Citadel vs. Cloudbeds PMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Citadel by Citadel and Cloudbeds PMS by Cloudbeds hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both aim to streamline operations and bolster security, but they diverge sharply in scope, user experience, and market presence. Citadel promises cybersecurity for digital assets, while Cloudbeds provides an all-in-one property management platform. Are you looking to safeguard your data or optimize your hotel operations?

Citadel’s focus on cybersecurity makes it more suitable for hotels prioritizing digital protection and network integrity. Cloudbeds, with its extensive features and user base, is better suited for hotels seeking comprehensive operational management. Which problem are you aiming to solve first?

Is Citadel or Cloudbeds Better for Hotels?

Citadel is designed to safeguard your hotel’s digital assets, offering real-time threat detection, automatic remediation, and scalable architecture. Cloudbeds, on the other hand, centralizes your property operations—reservations, channel management, payments, and guest communication—into one platform.

The critical difference is market validation: Cloudbeds has 1,071 reviews, a much more recent and positive 4.63/5 rating, compared to Citadel’s zero reviews and a 0/5 score. This vast review dataset makes Cloudbeds the more reliable choice for an operational platform. Are you more concerned about security or efficiency?

Which Should Your Hotel Choose: Citadel or Cloudbeds?

If your hotel needs robust cybersecurity protection to prevent data breaches and cyber threats, Citadel’s comprehensive platform is designed for that purpose. However, if your goal is to improve day-to-day operations, reduce manual work, and increase revenue, Cloudbeds is the clear choice.

Hotels that seek a secure digital environment with threat detection should lean toward Citadel, especially if they handle sensitive guest data or are subject to strict compliance. Conversely, hotels wanting a flexible, easy-to-use system that consolidates reservations, channel management, and guest communication should opt for Cloudbeds. Which core problem matters most to your team?

Is Citadel or Cloudbeds Easier to Use?

Cloudbeds enjoys a 4.61/5 overall ease-of-use rating based on 1,071 recent reviews, with many users praising its intuitive interface, quick onboarding, and staff adoption. Reviewers highlight how simple it is for teams to manage reservations, check-ins, and reports without extensive training.

Citadel’s usability data is unavailable, but with no reviews and a score of 0, it’s clear that Cloudbeds is far more mature, user-friendly, and widely adopted. Edge: Cloudbeds.

Which Has Better Features: Citadel or Cloudbeds?

Cloudbeds offers 64 features, including a channel manager, revenue management, online check-in, guest CRM, integrated payments, and mobile app. Citadel, by comparison, provides no features or integrations—its primary focus is cybersecurity.

Given the sheer scope of features, Cloudbeds equips your hotel to handle reservations, distribution, payments, marketing, and reporting—all in one system. Citadel’s strength lies solely in security, not operations. Edge: Cloudbeds.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Citadel or Cloudbeds?

Cloudbeds maintains a 4.41/5 support rating based on 81 recent reviews, with many users mentioning prompt, friendly, and helpful support that facilitates smooth onboarding. Review quotes like “Cloudbeds’ support team is responsive and reliable,” are common.

Citadel’s support data is nonexistent; with no reviews or ratings, it’s impossible to gauge. Cloudbeds’s extensive review base makes it the clear leader. Edge: Cloudbeds.

Which Has More Integrations: Citadel or Cloudbeds?

Cloudbeds boasts 190 verified integrations, including a wide array of third-party systems—property sensors, payment gateways, and marketing tools—making it highly adaptable. Citadel has zero verified integrations, focusing solely on cybersecurity.

This extensive marketplace enables your hotel to customize workflows, connect with OTAs, and enhance operational efficiency. Without integrations, Citadel’s scope remains limited. Edge: Cloudbeds.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Citadel or Cloudbeds?

With 1,071 recent reviews and a 4.63/5 overall rating, Cloudbeds is highly favored across various hotel segments, including boutique hotels, hostels, and small chains. Hotels in diverse segments consistently praise its ease of use, support, and features.

Citadel has no reviews or ratings, making it impossible to compare. Given the extensive positive feedback, Cloudbeds has earned the trust of thousands of hoteliers. Edge: Cloudbeds.

How Much Do Citadel and Cloudbeds Cost?

Citadel’s pricing details are unavailable, suggesting it might require custom quotes or is not primarily a SaaS product. Cloudbeds charges a starting price of $600/month, with no free tier or trial, but clearly states the fee upfront.

For hotels prioritizing budget transparency and predictable costs, Cloudbeds’s straightforward monthly fee offers clarity. Citadel’s unclear pricing makes it difficult to evaluate value. Edge: Cloudbeds.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Citadel?

• Hotels that handle sensitive data and require robust cybersecurity measures.
• Properties seeking to prevent cyber threats and ensure compliance with data regulations.
• Hotels with a dedicated IT team focused on digital security.
• Businesses prioritizing cybersecurity over operational functionality.

Not ideal if your hotel needs day-to-day management tools like reservations or guest communication. Smaller hotels or those seeking a single platform for operations should look elsewhere.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Cloudbeds?

• Small to medium hotels, hostels, boutique properties, and vacation rentals.
• Hotels aiming to improve operational efficiency and increase direct bookings.
• Teams wanting an all-in-one platform to manage reservations, payments, and guest communication.
• Properties seeking to grow revenue through integrated revenue management and marketing features.

Not ideal if your hotel requires advanced cybersecurity or bespoke security architecture. Hotels with complex security needs should consider specialized cybersecurity solutions.

Cloudbeds vs Citadel: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Cloudbeds’s core strength is its all-in-one platform, trusted by over a thousand hotels worldwide, with recent reviews confirming its ease of use and support. Citadel remains a specialized cybersecurity tool, with no reviews or broad hotel management features.

If your priority is to streamline operations, increase revenue, and benefit from a trusted, feature-rich system, Cloudbeds is the clear choice. For hotels focused solely on cybersecurity, Citadel may be appropriate, but it’s unlikely to meet broader operational needs.

When choosing, consider whether your hotel needs comprehensive management tools (Cloudbeds) or targeted security (Citadel). In most cases, Cloudbeds’s extensive, recent positive reviews and market presence make it the safer, more productive option for your team.