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

Is Counter or RoomRaccoon PMS Better for Hotels?

Counter and RoomRaccoon PMS serve distinct hotel segments with some overlap but diverge sharply in scope and complexity. Counter is a free, mobile-friendly PMS designed specifically for hostels, with 83% of its user base in that segment and a 4.7/5 rating from 50 hostel reviews. RoomRaccoon targets independent hotels, boutique properties, and B&Bs, with 29% boutique and 20% B&B, earning higher volume reviews (210 total) and a 4.7/5 overall rating. RoomRaccoon’s broader feature set and integrations cater to more varied hotel operations.

Both systems solve the core problem of simplifying property management and automating reservations, check-in/out, and guest communications. They reduce manual tasks and help maintain up-to-date occupancy data. Counter’s lightweight design suits hostels needing straightforward, fast tools, while RoomRaccoon addresses independent hotels requiring integrated revenue and distribution management alongside PMS functions.

Counter vs RoomRaccoon PMS: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your property is a hostel—especially one with a small to medium size—Counter is the better fit based on its user base and 4.7/5 rating from 50 hostel reviews. Counter’s free model and mobile browser interface reduce costs and support on-the-go management, matching hostel workflows like shared room reservations and simplified billing. Its fewer features and integrations reflect the focused hostel use case.

If you run an independent boutique hotel, B&B, or a small hotel with complex needs like dynamic pricing, group bookings, or multi-channel distribution, RoomRaccoon’s 87 verified integrations and 33 exclusive features make it a stronger choice. RoomRaccoon’s 4.7/5 rating across 210 reviews, including 101 from boutique hotels and 90 from B&Bs, confirms its suitability. Properties needing revenue management modules, automated upselling, and integrated POS will benefit. For very small hostels or budget properties, RoomRaccoon’s $1,000 base price may be prohibitive; Counter has no published pricing.

Data for large resorts and branded hotels is limited for Counter (less than 10 reviews), so RoomRaccoon’s broader adoption in multiple segments offers more confidence for diverse property types. However, RoomRaccoon’s complexity may be overkill for simple hostels.

Is Counter or RoomRaccoon PMS Easier to Use?

Counter and RoomRaccoon both have high ease-of-use ratings: 4.6/5 for Counter and 4.7/5 for RoomRaccoon, with onboarding scores similarly close at 4.7/5 and 4.6/5 respectively. Reviewer feedback states Counter’s interface is clean and intuitive with no training needed, particularly appealing for hostels onboarding staff quickly. RoomRaccoon is praised for clear workflows, easy learning curves, and training videos that facilitate adoption in hotels with varied staff skills.

Counter’s mobile-friendly design enhances usability for managers and receptionists working remotely or on the move. RoomRaccoon’s feature depth brings some clunky workflows for complex reservations, which may extend training time despite strong initial support. Both have straightforward calendar views and automate many manual tasks, reducing operational friction at the front desk.

Edge: Even.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or RoomRaccoon PMS?

RoomRaccoon offers 33 unique features not found in Counter, including a revenue management module, integrated CRS, multi-currency support, house-keeping mobile app, online check-in/out, and extensive rate management tools. These add operational capabilities like dynamic pricing, yield rules, and automated guest communications, enabling independent hotels to optimize revenue and guest experience comprehensively.

Counter’s unique feature is 24/7 online support, critical for hostels operating around the clock, though staffing and time zone coverage may vary. Counter’s focus is on core PMS functions for hostels, with POS integration and automatic payment processing simplifying income management but lacking advanced revenue tools.

RoomRaccoon’s extensive feature set changes hotel workflows by automating pricing, invoicing, and guest upselling, freeing staff to focus beyond admin tasks. Counter improves workflow efficiency primarily through simplicity and automation tailored to hostel needs but lacks RoomRaccoon’s breadth.

Edge: RoomRaccoon.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or RoomRaccoon PMS?

Counter scores 4.9/5 on customer support and 4.7/5 on onboarding, compared to RoomRaccoon’s 4.5/5 and 4.6/5 respectively. Reviews praise Counter’s support staff—specifically Evelyn, Max, and José—for quick responses and flexibility in implementing improvements. Hostels report high satisfaction with support availability and personalized assistance.

RoomRaccoon’s support is described as excellent during initial setup and training, but some users report slow or absent follow-up, particularly outside business hours and on weekends, which disrupts operations during peak times. Several reviewers warn about inconsistent post-sale service.

Counter’s support responsiveness is a clear operational advantage for hostels requiring fast issue resolution, while RoomRaccoon may need improved ongoing support for independent hotels relying heavily on after-sales service.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or RoomRaccoon PMS?

RoomRaccoon has 87 verified partners versus Counter’s 7, a difference of over 1100%, clearly favoring RoomRaccoon. Shared integrations include WuBook, SiteMinder, and Stripe, important for channel management and payments. RoomRaccoon’s unique integrations with Sage accounting, FLEXIPASS keyless entry, Becurious marketing, and multiple revenue management tools support complex operations and tailored tech stacks.

Counter’s integrations focus mainly on hospitality essentials like POS systems, payment gateways, and key management services, sufficient for smaller hostels but limited for hotels needing extensive connectivity.

Hotels requiring multi-channel distribution, advanced analytics, and ecosystem flexibility benefit from RoomRaccoon’s partner network. Hostels or small properties with minimal integration needs may find Counter’s integrations adequate.

Edge: RoomRaccoon.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or RoomRaccoon PMS?

Both products have nearly identical overall ratings: Counter at 4.6/5 across 57 reviews and RoomRaccoon at 4.7/5 across 210 reviews. Review recency favors RoomRaccoon with one review in the last six months compared to none for Counter, although last-6-month averages are low for both.

Segment ratings show Counter excels in hostels with 4.7/5 from 50 reviews, while RoomRaccoon leads in boutique hotels (4.7/5, 101 reviews), B&Bs (4.8/5, 90 reviews), and resorts (4.8/5, 35 reviews). RoomRaccoon also scores higher in luxury hotels (4.8/5, 66 reviews) versus Counter’s limited data in that segment.

Limited Service & Budget Hotels rate RoomRaccoon at 4.7/5 (35 reviews) and Counter at 4.6/5 (35 reviews), indicating similar satisfaction in this segment. Hostels strongly favor Counter in review volume but share close ratings.

Edge: Even.

How Much Do Counter and RoomRaccoon Cost?

Counter does not publish pricing and is advertised as free, aligning with its target hostel market focusing on cost-conscious operators. There are no implementation fees or monthly charges disclosed.

RoomRaccoon has a $1,000 base price with no per-room or monthly flat fees published. No freemium or trial options exist for either product.

For very small hostels or budget properties, Counter’s free offering is a decisive advantage. Independent hotels needing RoomRaccoon’s advanced features should anticipate a significant upfront cost.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that primarily operate as hostels, especially those with shared rooms and simple booking needs (83% of users).
• Teams that require a free, mobile-optimized PMS to manage day-to-day operations remotely.
• Properties valuing fast, responsive customer support with personalized assistance.
• Hostels that benefit from POS integration and automated payment processing to reduce manual tasks.
• Operators seeking a straightforward system with a minimal learning curve for staff.

Not ideal if:

• Hotels need advanced revenue management, multi-currency support, or extensive integrations.
• Properties require detailed reporting or automation for complex group bookings.
• Larger boutique or independent hotels with multiple room types and dynamic pricing needs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RoomRaccoon?

• Independent boutique hotels and B&Bs that demand an all-in-one PMS, booking engine, and channel manager.
• Hotels requiring advanced revenue management tools like dynamic pricing, yield rules, and automated upselling.
• Properties managing multiple distribution channels needing real-time two-way integrations.
• Teams that want automation for invoicing, guest communications, and online check-in/out.
• Small to medium hotels seeking scalable software with broad feature sets and extensive partner ecosystem.

Not ideal if:

• The property is a hostel with simple operational needs and limited budget.
• Hotels prioritizing 24/7 direct customer support over feature depth.
• Operators preferring a free or pay-as-you-go pricing model.

Counter vs RoomRaccoon PMS: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter and RoomRaccoon PMS both address the core challenge of simplifying hotel property management but cater to markedly different hotel populations. Counter’s lightweight, free PMS excels in hostels with simpler workflows, focusing on ease of use and responsive support tailored to hostel environments. RoomRaccoon targets independent and boutique hotels with a comprehensive suite of features, integrations, and revenue tools designed to drive operational efficiency and growth.

Choose Counter if your property is a hostel or budget accommodation needing a simple, fast, and free PMS with excellent support and mobile access. Its POS integration and automation reduce manual front desk work, but it lacks advanced revenue management and broad channel integrations.

Choose RoomRaccoon if you run a small to medium independent hotel or B&B requiring a full-featured PMS combined with booking engine, channel manager, and revenue management. RoomRaccoon’s automation for pricing, payments, and upselling, plus 87 verified integrations and extensive reporting, offer operational and financial advantages. However, be prepared for a $1,000 base cost and variable post-sale support.

This comparison guides hoteliers toward the product that fits their property type, scale, and operational needs with clear evidence from user ratings, feature sets, and integrations.