Bookassist vs. Safara:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right booking engine is crucial for your hotel’s direct revenue growth and operational efficiency. Bookassist and Safara both aim to boost your bookings, but they approach this goal differently. Bookassist offers a long-standing, feature-rich platform with extensive integrations and a proven track record, while Safara emphasizes simplicity, seamless guest experiences, and a fresh digital approach. Which platform aligns best with your hotel’s needs?

Is Bookassist or Safara Better for Hotels?

Both products focus on increasing direct bookings, but they differ in scope and maturity. Bookassist, established since 1999, provides a comprehensive solution with advanced analytics, multiple integrations, and a broad feature set supported by a large user base. Safara, launched in 2022, is newer and emphasizes a streamlined, user-friendly interface with rapid deployment and a focus on high-value guest engagement. Do you prioritize proven depth or innovative simplicity?

Bookassist vs Safara: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a mature, feature-packed booking platform with extensive integrations and proven results, go with Bookassist. It’s ideal for hotels seeking advanced marketing tools, multi-platform support, and detailed analytics, especially in Europe and North America. On the other hand, if your hotel values a modern, easy-to-implement solution that enhances guest experience and simplifies operations, Safara is a better fit. It’s best for hotels looking to boost direct bookings quickly with a fresh approach.

Is Bookassist or Safara Easier to Use?

Bookassist scores a solid 4.63/5 for ease of use, with a detailed onboarding process and a flexible interface that some users find complex at first. Its backend can be overwhelming, requiring dedicated training to maximize its full potential. Safara outperforms here with a 4.92/5 rating, thanks to its intuitive design, minimal setup, and a streamlined guest booking flow. Reviews highlight how quickly staff adapt to Safara’s straightforward platform.

Edge: Safara.

Which Has Better Features: Bookassist or Safara?

Bookassist offers 32 shared features with Safara, plus 8 exclusive to it, including gift vouchers, pre-stay and post-stay emails, multi-room bookings, and integrations with Stripe and PayPal. Safara, on the other hand, has 4 unique features like form autofill, ADA compliance, customizable exit modals, and availability blocks, focusing on guest accessibility and flexibility.

While Bookassist’s rich feature set supports complex campaigns and detailed revenue management, Safara’s features are more targeted towards simplifying the booking experience and accessibility. For hotels requiring advanced marketing and booking customization, Bookassist leads. For those prioritizing ease and accessibility, Safara wins.

Edge: Bookassist.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Bookassist or Safara?

Bookassist’s support scores 4.85/5, with reviewers praising their quick responses and personalized service. Customers appreciate their dedicated account management and detailed onboarding, despite some noting that support can be slightly slower during busy periods.

Safara scores a perfect 5/5, with users emphasizing their responsiveness and proactive approach, often citing rapid issue resolution and attentive communication. Given the recency of Safara’s launch, its customer support reputation is particularly strong.

Edge: Safara.

Which Has More Integrations: Bookassist or Safara?

Bookassist boasts 74 verified partners, including major OTAs, metasearch engines, channel managers, and digital marketing tools. Shared integrations include Triptease, The Hotels Network, Revinate, and Oracle Hospitality.

Safara, with only 6 verified partners, has limited but focused integrations, primarily with key systems like CRS and PMS, and some marketing tools. While fewer, Safara’s integrations are straightforward and reliable, but Bookassist’s extensive network offers broader reach and flexibility.

Edge: Bookassist.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Bookassist or Safara?

Bookassist’s 324 reviews with a 4.89/5 rating mostly come from European and North American hotels across various segments, including city hotels and independents. Its recent reviews are consistent, emphasizing its effectiveness and support.

Safara, with only 24 reviews, has a perfect 5/5 rating, mostly from boutique and luxury hotels in North and South America. While more recent reviews favor Safara’s ease and guest experience, the limited review count makes it harder to gauge long-term satisfaction.

Edge: Bookassist.

How Much Do Bookassist and Safara Cost?

Bookassist does not publicly disclose pricing, implying a custom quote based on hotel size and needs, which is typical for enterprise solutions. Safara charges a flat $800 monthly fee, with no mention of setup fees or additional costs.

This difference suggests Bookassist may be more scalable for larger or more complex operations, while Safara offers a predictable, straightforward pricing model suitable for smaller to mid-sized hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Bookassist?

• Hotels needing a mature, well-supported platform with extensive integrations.
• Properties that rely on detailed analytics and marketing tools to optimize revenue.
• Hotels in Europe, North America, or regions with complex distribution channels.
• Teams that require multi-property management and customizable booking options.

Not ideal if your hotel is small, on a tight budget, or prefers a simple, quick-to-launch system.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Safara?

• Hotels that prioritize a quick, easy setup with minimal training.
• Properties focused on high-value guest engagement and upselling.
• Hotels seeking a modern platform with a seamless mobile experience.
• Teams that want a flexible, intuitive booking process that can evolve rapidly.

Not ideal if your hotel requires deep analytics, extensive integrations, or complex marketing tools.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Bookassist is a comprehensive, seasoned booking engine with a proven track record, extensive integrations, and a strong user base across regions. Its advanced features support complex marketing, multi-property management, and revenue strategies, making it ideal for established hotels seeking depth and reliability.

Safara is a newer, more streamlined platform built for simplicity, guest experience, and rapid deployment. Its high user satisfaction, intuitive design, and focus on direct bookings make it suitable for boutique hotels, independents, and properties eager for a modern, flexible solution.

If your hotel values proven robustness, detailed reporting, and broad integrations, choose Bookassist. If ease of use, guest experience, and quick results matter most, Safara is the better option.

In summary, for hotels looking for depth, reliability, and extensive features, Bookassist remains the stronger choice. For those seeking a modern, guest-centric booking engine with rapid implementation, Safara should be your pick.