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Digital Key vs. Openkey.co:
Which Is Right for You?
TLDR
We analyzed 84 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:
TLJ Access Control shines .
OpenKey shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for brand properties (2.8/5) , with exclusive features like Guest Management Dashboard and Mobile Checkin.
How Does Digital Key Compare to Openkey.co?
Side-by-side ratings based on 84 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 0 | 84 |
What Are the Pros and Cons of Digital Key vs Openkey.co?
After analyzing 84 verified reviews, TLJ Access Control users most value its , while OpenKey users highlight guest satisfaction, app usability, bypass front desk. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Guest Satisfaction
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App Usability
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Bypass Front Desk
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Contactless Check-In
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Customer Support
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Guest Communication
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Technical Issues
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TLJ Access Control vs OpenKey: Rankings by Hotel Segment
How each product ranks among Hotel Keyless Entry Systems vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment | TLJ Access Control |
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|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | — | #3 14 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | — | #1 55 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | — | #3 11 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | — | #9 0 reviews |
By Property Type
| Segment | TLJ Access Control |
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|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | — | #1 66 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | — | #2 62 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | — | #4 10 reviews |
| Extended Stay | — | #5 3 reviews |
By Region
| Segment | TLJ Access Control |
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| North America ▾ | — | #1 76 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #2 1 reviews |
The Decision
Choosing between Digital Key by TLJ Access Control and Openkey.co hinges on your hotel’s priorities around usability, features, support, and market reach. Both aim to provide keyless entry, but their approach and maturity differ significantly. TLJ Access Control offers no reviews and a very limited presence, making it difficult to assess its reliability or effectiveness. Conversely, OpenKey boasts a sizable, recent review base and a high rating, signaling a proven track record. Which system better fits your needs?
Is Digital Key by TLJ Access Control or Openkey.co Better for Hotels?
Both products target the same core problem: enabling keyless entry to improve guest experience and streamline operations. TLJ Access Control’s lack of reviews and its 0/5 rating suggest it’s either not widely adopted or not yet validated by users, raising doubts about its reliability. OpenKey, with over 69 recent reviews and a 4.26/5 rating, demonstrates broad adoption and consistent satisfaction among hoteliers. Are you willing to trust a newer, unreviewed product, or prefer proven performance?
Openkey.co vs Digital Key by TLJ Access Control: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?
If your hotel requires a scalable, flexible mobile key platform with integrations, choose OpenKey. Its extensive partner network and feature set, including guest management dashboards and multi-property management, suit mid-sized to large properties or chains. TLJ Access Control’s limited features and absence of verified integrations make it more suitable for smaller hotels or experimental setups. Do you prioritize proven functionality and integration, or are you testing a new solution?
Is Digital Key by TLJ Access Control or Openkey.co Easier to Use?
OpenKey scores 4.45/5 for ease of use, backed by positive reviews highlighting its intuitive app and quick guest onboarding. Customers also praise its seamless integration with PMS and lock systems, simplifying staff training. TLJ Access Control, with a 0/5 UI rating and no recent reviews, provides no clear evidence of ease or onboarding experience. Given OpenKey’s well-rated usability and recent feedback, it clearly offers a better user experience. Edge: OpenKey.
Which Has Better Features: Digital Key by TLJ Access Control or Openkey.co?
OpenKey provides 16 features, including keyless entry, notifications, guest management dashboards, mobile check-in, and remote access. TLJ Access Control offers no verified features or integrations, limiting its functionality. The lack of features severely constrains its utility in modern hotel operations. OpenKey’s feature set directly supports guest convenience and operational workflows. Edge: OpenKey.
Which Has Better Customer Support: Digital Key by TLJ Access Control or Openkey.co?
OpenKey’s support and onboarding ratings are 4.25/5, with reviews praising its responsiveness and helpfulness. Customers note quick support responses and proactive communication, improving their experience. TLJ Access Control has no reviews, making it impossible to assess support quality. Given the current data, OpenKey’s support is clearly more reliable. Edge: OpenKey.
Which Has More Integrations: Digital Key by TLJ Access Control or Openkey.co?
OpenKey integrates with over 50 property management systems and lock providers, including RoomRaccoon, Stayntouch, WebRezPro, and SALTO Systems. TLJ Access Control reports no verified integrations, limiting its compatibility and scalability. If your hotel relies on existing software and hardware integrations, OpenKey’s extensive network provides significant advantages. Edge: OpenKey.
Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Digital Key by TLJ Access Control or Openkey.co?
OpenKey’s recent reviews (69 in the last 6 months) give it a 4.26/5 rating, with 88% likelihood to recommend. Hotel segments like luxury, boutique, and resorts rate it highly, with many praising its ease of use and guest satisfaction. TLJ Access Control has no reviews or ratings, so trust must be based on assumptions rather than proven feedback. For proven satisfaction, OpenKey is the clear choice. Edge: OpenKey.
How Much Do Digital Key by TLJ Access Control and Openkey.co Cost?
TLJ Access Control does not list any pricing details, making it difficult to evaluate or compare costs. OpenKey charges a base fee of $500, with no ongoing monthly fees, offering a predictable expense model. Its pricing aligns with its feature-rich platform, making it accessible for a range of hotel sizes. If cost transparency is crucial, OpenKey provides clearer value.
What Type of Hotel Should Use Digital Key by TLJ Access Control?
- Hotels seeking a simple, possibly budget solution with minimal features.
- Small independent hotels testing digital key technology.
- Properties with limited integration needs and straightforward access control.
- Teams that prioritize low upfront costs or no-cost options.
- Not ideal if: your hotel desires a proven, fully integrated system with extensive features; if you operate multiple properties; or if you need reliable ongoing support and updates.
What Type of Hotel Should Use Openkey.co?
- Hotels that want a feature-rich, scalable mobile key platform.
- Mid to large-sized properties, chains, or resorts with multiple locations.
- Hotels that prioritize guest convenience with mobile check-in and multi-room access.
- Properties seeking integrations with numerous PMS and lock providers.
- Teams that value strong customer support and recent, positive user reviews.
- Not ideal if: your hotel has a very limited budget; if you prefer a system with no ongoing fees; or if your property is very small and does not need extensive features.
Openkey.co vs Digital Key by TLJ Access Control: The Bottom Line for Hotels
The core difference is market presence and proven functionality. OpenKey’s extensive reviews, high ratings, feature set, and integrations make it the more reliable choice currently. TLJ Access Control’s lack of reviews and features suggest it’s either in early stages or not yet viable for mainstream use.
Choose OpenKey if you want an established, well-supported platform with broad integrations and a track record of guest satisfaction. Opt for TLJ Access Control only if you’re experimenting with a very basic, potentially unproven solution, and your needs are minimal.
In summary, for most hotels seeking dependable, feature-rich mobile key technology, OpenKey is the sensible choice. Its recent, positive reviews and extensive capabilities make it the safer, smarter investment for your property’s future.
How Much Do Digital Key and Openkey.co Cost?
Hotel Keyless Entry 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.
| TLJ Access Control |
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| Starting Price | — | From $500/mo |
Which Features Does Digital Key Have That Openkey.co Doesn't (and Vice Versa)?
According to HTR's product database, Digital Key and Openkey.co share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature | TLJ Access Control |
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| Guest Management Dashboard | ||
| Keyless Entry | ||
| Mobile Checkin | ||
| Multi-property Management | ||
| Notifications | ||
| Whitelabel Capability |
Showing top differences. 4 more features differ between these products.
TLJ Access Control vs OpenKey: The Bottom Line
What hoteliers love
Overall, OpenKey has been well-received by guests, who appreciate the convenience of mobile keys, the ease of use, and the reduced need to carry physi... Overall, OpenKey has been well-received by guests, who appreciate the convenience of mobile keys, the ease of use, and the reduced need to carry physical keys. This positive feedback is a testament to its functionality and user experience.
The app is generally praised for its user-friendly interface, but some users feel that improvements could be made in terms of navigation and additiona... The app is generally praised for its user-friendly interface, but some users feel that improvements could be made in terms of navigation and additional features like in-app reset options for keys, and integrated guest services.
OpenKey's mobile key feature allows guests to bypass the front desk and go directly to their rooms, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and... OpenKey's mobile key feature allows guests to bypass the front desk and go directly to their rooms, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. This feature minimizes waiting time and offers a seamless check-in experience, particularly praised during busy periods.
Where hoteliers push back
Customer support for OpenKey is generally responsive and helpful, though some users report delays in receiving assistance and a need for more proactiv... Customer support for OpenKey is generally responsive and helpful, though some users report delays in receiving assistance and a need for more proactive communication regarding updates and fixes.
Several reviews highlight the need for better guest communication features within the app, such as clearer instructions for app use or notifications w... Several reviews highlight the need for better guest communication features within the app, such as clearer instructions for app use or notifications when rooms are ready. Enhancing these communication channels could further improve guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Key vs Openkey.co
Can Digital Key replace Openkey.co?
It depends on your requirements. Digital Key and Openkey.co share many core Hotel Keyless Entry Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Digital Key offers 0 verified integration partners, while Openkey.co offers 34. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Which is better for small or independent hotels?
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Openkey.co leads in ease of use at 4.5/5 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.
Do Digital Key or Openkey.co offer a free plan?
Digital Key: No. Openkey.co: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Keyless Entry Systems vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
How Does HTR Evaluate and Rank Digital Key and Openkey.co?
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. TLJ Access Control has an HT Score of 0 and OpenKey has 39. 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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