Counter vs. Elina PMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Counter by Counter and Elina PMS hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, guest profile, and operational priorities. Both aim to streamline property management but differ markedly in their target markets and feature sets. Counter, tailored for hostels and small accommodations, emphasizes ease of use and affordability, while Elina PMS targets larger, multi-property operations with a focus on revenue management and comprehensive integrations. The key question: which platform aligns best with your current and future hotel goals?

Is Counter or Elina PMS Better for Hotels?

Counter and Elina PMS both strive to simplify property management, but their core user bases diverge significantly. Counter, with its focus on hostels and small properties, offers a straightforward, mobile-friendly system that prioritizes essential functions and ease of onboarding, reflected by its high ratings (4.73/5 overall, 54 reviews). Conversely, Elina PMS caters to larger properties like serviced apartments, vacation rentals, and extended stay hotels, providing a broader feature set (31 unique features) and more integrations, but with a steeper learning curve (4.17/5 overall, 25 reviews).

Recent reviews heavily favor Counter due to its fresher, more recent user feedback, which bolsters confidence in its current capabilities. Elina’s older review base and smaller recent review count suggest less current user satisfaction. Do you need a simple solution designed for hostels and small properties, or a full-featured system for larger operations?

Counter vs Elina PMS: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel is a hostel, boutique inn, or small independent property seeking an intuitive, mobile-friendly management system, go with Counter. Its simplicity, real-time support, and high user ratings (4.73/5) make it ideal for properties that prioritize ease of use and rapid onboarding.

If your hotel manages multiple properties, requires advanced revenue management, or needs extensive integrations with accounting or payment systems, Elina PMS is the better fit. Its feature set (31 features) and robust reporting tools support complex operational needs, especially for vacation rentals and extended stays, despite a slightly lower overall rating (4.17/5).

For small, tech-savvy hostels wanting quick setup and straightforward operations, Counter wins. Larger, multi-property operators seeking detailed revenue, guest management, and automation should opt for Elina PMS.

Is Counter or Elina PMS Easier to Use?

Counter excels in usability, with a rating of 4.6/5, and users repeatedly praise its simple, clean interface. Many reviews note how quickly staff can learn and operate the system, with onboarding rated very highly at 4.7/5. Users frequently mention its intuitive mobile and desktop interfaces, which suit staff with limited technical expertise.

Elina PMS, rated at 4.3/5, offers a more complex user experience, reflecting its broader feature set. While many appreciate its functionality, some reviews highlight a steeper learning curve and usability issues, particularly in reporting and accounting modules.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Elina PMS?

Elina PMS provides a significantly larger feature set—31 unique features compared to Counter’s 1 exclusive feature. These include revenue management, guest CRM, online check-in, integrated ID scanners, automated reminders, and payment terminals, offering comprehensive automation and guest engagement tools.

Counter’s standout feature is its mobile app, ideal for hostels needing quick, on-the-go management. However, it lacks the extensive automation and guest management features that Elina PMS offers, which many larger properties find essential.

Edge: Elina PMS.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Elina PMS?

Counter’s support team receives exceptional praise, with a 4.96/5 rating and frequent mentions of fast, helpful responses from staff like Evelyn and Max. Many recent reviews emphasize their responsiveness and willingness to implement improvements, even for a new system.

Elina PMS also scores highly (4.7/5), with users citing prompt, knowledgeable assistance. While support is generally praised, some reviews mention occasional delays and a need for more in-depth training, especially given the system’s complexity.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or Elina PMS?

Elina PMS offers 20 verified partners, including major channel managers like SiteMinder, Stripe, and integrations with OTAs, accounting, and payment platforms. Its extensive partner network supports sophisticated multi-channel distribution and financial management.

Counter, with 7 verified partners, includes key integrations like Stripe, WuBook, and Goki, primarily suited for small-scale operations. While sufficient for hostels, it lacks the breadth needed for larger, multi-channel hotels.

Edge: Elina PMS.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Elina PMS?

Counter’s recent reviews and high ratings (4.73/5, 54 reviews) affirm its strong performance, especially among hostel and small property operators. Users praise its simplicity, quick onboarding, and excellent support.

Elina PMS, with fewer recent reviews and a slightly lower overall score (4.17/5, 25 reviews), is appreciated for its comprehensive features but criticized for complexity and less user-friendly interfaces. Larger properties and those with advanced needs tend to rate it more favorably than smaller hotels.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and Elina PMS Cost?

Counter is a free platform, offering core management features at no charge—a significant advantage for budget-conscious hostels and small hotels. However, some users suggest that additional paid modules or integrations might be necessary for full functionality.

Elina PMS charges a fixed base price of $700 per month, reflecting its richer feature set and targeted enterprise-level capabilities. This cost includes many automation, revenue management, and integration tools, making it suitable for larger operations with bigger budgets.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate primarily as hostels, inns, or small independent properties.
• Teams seeking an easy-to-learn, mobile-friendly PMS without high upfront costs.
• Staff that benefit from quick onboarding with minimal training.
• Properties that prioritize ease of access and rapid daily management.
• Hotels with a limited number of integrations, focusing on essential functions.

Not ideal if you need advanced revenue management, complex automation, or extensive guest profiles.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Elina PMS?

• Hotels managing multiple properties or large portfolios.
• Teams that require detailed revenue, occupancy, and financial reporting.
• Properties seeking extensive integrations with OTAs, payment systems, and accounting software.
• Hotels focused on increasing direct bookings via built-in booking engines and website integrations.
• Operations that value automation, guest personalization, and data insights.

Not ideal if you need a simple, mobile-first system or are operating on a tight budget.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter by Counter is a highly accessible, user-friendly PMS tailored for hostels and small properties. Its core features, ease of use, and responsive support make it ideal for properties seeking a straightforward management solution without hefty costs.

Elina PMS offers a broader suite of tools, including revenue management, guest CRM, and extensive integrations, suited for larger properties or multi-property management. Its advanced features support complex operations but require a steeper learning curve and a bigger budget.

Choose Counter if your priority is simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and rapid onboarding. Opt for Elina PMS if your property demands detailed automation, revenue optimization, and extensive multi-channel management.