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.
Skyware Systems shines , with exclusive features like On premise and Revenue management module.
Side-by-side ratings based on 57 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| 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 Skyware Systems users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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User interface and usability
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Customer support
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Automated features
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Platform integration
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Bug issues
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Reporting and revenue management
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Pricing
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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
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Skyware Systems
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #26 28 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) | #46 4 reviews | #71 0 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #32 2 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #31 1 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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Skyware Systems
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| Boutique ▾ | #31 16 reviews | — |
| Luxury | #44 4 reviews | #66 0 reviews |
| Branded / Chain | #43 4 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #32 5 reviews | — |
By Region
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Skyware Systems
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| North America ▾ | #25 8 reviews | #50 0 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #20 25 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #16 4 reviews | — |
| Middle East | #11 2 reviews | — |
Choosing between Counter by Counter and Skyware Systems hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both aim to streamline operations, but Counter is tailored for hostels with a focus on ease and automation, whereas Skyware offers a broader suite of features suited to larger hotels and multi-property operations.
Counter’s more recent reviews and higher ratings make it the more reliable choice for hoteliers prioritizing user experience and support. Are you ready to see which platform aligns best with your property’s goals?
Counter and Skyware Systems serve different hotel types with distinct capabilities. Counter, designed for hostels, emphasizes simplicity, mobile management, and automation, helping small to medium properties operate efficiently. Skyware, with over 30 years of hospitality experience, provides a comprehensive suite suitable for larger, multi-property hotels that need extensive operational tools.
Counter’s focus on user-friendly features and recent positive reviews, including a 4.73/5 overall rating from 54 recent reviews, contrast with Skyware’s lack of recent review data and zero ratings. Do you prioritize ease of use or advanced, multi-faceted features?
If your hotel is a hostel or small property seeking straightforward management and automation, Counter is the better fit. It offers an intuitive interface, high customer support ratings, and features like payment processing, POS integration, and channel management — all crucial for busy hostels.
Conversely, if your hotel is larger, manages multiple properties, or needs features like conference booking, spa management, or extensive integration options, Skyware’s broader suite could be more suitable. However, with no recent reviews or ratings, Skyware's real-world performance remains uncertain.
Counter boasts a high ease of use rating of 4.6/5 based on 54 reviews, with users praising its intuitive interface and quick onboarding process. Many reviewers mention how staff adapt quickly, and the platform’s mobile-friendly design allows management from anywhere.
Skyware Systems shows no recent review data or user ratings, making it impossible to assess its ease of use. Given Counter’s strong recent feedback, edge: Counter.
Counter offers 18 shared features plus one unique feature — payment processing — that Skyware lacks. It also integrates with platforms like Stripe and Goki, enabling automated payments and access management.
Skyware’s features include modules for spa, conference, and restaurant management, with 5 features unique to it, like revenue management and gift vouchers. With more features and recent reviews, edge: Counter.
Counter’s support is rated at 4.96/5 from 54 reviews, with many users describing the team as fast, helpful, and professional, especially mentioning staff like Evelyn and Max. Customers appreciate quick responses and ongoing improvements despite ongoing bugs.
Skyware lacks recent reviews or ratings, so its support performance remains unverified. Based on available data, edge: Counter.
Counter integrates with 7 verified partners, including major platforms like Cloudbeds, SiteMinder, and Stripe, providing essential connectivity. Skyware offers 15 verified integrations, including notable systems like GuestCentric, Revinate, and OpenKey, covering broader operational needs.
While Skyware has more integrations, Counter’s partnerships are more relevant for small to medium properties. Given the recent reviews emphasizing platform stability, edge: Counter.
Counter’s recent reviews and a 4.73/5 overall rating, along with a 91% likelihood to recommend, demonstrate strong user satisfaction, especially among hostels. Users highlight its simplicity, support, and automation as key advantages.
Skyware’s data is outdated, with no recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to gauge current user sentiment. Therefore, the clear winner is: edge: Counter.
Both platforms do not publicly list pricing details, indicating a custom quote process. Counter’s absence of pricing information suggests it may be more affordable for smaller properties, while Skyware’s extensive features might come with higher costs suited for larger hotels.
Not ideal if you need advanced revenue management, extensive spa or conference features, or multi-property capabilities.
Not ideal if your property is small, hostelry-focused, or prioritizes ease of use over extensive feature sets.
Counter’s core advantage is its simplicity, modern interface, and targeted features for hostels and small hotels. Its recent reviews and high ratings make it a reliable choice for properties prioritizing ease, automation, and support.
Skyware offers a broad suite of tools that can support large hotels and multi-property operations, but the lack of recent reviews and ratings makes its current performance uncertain. If your focus is on user experience and recent positive feedback, Counter is the clear winner.
For small to medium properties, especially hostels, Counter’s focus on automation and ease of use makes it the superior choice. Larger hotels or multi-property groups should consider Skyware’s extensive modules, but should request current references before committing.
In conclusion, if recent user feedback and support are your priority, Counter stands out. For advanced features and industry breadth, Skyware might be appealing — but only if you can verify its current performance.
Property Management Systems pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
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Skyware Systems
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According to HTR's product database, Counter and Skyware Systems share 18 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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Skyware Systems
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| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| On premise | ||
| Payment processing | ||
| Revenue management module | ||
| Spa & Wellness Module |
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.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Counter and Skyware Systems share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Counter offers 7 verified integration partners, while Skyware Systems offers 15. 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. Skyware Systems: 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 Skyware Systems has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
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| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 →
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