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

The Decision

Counter by Counter and Host PMS by Host PMS serve the same core purpose: streamlining property management tasks for hotels and short-term rentals. Counter is tailored specifically for hostels, offering an all-in-one platform designed to simplify daily operations, while Host PMS claims to serve a broader property management audience with extensive automation tools. Given the current market data, which one should you trust to support your property’s growth?

Counter’s focus on hostels and its recent, robust review count give it a clear edge over Host PMS’s zero reviews and limited market presence. But is that enough to make your decision? Let’s explore how these two systems compare across key categories.

Is Counter or Host PMS Better for Hotels?

Counter is a cloud-based PMS built explicitly for hostels, boasting a simple, mobile-friendly interface with a 4.73-star rating based on 54 recent reviews. It offers an integrated channel manager, payment processing, and a booking engine, all designed to reduce manual tasks and improve operational efficiency. Meanwhile, Host PMS is described as a comprehensive system for managing short-term rentals but lacks any verified reviews or recent user feedback, making it hard to gauge real-world performance.

Counter’s reviews highlight its ease of use, fast customer support, and a broad feature set that includes house-keeping modules, guest CRM, and multi-lingual support. Host PMS, on the other hand, does not have detailed reviews or ratings available, which raises questions about its effectiveness and user satisfaction. Does your property need proven features and a strong support network?

Counter vs Host PMS: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel is a hostel or a small property focused on streamlined operations, Counter is the clear choice. Its 54 recent reviews and high satisfaction ratings demonstrate a solid track record of ease, support, and value. For properties seeking a flexible, mobile-friendly PMS with integrated booking, payments, and channel management, Counter’s platform is well-suited.

Host PMS might appeal if your property requires complex automation or targets a broader range of rental types, but with no recent reviews or verified user feedback, its reliability is uncertain. If you prioritize proven performance and customer support, Counter is the safer option.

Is Counter or Host PMS Easier to Use?

Counter’s user interface scores 4.6 out of 5, with reviews praising its simplicity, ease of onboarding, and mobile access. Users mention that staff can learn the system quickly, and the onboarding process is rated 4.7 out of 5, highlighting its user-friendly design. Support is highly rated at 4.96, with reviewers noting fast, helpful responses from Evelyn and Max.

In contrast, Host PMS has no available ratings or recent reviews that detail usability or onboarding. Without tangible feedback, it’s impossible to assess how easy it is to implement or adopt. Given Counter’s strong, recent positive reviews, it clearly has the advantage here.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Host PMS?

Counter boasts 19 distinct features, including a channel manager, booking engine, payment processing, automated night audit, guest CRM, group booking, multi-currency, and ancillary revenue tracking. These features are tailored to streamline hostel operations and improve guest management.

Host PMS offers no publicly detailed features or unique functionalities, making it impossible to compare directly. Based on available data, Counter’s comprehensive feature set and dedicated modules give it a significant edge over Host PMS.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Host PMS?

Counter’s customer support scores 4.96 out of 5, with users praising the responsiveness and helpfulness of its team, especially during onboarding and troubleshooting. Recent reviews cite fast response times and professional support staff, reinforcing confidence in their service.

Host PMS has no available reviews or ratings concerning support, leaving their responsiveness and quality unverified. For ongoing, reliable support, Counter is clearly the better choice.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or Host PMS?

Counter integrates with seven verified partners, including popular platforms like Stripe, SiteMinder, Cloudbeds, and Goki. These integrations enhance operational flexibility, allowing smooth management of payments, channel distribution, and access control.

Host PMS has no verified integrations listed, limiting its ability to connect with external platforms. For a property that relies on seamless integration, Counter’s established partnerships are a major advantage.

Edge: Counter.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Host PMS?

Counter’s overall rating of 4.73/5 from 54 recent reviews underscores high customer satisfaction, especially among hostel operators. Hoteliers praise its ease of use, support, and feature set, with many citing increased efficiency as a direct benefit.

With no reviews or ratings available for Host PMS, there's no data to suggest it meets or exceeds user expectations. Based on current feedback, Counter is the superior-rated product.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and Host PMS Cost?

Counter does not specify pricing details publicly, but users report it as offering significant ROI, with high satisfaction levels across multiple features. Host PMS also lacks transparent pricing information, complicating direct comparison.

Given Counter’s positive reviews about value and the absence of cost concerns, it likely offers a competitive, scalable pricing model suitable for small to mid-sized properties. Host PMS’s pricing remains unknown, making it difficult to evaluate its affordability.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate primarily as hostels, budget accommodations, or small inns seeking simple, effective management.
• Teams that want an all-in-one solution with built-in channel management, payments, and guest CRM.
• Properties aiming for mobile management and automation features without complex customization.
• Not ideal if your hotel requires highly specialized or enterprise-level functionalities that go beyond Counter’s scope.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Host PMS?

• Hotels and short-term rental properties looking for a broad automation suite.
• Managers who prefer an all-in-one platform for reservations, guest communication, and analytics.
• Teams that prioritize extensive multi-platform integration and data-driven decision-making.
• Not ideal if your operation demands proven support, recent reviews, or a platform specifically designed for hostels.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter is a proven, highly-rated PMS designed for hostels and small hotels, with a recent, extensive review base—making it the clear winner for most hoteliers. Its comprehensive feature set, strong support, and broad integrations create a compelling package tailored for your operational needs.

Host PMS, while promising, lacks recent user feedback and verified reviews, making its reliability and feature set uncertain. If your goal is a tested, well-supported system with proven performance, Counter is the best choice for your hotel.

If your property requires extensive automation and a broad property type focus, and you’re comfortable with less verified user data, Host PMS might be worth exploring further. However, for immediate confidence and proven results, Counter remains the better, more dependable option.