Counter vs. Redforts:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Counter by Counter and Redforts by Redforts hinges on your property’s specific needs, operational complexity, and the scale of your management requirements. Both promise to streamline your management tasks, but they diverge significantly in features, target segments, and user experience. While Counter is tailored for hostels with a focus on simplicity and ease of use, Redforts offers a comprehensive suite suitable for a broader range of property types. Which product aligns better with your operational ambitions?

Counter targets small to medium hostels needing an intuitive, cost-effective system with automation, while Redforts aims at properties requiring extensive customization and integrations. Are you ready to prioritize ease or customization?

Is Counter or Redforts Better for Hotels?

Counter and Redforts both address the core problem of managing reservations, check-ins, and guest data efficiently. Counter’s standout feature is its simplicity and ease of use, designed for hostels that want minimal fuss and quick onboarding. Redforts, meanwhile, provides a broader feature set, including revenue management, online check-in, and integration with POS systems, suited for properties with more complex operational needs.

Counter has a much larger user base of hostels—83%—and enjoys higher ratings across all categories, especially recent reviews, with 0 reviews in the last six months. Redforts, with only 40 reviews and a recent review count of just 1, lacks current user feedback to support confident decision-making. Do you prefer a system with proven recent support and high satisfaction, or one with a broader feature list but limited recent validation?

Counter vs Redforts: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel is a hostel, especially one that prioritizes ease of use, quick onboarding, and automation, Counter is the clear choice. Its 54 reviews with a 4.73/5 rating, including recent feedback, indicate strong user satisfaction and a focus on simplicity.

If you operate a hotel, boutique property, or larger establishment that needs extensive features like revenue management, automated marketing, online check-in, and multiple integrations, Redforts is more suitable. Despite the lower review count and absence of recent feedback, its comprehensive features and flexible modules cater well to properties with complex operational needs.

For properties on tight budgets, Counter’s free-to-use model (with no implementation fees or monthly costs) is appealing. Conversely, Redforts’ $500/month fee might be justified if its advanced features significantly boost efficiency and revenue.

Is Counter or Redforts Easier to Use?

Counter’s user interface is praised for its simplicity and intuitive design, with a rating of 4.6/5 for ease of use. Users highlight its mobile-friendly platform and straightforward calendar management, making staff training swift and seamless.

Redforts also boasts a high ease of use score of 4.68/5, with reviews emphasizing its logical workflow and quick learning curve. Users report that its interface is easy to understand, and training staff is uncomplicated.

Edge: Counter. Its dedicated focus on hostels and minimal operational complexity give it a slight edge in user-friendliness, especially for teams new to PMS software.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Redforts?

Redforts offers a significantly larger feature set with 29 unique functionalities, including guest communication via SMS, email marketing, digital registration, housekeeping apps, revenue management, and rate shopping. These features enable properties to automate multiple operational aspects and improve guest engagement.

Counter provides only 2 features exclusive to it: automated night audit and ancillary revenue tracking. While these are useful, the limited feature base means Counter’s capabilities are more focused and less customizable.

Edge: Redforts. Its extensive feature list supports properties seeking a comprehensive, integrated management system.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Redforts?

Counter’s support score is 4.96/5, with reviewers consistently praising its responsiveness, especially mentioning staff like Evelyn and Max for their professionalism. Several users note that support is quick to resolve issues, though some mention slower responses during off-hours or in certain time zones.

Redforts’ support rate is slightly lower at 4.53/5, but reviews still commend their responsiveness and willingness to improve. Users appreciate personalized attention and quick issue resolution, though some wish for faster updates on interface improvements.

Edge: Counter. Its higher support score and positive recent reviews suggest more reliable assistance.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or Redforts?

Counter integrates with at least 7 verified partners, including major names like SiteMinder, Cloudbeds, Stripe, and Goki. These integrations allow you to connect with multiple platforms, streamline payments, and manage access controls efficiently.

Redforts offers only 2 verified integrations, with one shared partner—WuBook. Its limited connectivity options might restrict expansion or automation potential for properties needing diverse platform integrations.

Edge: Counter. Its broader integration ecosystem provides more flexibility and scalability.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Redforts?

Counter’s overall rating of 4.73/5, based on 54 reviews, shows strong user satisfaction, especially among hostel managers who value simplicity and automation. Recent reviews highlight its reliability and ease, with some noting bugs but overall positive experiences.

Redforts’ average rating is not explicitly provided, but with only 40 reviews and a recent review count of just 1, the data is insufficient to draw a clear conclusion. The older reviews are positive but lack recent validation.

Therefore, Counter’s higher, more recent review count and ratings make it the more trusted choice.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and Redforts Cost?

Counter’s pricing details are not publicly available, but it’s known as a free PMS designed specifically for hostels, making it highly accessible for small operations.

Redforts charges a $500 monthly fee with no visible implementation or setup costs, positioning it as a premium, all-in-one property management solution.

If affordability and simplicity are priorities, Counter’s free model is a major advantage. For more advanced features, Redforts’ subscription cost reflects its broader capabilities.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate hostels, budget accommodations, or small inns.
• Teams seeking an easy-to-implement, mobile-friendly system.
• Properties that prioritize automation like POS integration and automatic payments.
• Hosts focused on simplifying operations without extensive customization.
• Not ideal if your property requires advanced revenue management or complex reporting.

Counter suits properties needing straightforward management with minimal operational overhead. It’s perfect for hostel owners who want to focus on guest experience rather than system complexity.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Redforts?

• Hotels, boutique hotels, and larger properties requiring extensive features.
• Teams that want integrated revenue, rate, and yield management.
• Operations needing online check-in, electronic locks, and POS integration.
• Properties with multiple revenue streams and complex booking channels.
• Not ideal if your hotel prefers a simple, lightweight system without many modules.

Redforts is designed for properties that need a customizable, all-in-one platform to support large-scale or multi-faceted operations.

Redforts vs Counter: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter is a straightforward, user-friendly PMS tailored for hostels and small properties that prioritize ease of use and automation. Its recent reviews and high satisfaction scores make it a reliable choice for budget-conscious or small-scale operations.

Redforts provides a wide array of features aimed at larger, more complex properties that need extensive integrations and management tools. Its lack of recent feedback and limited reviews make it less proven currently, but its feature set is formidable.

Choose Counter if simplicity, affordability, and recent positive feedback are your priorities. Opt for Redforts if your property demands a versatile, feature-rich platform and you are willing to invest in a more comprehensive system.