Counter vs. Octorate (Property Management System):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Counter by Counter and Octorate hinges on your hotel's specific needs and operational scale. Both aim to streamline property management, but Counter is aimed squarely at hostels with a focus on ease and affordability, whereas Octorate offers a broader suite of features suited for various property types. Which platform aligns better with your current priorities and future growth plans?

Counter excels at providing a free, straightforward PMS tailored for hostels, while Octorate’s extensive feature set and integrations cater to hotels seeking an all-in-one cloud management solution. Are you prioritizing simplicity and cost-effectiveness or comprehensive control and scalability?

Is Counter or Octorate Better for Hotels?

Counter, with its 54 reviews and recent feedback, clearly dominates in overall ratings, boasting a 4.73/5 score and a 91% likelihood to recommend, reflecting high user satisfaction. In contrast, Octorate has no reviews or ratings available, making it difficult to gauge its real-world performance.

Counter is praised for its ease of use, quick onboarding, and customer support, specifically tailored for hostels, which make it a compelling choice if your property operates in this segment. Octorate, meanwhile, markets itself as an all-encompassing PMS with a wide array of features, but without recent reviews, its real-world reliability remains unverified.

Are you comfortable choosing a product with proven user feedback, or are you willing to risk less information for potentially broader features?

Counter vs Octorate: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel primarily operates as a hostel, especially one that values affordability and quick setup, Counter is the better choice. Its dedicated focus on hostels and simplicity make it ideal for small teams seeking an easy-to-manage system.

If you’re running a hotel or property portfolio that requires extensive features like advanced reporting, multi-property management, dynamic pricing, and integrations with OTAs, Octorate's platform is more suitable. It’s designed for scalable operations and larger properties needing integrated guest communication, invoicing, and automation tools.

For small hostels looking for a straightforward, cost-effective solution, go with Counter. For larger hotels or multi-property managers needing a comprehensive, customizable system, Octorate fits better.

Is Counter or Octorate Easier to Use?

Counter scores a high 4.6/5 for ease of use, with reviews highlighting its intuitive, mobile-friendly interface, and quick staff onboarding. Users appreciate its straightforward calendar and reservation management that minimize training time. Support from Counter’s team is frequently praised for responsiveness, especially for new users.

Octorate, however, does not list any usability ratings or recent reviews, leaving its user experience unconfirmed. Its extensive feature set suggests a steeper learning curve and more complex onboarding processes, which could require dedicated training and support.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Octorate?

Counter offers 19 shared features primarily focused on hostel management, such as POS integration, online reservations, and automation. It lacks advanced features like multi-property management, analytics dashboards, or rate intelligence.

Octorate provides 50 unique features, including an open API, advanced analytics, metasearch connectivity, multi-property management, rate comparison tools, guest messaging via WhatsApp, and more. These capabilities support larger, multi-property operations seeking detailed reporting and automation.

If you need a simple PMS with essential functions, Counter’s features suffice. For comprehensive control, automation, and analytics, Octorate’s extensive feature set is the clear edge.

Edge: Octorate.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Octorate?

Counter’s support is rated at 4.96/5, with reviews emphasizing its quick, helpful responses and dedicated support team, including mentions of Evelyn and Max. Users often highlight the responsiveness as critical during system issues or onboarding.

Octorate lacks recent review data or support ratings, leaving its customer support reputation unverified. Given the complexity of its platform, users would expect more extensive onboarding and support, but this cannot be confirmed.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or Octorate?

Counter integrates with 7 verified partners, including Stripe, Cloudbeds, and SiteMinder, focusing on essential payment and channel management integrations. Its partner list is narrower but covers common hospitality needs.

Octorate boasts 28 verified integrations, including major OTAs (Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia), rate management tools (PriceLabs, Beyond), and other property tech solutions. Its open API and broader connectivity support larger, multi-channel operations.

If your property needs a straightforward setup with key integrations, Counter is sufficient. For extensive connectivity and multi-platform management, Octorate’s integrations give it a significant advantage.

Edge: Octorate.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Octorate?

Counter’s 54 recent reviews with a 4.73/5 score and a 91% recommendation rate indicate high user satisfaction, especially from hostel operators. Hotel segments such as hostels and independent properties rate Counter particularly well, with some reviews citing ease and support as standout features.

Octorate has no recent reviews or ratings, so hotelier feedback is unavailable. Without user experiences, it’s impossible to determine how the platform performs in real-world settings.

Based on available data, Counter is the clearly preferred choice among hoteliers.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and Octorate Cost?

Counter’s pricing isn’t explicitly listed, but its free plan and focus on small hostels suggest affordability. Octorate charges a base price of $1,100 per month, with a 30-day trial available, positioning it as a premium solution.

Counter’s free or low-cost approach makes it particularly attractive for small, budget-conscious hostels. Conversely, Octorate’s higher pricing reflects its broader feature set, suited for larger operations with more complex needs.

If budget is a primary concern, Counter offers a compelling entry point. For larger properties seeking extensive automation and integrations, the investment in Octorate may be justified.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate as hostels or budget accommodations, especially if starting out or seeking low-cost management.
• Teams that prioritize ease of use, quick onboarding, and responsive support.
• Properties with small teams needing to streamline check-ins, reservations, and basic operations.
• Hotels that operate primarily in regions where Counter’s regional presence is strong, such as Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific.
• Not ideal if your property requires advanced revenue management, multi-property oversight, or complex automation.

Counter suits small to medium hostels seeking simplicity and reliability without significant upfront costs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Octorate?

• Hotels, resorts, or property portfolios needing extensive automation, reporting, and multi-channel management.
• Teams that value built-in analytics, dynamic pricing, and guest communication via multiple channels including WhatsApp.
• Properties with multiple units or locations that require centralized control through a single dashboard.
• Hotels looking for long-term scalability, with a need for integrations with OTAs, payment processors, and revenue management tools.
• Not ideal if your operation is small, with limited budgets or minimal need for extensive automation.

Octorate is best suited for established properties or growing hotel groups seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one platform.

The Bottom Line for Hotels: Counter vs Octorate

Counter offers a streamlined, no-cost PMS designed primarily for hostels and budget accommodations. Its ease of use, strong support, and recent positive reviews make it an attractive choice for small properties and startups looking to keep things simple.

Octorate provides a detailed, feature-rich platform capable of managing complex operations across multiple properties. Its extensive integrations, automation, and reporting tools appeal to larger hotels and property managers aiming for full operational control.

If your hotel prioritizes cost, simplicity, and quick onboarding, Counter is the clear winner. If your focus is on scalability, automation, and detailed analytics, Octorate's comprehensive solution is the better fit.

In summary: For small hostels and properties seeking a proven, easy-to-use PMS, Counter is the optimal choice. For larger, multi-property operations with advanced needs, Octorate offers a broader set of functionalities that can support your growth.