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 336 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:
BOOKONLINE NOW shines .
Simplotel shines in ease of use and onboarding — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like Mobile optimized/responsive and Urgency messaging.
Side-by-side ratings based on 336 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 4 | 332 |
After analyzing 336 verified reviews, BOOKONLINE NOW 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.
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
Service and Support
▾
|
|
|
+
User-friendly interface and design
▾
|
|
|
+
Customer experience enhancement
▾
|
|
|
+
Integration and Optimization
▾
|
|
| Cons | |
|
−
Customization and Flexibility
▾
|
|
|
−
Analytics and Reporting
▾
|
|
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
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #42 1 reviews | #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
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #38 2 reviews | #6 139 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | — | #4 187 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | — | #4 101 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | — | #9 15 reviews |
By Region
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | — | #13 11 reviews |
| Europe | #45 2 reviews | #35 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | — | #2 307 reviews |
| Middle East | — | #15 3 reviews |
Choosing between BOOKONLINE NOW by BOOKONLINE NOW and Simplotel Booking Engine hinges on your hotel’s specific needs and priorities. Both platforms address the core challenge of converting website visitors into guests, but their approaches differ markedly. While BOOKONLINE NOW offers basic functionalities with limited recent activity and reviews, Simplotel boasts a robust, feature-rich system with a strong global presence and active user base. Which solution will propel your direct bookings forward?
If you're seeking a simple, straightforward booking engine with minimal setup and basic capabilities, BOOKONLINE NOW might seem appealing. However, its recent review activity and low overall rating suggest it struggles to meet modern hotel demands. Conversely, Simplotel has accumulated nearly 300 reviews in the last six months, with a high overall rating of 4.75/5 and recent positive feedback emphasizing its mobile optimization and conversion features. Are you prepared to risk a limited, outdated tool for a more capable platform?
If your hotel prioritizes increasing direct bookings and reducing OTA commissions, Simplotel is the clear winner. Its extensive feature set—37 unique features including multi-lingual support, abandoned cart recovery, and detailed analytics—caters to mid-sized and larger hotels looking for growth. On the other hand, if you need a very basic, low-cost solution with minimal upfront investment and are willing to accept limited capabilities, BOOKONLINE NOW might suffice. But given its tiny review count and poor recent activity, Simplotel offers a safer, more scalable choice for most hotels.
Ease of use is a crucial factor in staff adoption and operational efficiency. BOOKONLINE NOW scores a modest 3.5/5 for usability, with reviews citing a dated back end and limited usefulness, which can hinder staff training and daily management. Simplotel outshines with a 4.65/5 rating, praised for its intuitive design, responsive interface, and clear workflows. Its onboarding process, bolstered by recent positive feedback, makes staff training smoother. Edge: Simplotel.
Simplotel offers a comprehensive set of 37 features, including mobile responsiveness, multi-currency, pre-stay and post-stay emails, loyalty programs, and detailed analytics. In contrast, BOOKONLINE NOW provides no additional features beyond basic booking functionality, severely limiting customization and marketing options. For hotels aiming to optimize revenue, enhance guest engagement, and analyze performance, Simplotel’s feature depth provides a tangible advantage. Edge: Simplotel.
Customer support quality can make or break your experience with a booking platform. BOOKONLINE NOW’s support scores 4.5/5, with reviews highlighting support availability but also criticizing the backend for being outdated and limited. Simplotel’s support scores slightly higher at 4.69/5, with reviewers emphasizing prompt responses, friendly service, and proactive assistance. Given the recent activity and detailed support reviews, Simplotel’s team appears better equipped to assist your hotel. Edge: Simplotel.
Integration options are vital for seamless hotel operations. BOOKONLINE NOW has no verified partners, relying solely on its native platform, which limits flexibility. Simplotel integrates with 22 verified partners, including major PMS systems like Cloudbeds and Channel Managers such as SiteMinder and STAAH. These integrations enable synchronized reservations, rates, and availability, reducing manual work. For hotels seeking an adaptable system with multiple third-party connections, Simplotel’s integrations are a clear strength. Edge: Simplotel.
Based on recent reviews, Simplotel’s users consistently rate it highly, especially for its mobile optimization and analytics tools, with a 4.74/5 rating from 283 reviews. BookOnlineNow, conversely, has only four reviews, all rated 0/5, reflecting extremely poor feedback and likely dissatisfaction. Larger hotels and those focusing on direct bookings tend to favor Simplotel’s comprehensive features and support. For most hotel types, Simplotel’s recent reviews and ratings make it the preferable choice. Edge: Simplotel.
BOOKONLINE NOW offers no publicly disclosed pricing or trial options, indicating a potential lack of transparency or limited flexibility. Simplotel charges a base fee of $500 per month, with no additional implementation fees or trials, providing clarity on costs. Given the extensive features and support, this pricing structure aligns with mid-sized and larger properties. For hotels weighing budget versus capability, Simplotel’s transparent pricing supports informed decision-making.
Hotels that should consider BOOKONLINE NOW:
Not ideal if:
Hotels that should choose Simplotel:
Not ideal if:
The core difference lies in scope: Simplotel provides a full-featured, scalable booking engine that supports multiple integrations, analytics, and marketing tools. BOOKONLINE NOW remains a basic, limited solution with poor recent reviews and minimal activity, making it unsuitable for hotels seeking growth or modernization.
If your hotel needs to boost direct bookings, enhance guest engagement, and leverage detailed data, Simplotel offers significant advantages. It’s especially compelling for medium to large hotels across international markets, thanks to its extensive feature set and proven track record.
However, if your hotel’s priorities are low-cost, simple online booking with minimal effort, and you’re willing to accept limited functionality, BOOKONLINE NOW might be sufficient—though the lack of recent reviews and poor backend usability make it a risky choice. For most hotels focused on growth, Simplotel remains the recommended platform.
Booking Engine 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.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | From $500/mo |
According to HTR's product database, BOOKONLINE NOW and Simplotel Booking Engine share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. BOOKONLINE NOW and Simplotel Booking Engine share many core Booking Engine features, but each has unique capabilities. BOOKONLINE NOW 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 3.5/5. 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.
BOOKONLINE NOW: 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. BOOKONLINE NOW has an HT Score of 0 and Simplotel has 90. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 →
Product recommendations advisor