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

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) for your hotel hinges on your specific operational needs and the size of your property. Counter by Counter and GuestPoint PMS by GuestPoint both aim to streamline your daily tasks, improve efficiency, and enhance guest experiences. While Counter boasts a higher review count and more recent feedback, GuestPoint offers a broader suite of features and a well-established global presence. Which platform aligns better with your hotel's priorities?

Is Counter by Counter or GuestPoint PMS Better for Hotels?

Counter by Counter and GuestPoint both serve as essential tools to manage reservations, guest data, and operations. Counter is designed primarily for hostels, emphasizing an intuitive interface and mobile ease of use, ideal for small properties with limited staff. GuestPoint, on the other hand, caters to motels and larger properties, offering extensive features like advanced reporting, integrated GDS, and POS systems, which support scalability.

Counter is recent to the market with a focus on simplicity and rapid onboarding, while GuestPoint has over a decade of experience, proven reliability, and a comprehensive feature set. If your hotel prioritizes quick setup and ease of use, Counter might be more suitable; for complex operations needing detailed reporting and integration, GuestPoint could be the better choice. Are you leaning toward a lightweight system or a full-featured platform?

Counter by Counter vs GuestPoint PMS: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your property is a hostel, small inn, or budget accommodation needing straightforward management, Counter is the optimal choice. Its user-friendly interface, mobile compatibility, and focus on automation make daily operations easier for staff with limited technical expertise. Conversely, if you operate a motel or larger property that requires advanced reporting, integrated marketing, and multi-channel connectivity, GuestPoint is better suited to your needs.

Counter's strengths lie in its simplicity, fast onboarding, and strong support for hostel-style operations. GuestPoint excels when managing a high volume of bookings, diverse revenue streams, and multiple distribution channels. Your decision should center on whether you value ease or depth of features.

Is Counter by Counter or GuestPoint PMS Easier to Use?

Counter’s interface is praised for its simplicity, with a 4.6/5 overall ease of use rating, and is often highlighted for its mobile-friendly design. Hoteliers note that staff can learn it quickly, making onboarding smoother. GuestPoint, rated 5/5 for ease of use, also earns praise for its straightforward navigation, but some users mention that navigating certain reports or updates can be initially challenging.

Counter’s intuitive design and minimal learning curve give it a slight edge for hotels with limited staff or less tech-savvy teams. GuestPoint’s interface is equally user-friendly but may require a bit more familiarization due to its extensive features.

Edge: Counter by Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or GuestPoint?

Counter offers 17 shared features, including core booking management and POS integration, plus two unique features: guest CRM and multi-lingual support. GuestPoint provides 27 exclusive features like real-time reporting, drag-and-drop tapechart, automated reminders, guest app, online check-in, and integrated CRS, among others.

GuestPoint’s feature set is significantly broader, supporting complex revenue management, automated space optimization, and housekeeper mobile apps. If your property needs advanced functionalities, GuestPoint's extensive tools give it an advantage.

Edge: GuestPoint PMS.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or GuestPoint?

Counter’s support team receives a 4.96/5 rating, with reviewers praising their responsiveness, especially Evelyn and Max. Hoteliers mention that support is prompt and helpful, but some note slower responses during off-hours or in certain regions.

GuestPoint also boasts a perfect 5/5 support rating, with reviews emphasizing the 24/7 availability, patience, and expertise of their team. Given the more recent reviews, GuestPoint’s support appears slightly more consistent and highly valued.

Edge: GuestPoint PMS.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or GuestPoint?

Both platforms integrate with seven verified partners, including shared connections like Stripe, Goki, and SiteMinder. Counter uniquely offers WuBook, FLYR, Cloudbeds, and Channex, while GuestPoint adds integrations with STAAH, KAS Lock Software, Levart, and Bakuun.com Ltd.

GuestPoint’s broader integration options support larger, multi-channel operations, but both systems provide essential connectivity for most hotels. For extensive channel management, GuestPoint’s lineup offers a slight edge.

Edge: GuestPoint PMS.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or GuestPoint?

Counter has a high overall rating of 4.73/5, with 54 reviews, primarily from hostel and small hotel users. Recent reviews highlight its simplicity, support, and automation for hostel management, with some complaints about bugs and limited revenue features.

GuestPoint, with fewer reviews (25) and a 0/5 overall rating here, indicates less recent feedback but is praised for its comprehensive features and support. Since Counter has more recent, positive reviews, it currently enjoys higher user ratings.

Edge: Counter by Counter.

How Much Do Counter and GuestPoint Cost?

Counter is free, making it highly accessible for small operations or hostels with tight budgets. GuestPoint charges a monthly fee of $200, a typical rate for comprehensive PMS solutions catering to motels and larger properties.

Cost-wise, Counter's free model provides an obvious advantage, but consider whether its limited features align with your property’s complexity. GuestPoint’s fee reflects its extensive capabilities.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate as hostels, budget accommodations, or small inns.
• Teams that prioritize simplicity and quick onboarding.
• Properties with limited staff or technical expertise.
• Businesses focusing on automation for check-ins, payments, and room management.
• Not ideal if your hotel requires advanced revenue management, detailed reporting, or multi-channel distribution.
• Not ideal if you need extensive customization or integration with complex property systems.

What Type of Hotel Should Use GuestPoint?

• Motels, boutique hotels, or properties with multiple revenue streams.
• Teams that need detailed reporting, real-time data, and automation.
• Larger properties managing high booking volumes across channels.
• Hotels seeking integrated GDS, POS, and advanced revenue management.
• Not ideal if you prefer a free or very lightweight system.
• Not ideal if your team is small or prefers minimal training and setup.

GuestPoint PMS vs Counter: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter by Counter is a straightforward, easy-to-use PMS designed mainly for hostels and small properties. Its free price point, simple interface, and quick onboarding appeal to budget-conscious hotels with basic needs. However, it still offers essential integrations and automation that streamline operations.

GuestPoint provides a broader set of features, including advanced reporting, multi-channel integration, and automation tools, making it suitable for larger or more complex properties. Its higher rating for customer support and extensive integrations can justify the investment for growth-focused hotels.

If your hotel values simplicity, affordability, and rapid setup, Counter is the better choice. If your operations demand deeper functionality, data insights, and scalability, GuestPoint should be your pick.