Bookster vs. ThinkReservations PMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) is critical for your hotel’s efficiency, guest experience, and profitability. Bookster by Bookster and ThinkReservations PMS aim to serve these needs, but their capabilities and market presence vary significantly. While Bookster is promoted as a comprehensive vacation rental management tool, ThinkReservations is an established PMS with a broad feature set and extensive integrations. Your choice hinges on your specific hotel type and operational priorities.

Both products address core hotel management challenges, such as reservations, communication, and reporting. However, their market reputation, feature depth, and user feedback differ sharply. Which platform aligns better with your goals: the newer, less-reviewed Bookster or the well-supported, highly-rated ThinkReservations?

Is Bookster or ThinkReservations Better for Hotels?

Bookster claims to be a full-stack vacation rental management system designed to streamline guest and property handling, primarily targeting vacation rentals and property managers. ThinkReservations, on the other hand, is a comprehensive PMS with a focus on hotels and inns, combining booking, guest communication, and revenue management.

While Bookster offers basic guest management features, it lacks the extensive integrations, automation tools, and user reviews that support operational decisions. ThinkReservations boasts nearly 360 reviews, with a 4.88/5 rating and a recent NPS score of 9.68/10, indicating widespread hoteliers' confidence. Are you willing to rely on a product with no recent reviews or proven user feedback?

The core difference lies in market validation: ThinkReservations has a crucial edge with recent, positive reviews from diverse hotel segments, whereas Bookster’s lack of review data and unclear market presence makes it less dependable as a decision factor. Are you comfortable choosing a system without significant peer feedback?

ThinkReservations PMS vs Bookster: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a mature, feature-rich platform with proven integration capabilities, go with ThinkReservations. Its extensive module set—channel management, online check-in, payment processing, automated night audit, and guest messaging—caters to hotels seeking operational efficiency and revenue growth. With 356 reviews and a 4.88/5 rating, it’s trusted by a broad range of properties, especially B&Bs, boutique hotels, and small resorts.

If, however, your property is a vacation rental or a smaller property that prioritizes simple booking management over extensive integrations, Bookster might seem appealing. But given its complete lack of user reviews and market presence, adopting ThinkReservations offers more reassurance of ongoing support, feature updates, and community validation.

In essence, for hotels and inns seeking a dependable, well-supported PMS, ThinkReservations is the clear choice. Bookster’s niche focus and limited feedback make it a riskier option for operational stability and growth.

Is Bookster or ThinkReservations Easier to Use?

ThinkReservations excels in ease of use, with a 4.82/5 user rating, a near-perfect onboarding score of 4.73/5, and a reputation for intuitive design. Its interface is described as professional, fast, and straightforward, with many reviews highlighting quick setup and staff adoption. Support from the ThinkReservations team is rated as excellent, and users report that the platform feels natural for those with basic tech skills.

Bookster, by contrast, has a 0/5 rating across all categories, including ease of use, onboarding, and support, reflecting no recent user feedback. This lack of data suggests it may lack the polish, guidance, and support needed to implement smoothly.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Features: Bookster or ThinkReservations?

ThinkReservations offers 39 features, including channel management, booking engine, guest profiles, automated reminders, digital registration, real-time reporting, and integrated payment processing—covering a broad spectrum of hotel operations. It also supports group bookings, upselling, multi-currency, and mobile check-in, features that many hotels rely on daily.

Bookster, on the other hand, provides no verified features or integrations, making it difficult to evaluate its capability. Without documented features or a track record of implementation, its functional value remains unproven.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Bookster or ThinkReservations?

Support ratings favor ThinkReservations, with a 4.82/5 score based on recent reviews. Many users praise its 24/7 availability, quick response times, and knowledgeable team, often describing it as an essential partner in their operations.

Bookster’s support data is non-existent, with no recent reviews or ratings, indicating either a lack of support or an unestablished presence. Given the importance of reliable support in PMS tools, ThinkReservations’s proven track record clearly wins here.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has More Integrations: Bookster or ThinkReservations?

ThinkReservations integrates with 16 verified partners, including major OTAs like Airbnb, Expedia, Tripadvisor, and channel partners such as Sojern and TrustYou. These connections enable real-time updates, seamless distribution, and guest communication enhancements.

Bookster shows zero verified integrations, limiting its ability to connect with other platforms or automate workflows effectively. Hotels seeking a connected, modern PMS should prioritize the extensive integration options offered by ThinkReservations.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Bookster or ThinkReservations?

ThinkReservations’s recent reviews consistently praise its reliability, support, and feature set, culminating in a 4.88/5 rating from 356 reviews. Most hoteliers, especially those in B&Bs, boutique hotels, and resorts, report high satisfaction and operational improvements.

Bookster's lack of reviews and market data makes it impossible to determine user satisfaction. The absence of feedback is a significant red flag for hoteliers prioritizing proven solutions.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

How Much Do Bookster and ThinkReservations Cost?

Bookster’s pricing details are unavailable, which raises concerns about transparency and overall value. Conversely, ThinkReservations charges a $500 monthly base fee, with no implementation or setup fees, but some users find the cost high, especially given the additional charges for certain integrations like channel management.

While ThinkReservations is more transparent, the premium pricing may be prohibitive for very small properties with tight budgets. However, its extensive feature set and proven support justify the price for most hotel operators.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Bookster?

• Hotels that primarily manage vacation rentals or small portfolios with simple booking needs.
• Teams that prioritize a lightweight, easy-to-implement platform with minimal integrations.
• Not ideal if you need robust reporting, channel management, or guest communication tools.
• Not ideal if you require support from a well-established vendor with a large user community.

Given the lack of reviews and feature transparency, Bookster is suited for very small or niche operators experimenting with management tools but not recommended for established mid-sized or larger hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use ThinkReservations?

• Hotels, inns, and boutique properties with a need for comprehensive operational tools.
• Teams seeking robust integrations with OTAs, payment processors, and guest messaging platforms.
• Hotels aiming to increase revenue through upselling and automated marketing.
• Not ideal if your property is a large resort requiring enterprise-level solutions or complex multi-property management.
• Not ideal if your budget is extremely tight, as the platform’s monthly fee might be a concern.

ThinkReservations suits properties looking for a reliable, feature-rich system that supports growth and operational efficiency.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

ThinkReservations stands out as the more dependable, feature-rich, and well-reviewed PMS, with recent, high ratings and extensive integrations. It’s best suited for small to medium hotels, inns, and boutique properties aiming to improve operational efficiency and guest experiences.

Bookster, lacking recent reviews and detailed features, is a riskier choice, especially for hotels seeking proven, scalable solutions. Unless your operation is very small or niche, ThinkReservations is the more secure investment.

If your priority is a trusted platform with a broad feature set, proven support, and recent positive feedback, choose ThinkReservations. For very simple or experimental setups, Bookster might suffice, but with caution.