Counter vs. GMS: Which Is Right for You?

Updated May 15, 2026  ·  57 verified reviews analyzed

TLDR

We analyzed 57 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:

Counter shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Payment processing and Housekeeping module.

GMS Felix shines .

See the full breakdown below ↓

How Does Counter Compare to GMS?

Side-by-side ratings based on 57 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.

HTScore
17
0
Likelihood to Recommend
91%
0%
Ease of Use
4.6/5
0.0/5
Customer Support
4.9/5
0.0/5
Value for Money
4.8/5
0.0/5
Starting Price Contact sales Contact sales
Verified Reviews 57 0

What Are the Pros and Cons of Counter vs GMS?

After analyzing 57 verified reviews, Counter users most value its user interface and usability, customer support, automated features, while GMS Felix users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.

Counter Counter GMS Felix
Pros
+ User interface and usability
+ Customer support
+ Automated features
+ Platform integration
Cons
Bug issues
Reporting and revenue management
Pricing

Counter vs GMS Felix: Rankings by Hotel Segment

How each product ranks among Property Management Systems vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.

By Hotel Size

Segment Counter Counter GMS Felix
Small (10-24 rooms) #26 28 reviews
Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) #46 4 reviews
Large (75-199 rooms) #32 2 reviews
X-Large (200+ rooms) #31 1 reviews

By Property Type

Segment Counter Counter GMS Felix
Boutique #31 16 reviews
Luxury #44 4 reviews
Branded / Chain #43 4 reviews
Extended Stay #32 5 reviews

By Region

Segment Counter Counter GMS Felix
North America #25 8 reviews
Europe #20 25 reviews
Asia Pacific #16 4 reviews
Middle East #11 2 reviews

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) can significantly influence your hotel's operational efficiency and guest experience. Counter by Counter and GMS Felix aim to address distinct needs within property management, but they serve very different segments. Counter is a user-friendly, dedicated PMS for hostels, while GMS Felix offers a broad, enterprise-level solution for more complex property portfolios. Which system better aligns with your hotel’s scale and operational complexity?

Counter boasts a strong reputation among hostel operators, with more recent reviews and a higher review count than GMS Felix. Conversely, GMS Felix remains less reviewed and has no recent customer feedback, making Counter the more reliable choice for current hotel management needs.

Is Counter by Counter or GMS Felix Better for Hotels?

Counter is designed explicitly for hostel owners and small to medium-sized accommodations, offering an intuitive interface that minimizes staff training time. GMS Felix claims to be a comprehensive property management system but lacks recent reviews or user feedback, which raises questions about its current market presence and usability.

Counter’s recent reviews highlight its ease of use, with a 4.6/5 rating from 54 reviews, and a customer support score of 4.96/5. GMS Felix, on the other hand, has no available recent data or user ratings, making it difficult to gauge its effectiveness or customer satisfaction. Would you prefer a system with proven performance and active user feedback?

Counter vs GMS Felix: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel operates as a hostel or small guesthouse, Counter is the clear choice, thanks to its dedicated features like channel management, booking engine, and automated night audits tailored specifically for hostels. It’s especially advantageous if you need a mobile-friendly system with strong support and automation to handle high guest turnover efficiently.

For larger, multi-property hotel groups or complex property portfolios, GMS Felix might seem appealing due to its broad scope. However, with no recent reviews or documented features, Counter’s focused approach and extensive user feedback make it the safer, more evidence-backed option. The decision hinges on your hotel’s size, complexity, and specific operational needs.

Is Counter or GMS Felix Easier to Use?

Based on current data, Counter excels in usability, with a 4.6/5 ease-of-use rating from 54 recent reviews. Hoteliers praise its simple, clean interface, and quick staff onboarding, emphasizing its mobile compatibility for management on the go. In contrast, GMS Felix lacks recent reviews and any explicit usability ratings, raising concerns about its current user experience.

Counter’s user-friendly design and responsive onboarding process make it accessible for staff at all levels, reducing training time and operational disruption. GMS Felix’s absence of recent feedback makes it impossible to determine its ease of use. Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or GMS Felix?

Counter offers 19 features, including a channel manager, booking engine, payment processing, automated night audit, guest CRM, multi-currency, and ancillary revenue tracking. It also integrates with popular partners like Stripe, SiteMinder, and Cloudbeds, enhancing your operational capacity.

GMS Felix presents no documented features or integrations, and its feature count is zero in available data. Without concrete functionality details or recent reviews, Counter’s feature set clearly outmatches GMS Felix. Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or GMS Felix?

Counter’s customer support scores a remarkable 4.96/5, with numerous reviews highlighting quick, helpful, and professional assistance. Reviewers like "Evelyn and Max are always responsive and helpful" reinforce its reputation for excellent support.

GMS Felix has no recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to evaluate its support quality. Given current data, Counter’s proven customer service is a significant advantage. Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or GMS Felix?

Counter integrates with seven verified partners, including channel managers like SiteMinder and Cloudbeds, and payment platforms like Stripe. These integrations allow your property to connect with multiple OTAs and financial tools, streamlining operations.

GMS Felix has no verified integrations listed, limiting its connectivity options. For hotels relying on multi-platform integrations, Counter is the clear leader. Edge: Counter.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or GMS Felix?

Counter enjoys a high overall rating of 4.73/5 from 54 reviews, with a 91% likelihood to recommend. It’s particularly valued by hostel operators, who frequently praise its ease of use, support, and automation features.

GMS Felix’s ratings are unavailable, and no recent reviews exist to suggest user satisfaction levels. Given the extensive positive feedback for Counter, it clearly holds the customer preference. Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and GMS Felix Cost?

Counter does not disclose specific pricing but offers a transparent, monthly flat fee structure without implementation or setup costs—suggesting affordability for small to midsize hostels. GMS Felix’s pricing is also undisclosed, and the absence of recent customer feedback complicates pricing expectations.

Given the lack of transparent cost details, your best approach is to request a quote from each provider; however, Counter’s proven value and known pricing model make it easier to evaluate ROI.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

  • Hotels that operate as hostels, guesthouses, or small inns seeking an intuitive, easy-to-implement PMS.
  • Teams that prioritize automation, such as night audits and POS integration, to reduce manual tasks.
  • Properties with a focus on mobile management to oversee operations remotely.
  • Hotels that want strong customer support and active user community feedback.

Not ideal if your hotel requires complex revenue management, advanced reporting, or multi-property support across multiple regions.

What Type of Hotel Should Use GMS Felix?

  • Larger hotel groups or property portfolios needing centralized management tools.
  • Teams that prioritize extensive customization or complex financial reporting.
  • Properties seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one platform with broad operational modules.
  • Hotels that prefer a system with proven, strong market presence and active customer reviews.

Not ideal if your hotel values ease of use, quick onboarding, or relies heavily on integrations, given the lack of recent data on GMS Felix.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter by Counter is a focused, easy-to-use PMS built specifically for hostels and small hotels, with active user reviews and a high satisfaction rate. Its feature set, support, and integrations make it a reliable choice for properties seeking operational efficiency.

GMS Felix appears to be a broader, more complex management platform, but its lack of recent reviews and documented features make it a risky choice unless you have specific, large-scale management needs and are willing to invest in a less proven system.

If your hotel prioritizes ease of use, active support, and proven features, Counter is the clear choice. For larger, multi-property management with extensive customization needs, GMS Felix might warrant further investigation, but current data favors Counter as the more dependable option.

How Much Do Counter and GMS Cost?

Property Management Systems 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.

Counter Counter GMS Felix

Which Features Does Counter Have That GMS Doesn't (and Vice Versa)?

According to HTR's product database, Counter and GMS share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.

Feature Counter Counter GMS Felix
Booking Engine
Calendar view
Channel Manager
Custom rates
Payment processing
RevPaR & ADR Reports

Showing top differences. 7 more features differ between these products.

Counter vs GMS Felix: The Bottom Line

Counter
Counter
4.6/5 from 57 reviews

What hoteliers love

User interface and usability 83% positive

Hoteliers find Counter's interface clean, intuitive, and user-friendly, making it easy to train new staff quickly. The mobile and desktop interfaces w... Hoteliers find Counter's interface clean, intuitive, and user-friendly, making it easy to train new staff quickly. The mobile and desktop interfaces work well, allowing managers to handle tasks remotely. It is particularly noted for its simplicity in calendar and calendar management.

Customer support 98% positive

The support team at Counter is frequently praised for its responsiveness and helpfulness. Staff like Evelyn and Max receive specific mentions for thei... The support team at Counter is frequently praised for its responsiveness and helpfulness. Staff like Evelyn and Max receive specific mentions for their professionalism. However, there are concerns about slower support in certain time zones.

Automated features 83% positive

Users appreciate Counter's automated features that include tasks like contactless check-in, automating credit card charges, and managing bookings acro... Users appreciate Counter's automated features that include tasks like contactless check-in, automating credit card charges, and managing bookings across platforms. This automation reduces staff workload and improves operational efficiency.

Where hoteliers push back

Bug issues 86% negative

Several hoteliers mention persistent bugs in the system, particularly issues with overbookings, bed availability display, and system errors during boo... Several hoteliers mention persistent bugs in the system, particularly issues with overbookings, bed availability display, and system errors during booking cancellations. These bugs have a negative impact on daily operations and guest experience.

Reporting and revenue management 50% negative

Hoteliers appreciate Counter's reporting capabilities but note that the reports can be improved for better insights. Revenue management features are s... Hoteliers appreciate Counter's reporting capabilities but note that the reports can be improved for better insights. Revenue management features are seen as lacking, particularly for businesses operating on multiple rate plans or using dynamic pricing.

Unique capabilities

Channel Manager Payment processing Booking Engine Calendar view Custom rates
4.6/5 ease of use 5.0/5 support 7 integrations
Visit Profile
GMS Felix
0.0/5 from 0 reviews
0.0/5 ease of use 0.0/5 support 0 integrations
Visit Profile

Where the ratings diverge most

Overall Rating Counter 4.7 vs 0.0 (+4.7)
Ease of Use Counter 4.6 vs 0.0 (+4.6)
Customer Support Counter 5.0 vs 0.0 (+5)
Value for Money Counter 4.8 vs 0.0 (+4.8)
Onboarding Counter 4.7 vs 0.0 (+4.7)

Frequently Asked Questions About Counter vs GMS

Can Counter replace GMS?

It depends on your requirements. Counter and GMS share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Counter offers 7 verified integration partners, while GMS offers 0. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.

Which is better for small or independent hotels?

Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Counter leads in ease of use at 4.6/5 vs 0.0/5. 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.

Do Counter or GMS offer a free plan?

Counter: No. GMS: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Property Management Systems vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.

How Does HTR Evaluate and Rank Counter and GMS?

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. Counter has an HT Score of 17 and GMS Felix has 0. 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 →

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