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

Updated May 16, 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.

Grupo SIME shines .

See the full breakdown below ↓

How Does Counter Compare to Hestia PMS?

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 Hestia PMS?

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

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

Counter vs Grupo SIME: 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 Grupo SIME
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 Grupo SIME
Boutique #31 16 reviews
Luxury #44 4 reviews
Branded / Chain #43 4 reviews
Extended Stay #32 5 reviews

By Region

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

The Decision

Choosing between Counter by Counter and Hestia PMS by Grupo SIME hinges on your hotel's primary needs and operational scope. Both are property management systems, but Counter is tailored specifically for hostels, focusing on ease of use and automation, while Grupo SIME offers a broader, more traditional property management approach. Do you want a platform optimized for hostel environments, or are you seeking a comprehensive system for multiple property types?

Counter excels in streamlining hostel operations with a user-friendly interface, extensive integrations, and automation features. Conversely, Grupo SIME’s PMS offers a centralized solution with broader property management functionalities but lacks recent user reviews or detailed ratings. Which features are more critical to your hotel’s success?

Quick Verdict: Counter or Grupo SIME — Which Is the Better Choice?

Counter has a clear advantage due to its high ratings, extensive user reviews, and recent activity. It boasts a 4.73/5 overall rating from 54 reviews, with a 91% likelihood to recommend, indicating strong user satisfaction. Grupo SIME, with zero reviews and no current ratings, offers little evidence of user satisfaction or recent support.

If your hotel needs a simple, intuitive PMS with automation and proven support, go with Counter. If you require a more traditional, enterprise-level property management system without recent user feedback, consider Grupo SIME—but be aware of the lack of current data.

Is Counter or Grupo SIME Easier to Use?

Counter’s interface scores a 4.6/5 for ease of use, with many reviews praising its straightforward design that requires minimal training. Users highlight the platform’s mobile friendliness, intuitive calendar, and quick onboarding, making daily management less burdensome.

Grupo SIME offers an unspecified interface with no recent reviews or ratings, making it difficult to gauge its usability. Given Counter’s high user ratings and recent positive feedback, it is clearly the easier platform to adopt and operate now.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Grupo SIME?

Counter provides 19 unique features, including a channel manager, online booking engine, automated night audit, guest CRM, multi-currency support, and revenue tracking—all tailored for hostel management. Its features support automation, direct billing, and group functionalities, making daily operations more efficient.

Grupo SIME’s feature set remains unspecified, with only one verified integration (Duetto). The lack of detailed feature data and recent reviews puts it at a disadvantage compared to Counter’s extensive, proven capabilities.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Grupo SIME?

Counter’s support scores an impressive 4.96/5, with recent reviews acknowledging quick, helpful responses. Staff like Evelyn and Max are repeatedly praised for their professionalism and responsiveness, even during system bugs.

Grupo SIME offers no recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to assess support quality. Based on available data, Counter’s support is significantly more reliable and well-regarded.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or Grupo SIME?

Counter integrates with seven verified partners, including major players like SiteMinder, Stripe, Cloudbeds, and Goki, offering a broad ecosystem for channel management, payments, and access control. This extensive integration network enhances operational flexibility.

Grupo SIME has only one verified integration with Duetto, limiting its connectivity options. With more integrations, Counter provides more opportunities for seamless operations and revenue management.

Edge: Counter.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Grupo SIME?

Counter’s reviews are predominantly from hostel operators, with a 4.75/5 rating from 52 reviews, and a 91% likelihood to recommend. Hoteliers in this segment appreciate its simplicity and automation, especially during recent times.

Grupo SIME lacks recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to compare. Given Counter’s strong, recent feedback, hoteliers clearly rate it higher.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and Grupo SIME Cost?

Pricing details for Counter are not publicly disclosed, but it is offered as a paid solution without a free tier or trial. Grupo SIME’s pricing is also unavailable, suggesting it may be customized or enterprise-focused with negotiations.

With no transparent pricing, your decision will depend on vendor negotiations and your budget. Counter’s lack of clear pricing emphasizes the importance of direct inquiries for accurate budgeting.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

  • Hotels that operate hostels, especially those seeking an easy-to-use system with automation.
  • Teams looking for mobile-friendly platforms to manage properties on the go.
  • Properties that prioritize automation features like night audits, POS, and guest CRM.
  • Small to mid-sized hostels needing affordable, scalable solutions.
  • Hotels that want extensive integrations with channel managers and payment providers.

Not ideal if you require advanced revenue management tools or multi-property enterprise features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Grupo SIME?

  • Larger property portfolios needing centralized data management.
  • Hotels that prefer a traditional PMS with extensive property management features.
  • Teams seeking a system with advanced reporting and tenant management.
  • Hotels prioritizing compliance and detailed accounting functionalities.
  • Operators looking for a customizable platform suited to complex management structures.

Not ideal if you need a lightweight, user-friendly system or want recent user reviews and support feedback.

The Bottom Line for Hotels: Counter vs Grupo SIME

Counter’s main strength lies in its tailored approach for hostels and small hotels, offering a streamlined, easy-to-use platform with extensive integrations and automation. It benefits hotels that prioritize simplicity, automation, and active support, especially in regions where recent reviews validate its performance.

Grupo SIME appears to be more suited for larger, enterprise-level properties needing centralized management and detailed property data. Without current reviews, its real-world usability remains uncertain.

Choose Counter if your hotel values recent positive feedback, ease of use, automation, and a proven support system. Opt for Grupo SIME if your hotel requires a comprehensive, traditional PMS with extensive property management features, but be prepared for limited recent user validation.


This thorough comparison should guide you toward the platform that best fits your hotel’s current needs and future growth.

How Much Do Counter and Hestia PMS 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 Grupo SIME

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

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

Feature Counter Counter Grupo SIME
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 Grupo SIME: 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
Grupo SIME
0.0/5 from 0 reviews
0.0/5 ease of use 0.0/5 support 1 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 Hestia PMS

Can Counter replace Hestia PMS?

It depends on your requirements. Counter and Hestia PMS share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Counter offers 7 verified integration partners, while Hestia PMS offers 1. 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 Hestia PMS offer a free plan?

Counter: No. Hestia PMS: 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 Hestia PMS?

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 Grupo SIME 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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