The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
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 Ancillary revenue tracking.
hotelcube shines , with exclusive features like On premise and Guest Communication (SMS Messaging).
Side-by-side ratings based on 57 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $700/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 57 | 0 |
After analyzing 57 verified reviews, Counter users most value its user interface and usability, customer support, automated features, while hotelcube users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
User interface and usability
▾
|
|
|
+
Customer support
▾
|
|
|
+
Automated features
▾
|
|
|
+
Platform integration
▾
|
|
| Cons | |
|
−
Bug issues
▾
|
|
|
−
Reporting and revenue management
▾
|
|
|
−
Pricing
▾
|
|
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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #31 16 reviews | — |
| Luxury | #44 4 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain | #43 4 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #32 5 reviews | — |
By Region
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | #25 8 reviews | — |
| Europe ▾ | #20 25 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #16 4 reviews | — |
| Middle East | #11 2 reviews | — |
When choosing a property management system (PMS), your goal is to find an intuitive platform that streamlines operations and offers reliable support. Counter by Counter is a dedicated PMS for hostels with a focus on ease of use and automation, while HOTELCUBE PMS offers a broader, customizable solution for hotels across segments, albeit with limited user feedback. Given the recent activity and high rating score, Counter appears to be the more dependable choice for your hostel or budget accommodation. But does it meet all your operational needs?
Counter and HOTELCUBE serve different hotel types. Counter, with a focus on hostels and small accommodations, simplifies bookings, check-ins, and guest management through an easy-to-navigate interface, backed by 54 reviews and a high rating of 4.73/5. HOTELCUBE, on the other hand, is a more extensive suite designed for larger hotels, with no recent reviews available and a focus on modular, multi-department management.
Counter’s ease of use (rated 4.6/5) and customer support (rated 4.96/5) are highly praised, whereas HOTELCUBE’s support and user experience are less documented. For your property, which prioritizes simplicity and quick onboarding, Counter’s focus on small properties makes it the stronger candidate. Are you looking for a straightforward solution or a fully customizable hotel management system?
If your hotel is a hostel, bed & breakfast, or boutique operation requiring quick setup, affordable pricing, and a user-friendly interface, go with Counter. Its high review count, recent positive feedback, and strong ratings for ease of use and support make it ideal for small teams seeking efficiency.
If your hotel needs a comprehensive, customizable system that manages multiple departments and complex workflows, HOTELCUBE would be more suitable. However, the lack of recent reviews and limited user feedback suggest it might not be as proven or straightforward for smaller or less complex operations.
Counter scores highly on usability, with a 4.6/5 rating and positive reviews praising its intuitive, mobile-friendly interface. Users mention that staff can quickly learn the system, and management can operate it remotely without technical issues. Support from the Counter team is also frequently described as responsive and helpful, especially from staff like Evelyn and Max.
In contrast, HOTELCUBE has no recent reviews or ratings available, making it difficult to gauge its ease of use. Its interface, while customizable, may require more training and onboarding, especially given the lack of recent user feedback.
Edge: Counter.
Counter offers 16 shared features, plus three unique ones: channel manager, booking engine, and ancillary revenue tracking. It integrates with platforms like Stripe and Goki, streamlining payments and access control. Conversely, HOTELCUBE provides seven unique features, including spa & wellness modules, gift vouchers, integrated ID scanners, guest communication, and revenue management tools—features that Counter does not have.
While Counter’s core functionalities are well-suited for small operations, HOTELCUBE’s additional modules target larger hotels with more complex needs. For a straightforward PMS, Counter’s features are more relevant; for a full-service hotel, HOTELCUBE’s offerings might be better.
Edge: Counter.
Counter garners a 4.96/5 support rating based on recent reviews, with hoteliers highlighting quick responsiveness and helpful staff like Evelyn and Max. Users appreciate the support team's professionalism, though some note slower responses during off-hours.
HOTELCUBE lacks recent review data and detailed feedback, making it difficult to assess support quality. Given the high support ratings for Counter, it is clearly the more reliable option for ongoing assistance.
Edge: Counter.
Counter connects with 7 verified partners, including popular platforms like WuBook and Stripe, and offers integrations with channel managers and payment systems. HOTELCUBE boasts 24 verified partners, including HQ Revenue, Lybra Tech, and RoomCloud, with a broader array of integrations spanning revenue management, booking tools, and guest communication.
If your hotel relies on multiple third-party systems, HOTELCUBE’s extensive integration list is advantageous. For small-scale operations, Counter’s core integrations suffice.
Edge: HOTELCUBE.
Counter receives a high overall rating of 4.73/5 from 54 recent reviews, with an overwhelming 91% likelihood to recommend. Its primary users—hostels and small accommodations—appreciate its simplicity, automation, and support, especially in recent feedback.
HOTELCUBE has no recent reviews or ratings available, so it cannot be directly compared. For hotels prioritizing proven satisfaction and reputation, Counter’s high ratings confirm its value.
Edge: Counter.
Counter does not publish pricing details but is noted for its free model tailored for hostels, with no implementation or monthly fees reported. HOTELCUBE charges a fixed base price of $700, with no mention of ongoing subscription costs, but its pricing might be less accessible for small properties.
If affordability is critical, Counter’s free-to-use platform offers a clear advantage. HOTELCUBE’s cost could be justified by its extensive features but may not appeal to smaller hotels.
Counter is a proven, highly-rated PMS designed for small, budget-conscious properties like hostels, B&Bs, and boutique hotels. Its high review count, recent positive feedback, and ease of use make it a dependable choice for streamlining daily operations.
HOTELCUBE offers a broader, modular platform suitable for larger, full-service hotels that need extensive customization and multiple departmental modules. However, the lack of recent reviews and user feedback suggests it’s less tested in today’s market.
If your hotel values simplicity, support, and affordability, Counter is the clear winner. For complex, multi-department management, HOTELCUBE might be suitable if you can evaluate its capabilities directly, but its market presence is less established.
In summary, for your hostel or small hotel seeking a reliable, easy-to-use PMS backed by recent strong reviews, Counter by Counter stands out as the better choice.
According to HTR's product database, Counter and HOTELCUBE PMS share 16 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Ancillary revenue tracking | ||
| Booking Engine | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Guest Communication (SMS Messaging) | ||
| Integrated ID & Passport Scanner | ||
| Integrated Payment Terminal & Card Reader | ||
| On premise | ||
| Spa & Wellness Module |
What hoteliers love
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Counter and HOTELCUBE PMS share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Counter offers 7 verified integration partners, while HOTELCUBE PMS offers 24. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
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.
Counter: No. HOTELCUBE 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.
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 hotelcube 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 →
Product recommendations advisor