Athena vs. RMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Athena by Athena and RMS by RMS hinges on your hotel’s specific operational needs and growth plans. Both systems aim to streamline property management, but they differ significantly in features, usability, and market presence. Athena, a newer entrant with zero reviews and a focus on AI-driven revenue management, contrasts sharply with RMS, a well-established, feature-rich platform with nearly 300 recent reviews. Which system aligns better with your hotel’s ambitions?

Is Athena or RMS Better for Hotels?

Athena promises an AI-powered approach to revenue management, emphasizing automation and data-driven decision-making. However, it lacks reviews, making its real-world performance and user satisfaction uncertain. RMS, with over 20 recent reviews and an overall 4.56/5 rating, demonstrates a proven track record of supporting diverse hotel types worldwide. RMS offers a broad suite of features, including integrated booking and payment solutions, which Athena currently does not.

The key divergence lies in market presence: RMS operates across 22 countries, serving a wide range of hotel segments, while Athena's regional reach remains unlisted. RMS’s extensive feature set and active user base suggest it’s more adaptable and reliable for hotels seeking a mature PMS. Are you prepared to rely on a system with no peer reviews, or do you prefer the confidence of RMS’s proven performance?

RMS vs Athena: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a flexible, feature-rich PMS with robust integrations, RMS is the clear choice. It suits properties that require comprehensive management tools—like channel management, guest CRM, revenue tracking, and online support—and can benefit from its extensive partner network. RMS is ideal for hotels aiming to scale and optimize revenue with a system that’s been tested and refined over decades.

Conversely, if your hotel values AI-driven revenue insights and automation, Athena might appeal—though its lack of reviews and market presence make it a risky investment. Athena could serve tech-savvy hotels looking to leverage advanced algorithms, but without user feedback, it’s difficult to assess its reliability or ease of implementation. For most hotels, RMS’s proven track record and detailed feature set outweigh Athena's futuristic promise.

Is Athena or RMS Easier to Use?

RMS’s user experience benefits from a well-established interface rated at 4.28/5, with support staff praised for helpfulness and quick responses. Customers appreciate its intuitive reservation management and real-time reporting. RMS also boasts a comprehensive onboarding process, averaging 4.12/5, with many users highlighting its simple setup and seamless integration.

Athena, however, scores 0/5 across usability ratings, with no recent reviews to gauge actual user experience. Its AI focus suggests a potentially complex system that may require significant training to adopt fully. Until Athena gains user feedback, RMS’s established, highly-rated usability gives it a decisive edge.

Which Has Better Features: Athena or RMS?

RMS’s feature count surpasses Athena’s by a wide margin—74 versus Athena’s zero—offering tools like integrated CRS, booking engine, revenue management, POS, guest CRM, multi-lingual support, and more. These features are crucial for properties that need to manage complex operations and multiple channels efficiently.

Athena’s feature set appears limited to AI-driven revenue management, with no specific PMS functionalities listed. Its focus is on automation and analytics, but without the extensive operational tools RMS provides, it’s less suitable for hotels requiring comprehensive management solutions. Edge: RMS.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Athena or RMS?

RMS’s support ratings at 4.48/5 reflect a strong commitment to customer service, with reviews citing quick, knowledgeable assistance. Support team members like Makiko and Tara are praised for their responsiveness, and the system offers online support resources that help users maximize features.

Athena’s support experience remains undocumented, with no reviews to establish a support rating. Given RMS’s proven support track record, it currently holds the advantage in customer service, especially for hotels that require reliable, ongoing assistance. Edge: RMS.

Which Has More Integrations: Athena or RMS?

RMS clearly outperforms Athena in integrations, with over 112 verified partners and a wide array of tools including channel managers, payment processors, and guest communication platforms. Shared integrations are nonexistent, but RMS’s extensive partner network ensures compatibility with most third-party hotel solutions.

Athena has no listed verified integrations, limiting its immediate connectivity options. For hotels relying on a diverse suite of third-party tools, RMS’s open ecosystem offers a significant advantage. Edge: RMS.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Athena or RMS?

RMS’s recent reviews reveal an average rating of 4.56/5, with property types from independent to branded hotels giving high marks. Hotels in the U.S., Europe, and Asia appreciate its scalability, features, and support, demonstrating broad satisfaction.

Athena lacks reviews entirely, making it impossible to assess user satisfaction. Without a track record or recent feedback, RMS’s user ratings and positive reviews establish it as the safer, more trusted choice. Edge: RMS.

How Much Do Athena and RMS Cost?

RMS’s pricing is listed at $800 per month, with no free tier or trial options. This flat monthly fee grants access to over 74 features, making it a substantial investment but one that’s backed by proven performance.

Athena’s pricing details are unavailable, and it does not offer a free trial or transparent fee structure. Its unspecified costs and limited information make it harder to evaluate value. Based on available data, RMS’s clear pricing and feature set provide better transparency.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Athena?

• Hotels that prioritize AI-driven revenue management and advanced analytics.
• Tech-forward properties aiming to automate pricing and operational decisions.
• Hotels with a dedicated team capable of adopting new, potentially complex systems.
• Properties seeking to reduce manual workload through automation.
• Hotels comfortable with a newer product without extensive user feedback.

Not ideal if:

• You require a proven, fully-featured PMS with operational tools.
• Your team prefers a mature platform with a large support network.
• You need extensive third-party integrations immediately.
• You want to minimize implementation risk with established solutions.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RMS?

• Hotels needing an all-in-one management platform with reservation, POS, and CRM tools.
• Properties seeking to scale operations across multiple locations.
• Hotels that benefit from extensive integrations with OTAs, payment systems, and channel managers.
• Properties looking for a platform with a proven track record and active user reviews.
• Hotels handling complex operational requirements like group bookings or revenue management.

Not ideal if:

• You run a small, simple property with minimal management needs.
• You prefer a lightweight, less feature-intensive system.
• Your budget is limited, and you need a lower-cost alternative.
• You are evaluating new tech without a track record or customer feedback.

RMS vs Athena: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference lies in maturity and proven performance—RMS offers a comprehensive, extensively tested platform with thousands of satisfied users. Athena’s AI focus is promising but unproven in real-world hotel operations, making RMS the safer choice for most properties.

If your hotel needs a trusted, feature-rich PMS capable of supporting growth, RMS provides clear advantages in support, integrations, and user satisfaction. Its long-standing presence and extensive reviews make it the recommended choice for hotels seeking operational excellence now.

However, if your team is eager to explore AI-driven revenue management and is comfortable with a newer product, Athena might eventually fit your needs. For most hotels, RMS remains the more reliable, well-supported option.