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 Payment processing and Housekeeping module.
Opera shines .
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 | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 57 | 0 |
After analyzing 57 verified reviews, Counter users most value its user interface and usability, customer support, automated features, while Opera users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
|
|
Opera |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|
Opera |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|
Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #31 16 reviews | — |
| Luxury | #44 4 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain | #43 4 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #32 5 reviews | — |
By Region
| Segment |
|
Opera |
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | #25 8 reviews | — |
| Europe ▾ | #20 25 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #16 4 reviews | — |
| Middle East | #11 2 reviews | — |
Choosing between Counter by Counter and Opera by Opera hinges on your hotel’s operational needs and growth plans. Counter is a specialized PMS built for hostels, boasting a suite of features tailored to small to mid-sized hostels, with a strong focus on ease of use and automation. Opera, however, remains a broad, enterprise-level PMS designed to support hotels of all sizes with extensive management tools, though its current review footprint is nonexistent. Which platform will serve your property best?
Counter leads with a solid user base, detailed recent reviews, and a clear focus on hostel operations. Opera’s lack of recent reviews and user feedback makes it difficult to assess its current performance, but its reputation as a comprehensive hotel management system remains well established. Given the available data, does Counter’s targeted approach fit your needs better?
Counter is explicitly designed for hostels, providing a simple and intuitive interface that simplifies daily management tasks. Its mobile-friendly platform enables on-the-go adjustments, which many users praise for boosting operational efficiency. Opera is a comprehensive system suited for larger hotels and chains, offering broad functionality but with little recent user feedback to confirm its current usability or satisfaction levels.
Counter’s recent review count (54 reviews in the last six months) and high ratings (4.73/5 overall, 4.6/5 ease of use, and 4.96/5 customer support) affirm its active, satisfied user base. Opera’s zero recent reviews mean it’s difficult to gauge current hotel operator sentiment. Would your property benefit from Counter’s specialized, user-friendly approach or require the extensive features of Opera?
If your hotel operates as a hostel or similar budget accommodation, Counter’s targeted feature set—channel management, online booking, POS, and housekeepings modules—makes it an ideal fit. Its many integrations (seven verified partners) and focus on multi-currency, multi-lingual support cater well to small, international hostels. Conversely, if your hotel is a larger chain or luxury property with more complex operational needs, Opera’s broad scope, including reservations, front desk, and guest preferences, may be more suitable, though its current lack of user reviews limits confidence.
Counter’s strengths lie in ease of use, rapid onboarding (4.7/5), and automation features that reduce manual work. Opera’s strengths are its ability to handle complex reservations and department management, but without recent reviews, its effectiveness remains uncertain. For your property type, which set of features aligns best with your priorities?
Counter boasts a high ease-of-use rating (4.6/5), with many users commenting on its intuitive interface and straightforward setup. Support staff are frequently praised, with a 4.96/5 customer support rating, and onboarding is rated 4.7/5, making staff adoption smooth. Users highlight that the platform loads seamlessly on mobile devices, enabling management from anywhere.
Opera’s interface and usability ratings are unavailable, and no recent reviews exist to gauge its current user experience. This lack of recent feedback suggests uncertainty about its ease of adoption or daily use. Based on available data, which system’s ease of use would enable your team to operate with confidence?
Edge: Counter.
Counter offers 19 unique features, including channel management, integrated payment processing, booking engine, calendar view, custom rates, revenue reports, and a housekeepings module—all tailored for small hostels. It also supports guest CRM, multi-currency, and multi-lingual capabilities, essential for international markets. Opera, lacking recent reviews and feature details, does not publicly showcase its specific functionality, making detailed comparison impossible.
Counter’s dedicated features for group bookings and automated night audits provide operational efficiencies. Its integrations with platforms like Stripe, Cloudbeds, and SiteMinder enhance connectivity. Without comparable data for Opera, Counter’s feature richness and specialization clearly stand out. Which set of features best supports your operational needs?
Edge: Counter.
Counter’s support team has an impressive 4.96/5 rating, with reviews frequently praising their quick, helpful responses. Staff like Evelyn and Max are specifically mentioned for professionalism and responsiveness. Hoteliers appreciate the 24/7 online support, which minimizes downtime during critical operations.
Opera’s customer support ratings and reviews are not available, leaving a gap in confidence about ongoing assistance. For your staff to confidently troubleshoot issues or implement updates, responsive support is crucial. Which provider’s support quality aligns more closely with your service standards?
Edge: Counter.
Counter integrates with seven verified partners, including key players like WuBook (channel manager), Stripe (payment processing), and Cloudbeds. These integrations streamline booking, payments, and access control, consolidating revenue channels and operational workflows. Opera’s integration count is zero, but as a broad PMS, it likely offers more extensive integrations, though current data is absent.
Counter’s existing integrations directly support core hostel operations, making it a flexible choice for properties looking to connect with popular booking and payment platforms. Would your property benefit more from Counter’s targeted integrations or require the extensive ecosystem Opera might offer?
Edge: Counter.
Counter’s recent reviews (54 in the last six months) average 4.73/5, with a 91% likelihood to recommend among users. Hoteliers, especially in hostels, praise Counter’s ease of use, customer support, and automation features. The reviews highlight its suitability for small to mid-sized properties, with many noting swift onboarding and helpful support staff.
Opera’s absence of recent reviews means no current peer feedback is available. Without recent ratings, confidence in its user satisfaction remains low. Based on current data, which product’s reputation aligns better with your hotel’s priorities?
Counter does not publicly list pricing, but it is a free PMS tailored for hostels, making it highly accessible for small properties. It offers a freemium model with no implementation fees, and no monthly charges per room, making it attractive for budget-conscious hostels.
Opera’s pricing details are similarly undisclosed, with no trial or free tier information available. Enterprise hotel chains often negotiate pricing directly, but transparency is limited. Given Counter’s free model, does your property prioritize cost or comprehensive feature set?
Not ideal if your property requires extensive departmental management or complex revenue optimization tools. Larger hotels needing advanced analytics or a broad ecosystem might find Counter’s scope limiting.
Not ideal if your hotel is a small hostel or boutique property needing a straightforward solution. Given the absence of recent reviews and feature data, smaller properties might find Opera’s complexity unnecessary.
Counter is a specialized, user-friendly PMS built for hostels and small properties, offering a suite of automation and management features at no cost. Its recent reviews and high satisfaction ratings underline its relevance for budget accommodations aiming to streamline operations.
Choose Counter if you prioritize ease of use, quick onboarding, and active support, especially if your property operates mainly as a hostel or small hotel. It’s well-suited to properties seeking automation and integrations without sacrificing simplicity.
Opera remains a well-known hotel management platform, but its current review silence raises questions about its recent performance and user satisfaction. It’s likely more suited for large hotels or chains with complex needs that justify its potentially broader feature set.
If your operation demands a simple, efficient PMS with ongoing support, Counter’s the clear choice. Larger, multi-property hotels with complex requirements might consider Opera, but should seek verified recent feedback before proceeding.
According to HTR's product database, Counter and Opera share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Booking Engine | ||
| Calendar view | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Custom rates | ||
| Payment processing | ||
| RevPaR & ADR Reports |
Showing top differences. 7 more features differ between these products.
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
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Counter and Opera share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Counter offers 7 verified integration partners, while Opera offers 0. 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. Opera: 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 Opera 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