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 161 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 in Ease of Use and Onboarding — especially for bed & breakfast properties (5.0/5), with exclusive features like Meeting Room Utilization & KPI Reporting and Payments & Invoicing.
SalesAndCatering.com shines in ease of use — especially for hostel properties (5.0/5).
Side-by-side ratings based on 161 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $300/mo | From $300/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 55 | 106 |
After analyzing 161 verified reviews, Backyou.io users most value its customizable quotes, statistics and reporting, support responsiveness, while SalesAndCatering.com users highlight training and support, efficient reporting, event management. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Customizable Quotes
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Training and Support
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Statistics and Reporting
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Efficient Reporting
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Support Responsiveness
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Event Management
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PMS Integration
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Customization Options
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Job Descriptions
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Room for Improvement
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Email Integration
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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 10 reviews | #8 2 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #5 37 reviews | #3 73 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #11 2 reviews | #4 24 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #5 5 reviews | #4 6 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #7 15 reviews | #3 47 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #8 9 reviews | #5 19 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #7 23 reviews | #2 80 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #9 0 reviews | #3 14 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #12 3 reviews | #3 103 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #4 46 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #7 2 reviews | #3 1 reviews |
Backyou and STS Cloud both address the complex needs of hotel group sales and event management but diverge significantly in features and target properties. Backyou offers advanced analytics and reporting tools designed to streamline and optimize group booking workflows, favoring properties prioritizing data-driven sales management. STS Cloud provides a robust, all-in-one sales and catering platform with strong event management and contract handling, targeting a broader hotel range including large conference venues and select-service hotels.
Both platforms solve the core problem of centralizing fragmented group and event sales processes, automating proposals, contracts, and operational coordination. They reduce manual tasks and improve booking conversion rates by consolidating sales data and integrating with PMS systems, but Backyou emphasizes intelligent dashboards and KPI reporting, whereas STS Cloud focuses on comprehensive sales-to-catering workflow coverage.
If your property is a city center hotel, airport/conference hotel, or hotel group focused on tracking detailed sales performance metrics and conversion analytics, Backyou’s 4.9/5 overall rating across 22 city center and 17 airport/conference hotel reviews supports its suitability. Its Meeting Room Occupancy, Lead Time Analysis, and Demand Pace Analysis features provide operational insights vital for optimizing group business. This fit is supported by 55 verified reviews and a 5/5 ease of use rating, although recent review volume has dropped sharply.
If you operate a branded or boutique hotel with a focus on managing sales and catering workflows from lead capture to BEOs with strong CRM and contract management, STS Cloud holds 106 reviews and a 4.8/5 overall rating, making it a solid choice. Its flat monthly fee and user-friendly interface appeal to small and mid-size properties, especially those requiring multi-property management. STS Cloud’s last six months include no new reviews, so recent product iteration visibility is limited.
Data for extended stay, resorts, and limited service segments is thinner but suggests STS Cloud’s broader user base in these markets. Backyou’s advanced analytics are less represented here, so STS’s comprehensive sales and catering coverage may better fit those operations.
Backyou leads in ease of use with a perfect 5/5 rating versus STS Cloud’s 4.7/5. Reviewers call Backyou “intuitive,” “easy to use,” and cite time savings when creating quotes and managing group bookings. Its interface enables quick onboarding, supported by a 4.9/5 onboarding rating, with users emphasizing minimal training time and straightforward navigation.
STS Cloud also receives positive feedback on usability, with users appreciating the “simple to move around” interface and efficient data entry. However, reviewers mention a desire for improved split-screen functionality and occasional UI clutter during multitasking. Its onboarding rating of 4.5/5 is solid but lagging behind Backyou’s.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Backyou distinguishes itself with nine unique hotel-specific features absent in STS Cloud: Meeting Room Occupancy, Lead Time Analysis, Meeting Room Utilization & KPI Reporting, Sales Conversion Analytics, Demand Pace Analysis, Demand Calendar, Payments & Invoicing, Dashboard, and Chain Dashboard. These capabilities transform raw booking data into actionable insights for revenue managers and sales directors, enabling performance tracking at individual property and portfolio levels.
STS Cloud lacks these advanced analytics but offers a comprehensive sales and catering process suite with strong contract merging, ProposalPath digital proposal creation, and extensive event and catering management tools. Though feature counts are similar for core sales and catering tasks, Backyou’s advanced reporting and analytics provide a strategic edge in managing group business complexity and improving forecasting accuracy.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Backyou edges STS Cloud in customer support with a combined customer support and onboarding rating of 4.9/5 versus 4.7/5. Reviewers praise Backyou’s responsiveness and personalized assistance, though a minority note occasional delays in resolving minor issues and updates. The consensus applauds the support team’s professionalism and helpfulness.
STS Cloud users highlight “quick to respond” support and customized training sessions as strengths. However, some mention the desire for improvements in email integration support and report generation assistance. Both products have well-regarded support but Backyou’s slightly higher ratings and user comments give it a narrow advantage.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Backyou offers 9 verified integrations versus STS Cloud’s 7, a 29% advantage, crossing the 25% threshold to call an edge. Shared integrations include Stayntouch, Oracle Hospitality, and Cloudbeds. Unique to Backyou are Septeo Hospitality, Lean Hotel System, Mews, apaleo GmbH, MeetingPackage, and Clock, which serve a broader range of PMS and event technology needs, benefiting properties with diverse tech stacks or European operations.
STS Cloud uniquely integrates with SkyTouch Technology, RoomKey PMS, Actabl, and Amaze Insights, targeting North American-centric PMS ecosystems. Properties operating in those regions or with those PMS providers may find STS Cloud’s partner set more aligned.
Edge: Backyou.io.
Both products have excellent overall ratings: Backyou.io at 4.9/5 across 55 reviews and STS Cloud at 4.8/5 across 106 reviews. Segment-specific ratings show Backyou scoring 4.9/5 in city center, airport/conference, luxury, and boutique hotels, all with 6 to 24 reviews per segment. STS Cloud rates 4.8/5 to 4.9/5 in boutique, branded, and bed & breakfast segments with review counts ranging from 20 to 80.
Recent review activity favors STS Cloud with consistent ratings over time, while Backyou’s last six months show only 2 reviews versus an average of 13.3 per 6 months previously, indicating an 85% drop. This sharp decline suggests Backyou’s all-time ratings may not fully reflect current user experience or product status, warranting caution.
Edge: Even.
Both Backyou and STS Cloud publish a base price of $300.00 but do not offer freemium, monthly flat, or per-room pricing models. Neither charges implementation fees or offers trials. This parity means cost differences will arise from contract negotiations, user volume, or optional service add-ons rather than list pricing, requiring direct vendor engagement for precise budgeting.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Backyou and STS Cloud both centralize and automate group sales and event management but differ in operational focus and depth. Backyou delivers advanced analytics, meeting room occupancy metrics, and sales conversion insights that help hotels optimize their groups and events revenue with data-driven strategies. STS Cloud provides a wider sales and catering feature set covering the entire booking-to-event lifecycle with built-in CRM and contract management designed for ease and scalability.
Choose Backyou if your hotel needs comprehensive performance dashboards, multi-property sales visibility, and automated payment tracking that support sophisticated MICE and group segment strategies. Its higher ease-of-use and support ratings complement properties emphasizing data and operational efficiency. However, be aware that recent review activity has dropped sharply, so confirm current support responsiveness.
Choose STS Cloud if your hotel requires a cost-effective, user-friendly platform that thoroughly manages sales and catering workflows including proposal creation, e-signatures, and BEO management. It suits branded chains and boutique hotels, especially in North America, needing a scalable yet affordable solution with proven customer service. STS Cloud’s extensive review volume provides confidence in ongoing product stability despite slightly lower ease-of-use scores.
Backyou.io is the better fit for hotels prioritizing analytics and meeting room optimization; STS Cloud excels for those seeking broad sales and catering coverage with strong document and contract workflow support.
Edge: Backyou.io.
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 $300/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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Sales CRM
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| Mobile Sales CRM | ||
| Workflow Automations | ||
| Pipeline CRM | ||
| BEO Management | ||
| Lead Scoring | ||
| Contact Management | ||
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RPF Management
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F&B Planning
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Contracts & E-Signatures
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| Payments & Invoicing | ||
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Reporting & Analytics
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| Chain Dashboard | ||
| Data Migration Services | ||
| Pace, Sales Activity, and GRC Reporting | ||
| Lead Scoring |
We analyzed 1 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
No published case study for this goal yet.
"We have a lot of growth in the pipeline and are expecting to grow the portfolio by about 25% by the end of the year. We reviewed many sales systems for our properties, and STS Clou..."
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
What hoteliers love
Multiple users emphasize STS's straightforward, user-friendly interface. It allows for quick onboarding, minimal training, and easy adaptation by team... Multiple users emphasize STS's straightforward, user-friendly interface. It allows for quick onboarding, minimal training, and easy adaptation by team members, positively contributing to seamless daily operations.
Users laud the exceptional training and customer support provided by STS. The team is responsive, offers timely assistance, and customizes training se... Users laud the exceptional training and customer support provided by STS. The team is responsive, offers timely assistance, and customizes training sessions to fit user needs, greatly benefiting operational transitions.
Many reviews highlight STS's robust reporting features. Users appreciate the ability to generate custom reports that track group volumes, revenue, and... Many reviews highlight STS's robust reporting features. Users appreciate the ability to generate custom reports that track group volumes, revenue, and sales activities. Some suggest adding more comprehensive reports for more detailed insights.
Where hoteliers push back
While STS is highly praised, several reviews point out areas for improvement, including better email integration, enhanced reporting, and more intuiti... While STS is highly praised, several reviews point out areas for improvement, including better email integration, enhanced reporting, and more intuitive event calendar functionalities.
While STS offers several robust features, some users find limitations with email integration, specifically with Gmail. They suggest improvements in th... While STS offers several robust features, some users find limitations with email integration, specifically with Gmail. They suggest improvements in this area for better workflow between emailing and system activities.
Ranks higher for
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Backyou and STS Cloud (by SalesandCatering.com) share many core Hotel Sales Software features, but each has unique capabilities. Backyou offers 9 verified integration partners, while STS Cloud (by SalesandCatering.com) offers 7. 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 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.
Backyou: No. STS Cloud (by SalesandCatering.com): 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 83 and SalesAndCatering.com has 25. 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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