Direct™ vs. RMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right hotel management software can significantly influence your operational efficiency, guest experience, and revenue. Both Direct™ by Direct™ and RMS by RMS aim to streamline hotel operations, but they serve different hotel types and organizational needs. Direct™ is marketed as a property management system evolved for vacation rentals, B&Bs, and independent hotels, whereas RMS is a comprehensive, broad-spectrum hospitality platform favored by a diverse range of hotel segments. Which platform aligns best with your hotel’s size, complexity, and growth ambitions?

If your hotel prioritizes a unified platform with extensive features and proven scalability, RMS’s proven track record and large user base make it the stronger option. On the other hand, if your focus is a simplified, all-in-one solution tailored for smaller operations or vacation rentals, Direct™ might seem appealing. But is a smaller, less-reviewed platform enough to meet your needs?

Is Direct™ or RMS Better for Hotels?

Direct™ and RMS aim to solve core hotel management issues like reservations, guest communication, and revenue optimization. RMS offers a comprehensive suite of over 74 features, including channel management, POS, revenue management, and guest CRM, while Direct™ claims to consolidate essential functionalities into a single platform designed for ease of use and scalability. RMS's features are more granular and extensive, with a proven track record, but it also has a higher complexity and cost. Direct™, being newer and less-reviewed, lacks a visible track record, but aims to streamline operations for smaller or growing properties.

RMS's strength lies in its reliability and depth, especially for multi-property operations, while Direct™ emphasizes simplicity and automation. Do you need a flexible, feature-rich system that can grow with your property, or a straightforward solution that covers basic needs without excess complexity?

RMS vs Direct™: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a robust, multi-feature platform capable of managing multiple properties, RMS is the better choice. Its over 224 reviews and recent positive feedback, including a 4.56/5 overall rating, underscore its widespread trust. RMS’s broad feature set, including channel management, integrated CRS, and advanced revenue tools, benefits hotels seeking extensive automation and detailed reporting.

Conversely, if your hotel primarily requires an easy-to-use, scaled-back property management system, especially if budget and simplicity are priorities, Direct™ could be attractive. However, with zero reviews and a lack of proven market presence, Direct™ is less proven. RMS’s established reputation and comprehensive functionality make it the safer choice for most hotels.

Is Direct™ or RMS Easier to Use?

RMS’s UI and onboarding experience are rated 4.3/5 and 4.14/5 respectively, with many users praising its intuitive interface and quick setup. RMS’s staff support and onboarding services receive consistently high praise, with reviews emphasizing helpful, responsive customer support and clear guidance during implementation.

In contrast, Direct™ scores 0/5 in ease of use, with no available reviews or user feedback. Its lack of user ratings suggests limited adoption or experience, making it impossible to assess usability. Given RMS’s established user base and positive feedback, edge: RMS.

Which Has Better Features: Direct™ or RMS?

RMS boasts a feature set of over 74 capabilities, including advanced channel management, integrated CRS, guest CRM, booking engine, POS, revenue management, automated night audits, multi-currency/multilingual support, and more. These features are tailored for complex operations and multi-property management, providing granular control and automation.

Direct™ offers no visible features or modules, only promising an evolved PMS for vacation rentals and small properties. Its lack of detailed features or integrations makes it unsuitable for properties needing extensive automation or multi-property management. Edge: RMS.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Direct™ or RMS?

RMS’s customer support is rated 4.52/5, with recent reviews highlighting prompt, helpful service. Clients appreciate the dedicated onboarding support and ongoing assistance, which is vital for complex, multi-faceted operations.

Direct™ has no reviews or ratings, making it impossible to evaluate support quality. The absence of feedback suggests limited market presence or less proven customer service. RMS’s established reputation in support wins decisively. Edge: RMS.

Which Has More Integrations: Direct™ or RMS?

RMS offers 112 verified integrations, including popular third-party partners like Criton, Sage, STR, and HiJiffy, facilitating seamless workflows and expanded functionality. These integrations support revenue management, marketing, payment processing, and channel connectivity.

Direct™ reports no verified integrations, indicating a limited or nonexistent third-party ecosystem. For hotels relying on diverse tools and integrations, RMS’s extensive partner network provides flexibility and scalability. Edge: RMS.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Direct™ or RMS?

RMS enjoys a 4.56/5 overall score based on 224 reviews, most recent within the last six months, indicating a strong and current market reputation. Hoteliers across various segments, especially motels, resorts, and boutique hotels, rate RMS highly, citing reliability, features, and support.

Direct™ has no reviews, no ratings, and no recent feedback available. Without user validation, RMS’s proven performance and positive reputation stand out. Edge: RMS.

How Much Do Direct™ and RMS Cost?

Direct™ does not publicly list pricing, suggesting a customized quote or a different pricing model. RMS charges a base price of $700 per month, with no free tier or trial information publicly available, reflecting its enterprise focus.

Given RMS’s established pricing structure, hotels should prepare for a significant ongoing investment, but one matched by its comprehensive feature set. Direct™’s unclear pricing makes it difficult to compare, but the lack of transparent costs combined with no reviews suggests it might be less suitable for budget-conscious properties.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Direct™?

• Hotels that operate primarily as vacation rentals, B&Bs, or small independent properties seeking an all-in-one, simple platform.
• Teams that prioritize automation of day-to-day tasks without extensive customization.
• Properties willing to adopt a newer platform with limited user feedback.
• Small operations with minimal need for advanced integrations or multi-property management.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel manages multiple properties or requires extensive automation.
• You need a proven, widely supported platform with a large user community.
• You rely heavily on third-party integrations or complex revenue management tools.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RMS?

• Hotels managing multiple properties or brands that need extensive automation and detailed reporting.
• Large boutique hotels, resorts, or motels seeking reliable, scalable property management.
• Teams demanding robust integrations with third-party tools like Criton, Sage, and STR.
• Hotels prioritizing proven customer support and recent positive reviews.

Not ideal if:

• You operate a very small property with basic needs.
• You have a tight budget and prefer a low-cost or free solution.
• You need a platform with no prior market validation or reviews.

RMS vs Direct™: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference is proven reliability versus emerging simplicity. RMS provides a comprehensive, well-supported platform used by thousands globally, especially suitable for multi-property or higher-volume hotels. Direct™, lacking visible reviews and integrations, appears to target smaller, less complex operations but is less validated.

Choose RMS if you need a mature, feature-rich platform with a large support network and proven results. RMS’s extensive integrations, positive recent reviews, and broad appeal make it the most reliable choice for most hotels today.

Opt for Direct™ only if your operation is small, highly specific, and you are prepared to accept the risk of limited feedback and unknown support quality. Its limited feature set and lack of reviews make RMS the safer, more scalable choice for most hoteliers evaluating hotel management solutions today.