Counter vs. Lightspeed Galaxy:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Counter by Counter and Lightspeed Galaxy by Galaxy Hotel Systems hinges on your property's specific needs and operational priorities. Counter is a free, user-friendly PMS primarily designed for hostels, while Lightspeed Galaxy offers a broader suite of hotel management tools, often favored by larger, branded hotels. Both systems aim to streamline operations, but they differ significantly in features, support, and regional presence.

Counter’s recent surge in reviews—54 in the last six months—gives it a robust and current data set, establishing it as the more trusted choice. Galaxy's lone recent review and lack of recent feedback mean less confidence in its current performance. Will your hotel benefit more from Counter’s proven track record or Galaxy’s broader feature set?

Is Counter or Lightspeed Galaxy Better for Hotels?

Counter and Galaxy serve different segments within the hospitality industry. Counter is tailored specifically for hostels and small-scale accommodations, emphasizing ease of use, mobile management, and automated tasks suited to budget operators. Conversely, Galaxy caters mainly to mid-sized and luxury hotels, with extensive back-end capabilities like employee scheduling and inventory management.

While Counter offers a simple, intuitive interface ideal for smaller teams, Galaxy provides more in-depth operational tools suited for larger, branded properties. The key contrast lies in Counter’s focus on ease and affordability against Galaxy’s broader functionality, but with a notable deficiency in recent reviews for Galaxy. Do you need a straightforward, effective PMS or a comprehensive management system for a larger hotel?

Counter vs Lightspeed Galaxy: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs an affordable, easy-to-implement system with strong guest reservation management, go with Counter. Its focus on hostels and small hotels, combined with a 4.73/5 rating from 54 recent reviews, makes it ideal for properties prioritizing simplicity and rapid onboarding.

If your hotel requires extensive back-office features, staffing tools, and integration with sales or inventory management, Galaxy might seem appealing. However, with only one recent review, it’s difficult to gauge its current suitability. For most hotels looking for proven, reliable PMS support, Counter’s current positive reputation is the safer choice.

Is Counter or Lightspeed Galaxy Easier to Use?

Counter’s UI consistently scores 4.6/5, with users describing it as "clear, simple, and easy to understand," especially for staff training. The onboarding process is rated 4.7/5, with many users noting how quickly their teams adapt to its mobile-friendly design. Support responsiveness is also praised, with staff mentioning quick replies from Evelyn and Max.

Galaxy’s interface is slightly rated at 4.5/5, but review comments highlight issues with access and difficulty navigating, especially for new users. The onboarding experience appears lacking, with recent reviews indicating a need for better support and clearer guidance.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Galaxy Hotel Systems?

Counter offers an extensive list of features tailored to small hospitality operations—19 unique functionalities, including a channel manager, booking engine, online support, automated night audit, guest CRM, and multi-currency options. It also includes a robust POS system and group booking management, which many hostels find essential.

Galaxy’s feature set is less extensive, with no unique features beyond basic reservation and front-office functions. It lacks the specialized modules Counter provides, such as integration with payment processing or ancillary revenue tracking.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Galaxy Hotel Systems?

Counter’s support scores an impressive 4.96/5, with reviews highlighting fast, helpful responses from team members like Evelyn and Max. Many users state that support is always reachable and efficient, even during troubleshooting or system bugs.

Galaxy’s customer support score is only 2.5/5, with reviews describing difficulty in accessing support and slow responses. Users report frustration with the lack of on-site assistance and ineffective communication channels.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or Galaxy Hotel Systems?

Counter integrates with seven verified partners, including major channel managers like SiteMinder and Cloudbeds, as well as Stripe for payments and Goki for access control. Its broad connectivity helps streamline operations across multiple platforms, especially for small to medium properties.

Galaxy integrates with only one verified partner, Actabl, which limits its ability to connect with other essential systems. For properties needing multiple integrations to support complex operations, Counter’s ecosystem is clearly superior.

Edge: Counter.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Galaxy Hotel Systems?

Counter’s overall rating of 4.73/5 from 54 recent reviews indicates strong satisfaction, especially among hostel operators and small hotels. Review excerpts praise its ease of use, automation, and support, with a likelihood to recommend of 91%.

Galaxy’s single recent review provides no meaningful insight into user satisfaction, and its overall rating is 5/5 based on just one hotel. This lack of recent, broad feedback makes Counter the more trusted and validated choice.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and Lightspeed Galaxy Cost?

Pricing details for both products are not publicly available, which is common for enterprise-grade systems. Counter does not charge a monthly fee or implementation fee, suggesting a straightforward or flexible pricing model, while Galaxy’s pricing remains undisclosed.

Given the lack of transparency, your best approach is to request quotes directly from vendors to assess value against features and support.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate primarily as hostels, guesthouses, or budget accommodations.
• Teams prioritizing a simple, intuitive, and mobile-friendly system.
• Properties that need automated check-in, payment processing, and online support.
• Small to medium property management with a focus on ease of onboarding.
• Hotels seeking a cost-effective system with integrations to popular channel managers.

Not ideal if you require complex inventory control, extensive back-office management, or multi-property support.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Lightspeed Galaxy?

• Larger hotels or branded properties needing extensive back-end tools.
• Teams that require advanced employee scheduling, task management, and inventory control.
• Hotels looking for a system that integrates with multiple third-party services beyond basic reservation functions.
• Properties that can dedicate resources to training staff on a more complex platform.
• Hotels that value robust reporting and business analytics.

Not ideal if your hotel is small, budget-focused, or seeks a simple, straightforward PMS.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter by Counter is a highly rated, well-supported PMS tailored for hostels and small hotels, with a broad feature set and proven performance. Its recent review activity and high customer satisfaction scores make it the more dependable choice for most small to mid-sized properties.

Lightspeed Galaxy offers a wider array of operational tools but suffers from limited recent reviews and support concerns, making its suitability uncertain. Unless your hotel’s needs are highly complex and your team is prepared for a steeper learning curve, Counter is the recommended option.

For properties emphasizing ease, support, and proven functionality, Counter stands out as the clearer choice. Larger hotels needing extensive management features should verify Galaxy’s current capabilities, but caution is advised given the sparse recent feedback.