CalcMenu (by EGS) vs. EXTouch Room-package Counter:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right hotel POS system can significantly impact your property's operations and guest experience. Both CalcMenu by EGS and EXTouch Room-package Counter aim to streamline different aspects of hotel management, but they serve distinct needs. CalcMenu focuses on professional kitchen and foodservice management, while EXTouch centers on managing guest packages and amenities. Your decision hinges on whether your priority is kitchen cost control or package service efficiency.

What will best support your hotel’s core operations: culinary management or guest service verification?

Is CalcMenu or EXTouch Room-package Counter Better for Hotels?

CalcMenu by EGS and EXTouch’s Room-package Counter are designed for different operational challenges. CalcMenu offers a comprehensive set of tools for managing recipes, food costs, and kitchen processes, making it ideal for hotels with significant foodservice operations. EXTouch, on the other hand, streamlines the management of guest packages and services tied to room bookings, focusing on operational accuracy and guest satisfaction in amenities.

While CalcMenu boasts advanced features like ingredient management and nutritional data, it lacks the simple yet critical package verification functions that EXTouch provides. Conversely, EXTouch excels in real-time package tracking but doesn’t address kitchen cost analysis or recipe management. Do you need a system that enhances food management or one that optimizes guest service verification?

CalcMenu vs EXTouch: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel operates a large or busy kitchen where detailed cost control, recipe management, and compliance are vital, CalcMenu is the clear choice. Its extensive feature set—including ingredient management, recipe costing, and food cost reporting—caters to culinary teams seeking precision and efficiency. Conversely, if your hotel’s primary concern is managing guest packages, verifying services like meals or spa treatments, and reducing manual errors at check-in, EXTouch’s Room-package Counter is the logical option.

CalcMenu’s ability to optimize purchasing and reduce waste suits food-focused hotels, while EXTouch benefits properties with high service volume that depend on accurate, quick package verification. Which operational pain point is more pressing for your hotel?

Is CalcMenu or EXTouch Easier to Use?

CalcMenu’s usability is rated poorly, with a 0/5 score, reflecting its complexity and steep learning curve, which can hinder staff adoption. Users report that new staff require significant training to navigate its extensive features, and responsiveness issues with the mobile interface can slow workflows. Conversely, EXTouch’s interface is highly rated at 4.63/5, praised for its intuitive design and ease of integration into daily operations.

You will find EXTouch’s user-friendly interface and straightforward setup make staff adoption smoother. Edge: EXTouch.

Which Has Better Features: CalcMenu or EXTouch?

CalcMenu offers three unique features not available in EXTouch: Ingredient Management, Recipe Costing, and Food Cost Reporting—core tools for kitchen management. EXTouch, meanwhile, provides three distinct features: Payment Log Reports, Sales Reporting, and Mobile Analytics, which are crucial for package and service tracking.

Both systems share a common feature of automated reporting, but CalcMenu’s focus on culinary details supports cost control and menu optimization, while EXTouch’s package verification features streamline guest service processes. For comprehensive kitchen management, CalcMenu wins; for package operations, EXTouch takes the lead. Edge: It depends on your operational focus.

Which Has Better Customer Support: CalcMenu or EXTouch?

CalcMenu’s support experience is not well-documented, but EGS’s overall reputation and long-standing presence suggest stable support. EXTouch, with a support rating of 4.59/5 and recent positive reviews, is praised for its responsive, helpful customer service—hoteliers commend its quick issue resolution and onboarding assistance.

Given the explicit recent ratings, EXTouch’s customer support stands out as more reliable and user-focused, making it the safer choice for hotels that depend on timely assistance. Edge: EXTouch.

Which Has More Integrations: CalcMenu or EXTouch?

CalcMenu has zero verified integration partners, limiting its ability to connect with other hotel systems or POS solutions. EXTouch also has no verified integrations but emphasizes a straightforward, stand-alone package management approach.

While neither product currently offers extensive third-party integrations, EXTouch’s focus on real-time data synchronization and ease of use makes it more adaptable for hotels relying on simple, reliable package management workflows. CalcMenu’s lack of integrations could be a drawback if your hotel requires diverse system connectivity. Edge: EXTouch.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: CalcMenu or EXTouch?

CalcMenu’s rating is effectively zero, with no reviews or recent user feedback, making it impossible to gauge hotel satisfaction. In contrast, EXTouch’s 32 reviews yield a high NPS score of 9.69/10, with 97% of hoteliers recommending it. It is especially favored by hotels in the luxury, branded, and hostel segments.

Recent reviews emphasize its stability, ease of use, and support, indicating strong satisfaction among users. If recent feedback and user ratings matter to your decision, EXTouch is clearly preferred. Edge: EXTouch.

How Much Do CalcMenu and EXTouch Cost?

CalcMenu’s pricing isn’t publicly available, and there’s no free trial, which may limit early evaluation. EXTouch’s Room-package Counter costs $300 per setup, with no mention of ongoing fees, making it accessible and straightforward to budget for.

Given the lack of transparent pricing for CalcMenu, estimating value is difficult. EXTouch’s transparent, affordable pricing combined with its feature set makes it a compelling choice for hotels seeking predictable costs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use CalcMenu?

• Hotels with extensive in-house kitchens, such as luxury resorts or conference hotels.
• Foodservice operations where detailed recipe and ingredient management are essential.
• Hotels aiming to reduce food costs and improve kitchen compliance and transparency.
• Hotels with dedicated culinary teams seeking to optimize menu profitability.
• Hotels that need to meet strict nutritional or allergen labeling regulations.
• Not ideal if: your hotel lacks a large kitchen, or if your focus is more on guest amenities than on culinary management.

What Type of Hotel Should Use EXTouch?

• Hotels with high guest service volumes, such as resorts, city center hotels, or conference venues.
• Properties that bundle services like breakfast, spa, or other amenities tied to room packages.
• Hotels seeking to reduce errors in service redemption and improve operational speed.
• Hotels that value real-time data synchronization across departments.
• Hotels with a focus on guest satisfaction, upselling, and package management.
• Not ideal if: your hotel operates a minimal amenities model or doesn’t have dedicated package management needs.

The Bottom Line for Hotels: CalcMenu or EXTouch?

CalcMenu and EXTouch serve different core hotel needs—culinary management versus guest service operations. CalcMenu’s detailed food cost and recipe tools are invaluable for large kitchens and food-focused properties, but its lack of reviews and usability issues raise concerns. EXTouch, with its recent high ratings, large review count, and proven usability, offers a reliable, efficient solution for managing guest packages and amenities.

If your hotel’s main challenge is kitchen cost control, CalcMenu could be suitable, but it’s less proven in current hotel settings. For most hotels, especially those prioritizing guest service efficiency, EXTouch provides a straightforward, well-rated option that can improve operational accuracy and guest satisfaction reliably.