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 73 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:
Backyou.io shines when it comes to ease of use , with exclusive features like Meeting Room Utilization & KPI Reporting and Mobile Sales CRM.
M1 Intel shines .
Side-by-side ratings based on 73 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $300/mo | From $400/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 53 | 20 |
After analyzing 73 verified reviews, Backyou.io users most value its ease of use, customizable quotes, statistics and reporting, while M1 Intel users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Ease of Use
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Customizable Quotes
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Statistics and Reporting
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Support Responsiveness
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Job Descriptions
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How each product ranks among Hotel Sales 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 8 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #5 32 reviews | #9 9 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #12 0 reviews | #10 2 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #6 5 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #8 12 reviews | #9 7 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #8 8 reviews | #11 1 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #7 20 reviews | #9 7 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #9 0 reviews | #8 3 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #11 3 reviews | #7 9 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #4 38 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #7 2 reviews | — |
Choosing between Backyou.io and Matrix SMS depends on your hotel’s specific sales and event management needs. Both aim to streamline hotel sales processes, but they serve different functions: Backyou.io focuses on group bookings and event management, while Matrix SMS centers on sales pipeline management and lead tracking. Your decision should hinge on whether your team needs a comprehensive event solution or a sales-centric CRM tool.
Backyou.io handles complex group and event reservations, automating proposals, contracts, and client communication. Matrix SMS offers a straightforward sales pipeline and lead management system, emphasizing quick deal closures and visibility. Do you prioritize managing large group bookings or optimizing your sales funnel?
Backyou.io is designed to centralize and simplify group and event bookings, making it ideal for hotels that rely heavily on MICE, conference groups, or large reservations. It integrates with PMS systems and offers features like meeting room calendars, intelligent BEOs, and automated workflows, perfect for hotels managing multiple departments and complex events.
Conversely, Matrix SMS serves hotel sales teams that need a robust CRM to track leads, manage pipelines, and generate real-time analytics. Its focus on sales processes makes it more suitable for properties aiming to boost direct sales efforts, especially those with a dedicated sales team.
However, Backyou.io boasts 47 reviews in total, with 11 recent ones, indicating strong, current user feedback. Matrix SMS has only 18 reviews with fewer recent ones, which weakens its reliability as a current solution. Given this, Backyou.io’s larger, more recent review base makes it the clearer choice for most hotels.
If your hotel needs a dedicated platform for managing group bookings, events, and MICE business, Backyou.io is the better fit. Its features like proposal automation, contract management, meeting room calendars, and integrated CRM cater to complex reservations and operational coordination.
On the other hand, if your focus is on refining your sales pipeline, tracking leads across multiple properties, and gaining detailed insights into your sales performance, Matrix SMS is preferable. Its deep search, Kanban boards, and real-time reporting empower sales teams to close deals faster and more efficiently.
For properties that handle frequent large groups and complex event logistics, Backyou.io’s comprehensive suite is the clear winner. Meanwhile, hotels prioritizing sales visibility and quick deal management will find Matrix SMS more aligned with their goals.
Backyou.io scores a 4.98 out of 5 for ease of use, with reviews highlighting its intuitive interface, fast navigation, and simple quote management. Users frequently mention how it saves time and reduces administrative burdens, even on tablets in the field.
Matrix SMS, at 4.94 out of 5, also receives praise for its clarity and straightforward functionality. Users find the platform easy to navigate and appreciate its streamlined approach to sales tracking.
Despite both being highly rated, Backyou.io’s slightly higher score and more recent reviews suggest it might be marginally easier for hotel staff to adopt.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Backyou.io offers 11 features exclusive to its platform, including meeting room occupancy, demand pace analysis, sales conversion analytics, payments & invoicing, and e-signatures. These features support comprehensive group and event management, reducing manual workloads and improving operational efficiency.
Matrix SMS provides core sales tracking features such as lead management, deal tracking, and real-time reporting but lacks the extensive operational tools found in Backyou.io. It is primarily a CRM, without the additional event-specific modules.
Given the number and depth of features, Backyou.io holds an advantage for hotels needing end-to-end event management.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Backyou.io has a customer support rating of 4.94 out of 5, with reviews praising its responsiveness and the team’s willingness to adapt to user needs. Many users describe the support as attentive, with some noting dedicated development to fit specific hotel requirements.
Matrix SMS scores slightly lower at 4.89, with positive comments on responsiveness but fewer detailed support reviews. Customers appreciate the team’s openness to feedback but note that support could be more proactive.
Considering the larger review volume and recent feedback, Backyou.io’s support reputation appears stronger.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Backyou.io integrates with eight major partners, including Stayntouch, Mews, Opera Cloud, and Salesforce, facilitating smooth data flow across property management and CRM systems. Its integrations enable hotels to reduce manual data entry and improve operational cohesion.
Matrix SMS currently offers no verified integrations, limiting its ability to connect with existing hotel technology stacks. This could hinder efficiency for properties relying on integrated systems.
Thus, Backyou.io’s broader integration ecosystem makes it more adaptable for hotels seeking to unify their tech environment.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Backyou.io benefits from 47 reviews, with recent feedback emphasizing its ease of use, automation, and support. Hotels across various segments, especially those managing large groups, consistently rate it highly for improving sales and operational efficiency.
Matrix SMS has only 18 reviews, with less recent feedback, making it difficult to gauge current user satisfaction. The reviews focus on its simplicity and sales tracking but lack the volume to establish a definitive preference.
Given the review count and recency, Backyou.io’s ratings are more representative of current hotel sentiment, giving it a distinct edge.
Backyou.io costs $300 per month with no freemium tier, implementation fee, or trial period. Its flat-rate pricing provides clarity for hotel budgeting.
Matrix SMS is priced at $400 per month, also without a trial or freemium option. Its slightly higher cost may reflect its sales-focused features but offers no free tier.
For hotels seeking an affordable, no-hidden-fee solution, Backyou.io’s lower price point makes it more attractive.
Backyou.io is best suited for hotels where group and event revenue is a primary focus, or where operational efficiency in managing complex reservations matters most.
Matrix SMS is better for hotels aiming to optimize sales team productivity and deal management rather than operational event logistics.
Backyou.io and Matrix SMS serve different hotel needs: the former excels at managing complex group and event reservations, while the latter specializes in sales pipeline management. Backyou.io, with more recent reviews, broader integrations, and a richer feature set, stands out as the more established choice for hotels focused on group business.
Choose Backyou.io if your hotel relies on large groups, events, and operational coordination. Opt for Matrix SMS if your priority is tracking leads, closing deals faster, and maintaining sales visibility.
In summary, for comprehensive group booking management and operational support, Backyou.io is the recommended platform. For sales-focused hotels aiming to enhance pipeline efficiency and deal tracking, Matrix SMS remains a solid, albeit narrower, option.
Hotel Sales Software 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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| Starting Price | From $300/mo | From $400/mo |
According to HTR's product database, Backyou and Matrix SMS share 9 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Dashboard | ||
| Demand Pace Analysis | ||
| Lead Time Analysis | ||
| Meeting Room Occupancy | ||
| Meeting Room Utilization & KPI Reporting | ||
| Sales Conversion Analytics |
What hoteliers love
BackYou’s intuitive interface and ease of navigation receive numerous positive mentions. These aspects contribute significantly to time savings and us... BackYou’s intuitive interface and ease of navigation receive numerous positive mentions. These aspects contribute significantly to time savings and user satisfaction. The software is often described as user-friendly and straightforward.
Users appreciate the robust quote customization options which allow personalized branding and design. This feature is noted for enhancing professional... Users appreciate the robust quote customization options which allow personalized branding and design. This feature is noted for enhancing professional communication with clients. However, additional features to better match brand identity have been suggested.
There is notable praise for the tool's ability to generate insightful reports and statistics, crucial for decision-making and tracking performance. A... There is notable praise for the tool's ability to generate insightful reports and statistics, crucial for decision-making and tracking performance. A few users pointed out discrepancies and improvement opportunities in report detail and accuracy.
Where hoteliers push back
Job description management is an aspect where BackYou could improve its flexibility. Users indicate difficulties and seek more dynamic creation and mo... Job description management is an aspect where BackYou could improve its flexibility. Users indicate difficulties and seek more dynamic creation and modification capabilities.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Ranks higher for
It depends on your requirements. Backyou and Matrix SMS share many core Hotel Sales Software features, but each has unique capabilities. Backyou offers 8 verified integration partners, while Matrix SMS offers 0. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Backyou leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 vs 5.0/5. 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.
Backyou: No. Matrix SMS: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Sales 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. Backyou.io has an HT Score of 85 and M1 Intel 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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