Counter vs. Hosware FRO:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right Property Management System (PMS) can dramatically impact your hotel’s operations and guest experience. Counter by Counter and Hosware FRO by HostWare address this need, but their core strengths and market presence differ sharply. Counter is a robust, well-rated PMS with extensive features and a large, active user base, while HostWare’s offering lacks recent reviews and measurable market traction. Which platform aligns best with your hotel’s needs?

Is Counter or HostWare Better for Hotels?

Counter has established itself as a leading PMS for hostels and small hotels, with 54 reviews and a 4.73/5 overall rating, including a 4.96/5 for customer support and 4.8/5 for value. Its reviews highlight ease of use, responsive support, and a comprehensive feature set, making it a trusted option for busy hostels needing reliable automation and integrations. In contrast, HostWare’s reviews are nonexistent, and it has no recent ratings or verified customer feedback, leaving its effectiveness and reliability unproven.

Counter’s feature set includes channel management, payment processing, a booking engine, and guest CRM, totaling 19 unique features. HostWare offers none of these, focusing perhaps on simpler or more niche solutions. The absence of recent reviews for HostWare raises questions about ongoing development, support, and user satisfaction, whereas Counter’s active review base signals sustained user engagement and product reliability. Are you comfortable choosing a product with proven, current user satisfaction, or risking an untested, unsupported platform?

Counter vs HostWare: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs an easy-to-use, feature-rich PMS with proven customer support and a large user base, go with Counter. Its extensive integrations—such as with Stripe, SiteMinder, and Goki—allow smooth operations across sales channels, and its strong focus on hostels makes it ideal for budget, boutique, or hostel properties seeking simplicity and automation.

If, however, your hotel prioritizes a basic system without the need for advanced integrations, or if your property operates in a niche market where HostWare’s specific features might apply, consider HostWare. But note that without recent reviews or measurable user feedback, its suitability remains uncertain, especially for properties that require ongoing support and system reliability.

In summary, for most hotels, especially those in need of a dependable, well-supported PMS with active community feedback, Counter is the clear choice. HostWare’s lack of recent reviews and verified integrations make it a risky proposition unless your needs are very specific and simple.

Is Counter or HostWare Easier to Use?

Counter scores an impressive 4.6/5 for ease of use, with many users praising its intuitive, mobile-friendly interface. Onboarding is rated at 4.7/5, and reviews mention that staff can be trained quickly thanks to its straightforward design. Support is highly responsive, with a 4.96/5 rating—hoteliers frequently comment on the quick, helpful responses from their support team.

HostWare’s user experience and onboarding details are not available, and there are no recent reviews to evaluate its usability or support quality. Without such data, it’s impossible to confidently compare ease of use, but the absence of user feedback suggests it may lack the polish and confidence that Counter offers.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or HostWare?

Counter's 19 features cover a broad operational spectrum, including channel management, payment processing, booking engine, calendar view, custom rates, revenue reports, housekeeping, direct billing, group functionality, online support, automated night audits, mobile app, multi-currency, multi-lingual capabilities, and guest CRM. These tools enable full control over daily operations and guest management.

HostWare, on the other hand, offers no listed features or unique capabilities. Its limited feature set and lack of verified integrations or advanced tools make it less suitable for hotels seeking a comprehensive management platform. Counter’s extensive feature count and proven integrations provide a clear advantage.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or HostWare?

Counter’s support team boasts a 4.96/5 rating, with reviewers describing them as "super helpful," "responsive," and quick to resolve issues—especially supporting busy hostel environments. Specific praise goes to team members Evelyn and Max for their professionalism and quick responses.

HostWare has no recent reviews or support ratings available, making it impossible to assess its support quality. Given the importance of reliable, accessible customer service in hotel operations, the absence of recent feedback makes HostWare a less trustworthy option.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or HostWare?

Counter integrates with 7 verified partners, including prominent platforms like WuBook, SiteMinder, Cloudbeds, Goki, and Stripe. These integrations facilitate online bookings, payment processing, access control, and revenue management, giving your hotel a flexible, interconnected tech environment.

HostWare has no verified or listed integrations, limiting its ability to connect with essential third-party tools. For hotels that rely on multiple systems working together, Counter’s extensive integration ecosystem offers a significant operational advantage.

Edge: Counter.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or HostWare?

Counter’s community of users rates it highly, with a 4.73/5 overall score based on 54 reviews, and a 91% likelihood to recommend. Hotel properties across various segments, especially hostels, rate it as highly effective and easy to adopt. Recent reviews reinforce its reputation for responsiveness and feature reliability.

HostWare has no reviews or ratings, making it impossible to gauge user satisfaction or performance. Without recent feedback, comfort levels with the product remain speculative and unverified.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and HostWare Cost?

Counter is a free PMS tailored for hostels, with no implementation fees or trial costs. Its value stems from its extensive features and support, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious properties.

HostWare’s pricing details are not publicly available, and there is no indication of trial offers or subscription models. The lack of transparent pricing and recent reviews suggests it may not be a scalable or well-supported solution for growing hotels.

Edge: Counter.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that need a flexible, easy-to-adopt PMS tailored for hostels and small properties.
• Teams seeking a mobile-friendly platform to manage bookings on the go.
• Hotels that want seamless integrations with popular booking channels and payment systems.
• Properties prioritizing responsive customer support and real-time reporting.
• Hotels looking for a cost-effective (free) solution with extensive automation.

Not ideal if your hotel requires highly customized revenue management, advanced group handling, or multi-property management features that Counter currently lacks.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HostWare?

• Hotels with very simple management needs and no requirement for integrations.
• Properties that operate in niche markets where a lightweight, basic system suffices.
• Hotels with dedicated technical support outside of the system, willing to handle manual processes.
• Teams that prefer a system with minimal setup and fewer features.

Not ideal if your hotel values a proven support track record, extensive features, or active user feedback.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter by Counter is a comprehensive, well-rated PMS predominantly used by hostels and small hotels, offering features like channel management, automated payments, and guest CRM. Its large user base, recent active reviews, and verified integrations give it a clear edge in reliability and performance.

HostWare FRO remains an unproven option with no recent reviews or verified user feedback, limiting its credibility for most hotels. Unless your property has minimal management needs and you’re prepared to take a risk on untested software, Counter is the safer, smarter choice.

For hotels prioritizing robust features, strong support, and proven market presence, Counter stands out as the more dependable option to streamline operations and elevate guest experiences.