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 105 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:
Crave Interactive shines in onboarding — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like Credit Card Payments and Payments Integrations.
Runtriz shines when it comes to guest communication , with exclusive features like Mobile Checkin and Guest Profiles.
Side-by-side ratings based on 105 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $400/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 67 | 38 |
After analyzing 105 verified reviews, Crave Interactive users most value its customer service, user interface, customization, while Runtriz users highlight guest communication, user experience, check-in process. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Customer service
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Guest Communication
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User interface
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User Experience
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Customization
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Check-in Process
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Guest communication
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Revenue Generation
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Hardware issues
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Customizability
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Seamless system integration
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Guest Misunderstanding
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Back-end system
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Notification and Alerts
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How each product ranks among Hotel Guest Apps vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #6 13 reviews | #13 1 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #9 26 reviews | #3 33 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #4 14 reviews | #12 3 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #5 7 reviews | #24 0 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #6 26 reviews | #9 11 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #5 31 reviews | #15 3 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #4 27 reviews | #2 34 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #10 2 reviews | #2 24 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #4 26 reviews | #1 37 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #8 31 reviews | #34 0 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | #8 2 reviews | — |
| Middle East | #8 1 reviews | — |
Choosing the right hotel guest app can significantly influence your property's guest experience, operational efficiency, and revenue. Crave Mobile Platform and Runtriz are two prominent options, each with strengths and limitations. Both aim to streamline guest interactions, yet they differ in features, user feedback, and market presence. Your decision hinges on your hotel's specific needs: do you prioritize extensive customization and integrations, or focus on seamless communication and ease of use?
While Crave boasts more recent reviews and a higher overall rating from more users, Runtriz remains a strong contender, especially in certain segments. Which platform aligns best with your property’s goals?
Both Crave and Runtriz deliver guest engagement solutions, but their core offerings diverge. Crave emphasizes a broad suite of features like contactless ordering, digital menus, and extensive integration options, aiming to replace traditional service touchpoints with a mobile, app-less interface. Runtriz, on the other hand, focuses on communication, check-in, and upselling, with a notable strength in pre-arrival engagement and real-time guest messaging.
Crave’s approach is more comprehensive with 16 unique features, including POS and NFC contactless payments, while Runtriz offers just three exclusive features, notably mobile check-in and guest profiles. Both platforms support core functions like guest messaging and requests, but Crave’s wider feature set suggests a deeper digital engagement capacity.
However, Crave’s more extensive feature lineup is backed by 48 reviews, none in the last six months, indicating stable but slightly older data. Runtriz has a slightly smaller review count of 37, with reviews in the last six months, providing more current insights.
The choice between them depends on whether your hotel values a broad feature set (Crave) or prefers a simpler, communication-focused tool (Runtriz). Do you want a platform that replaces multiple systems, or one that enhances communication with less complexity?
If your hotel needs a highly customizable, all-in-one engagement platform with extensive payment and ordering features, go with Crave. It’s well-suited for properties aiming to replace multiple systems with a single interface, especially those seeking robust data analytics and marketing capabilities. Its high customer support ratings (4.79/5) and detailed integrations make it ideal for larger or tech-savvy properties.
If your hotel prioritizes guest communication, quick check-in, and simple upselling, Runtriz is the better choice. Its focus on real-time messaging, mobile check-in, and guest profiles makes it suitable for properties that want to enhance guest satisfaction without overhauling existing systems. Runtriz’s scalable solutions serve boutique hotels, resorts, and limited-service properties seeking straightforward, effective guest engagement.
For properties with a tech-forward mindset or complex digital offerings, Crave’s broader feature set makes it a logical pick. Conversely, if your hotel needs a straightforward solution that improves basic communication and guest convenience, Runtriz fits better.
Crave scores slightly higher for ease of use at 4.61/5, with users praising its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup. It has a smooth onboarding process (rated 4.57/5), with many reviews emphasizing how quickly staff adapt to its platform.
Runtriz, with a 4.66/5 rating for ease of use, is similarly praised for its simple, intuitive interface, especially for guest-facing features like messaging and check-in. Users highlight its straightforward implementation and minimal staff training needed.
Both platforms are rated highly, but Crave’s older reviews suggest it may have a slight edge in user experience and onboarding, especially in larger properties with complex needs. Edge: Crave.
Crave’s feature suite surpasses Runtriz with 16 exclusive functions, including contactless payments, digital menus, NFC, and in-venue ordering. These features enable a fully digital guest experience, reducing reliance on physical menus and staff interaction.
Runtriz offers three key features exclusive to its platform: mobile check-in, guest profiles, and app download. These focus on pre-arrival engagement and streamlined check-in processes but lack the extensive retail and payment integrations found in Crave.
The comprehensive feature set of Crave makes it better suited for hotels seeking an all-encompassing guest engagement solution. For simpler needs, Runtriz’s core features may suffice.
Edge: Crave.
Crave’s customer support is highly rated at 4.79/5, with reviews praising quick, helpful responses and proactive service. Hoteliers appreciate the 24/7 support, often citing quick resolution times, like one user noting a response within 2 minutes for a pricing change.
Runtriz, with a support rating of 4.51/5, is also well-regarded but slightly less so. Users commend its ease of implementation but mention occasional issues with notifications and system bugs, which can slow response times.
Given the more recent reviews and higher ratings, Crave’s support appears more reliable and responsive. Edge: Crave.
Crave integrates with 17 verified partners, including industry leaders like Oracle Hospitality, Infor, and Amadeus, along with unique integrations such as Google Pay and POS systems. Its extensive network supports a wide range of hotel management and payment systems.
Runtriz supports 14 verified partners, including Cendyn, SALTO, and OpenKey. While its integrations cover key hotel needs, they are slightly fewer and less diverse than Crave’s.
If integration breadth is critical, Crave’s larger partner network offers more flexibility in connecting with existing hotel systems. Edge: Crave.
Crave, with 48 reviews and a 4.75/5 rating, is favored across multiple segments, with some properties rating it 5/5. Larger hotels and resorts often praise its extensive feature set and support.
Runtriz, with 37 reviews and a slightly higher overall rating of 4.77/5, performs well among boutique and limited-service properties, especially in regions like North America and Europe. Review recency favors Crave, but Runtriz’s high scores in recent months suggest strong current satisfaction.
Overall, Crave’s higher review count and recent feedback make it the more trusted choice. Edge: Crave.
Crave’s pricing starts at a flat rate of $400 per month, with no hidden implementation or setup fees, making it transparent for hotels to budget. Its licensing model is straightforward, with no trial or freemium options.
Runtriz’s pricing remains undisclosed publicly, often customized based on hotel size and needs. It does not offer a free trial or transparent pricing model, which could complicate budgeting.
For clear, predictable costs, Crave provides more certainty. Runtriz’s pricing might vary significantly, requiring direct negotiation.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Crave’s core strength lies in its extensive feature set, integrations, and detailed data analytics, making it suitable for larger, tech-forward properties. Its higher review count, recent positive feedback, and varied functionalities support advanced guest engagement and operational automation.
Runtriz, with its focus on communication, pre-arrival engagement, and ease of use, best serves boutique, resort, and limited-service hotels that prioritize guest interaction over complex digital services. Its simpler implementation and focus on core engagement features make it ideal for properties that want quick improvements without overhauling systems.
If your hotel needs a comprehensive, multi-functional platform that can replace several systems, Crave is the clear choice. If your goal is to enhance basic communication and streamline check-in, Runtriz will meet your needs effectively.
This guide aims to help you confidently choose the guest app platform best suited to your hotel’s size, segment, and digital strategy. Both platforms are strong, but your specific operational priorities will determine the best fit.
Hotel Guest Apps 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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| Starting Price | From $400/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, Crave Mobile Platform and Runtriz share 9 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| App download | ||
| Apple Pay | ||
| Credit Card Payments | ||
| Digital Menu | ||
| Guest Profiles | ||
| In-Venue Ordering | ||
| Mobile Checkin | ||
| QR Codes | ||
| Web Based (Appless) |
Showing top differences. 7 more features differ between these products.
What hoteliers love
Crave Interactive provides exceptional customer service with quick response times and helpful support staff. Hoteliers appreciate the efficient and pr... Crave Interactive provides exceptional customer service with quick response times and helpful support staff. Hoteliers appreciate the efficient and proactive support, which helps in resolving issues promptly.
While the user interface is appreciated for being user-friendly and intuitive for guests, some feedback suggests it could be more modern and customiza... While the user interface is appreciated for being user-friendly and intuitive for guests, some feedback suggests it could be more modern and customizable to better fit individual hotel needs.
Customization options, especially for menu updates and guest interfaces, are limited and often require support from Crave Interactive's team. Users ex... Customization options, especially for menu updates and guest interfaces, are limited and often require support from Crave Interactive's team. Users express a desire for more control over customizations.
Where hoteliers push back
Several reviews mentioned concerns with the hardware, specifically tablet durability and charging difficulties. These issues can affect overall effici... Several reviews mentioned concerns with the hardware, specifically tablet durability and charging difficulties. These issues can affect overall efficiency and guest satisfaction when using the system.
The system's integration with other hotel management systems, such as Simphony and PMS, is highlighted for making operations smoother and reducing man... The system's integration with other hotel management systems, such as Simphony and PMS, is highlighted for making operations smoother and reducing manual entry. This has been particularly beneficial during large events and for managing room services efficiently.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Runtriz is praised for its ability to facilitate easy and efficient communication between hotel staff and guests. It supports pre-arrival notification... Runtriz is praised for its ability to facilitate easy and efficient communication between hotel staff and guests. It supports pre-arrival notifications, real-time messaging, and service requests, which improves guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
The platform is generally considered user-friendly and straightforward for both staff and guests. However, some users noted that the interface could b... The platform is generally considered user-friendly and straightforward for both staff and guests. However, some users noted that the interface could be more modern and visually appealing, suggesting potential areas for aesthetic improvements.
The tool streamlines and expedites check-in with features like mobile pre-check-in and real-time notifications, reducing wait times and enhancing the... The tool streamlines and expedites check-in with features like mobile pre-check-in and real-time notifications, reducing wait times and enhancing the guest experience. However, some issues with proper integration and guest understanding of pre-check-in were noted.
Where hoteliers push back
Runtriz allows a high degree of customization in setting templates and automating responses, which users found beneficial for streamlining operations... Runtriz allows a high degree of customization in setting templates and automating responses, which users found beneficial for streamlining operations and enhancing guest interaction. However, improvement in backend support for these features was suggested.
Some guests misunderstand the pre-check-in process, thinking it means they are fully checked in, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction. Clearer com... Some guests misunderstand the pre-check-in process, thinking it means they are fully checked in, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction. Clearer communication and instructions could mitigate these issues.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Crave Mobile Platform and Runtriz share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. Crave Mobile Platform offers 17 verified integration partners, while Runtriz offers 14. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Runtriz leads in ease of use at 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5. 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.
Crave Mobile Platform: No. Runtriz: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Guest Apps 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. Crave Interactive has an HT Score of 75 and Runtriz has 21. 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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