Counter vs. RoomRaccoon PMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) can significantly impact your hotel's efficiency, guest satisfaction, and revenue. Both Counter by Counter and RoomRaccoon PMS aim to streamline operations, but they do so with different strengths and target audiences. Your decision hinges on your property type, scale, and specific operational needs.

Counter, designed specifically for hostels, emphasizes ease of use and support, while RoomRaccoon targets small hotels and independent properties with a broader feature set. Which system aligns best with your hotel's goals?

Is Counter or RoomRaccoon Better for Hotels?

Counter is a free, user-friendly PMS tailored for hostels, focusing on simplifying daily operations with an intuitive interface. RoomRaccoon, on the other hand, is a paid, versatile platform built for small hotels and independents, offering a suite of automation and revenue management features.

Both platforms support multi-channel booking and guest management, but Counter’s strength lies in its simplicity and support for hostel-specific needs. RoomRaccoon provides a more comprehensive set of tools for automating processes and increasing revenue.

Are you seeking a straightforward system that gets the basics right or a more feature-rich platform that boosts profitability? Your choice depends on the complexity of your property’s operations.

RoomRaccoon vs Counter: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your property is a hostel or small independent operation prioritizing ease of use and quick onboarding, Counter is your best fit. It caters well to hostels with its mobile-friendly interface and strong support, especially for properties looking for basic operational management without heavy investment.

If your hotel needs advanced features like yield management, guest profiles, integrated CRS, and detailed analytics, RoomRaccoon is the clear winner. Its robust automation tools and extensive integrations make it suitable for small hotels aiming to grow revenue and streamline guest communications.

In summary, choose Counter for simplicity and support, and RoomRaccoon for automation and revenue optimization.

Is Counter or RoomRaccoon Easier to Use?

Counter boasts a high ease-of-use rating of 4.6/5 from users, with many praising its clean interface and mobile responsiveness. Its onboarding process is rated 4.7/5, and users find staff adoption straightforward, especially given its hostel-specific design.

RoomRaccoon scores slightly higher at 4.74/5 for ease of use, with users emphasizing its intuitive layout and easy management of bookings, invoicing, and guest communication. Its onboarding experience is rated 4.61/5, and staff report quick learning curves.

Edge: RoomRaccoon.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or RoomRaccoon?

RoomRaccoon offers 33 features exclusive to its platform, including revenue management, guest profiles, integrated CRS, EPoS, analytics dashboards, multi-currency support, and online checkout. These features support dynamic pricing, detailed guest management, and operational automation, making it a strong choice for revenue-focused hotels.

Counter has only one unique feature — online 24/7 support — but shares 18 features with RoomRaccoon, such as booking management and channel integration. Its feature set is more limited, emphasizing simplicity over complexity.

Edge: RoomRaccoon.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or RoomRaccoon?

Counter stands out with a customer support rating of 4.96/5, and users frequently mention fast, helpful responses from team members like Evelyn and Max. Many reviews highlight support’s responsiveness, especially during onboarding and troubleshooting.

RoomRaccoon’s support scores 4.53/5, with users noting helpful support but also citing issues with slow response times, especially during busy periods. Some reviews mention frustration over unresolved bugs and less prompt assistance.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or RoomRaccoon?

RoomRaccoon boasts 88 verified integrations, including popular partners like Stripe, SiteMinder, and Sage, facilitating extensive connectivity. It supports 3 shared partners with Counter, including WuBook and Stripe, but offers many more unique connections, especially for revenue management and booking tools.

Counter has 7 verified partners, focusing mainly on essential integrations like POS and channel management. Its smaller integration ecosystem may limit advanced automation and connectivity options.

Edge: RoomRaccoon.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or RoomRaccoon?

RoomRaccoon enjoys a higher overall rating of 4.88/5 with 169 reviews, 5-star reviews praising its automation, ease of use, and revenue tools. Its recent reviews (5 in the last 6 months) reinforce its active user satisfaction.

Counter has 54 reviews with a 4.73/5 rating, mainly praising its simplicity and support but citing bugs and limited features. The older review count and lower review volume suggest less recent feedback.

Edge: RoomRaccoon.

How Much Do Counter and RoomRaccoon Cost?

Counter does not specify a pricing model, indicating a likely free or very low-cost offering aimed at hostels. RoomRaccoon charges a $1,000 monthly base fee, with no mention of setup or additional charges.

While Counter’s free model can be attractive for budget-conscious hostels, RoomRaccoon’s paid plan reflects its broader feature set and automation capabilities, making it more suitable for hotels willing to invest in revenue growth.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate exclusively as hostels, backpacker lodges, or budget accommodations.
• Teams seeking a straightforward, easy-to-learn system with minimal setup.
• Properties with limited staff who prioritize quick onboarding and mobile management.
• Hosts focusing primarily on reservations, check-ins, and basic guest management.

Not ideal if:

• You need advanced revenue management or detailed analytics.
• Your property involves complex group bookings or multiple revenue streams.
• You require extensive integrations or automation features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RoomRaccoon?

• Small hotels and independent operators seeking a comprehensive all-in-one platform.
• Hotels wanting to automate guest communications, invoicing, and dynamic pricing.
• Properties aiming to increase direct bookings and revenue with upselling tools.
• Teams looking for a user-friendly solution that can scale with growth.

Not ideal if:

• You operate a large hotel chain requiring enterprise-level systems.
• Your property needs highly specialized or industry-specific functions not present in RoomRaccoon.
• You prefer a free or very low-cost PMS with minimal features.

RoomRaccoon vs Counter: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter excels as a free, hostel-focused PMS that emphasizes simplicity, support, and ease of use. Its limited feature set might restrict automation and revenue optimization but makes it ideal for small, staff-constrained hostels.

RoomRaccoon offers a broader suite of automation, revenue management, and integrations, making it suitable for small hotels and independents eager to grow profitability without overwhelming complexity. Its active reviews and extensive features position it as the more robust choice.

If your property is a hostel or budget inn with straightforward needs, Counter is the sensible pick. For small hotels aiming to automate, upsell, and enhance revenue streams, RoomRaccoon delivers more value.

In conclusion, the decision boils down to your hotel’s size, operational complexity, and growth ambitions. If you prioritize support and simplicity, Counter is a solid option. If you seek automation, revenue tools, and integrations, RoomRaccoon stands out as the more capable platform.