Counter vs. Hostify:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Counter by Counter and Hostify by Hostify hinges on your property's specific needs and operational priorities. Both aim to streamline property management, but Counter is tailored for hostels, especially those in Europe and North America, while Hostify targets vacation rentals and Airbnb-focused businesses worldwide. Your decision should be based on whether you prioritize ease of use, recent reviews, or feature depth.

Counter boasts a higher overall rating and more recent reviews, indicating a more established and trusted presence. Hostify, however, offers a broader feature set, especially for vacation rental management, despite its limited review data. Which system aligns better with your hotel’s size and operational model?

Is Counter or Hostify Better for Hotels?

Counter is designed specifically for hostels and smaller accommodation providers, emphasizing simplicity, ease of use, and quick onboarding. Its intuitive interface scores 4.6/5 for ease of use, praised for its straightforward workflow and mobile accessibility.

Hostify, in contrast, caters more toward property managers handling hundreds of listings, with a focus on automation and multi-channel integration. Its support for large-scale vacation rentals and Airbnb management makes it a compelling choice if you operate multiple properties across platforms.

Both platforms lack extensive recent reviews; however, Counter has accumulated 54 reviews with recent feedback, making it the more reliable source of current customer sentiment. Hostify’s single review from the last six months offers limited insight but highlights its user-friendly approach.

Edge: Counter. Its extensive reviews, high ratings, and focus on hostels make it the more trusted choice for small to mid-sized properties.

Counter vs Hostify: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel is a hostel, boutique inn, or a small independent property seeking a simple, cost-effective PMS, Counter is ideal. Its core features—booking management, channel integration, and POS—are sufficient for streamlined operations and are backed by a 4.73/5 overall rating from 54 reviews, including many recent positive comments.

Conversely, if your hotel manages a large portfolio of vacation rentals, or you need extensive automation, multi-channel management, and guest communication tools, Hostify is better suited. Despite limited reviews, its feature set supports managing hundreds of listings with tools like guest messaging, online check-in, and automated reminders.

For hotels looking for a free, easy-to-use solution with active support, Counter is the stronger pick. If automation and managing multiple Airbnb accounts are your top priorities, Hostify’s broader features make it worth considering.

Edge: Counter for small-scale, hostelry-focused operations; Hostify for large-scale vacation rental management.

Is Counter or Hostify Easier to Use?

Counter’s user interface scores 4.6/5, and users praise its intuitive design, especially for staff training and remote management. Support ratings are high at 4.96/5, with reviews highlighting quick, helpful responses from team members like Evelyn and Max.

Hostify’s UI boasts a perfect 5/5 rating, emphasizing its user-friendliness and continuous improvements. However, with only one recent review, feedback on support and ease of use remains limited.

Given the volume of reviews and ratings, Counter’s proven track record of onboarding and support makes it the more dependable choice for hotels prioritizing simplicity.

Edge: Counter. Its proven ease of use and responsive support give it the edge.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Hostify?

Counter offers 16 shared features plus 3 exclusive ones: group functionality, automated night audit, and cloud-based access. Its standout features include POS integration and automation for payments, streamlining daily operations.

Hostify provides 28 unique features, including guest communication via SMS, transactional emails, real-time status updates, online check-in/out, and a housekeeper mobile app. Its comprehensive automation suite supports scaling and managing large property portfolios.

While Hostify’s extensive feature set is impressive, Counter’s focus on essential hostel management features, especially POS and automation, makes it more targeted. The decision depends on whether you need a straightforward PMS or a feature-rich platform for larger operations.

Edge: Hostify, if extensive automation and guest communication are priorities; Counter if simplified hostel-specific features suffice.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Hostify?

Counter’s support is highly rated at 4.96/5, with reviewers praising the quick, professional assistance from team members like Evelyn and Max. Many mention their responsiveness during onboarding and troubleshooting, although some note support can be slower outside peak hours.

Hostify’s customer support also receives a perfect 5/5 rating, with reviewers emphasizing ongoing improvements and responsiveness. However, with only one recent review, the robustness of support in practice remains less certain.

Overall, Counter’s extensive review base and high satisfaction scores suggest a more dependable support experience.

Edge: Counter. Its proven responsiveness and support quality make it the better choice.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Hostify?

Counter’s 54 reviews, with a 4.73/5 overall rating, show strong satisfaction across small hotels, hostels, and independent properties. Hoteliers especially appreciate its ease of use, automation, and support, with recent reviews confirming continued positive experiences.

Hostify’s single recent review from a vacation rental operator rates it highly, but lacks the volume and diversity of feedback to establish clear superiority. Its features are valued, but overall satisfaction data is limited.

Given the volume and recency of reviews, Counter maintains a clear edge in customer ratings.

Edge: Counter. Its higher review count and ratings make it the more trusted choice.

How Much Do Counter and Hostify Cost?

Counter does not list a price or trial information publicly, suggesting a flexible or customized pricing model. It appears to be a free solution focused on hostel management, possibly with paid add-ons.

Hostify charges $800/month for its platform, with no mention of discounts or tiers. Its pricing reflects its enterprise-level automation and multi-channel features, suitable for larger property portfolios.

If affordability and simplicity are your priorities, Counter’s free model is appealing. For more extensive automation and scalability, Hostify’s price may be justified.

Edge: Counter, if budget is a concern; Hostify if you need a more comprehensive, paid solution.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

Hotels that should consider Counter include:

• Small hostels and backpacker accommodations.
• Boutique hotels seeking a simple, easy-to-learn PMS.
• Properties in Europe or North America with a focus on ease of management.
• Teams valuing quick onboarding and mobile management.
• Businesses that prefer cloud-based solutions with POS integration.

Not ideal if:

• You operate large, multi-property portfolios.
• Your property requires advanced revenue management tools.
• You need extensive guest communication features.
• Overbookings or detailed reporting are critical.

Counter’s focus on hostels and small properties makes it perfect for teams seeking straightforward, efficient management.

Edge: Counter. Its simplicity and targeted features suit small-scale, hostel operators.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Hostify?

Hotels that should consider Hostify include:

• Large vacation rental portfolios.
• Property managers handling hundreds of Airbnb or OTA listings.
• Teams that need automation for messaging, check-in, and reminders.
• Businesses requiring real-time status updates and integrated housekeeping.
• Companies aiming to consolidate all guest interactions in one dashboard.

Not ideal if:

• You operate a small property or boutique hotel.
• You prefer a free, lightweight PMS.
• Your focus is on traditional hotel management rather than rentals.
• You do not need extensive automation or multi-channel integration.

Hostify fits best with property managers or rental owners scaling their operations with automation tools.

Edge: Hostify. Its automation and multi-channel features are tailored for large-scale rental management.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter is a straightforward, hostel-centric PMS praised for its ease of use, excellent support, and recent positive reviews. Its core automation features and channel integrations make it ideal for small to mid-sized properties, especially hostels and boutique hotels.

Hostify offers an expansive feature set designed for vacation rentals and large property portfolios, emphasizing automation, guest communication, and multi-channel management. Despite limited recent reviews, its capabilities suit property managers needing to scale operations efficiently.

For small, hostelry-focused businesses seeking reliability, Counter is the safer, more proven choice. Larger, multi-property managers prioritizing automation and integration should lean toward Hostify.

Counter’s high review count and recent feedback give it a definitive edge, confirming its status as the more trusted PMS for small-scale hotels and hostels.

Final Recommendation: If your hotel is a hostel or small boutique, go with Counter. If managing hundreds of vacation rentals or multiple Airbnb accounts, Hostify’s features justify its higher price.