Bookassist vs. Exely Booking Engine:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing a booking engine for your hotel involves balancing features, ease of use, support, and cost. Bookassist and Exely aim to meet these needs but serve different hotel profiles and operational priorities. Bookassist has a long-standing reputation with extensive reviews and a broader global presence, especially in Europe. Exely, meanwhile, is newer but has gained notable traction with recent reviews emphasizing its user-friendliness and rapid deployment. Which of these solutions aligns best with your hotel’s specific needs?

Is Bookassist or Exely Better for Hotels?

Both Bookassist and Exely offer comprehensive booking solutions, but they differ in market maturity and feature depth. Bookassist, founded in 1999, is a well-established player with over 324 reviews, most recent within the last six months, giving it a data-rich, reliable perspective. Exely, founded in 2023, has 144 reviews with 63 in the last six months, offering more recent feedback but less historical data.

Bookassist’s strengths lie in its extensive feature set, integrations, and proven track record across multiple regions, especially in Europe. Exely, by contrast, emphasizes ease of use, rapid setup, and a user-friendly interface, making it attractive for smaller or newer hotel operators. Both products aim to maximize direct bookings, but their approaches and maturity levels diverge.

Are you leaning toward a mature solution with proven results or a newer platform focused on simplicity and quick implementation?

Bookassist vs Exely: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a robust, feature-rich booking engine aimed at increasing direct bookings and integrating with extensive marketing tools, go with Bookassist. It’s ideal for independent hotels, boutique properties, or small chains seeking comprehensive analytics, marketing, and multi-channel support. Its high review count and recent positive feedback reinforce its reliability for established properties.

If your hotel prioritizes ease of use, quick deployment, and a straightforward interface, Exely is the better choice. It suits independent hotels and smaller chains wanting to enhance their online presence without a complicated setup. Its focus on user-friendliness and rapid performance makes it ideal for hoteliers seeking immediate results and simple management.

In summary, choose Bookassist if your hotel values depth, customization, and proven global presence. Opt for Exely if you want an intuitive, quick-to-go-live solution that emphasizes simplicity and recent positive reviews.

Is Bookassist or Exely Easier to Use?

Bookassist’s user rating of 4.63/5 reflects a generally positive experience but indicates some room for improvement in backend usability. Multiple reviews mention the interface being somewhat complex initially, with users noting that managing packages or features can be cumbersome. Its onboarding rating of 4.73/5 shows hoteliers find the setup manageable but not effortless.

Exely, rated at 4.91/5 for ease of use, impresses users with its intuitive design, simple dashboard, and straightforward booking management. Recent reviews highlight its fast setup and minimal learning curve, making it more accessible for hotels that lack extensive technical resources.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Features: Bookassist or Exely?

Bookassist offers a rich feature set with 27 shared functionalities plus 13 unique features, including gift vouchers, wedding modules, social media integration, and advanced analytics. Its features support complex rate adjustments, promotional campaigns, and multi-language options, providing a versatile platform for diverse hotel needs.

Exely, with only 2 unique features (Form autofill and PayU), focuses on core booking functionalities. Its strength lies in simplicity and reliability, with a streamlined interface and essential tools that boost direct bookings without overwhelming users.

Edge: Bookassist.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Bookassist or Exely?

Bookassist’s support rating of 4.85/5 demonstrates high satisfaction levels, with reviews praising their quick, professional responses and dedicated assistance. Users mention their support team as knowledgeable and proactive, making onboarding and troubleshooting smoother.

Exely slightly edges out with a 4.96/5 rating, with reviews emphasizing the team’s friendliness, promptness, and willingness to explain technical issues clearly. Recent feedback underscores their responsiveness, especially during the setup phase.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has More Integrations: Bookassist or Exely?

Bookassist’s 74 verified partners, including major systems like Oracle Hospitality, Mews, and IDeaS, showcase its broad integration ecosystem. This extensive network enables seamless connection with PMS, channel managers, marketing tools, and payment systems, offering much flexibility for hotels with complex tech stacks.

Exely, with only 8 verified partners and a handful of integrations (notably with Hotellab and Booking.com), provides more limited connectivity. Its focus is on core booking and channel management rather than extensive third-party integrations.

Edge: Bookassist.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Bookassist or Exely?

Bookassist’s overall rating of 4.89/5 from 324 reviews reflects a well-regarded platform, especially among boutique and city-center hotels in Europe. The recent reviews, though limited, remain positive, reinforcing its consistent performance.

Exely’s recent reviews and a 4.96/5 support rating indicate strong satisfaction, particularly among newer users who appreciate its user-friendly approach. However, the smaller review base suggests less long-term confidence in the platform’s overall performance.

Edge: Bookassist.

How Much Do Bookassist and Exely Cost?

Bookassist’s pricing model is not publicly detailed, but it generally involves custom quotes based on hotel size and needs, often reflecting its premium positioning. No freemium or trial options are publicly available, suggesting a higher investment threshold.

Exely charges a flat $200 monthly fee, with no free tier or trial, making it transparent but potentially less scalable for larger properties. Its lower entry cost and straightforward pricing appeal to smaller hotels seeking predictable expenses.

In summary, Bookassist may have higher, customized costs, while Exely provides a clear, fixed fee structure.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Bookassist?

• Hotels that want a feature-rich booking engine with extensive marketing tools.
• Properties aiming to increase their direct bookings and reduce OTA dependence.
• Hotels with a larger online presence and multiple distribution channels.
• Teams prepared for some complexity in setup and ongoing management.
• Hotels that value detailed analytics, loyalty integrations, and multi-language support.

Not ideal if your hotel prefers straightforward solutions with minimal setup or operates on a tight budget.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

• Hotels seeking an intuitive, easy-to-manage booking engine.
• Small to medium independent properties that need quick deployment.
• Hotels prioritizing straightforward daily operations over extensive customization.
• Teams looking for a cost-effective, transparent pricing model.
• Hotels that want reliable, fast performance without complex integrations.

Not ideal if your hotel requires deep customization, extensive third-party integrations, or advanced marketing features.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Bookassist and Exely serve different hotel segments and operational needs. Bookassist’s core strength lies in its extensive feature set, integrations, and proven track record across multiple regions, making it ideal for established properties seeking depth and flexibility. Its reviews and market presence reinforce its position as a mature, trusted solution.

Exely, on the other hand, appeals to independent and smaller hotels that need a simple, fast-to-implement platform. Its recent reviews highlight ease of use, responsive support, and a transparent pricing structure—best suited for hotels prioritizing quick deployment and straightforward management.

Choose Bookassist if your hotel values comprehensive features, extensive integrations, and proven performance. Opt for Exely if ease of use, rapid setup, and recent positive reviews are your top priorities.