Bokun vs. Counter:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

You're evaluating two property management systems—Bokun by Bokun and Counter—both designed to streamline operations and improve guest management. Bokun primarily targets tour operators and activity providers, while Counter is built specifically for hostels. Both aim to simplify daily tasks but diverge significantly in their scope, user base, and feature sets.

Bokun offers a comprehensive booking platform with a focus on tours, activities, and experience providers, whereas Counter provides an all-in-one PMS tailored for hostel operations. Given your needs, which platform aligns better with your hotel’s operational priorities?

Is Bokun or Counter Better for Hotels?

Bokun and Counter address different core hotel needs. Bokun excels in managing experience bookings, inventory, and real-time availability synchronization across channels—ideal if your hotel offers tours, activities, or packages as part of your guest experience. Counter, on the other hand, focuses on streamlining front desk operations, reservations, and housekeeping specifically for hostels.

Bokun, with zero recent reviews and a low overall rating of 0/5, lacks the recent user feedback necessary to assess its current viability for hotels. Conversely, Counter boasts 54 reviews over the last six months, with an overall rating of 4.73/5 and a strong customer support score of 4.96/5, making it a more reliable choice for hoteliers seeking active, recent feedback. Do you need a system focused on experience management or daily hostel operations?

Bokun vs Counter: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel offers activities, tours, or experience packages, Bokun is worth considering for its inventory management and online distribution channels. Its platform is designed to handle complex arrangements like multi-day bookings or custom pricing for experiences.

However, if you operate a hostel or budget hotel needing a straightforward, user-friendly PMS with automation and guest management features, Counter is the clear winner. Its dedicated features for hostels, like automated night audits, POS integration, and group bookings, cater directly to your operational needs. For small to midsize hostels, Counter’s proven track record makes it the safer, more supportive choice.

Is Bokun or Counter Easier to Use?

Counter scores significantly higher in ease of use, with a 4.6/5 rating and multiple reviews praising its intuitive interface and quick staff onboarding. Users note that staff can learn and adapt to Counter swiftly, even with minimal training, citing its mobile-friendly design and clear calendar views.

Bokun, with a 0/5 rating and no recent reviews, shows no recent evidence of user satisfaction or usability, making it difficult to gauge its current platform experience. Given the active user feedback, Counter clearly has the edge.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Bokun or Counter?

Counter offers a suite of 19 features exclusive to its platform, including a channel manager, payment processing, booking engine, housekeeping module, guest CRM, multi-currency, multi-lingual support, and automated night audits. These features directly enhance operational efficiency and guest management for hostels.

Bokun, with no unique features listed apart from its core booking system, lacks the extensive functionality Counter provides. Its platform appears more limited in scope, making Counter’s broader feature set a decisive advantage for hotel operators seeking comprehensive tools.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Bokun or Counter?

Counter’s support ratings are exceptional, with a 4.96/5 score based on recent reviews that highlight responsive, helpful customer service—especially from staff like Evelyn and Max. Guests appreciate their quick response times and proactive problem-solving.

In contrast, Bokun offers no recent reviews or rating data, making it difficult to assess its current support quality. The absence of recent feedback suggests that Counter’s customer support is superior and more dependable.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Bokun or Counter?

Counter has verified integrations with seven partners, including Stripe, Goki, Cloudbeds, and SiteMinder. These connections enable seamless payment processing, channel management, and access control, vital for hostel operations.

Bokun currently reports zero verified partners, limiting its integration capabilities. For streamlining your tech stack and expanding distribution channels, Counter’s broader integration network offers a clear advantage.

Edge: Counter.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Bokun or Counter?

With 54 recent reviews, Counter enjoys a high overall rating of 4.73/5, particularly praised by hostel operators and small hotel managers. Users commend its ease of use, automation, and support responsiveness, with some describing it as “the best PMS for hostels.”

Bokun’s lack of recent reviews and a 0/5 rating make it impossible to gauge current user satisfaction. Based on the available data, Counter’s ratings clearly demonstrate its appeal to hoteliers and hostel owners alike.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Bokun and Counter Cost?

Both platforms do not publicly disclose specific pricing details or subscription models. They are offered without trial periods or implementation fees, but exact costs likely vary based on your property size and feature needs.

Given the lack of transparent pricing, your decision may hinge on evaluating the value and features provided, especially since Counter’s extensive feature set can offer significant ROI for hostel operations.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Bokun?

• Hotels that operate tours, activity packages, or experience-based offerings.
• Small tour operators seeking a unified platform for reservations and distribution.
• Businesses looking to expand into experience sales within their existing property.
• Teams that prioritize inventory management for activities over front desk operations.
• Not ideal if your hotel’s focus is on front desk management, housekeeping, or revenue automation.

Bokun is best suited for experience-focused businesses rather than traditional hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hostels and budget properties needing a straightforward PMS.
• Small to midsize hotels seeking automation in reservations, check-ins, and check-outs.
• Operations requiring integrated POS and payment processing.
• Teams wanting mobile access and centralized guest profiles.
• Not ideal if your hotel is a luxury property needing advanced revenue management or extensive reporting.

Counter’s features are designed to optimize hostel and budget hotel workflows, making it the ideal choice for these segments.

The Bottom Line for Hotels: Bokun or Counter?

The primary difference lies in their core focus: Bokun is tailored for experience and activity providers, while Counter is built for hostel operations. Counter’s active reviews, high ratings, and broad feature set make it the more reliable choice for hoteliers seeking a user-friendly, full-featured PMS.

Choose Bokun if your hotel heavily relies on experience sales and distribution channels, but for daily operations, automation, and support, Counter stands out as the superior option.

If your property demands a versatile, easy-to-use platform with proven support, Counter is the clear winner. Its recent reviews and extensive feature list demonstrate it’s the more mature, hotel-centric solution ready to meet your operational needs now.