Counter vs. WavePM:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing a property management system (PMS) tailored for your hotel depends on your operational needs, guest volume, and regional focus. Counter by Counter is a dedicated PMS built for hostels, with a focus on simplicity and operational efficiency, while WavePM by WavePM is a broader property management platform emphasizing AI-driven insights and tenant management but currently has a very limited hotel-specific presence. Both aim to streamline operations but differ fundamentally in target audience, feature depth, and maturity.

Counter’s strong reputation stems from its intuitive interface and extensive reviews from hostel operators, whereas WavePM’s reviews are sparse, and its primary strength lies in its AI capabilities for property management. Which solution aligns better with your hotel’s size, segment, and growth plans?

Is Counter or WavePM Better for Hotels?

Counter, with its 54 reviews and a 4.73/5 overall rating, is clearly favored by hoteliers, especially in the hostel segment. Its recent reviews reinforce its reputation for ease of use and reliable support, which are crucial for small to medium-sized hostels and boutique hotels.

WavePM, with only one review and a 0/5 rating, offers limited direct feedback from hoteliers, mostly praising its architecture and flexibility. Its focus appears more aligned with property managers handling multi-unit residential or motel segments, not traditional hotels. Given the lack of recent hotel-oriented reviews for WavePM, Counter is evidently more trusted in the hotel space.

Counter vs WavePM: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel primarily operates in the hostel or budget hotel segment, Counter is the better fit due to its dedicated features, proven track record, and extensive user base of hostels. Its 19 exclusive features—like channel management, booking engine, guest CRM, and online support—are designed explicitly for small-scale and hostel-type accommodations.

Conversely, if your hotel is a larger property with complex needs, such as multi-property management or tenant engagement, WavePM might appeal with its AI-driven insights and expense management tools. But with only one review and no hotel-specific features or integrations documented, Counter remains the safer, more tested choice for hotels.

Is Counter or WavePM Easier to Use?

Counter earns a 4.6/5 in ease of use, with users highlighting its clean, simple interface and quick onboarding, rated at 4.7/5. Its mobile-friendly design allows staff to manage operations remotely, and reviews praise how quickly new staff adapt to its straightforward workflows.

WavePM claims a perfect 5/5 ease of use rating, emphasizing its modern architecture and AI features, but this is based on limited review data, not hotel-specific feedback. The single review available mentions flexibility and a user-friendly interface but lacks detailed usability insights.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Features: Counter or WavePM?

Counter offers 19 exclusive features tailored for hostel operations, including a comprehensive channel manager, booking engine, automated night audit, guest CRM, multi-lingual/multi-currency support, and ancillary revenue tracking. It also integrates with multiple third-party platforms like Stripe and Goki, adding to its versatility.

WavePM’s feature set appears more generalized, with no documented exclusive integrations or hotel-specific modules. Its AI capabilities for review summarization and recommendations are promising but currently lack hotel-specific features like a booking engine or channel management.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Counter or WavePM?

Counter’s support is frequently praised, with a 4.96/5 rating based on 54 recent reviews, and reviewers mention quick, helpful responses from team members like Evelyn and Max. Many reviews emphasize that support is accessible and effective, especially for onboarding and troubleshooting.

WavePM’s support ratings are slightly lower at 4/5, with fewer reviews available. The limited feedback indicates a generally positive experience, but the lack of recent or extensive reviews weakens its support reputation.

Edge: Counter.

Which Has More Integrations: Counter or WavePM?

Counter boasts 7 verified integration partners, including major OTA channel managers like SiteMinder, Cloudbeds, and Goki, along with Stripe for payments. These integrations facilitate seamless operations across booking channels, payments, and access control.

WavePM has zero verified integrations listed, which significantly limits its ability to connect with essential tools used in hotel operations today. For a hotel seeking a connected ecosystem, Counter’s integration network is clearly superior.

Edge: Counter.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Counter or WavePM?

Counter’s 54 reviews and recent positive feedback reflect a 4.73/5 score, especially among hostel and boutique hotel operators. Its clients highlight a user-friendly experience, quick support, and operational efficiency, making it the preferred choice for small to mid-sized properties.

WavePM has only one review, which is highly positive about architecture and flexibility but does not provide hotel-specific ratings or detailed feedback. Without sufficient hotel-oriented reviews, Counter’s user ratings are more indicative of its value.

Edge: Counter.

How Much Do Counter and WavePM Cost?

Pricing details for Counter are not publicly disclosed but are based on a flat, no-implementation or monthly fee structure, with no reported trial or freemium options. Its focus on affordability and tailored features makes it accessible for small properties.

WavePM’s pricing model is also not specified, though it appears to be a paid platform with no free trial, but details remain unclear. Given the lack of transparent pricing and limited hotel-specific features, Counter’s value proposition is clearer and better documented.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Counter?

• Hotels that operate hostels or budget accommodations, particularly those seeking an easy-to-use system.
• Teams that need quick onboarding and minimal training.
• Properties that prioritize channel management and automated booking features.
• Hotels looking for mobile management capabilities.
• Small to medium-sized properties with limited IT support.
• Hotels that value responsive customer support and ongoing system improvements.
• Not ideal if your property requires advanced revenue management or multi-property oversight.

What Type of Hotel Should Use WavePM?

• Larger property portfolios or multi-unit residential managers interested in AI-driven insights.
• Teams that want automated lease and expense management.
• Property managers seeking a flexible platform with modern architecture.
• Hotels that place a premium on high-level data synthesis and tenant communication.
• Not ideal if your hotel requires extensive integrations, a proven hotel-specific track record, or is looking for a dedicated PMS with extensive features.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Counter by Counter is a dedicated, feature-rich PMS designed for small and hostel properties, with a proven track record, extensive reviews, and regional presence in 29 countries. Its suite of integrations, ease of use, and support make it a reliable choice for hoteliers looking to streamline operations without complexity.

WavePM, while promising with its AI architecture and expense management tools, lacks hotel-specific features and proven user feedback in this space. Its current market presence and review data do not support its suitability for traditional hotels.

If your priority is a trusted, well-reviewed system tailored for hostel and small hotel operations, Counter is the clear choice. Reserve WavePM for larger, multi-unit residential or tenant-focused management where AI insights and flexible architecture are more critical than hotel-specific tools.