Counter vs. Rentlio:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) is critical to streamlining operations, enhancing guest experiences, and increasing revenue. You’re evaluating Counter by Counter and Rentlio by Rentlio—two platforms designed to meet different hotel needs. Counter offers a free, easy-to-use PMS specifically for hostels, with high ratings and recent reviews. Rentlio presents a more comprehensive, cloud-based solution aimed at a broader range of hospitality businesses but has no recent reviews or rating data. So, which platform best suits your hotel?

Counter is favored for its simplicity, robust support, and dedicated hostel focus, while Rentlio promises a unified platform with advanced features but lacks recent review validation. Can your property benefit more from a specialized or a more extensive system?

Is Counter or Rentlio Better for Hotels?

Counter is a free, intuitive PMS built mainly for hostels, with a focus on ease of use, fast onboarding, and responsive support. Rentlio, although more comprehensive, is a paid service designed for hotels seeking an all-in-one cloud system that manages reservations, guest communication, and operations. Counter boasts a higher overall rating (4.73/5) based on 54 recent reviews, emphasizing its usability, while Rentlio has no recent review data, making it difficult to gauge current satisfaction.

Counter's strengths lie in its straightforward interface, excellent customer support, and tailored features for hostel management. Rentlio, on the other hand, offers a wide array of features like revenue management, ID scanning, and integrated payments, but without recent reviews, its user experience remains uncertain. Are you comfortable adopting a proven, user-rated platform, or do you prefer a more feature-rich solution with less recent feedback?

Counter vs Rentlio: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel operates primarily as a hostel or budget accommodation, Counter’s free, easy-to-use interface and quick onboarding make it the clear choice. Its 4.6/5 ease of use rating and 4.96/5 support score show that staff can learn and adopt it rapidly, especially with high satisfaction from existing hostel users.

Rentlio suits hotels seeking a broader management system with advanced features like rate management, automated reminders, and integrated ID scanning. Its system is more suited for hotels aiming to optimize performance and guest engagement through a centralized platform, but the lack of recent reviews diminishes confidence in its current usability and support quality.

In essence, choose Counter for simplicity and hostel-focused features, and Rentlio if your property needs more advanced revenue tools and extensive integrations. Which features align better with your operational goals?

Is Counter or Rentlio Easier to Use?

Counter’s UI scores 4.6/5, with users highlighting its intuitive, mobile-friendly interface that simplifies daily management tasks. The onboarding process is rated 4.7/5, with staff mentioning how quickly new team members can learn to operate it. Reviewers appreciate the clear calendar and reservation system, making daily operations straightforward.

Rentlio, however, has not published recent user feedback, leaving its ease of use unverified. Given the importance of staff adoption, the lack of recent data on Rentlio’s interface and onboarding scores is a concern.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or Rentlio?

Counter offers 15 shared features plus 4 unique functionalities tailored for hostels, such as guest profiles, multi-currency support, online 24/7 support, and ancillary revenue tracking—all vital for small-scale operations. Rentlio boasts 21 exclusive features, including GDPR compliance, tax and rate configuration, revenue management, real-time reporting, automated reminders, ID scanning, and a housekeeper mobile app, making it more suitable for larger or performance-focused properties.

The clear advantage goes to Rentlio for its extensive feature set, especially if you need advanced revenue and rate management tools. Conversely, Counter’s simplicity and targeted features serve small hostels and budget hotels well. Which feature set aligns more with your operational needs?

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or Rentlio?

Counter’s support team is highly rated at 4.96/5, with reviews emphasizing quick, helpful responses and proactive support from staff like Evelyn and Max. Customers appreciate the responsiveness and the ongoing improvements driven by user feedback, although some mention support can be slower in certain time zones.

Rentlio has no recent reviews or ratings available, making it impossible to assess current support quality. Without current feedback, it’s risky to rely on its support capabilities, especially during critical operational periods.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or Rentlio?

Counter integrates with 7 verified partners, including Stripe, WuBook, and Channel Managers like SiteMinder and Cloudbeds, offering essential connectivity for payments and distribution. Rentlio connects with 11 verified partners, including Flexkeeping, PriceLabs, and guesttalk, providing more options for channel management, revenue optimization, and automation.

While Rentlio's broader integration list suggests higher extensibility, the real-world reliability and support of these integrations are uncertain amid the lack of recent reviews. Counter’s proven integrations and positive feedback make it the more reliable choice today.

Edge: Rentlio.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or Rentlio?

Counter’s reputation is supported by 54 recent reviews, with an overall rating of 4.73/5 and a likelihood to recommend of 91%. Hoteliers in hostel and independent segments consistently praise its simplicity, support, and value, with specific comments about its ease of use and quick onboarding.

Rentlio has no recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to determine user satisfaction. Given the available data, Counter’s high ratings and recent positive feedback make it the preferred choice for most hoteliers today.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and Rentlio Cost?

Counter is a free PMS, offering core functionalities without any upfront or monthly fees. Rentlio charges a base price of $1,500, with no trial or tiered pricing detailed, which might represent a significant investment for small properties.

The free model of Counter ensures accessibility, especially for small hostels or properties with tight budgets. Rentlio’s higher price point suggests it is aimed at properties seeking advanced features and performance optimization.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate primarily as hostels, budget accommodations, or small independent properties.
• Teams seeking a quick, easy-to-learn system to manage reservations and check-ins.
• Properties with limited IT resources needing a mobile-friendly, straightforward solution.
• Operations that prioritize guest profiles, multi-currency support, and basic revenue tracking.
• Hotels that prefer a free platform with reliable support and ongoing development.

Not ideal if your hotel needs advanced revenue management, extensive integrations, or sophisticated automation features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Rentlio?

• Hotels aiming for a unified platform that manages reservations, guest communication, and housekeeping.
• Properties seeking advanced revenue management, dynamic pricing, and detailed reporting.
• Hotel chains or large independent properties with complex operational needs.
• Teams that want automated workflows, ID scanning, and integrated payment solutions.
• Hotels looking for GDPR compliance and robust automation features.

Not ideal if your hotel prefers a simple, budget-friendly PMS or lacks the capacity for a more complex system.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter is a straightforward, highly-rated PMS designed specifically for hostels and small accommodations, offering essential features with ease of use and excellent support. It’s best suited for properties that value simplicity, affordability, and reliable customer service.

Rentlio provides a broader feature set in a cloud-based platform, ideal for hotels seeking advanced automation, revenue management, and extensive integrations. However, the lack of recent user feedback makes its current performance uncertain.

If your priority is a proven, highly-rated system tailored for hostel operations, Counter is the clear choice. If your property can leverage its extensive features and is prepared for a potentially steeper learning curve, consider Rentlio. Ultimately, your decision hinges on your hotel’s size, complexity, and operational goals.