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 257 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:
SHR Group shines in customer and account management — especially for boutique properties (4.8/5), with exclusive features like Meta search marketing and Metasearch connectivity.
Sojern shines in data-driven marketing — especially for bed & breakfast properties (4.9/5), with exclusive features like Marketing dashboard.
Side-by-side ratings based on 257 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $1,100/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 223 | 34 |
After analyzing 257 verified reviews, SHR Group users most value its customer and account management, booking engine performance and revenue increase, seo/ppc campaigns and digital marketing, while Sojern users highlight data-driven marketing, reporting and insights, reconciliation process. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Customer and Account Management
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Data-Driven Marketing
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Booking Engine Performance and Revenue Increase
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Reporting and Insights
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SEO/PPC Campaigns and Digital Marketing
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Reconciliation Process
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User Interface and Usability
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Direct Booking Increase
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Visual Design and Aesthetic Customization
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Customer Support
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Cost and Value
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Learning Curve and Onboarding
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How each product ranks among Hotel Metasearch Management Software 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) ▾ | #3 29 reviews | #7 7 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #1 168 reviews | #7 21 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #4 20 reviews | #9 4 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | — | #13 0 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #2 98 reviews | #8 15 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #1 142 reviews | #10 10 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #2 72 reviews | #7 15 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #3 8 reviews | #10 1 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #8 6 reviews | #5 16 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #1 206 reviews | #10 9 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | #6 4 reviews | #12 1 reviews |
| Middle East | #4 2 reviews | #3 2 reviews |
SHR Meta Search by SHR Group and Sojern Ad Platform both aim to increase direct bookings for hotels by leveraging metasearch and digital marketing channels. SHR Meta Search specializes in continuous bid management across seven major metasearch platforms including Google Hotel Price Ads, Trivago, and TripAdvisor, focusing on visibility and cost-per-click optimization to reduce OTA commissions. Sojern uses data-driven traveler insights and automated multichannel marketing to target travelers throughout their journey with a commission-based pricing model.
SHR Meta Search fits hotels aiming for deep metasearch channel management with detailed bid surveillance and e-commerce consulting, especially mid-sized to larger properties seeking control over cost and visibility. Sojern suits hotels prioritizing ease of campaign automation and commission-based advertising, making it attractive to smaller or budget-conscious properties. Both solve the problem of driving direct bookings and reducing reliance on OTAs, but their approaches and operational impacts diverge significantly.
If you run a boutique or luxury hotel in Europe or North America seeking to actively manage your presence across multiple metasearch channels, SHR Meta Search is the better fit. This is supported by 223 reviews with an overall 4.8/5 rating and strong segment ratings for boutique hotels (4.8/5, 100 reviews) and luxury hotels (4.8/5, 143 reviews). Its bid management and monitoring features help hotels increase booked revenue and reduce cancellations, demonstrated by a 185% revenue increase in a medium portfolio case study.
If your property is an independent or branded hotel in North America or Asia Pacific with limited marketing resources and you prefer a commission-based model that charges only on incremental bookings, Sojern is preferable. While Sojern has fewer reviews (34) and a slightly lower overall rating (4.6/5), it scores well among branded hotels (4.7/5, 15 reviews) and limited service hotels (4.7/5, 10 reviews). Its platform automates campaign management and targets travelers across multiple channels beyond metasearch, which suits properties without dedicated marketing teams.
Data is limited for very small properties or segments like hostels and serviced apartments for Sojern, so conclusions there are less definitive. For hotels prioritizing granular metasearch optimization and comprehensive reporting, SHR Meta Search offers a more mature solution.
Reviewers rate SHR Meta Search and Sojern Ad Platform equally on ease of use and onboarding, with SHR scoring 4.7/5 (223 reviews) and Sojern 4.8/5 (34 reviews). Users of both platforms highlight user-friendly interfaces that simplify complex marketing tasks. SHR’s extranet tool and reporting are praised for immediate results and straightforward operation by front desk and marketing staff alike. Sojern users appreciate the platform’s automation that reduces manual campaign management, benefiting hotels with limited marketing resources.
Both products receive positive remarks on support during onboarding, although Sojern users occasionally note a learning curve that could be eased with more tutorials. SHR users report some setup complexity but find the investment worthwhile long term. Front desk and marketing teams at hotels find both platforms intuitive enough to integrate into daily workflows with minimal disruption.
Edge: Even.
SHR Meta Search offers four hotel-specific features absent in Sojern: meta search marketing, metasearch connectivity, metasearch surveillance, and e-commerce consulting. These features enable hotels to connect their booking engine directly with seven metasearch channels, continuously monitor cost-per-click and visibility, and receive expert consulting to optimize digital sales strategies. Operationally, this provides marketing and revenue managers tools to actively adjust bids and track performance, leading to increased direct bookings and reduced OTA commissions.
Sojern provides one unique feature: a marketing dashboard designed for multichannel campaign management. This dashboard automates traveler segmentation and campaign optimization, allowing marketing teams to run data-driven ads across various platforms with less manual intervention. This automation suits hotels lacking dedicated marketing staff or expertise.
SHR’s four metasearch-specific features offer more granular control and reporting crucial for hotels heavily reliant on metasearch traffic. Sojern’s single marketing dashboard supports broader advertising automation rather than channel-specific optimization.
Edge: SHR Meta Search.
Both SHR Meta Search and Sojern Ad Platform score identically at 4.8/5 for customer support and onboarding, with SHR having a much larger review sample (223 vs. 34). SHR reviewers frequently commend proactive, knowledgeable account managers who provide detailed assistance in optimizing campaigns and interpreting reports. One user noted "Great support, team always on hand with queries" and another praised "account managers are very accessible."
Sojern users appreciate the platform’s responsiveness and the help provided during reconciliations and campaign setup. However, some reviews mention slow response times and a desire for more agile support. One reviewer called for "more agile and accessible support" to complement Sojern's otherwise excellent platform.
Both vendors provide reliable support, but SHR’s larger user base and more frequent praise for hands-on account management suggest a slight edge in consistent customer experience.
Edge: Even.
SHR Meta Search connects with 79 verified partners, more than double Sojern’s 35. Both platforms share 17 integrations with key partners including Visual Matrix PMS, Profitroom, OpenHotel, WebRezPro, and Oracle Hospitality, covering major PMS and channel managers.
SHR’s exclusive integrations include Criton, Priority Software, apaleo GmbH, For-Sight, and HiJiffy, which extend capabilities in e-commerce consulting and metasearch surveillance. Sojern’s unique partners like Mirai, HOTELTIME, ROIBACK, and Bookassist focus on travel marketing platforms and booking tools complementary for multichannel campaign execution.
Hotels requiring extensive PMS and channel management connectivity, especially those with complex distribution needs, benefit from SHR’s broader integration network. Properties emphasizing multichannel marketing automation without heavy IT integration may find Sojern’s smaller but targeted partner list sufficient.
Edge: SHR Meta Search.
With 223 reviews, SHR Meta Search holds a 4.8/5 overall rating, while Sojern has 34 reviews at 4.6/5. Neither product has enough recent reviews (SHR has none in the last six months, Sojern only two) to assess current rating trends accurately, but both show strong historical satisfaction. SHR’s 95% likelihood to recommend slightly edges Sojern’s 92%.
Segment-level ratings favor SHR across most categories: boutique hotels rate SHR 4.8/5 (100 reviews) versus Sojern’s 4.5/5 (15 reviews); luxury hotels 4.8/5 (143) versus 4.2/5 (10); city center hotels 4.8/5 (63) versus 4.9/5 (6), showing SHR’s dominance in volume and consistency. Sojern rates well among limited service hotels (4.7/5) but has fewer reviews, making conclusions less certain.
Both products are well regarded by their user bases, but SHR’s substantially larger and more balanced review sample supports a stronger rating profile overall.
Edge: Even.
SHR Meta Search does not publicly disclose pricing and offers no trial, freemium, or flat monthly fees. This suggests pricing is customized, likely based on hotel size and channel spend, reflecting its tailored bid management service.
Sojern’s pricing starts at $1,100 per month with no trial or freemium options. It uses a commission-based model, charging a percentage of incremental bookings attributed to its campaigns, which can be cost-efficient for hotels cautious about upfront spend.
Hotels with tight budgets or seeking predictable pricing might find SHR’s lack of public pricing a barrier, while Sojern’s transparent base price and commission model appeal to those seeking performance-aligned costs. Neither offers monthly per-room pricing.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
SHR Meta Search and Sojern Ad Platform both drive direct bookings by connecting hotels to travelers via metasearch and digital marketing. The core difference is SHR’s focus on active bid management and detailed metasearch connectivity across seven major channels, contrasted with Sojern’s automated, multichannel marketing campaigns powered by traveler insights and commission-based pricing.
Choose SHR Meta Search if your hotel requires granular control over metasearch visibility and cost-per-click, supported by extensive integrations and e-commerce consulting. This suits boutique, luxury, and branded hotels with marketing teams capable of leveraging detailed reporting and bid optimization to boost direct revenue. The platform’s substantial user base and 4.8/5 rating across 223 reviews confirm its effectiveness for these properties.
Opt for Sojern if your property prioritizes ease of use, automated campaign management, and a pricing model that charges only on incremental bookings. Small to mid-sized branded or limited service hotels with limited marketing resources benefit from Sojern’s commission-based approach and traveler segmentation capabilities. However, its smaller integration network and fewer reviews warrant caution for large or complex operations.
In summary, SHR Meta Search delivers advanced metasearch marketing tools for hotels ready to actively manage bids and visibility, while Sojern provides a simpler, automated platform ideal for hotels optimizing marketing spend with less internal marketing expertise.
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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Services
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Reporting & Analytics
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| Marketing dashboard |
We analyzed 2 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Our results and KPIs from booking engine to digital reinforce the effectiveness of our partnership and SHR Group's exceptional technology."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Reviews frequently mention the excellent support and account management provided by Avvio. Users appreciate their account managers' proactive approach... Reviews frequently mention the excellent support and account management provided by Avvio. Users appreciate their account managers' proactive approach, industry knowledge, and responsiveness. Many reviews highlight specific account managers by name, emphasizing their critical role in achieving business objectives and improving the overall customer experience.
The Avvio booking engine is praised for its ability to significantly increase direct bookings and conversion rates, while also enhancing the user expe... The Avvio booking engine is praised for its ability to significantly increase direct bookings and conversion rates, while also enhancing the user experience for both guests and hotel staff. Many reviews highlight notable improvements in revenue and a higher return on investment, thanks to effective digital marketing and efficient booking processes.
Avvio's digital marketing strategies, particularly its SEO and PPC campaigns, are highly regarded. Users note significant improvements in online visib... Avvio's digital marketing strategies, particularly its SEO and PPC campaigns, are highly regarded. Users note significant improvements in online visibility and ROI, attributing these successes to the guidance and expertise provided by the Avvio team. The consistent updates and proactive suggestions help hoteliers stay ahead of trends and maximize their digital presence.
Where hoteliers push back
Many reviews appreciate Avvio's design capabilities but suggest areas for improvement in visual and aesthetic customization. Users desire more flexibi... Many reviews appreciate Avvio's design capabilities but suggest areas for improvement in visual and aesthetic customization. Users desire more flexibility in website and booking engine design to better align with their brand's unique look and feel.
Some users express concerns about the cost associated with Avvio's services, mentioning that while the tools and support are valuable, the pricing can... Some users express concerns about the cost associated with Avvio's services, mentioning that while the tools and support are valuable, the pricing can be steep. They suggest more transparent pricing models or additional value-added features to justify the investment.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Sojern's ability to use data-driven insights to enhance advertising efforts is widely praised. It targets prospective guests effectively, increasing v... Sojern's ability to use data-driven insights to enhance advertising efforts is widely praised. It targets prospective guests effectively, increasing visibility and direct bookings. The approach focuses on leveraging travel insights to deliver relevant ads at optimal times.
Users value the comprehensive reporting tools provided by Sojern, which make campaign performance analysis straightforward and help in better decision... Users value the comprehensive reporting tools provided by Sojern, which make campaign performance analysis straightforward and help in better decision-making. These insights enable efficient resource management and adjustments to marketing strategies.
Several reviews mention Sojern's reconciliation process, highlighting it as efficient. However, some users feel it could be streamlined further to red... Several reviews mention Sojern's reconciliation process, highlighting it as efficient. However, some users feel it could be streamlined further to reduce the administrative burden.
Where hoteliers push back
Feedback on customer support is mixed; it's generally positive but some users find response times lacking, suggesting improved support could enhance o... Feedback on customer support is mixed; it's generally positive but some users find response times lacking, suggesting improved support could enhance overall experience.
While some find the platform user-friendly, a few reviews suggest that onboarding and initial learning could be improved with more intuitive design or... While some find the platform user-friendly, a few reviews suggest that onboarding and initial learning could be improved with more intuitive design or guided tutorials to ease adjustment for new users.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
It depends on your requirements. SHR Meta Search and Sojern Ad Platform share many core Hotel Metasearch Management Software features, but each has unique capabilities. SHR Meta Search offers 79 verified integration partners, while Sojern Ad Platform offers 35. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Sojern Ad Platform leads in ease of use at 4.8/5 vs 4.7/5. 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.
SHR Meta Search: No. Sojern Ad Platform: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Metasearch Management Software 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. SHR Group has an HT Score of 40 and Sojern has 83. 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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