock control.
Liverton offers core self-service features like pre-arrival check-in, facial recognition, ID scanning, and mobile key integration. While its kiosk options streamline arrivals, it lacks the extensive communication and automation features that Akia provides.
In terms of feature depth and variety, Akia’s 35 features far surpass Liverton’s offerings. For a hotel seeking comprehensive automation, Akia provides more value.
Edge: Akia.
Akia’s support score is 4.86/5, with reviewers highlighting knowledgeable staff and quick responses. Guests praise Akia’s customer service, noting it’s the "easiest and best" they’ve experienced, especially during onboarding.
Liverton’s support score is 4/5, with some users expressing satisfaction but noting room for improvement, particularly after-hours support. Given the more recent and numerous reviews for Akia, its support reputation is more robust and proven.
Edge: Akia.
Akia integrates with 32 verified partners, including major PMS providers such as Oracle Hospitality, Mews, Cloudbeds, and RoomRaccoon. These integrations enable hotels to connect Akia with their existing systems smoothly, reducing manual data entry and improving operational flow.
Liverton offers 8 verified integrations, including Shiji Group, RMS, and SIHOT. While these cover key systems, Akia’s larger ecosystem support provides greater flexibility and scalability.
Edge: Akia.
Akia enjoys a 4.95/5 overall rating based on 38 reviews, with a recent review in the last 6 months affirming its effectiveness for guest communication and check-in. Hoteliers across boutique, independent, and branded hotels praise its intuitive interface and automation.
Liverton, with only 3 reviews and no recent feedback, has no rating available, making it difficult to gauge current user satisfaction. The high volume and recency of Akia’s reviews establish it as the preferred choice for properties prioritizing proven performance.
Edge: Akia.
Pricing details for both Akia and Liverton are not publicly disclosed, and neither offers a freemium model or trial. As such, costs are likely customized based on property size and needs, requiring direct vendor contact for quotes.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Akia and Liverton aim to streamline contactless check-in, but their offerings diverge significantly. Akia’s comprehensive feature set, strong reviews, and extensive integrations make it the safer and more versatile choice for most hotels today, especially those seeking automation and guest communication.
Liverton’s platform is more focused on physical self-check-in via kiosks, suitable for hotels emphasizing operational efficiency with minimal guest interaction. However, its limited recent review data makes it less reliable as a full-scale contactless solution.
If you want a proven, feature-rich platform that enhances both guest experience and operational workflows, Akia is the clear winner. Choose Liverton only if your hotel’s priority is kiosk-based check-in with minimal automation needs and limited review confidence.
According to HTR's product database, Akia Contactless Check-In and Self Service Checkin by SmartStay share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Automated Replies | ||
| Chatbot Booking Agent | ||
| Desktop App (non-web based) | ||
| Mobile Friendly | ||
| Photo Sharing | ||
| Whatsapp Integration |
Showing top differences. 23 more features differ between these products.
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
The messaging system is prized for facilitating real-time communication with guests, enhancing service quality. It helps staff manage guest requests a... The messaging system is prized for facilitating real-time communication with guests, enhancing service quality. It helps staff manage guest requests and issues promptly, which positively impacts guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Internal team communication and task management features are highlighted as significant benefits. These tools help hotel staff coordinate efficiently,... Internal team communication and task management features are highlighted as significant benefits. These tools help hotel staff coordinate efficiently, track tasks, and manage guest needs more effectively. Users believe improvements could be made in the clarity and usability of these systems.
Reviewers consistently appreciate Akia's contactless check-in feature, stating it makes the check-in process seamless and efficient. This feature redu... Reviewers consistently appreciate Akia's contactless check-in feature, stating it makes the check-in process seamless and efficient. This feature reduces physical interactions, streamlines the guest arrival experience, and ensures compliance with health guidelines, especially valued during the pandemic.
Where hoteliers push back
Many users highlight the benefit of Akia's automated responses which save time and effort. However, several reviews mention that these automated respo... Many users highlight the benefit of Akia's automated responses which save time and effort. However, several reviews mention that these automated responses can sometimes be inaccurate or mistimed, causing confusion for guests and requiring manual intervention from staff.
Users appreciate Akia's integration capabilities with PMS and other systems but desire improvements such as seamless credit card transaction integrati... Users appreciate Akia's integration capabilities with PMS and other systems but desire improvements such as seamless credit card transaction integration and better synchronization features to eliminate duplicated efforts and manual data entry.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Ranks higher for
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Akia Contactless Check-In and Self Service Checkin by SmartStay share many core Contactless Check-in features, but each has unique capabilities. Akia Contactless Check-In offers 32 verified integration partners, while Self Service Checkin by SmartStay offers 8. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Self Service Checkin by SmartStay leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 vs 4.8/5. Look for transparent pricing and a trial or demo option. Filter reviews on each product page by property size to hear from hotels like yours.
Akia Contactless Check-In: No. Self Service Checkin by SmartStay: 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 63 and Liverton 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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