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 332 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:
Barboon shines .
Simplotel shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like Mobile optimized/responsive and Urgency messaging.
Side-by-side ratings based on 332 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 0 | 332 |
After analyzing 332 verified reviews, Barboon users most value its , while Simplotel users highlight service and support, user-friendly interface and design, customer experience enhancement. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Service and Support
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User-friendly interface and design
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Customer experience enhancement
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Integration and Optimization
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Customization and Flexibility
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Analytics and Reporting
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How each product ranks among Booking Engine 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) ▾ | — | #5 127 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | — | #6 163 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | — | #9 20 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | — | #14 3 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | — | #6 139 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | — | #4 187 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | — | #4 101 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | — | #9 15 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | — | #13 11 reviews |
| Europe | — | #35 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | — | #2 307 reviews |
| Middle East | — | #15 3 reviews |
Choosing between Barboon Internet Booking Engine and Simplotel Booking Engine hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both platforms aim to streamline direct bookings but differ significantly in scope, features, and market presence. Barboon offers a straightforward solution with minimal reviews and limited global reach, while Simplotel boasts a robust, feature-rich platform backed by hundreds of recent reviews from hotels worldwide.
Your decision should reflect what matters most: ease of use, feature depth, support quality, or cost-effectiveness. Which aligns better with your hotel’s growth strategy?
Barboon’s booking engine is designed to allow hotels of any size to accept online reservations through their own website, focusing on simplicity and direct control. It doesn’t report any reviews or recent user feedback, which limits insights into its current performance or customer satisfaction.
Simplotel, by comparison, has over 297 reviews, with the majority recent—just 14 in the last six months—and an impressive overall rating of 4.75 out of 5. Hotels praise its ease of use, support, and ability to increase direct bookings, making it more dependable in today’s competitive online environment.
Although Barboon emphasizes integration with existing systems, it lacks a clear track record or extensive feature set, unlike Simplotel, which offers a comprehensive suite tailored for various hotel types. Given the limited data and the absence of recent reviews for Barboon, can it truly meet the evolving needs of your hotel?
If your hotel needs a simple, cost-effective booking engine to accept reservations via your website, Barboon might seem appealing. However, because it has no recent reviews or detailed feature list, it’s difficult to determine if it can support your growth or provide the flexibility you require.
Simplotel is better suited if your hotel aims to boost direct bookings, improve website engagement, and utilize advanced marketing tools. Its extensive feature set—like mobile responsiveness, multi-currency support, and integrated analytics—caters well to hotels seeking a scalable, reliable solution.
For hotels prioritizing ease of implementation, ongoing support, and proven performance, Simplotel’s recent reviews and high ratings demonstrate its stability. If your hotel’s focus is on growth and brand consistency, Simplotel is the clearer choice.
Barboon’s simplicity is implied by its focus on basic booking integration, but there’s no available user ratings or recent feedback to confirm its usability or onboarding experience. Its minimal data leaves questions about how quickly your team can adapt or how intuitive the platform is.
Simplotel clearly outperforms here, with a 4.65 out of 5 ease of use rating based on recent reviews. Users highlight its user-friendly interface, quick setup, and effective onboarding process, with many noting the platform’s intuitive design that reduces staff training time.
Edge: Simplotel.
Barboon offers no documented features beyond basic booking capabilities, and there’s no recent review data to verify its functionality or customization options. Its feature set remains undefined, limiting confidence in its ability to support complex requirements.
Simplotel features 37 unique functionalities, including mobile optimization, multi-lingual support, multi-currency transactions, abandoned cart recovery, loyalty programs, and detailed analytics. These features equip your hotel with tools to enhance guest engagement and optimize revenue.
Given the extensive feature list and recent positive reviews, Simplotel clearly leads in capabilities that can support your hotel’s growth. Edge: Simplotel.
There are no recent reviews or ratings for Barboon’s customer support, making it difficult to assess how well your team will be assisted post-implementation. Its lack of feedback leaves uncertainty in this critical area.
Simplotel’s support ratings are high at 4.69 out of 5, with comments praising prompt responses and helpful service. Recent reviews mention their support team’s responsiveness and clarity, essential qualities for smooth system integration and ongoing use.
Edge: Simplotel.
Barboon reports no verified integrations or partner network, which might limit its ability to connect with other hotel systems or marketing tools.
Simplotel, on the other hand, has 22 verified partners, including major Channel Managers and PMS systems like Cloudbeds. It offers integrations with social media, analytics platforms, and payment gateways, enabling your hotel to operate more cohesively.
Edge: Simplotel.
With no recent reviews or ratings available for Barboon, it’s impossible to gauge user satisfaction or hotel segment preferences. Its lack of data suggests limited market presence or engagement.
Simplotel consistently receives high ratings, notably 4.74 out of 5 from 283 reviews, with many hotels across segments—resorts, branded hotels, boutique properties—endorsing its effectiveness. Recent reviews highlight its contribution to increased direct bookings and better guest experiences.
Edge: Simplotel.
Barboon’s pricing information is unavailable, which complicates budget planning or assessing ROI. Its lack of transparent costs may indicate a bespoke or less scalable model.
Simplotel charges a fixed monthly fee of $500, with no hidden implementation or setup fees. Hotels find this rate reasonable, especially considering the platform’s feature set and recent performance reviews.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
The core difference between these two solutions is their scope and maturity. Barboon offers a basic, no-frills booking engine suitable for very small hotels or those with minimal online needs, but it lacks recent reviews, detailed features, and proven support.
Simplotel excels in delivering a feature-rich, well-supported platform that has proven its worth across multiple regions and hotel segments. Its large volume of recent reviews and high ratings make it a more reliable choice for hotels serious about boosting direct bookings and expanding online presence.
If your hotel needs a comprehensive booking solution capable of growing with your business, Simplotel is the clear leader. It offers extensive features, integrations, and positive user feedback that justify its higher price and complexity.
Choose Barboon only if your hotel’s needs are minimal and you’re willing to accept limited support and scalability. For most hotels looking to modernize their online booking experience, Simplotel is the safer, more proven bet.
According to HTR's product database, Barboon Internet Booking Engine and Simplotel Booking Engine share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Automated reporting | ||
| Mobile optimized/responsive | ||
| Pooled inventory | ||
| Pre-stay emails | ||
| Tariffs | ||
| Urgency messaging |
Showing top differences. 25 more features differ between these products.
What hoteliers love
Although customer support is generally rated as responsive and helpful, there are calls for more proactive communication. Monthly check-ins and traini... Although customer support is generally rated as responsive and helpful, there are calls for more proactive communication. Monthly check-ins and training materials are suggested for enhanced service.
Simplotel's booking engine stands out for its intuitive and user-friendly design, simplifying navigation for guests and hoteliers. Reviews consistentl... Simplotel's booking engine stands out for its intuitive and user-friendly design, simplifying navigation for guests and hoteliers. Reviews consistently mention improved booking experience and engagement, translating to increased bookings and customer satisfaction.
The platform enhances guest experiences by streamlining booking processes and supporting upselling and cross-selling services. This feature is cited f... The platform enhances guest experiences by streamlining booking processes and supporting upselling and cross-selling services. This feature is cited for adding value and contributing to increased revenue.
Where hoteliers push back
Many users appreciate the potential for customizing brand-specific templates and designs but express a demand for more flexibility. There is feedback... Many users appreciate the potential for customizing brand-specific templates and designs but express a demand for more flexibility. There is feedback on limited options for personalizing website layouts and dynamic content.
Simplotel provides robust analytics and reporting features aiding in data-driven decision-making and marketing strategies. Users find these insights b... Simplotel provides robust analytics and reporting features aiding in data-driven decision-making and marketing strategies. Users find these insights beneficial for optimizing bookings, although some suggest further advancements in analytics tools.
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Barboon Internet Booking Engine and Simplotel Booking Engine share many core Booking Engine features, but each has unique capabilities. Barboon Internet Booking Engine offers 0 verified integration partners, while Simplotel Booking Engine offers 22. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Simplotel Booking Engine leads in ease of use at 4.7/5 vs 0.0/5. 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.
Barboon Internet Booking Engine: No. Simplotel Booking Engine: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Booking Engine 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. Barboon has an HT Score of 0 and Simplotel has 90. 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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