DIRS21 Channel Manager vs. Exely Channel Manager:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right channel management software is critical for your hotel's revenue, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction. Both DIRS21 Channel Manager and Exely aim to streamline your distribution channels, but their approaches and strengths differ significantly. While DIRS21 offers a long-standing presence with core functionalities, Exely's modern, user-friendly interface and recent positive reviews give it a notable edge. Which one aligns better with your current needs and strategic goals?

Is DIRS21 or Exely Better for Hotels?

Both products serve to synchronize prices and availability across multiple channels, reducing manual work and preventing overbookings. DIRS21 has been around since 1996, focusing on consolidating bookings into a central system, but it lacks recent reviews and has a 0/5 rating. Exely, by contrast, boasts over 100 reviews from the last 6 months, with a 4.95/5 ease of use rating and a 4.87/5 value score, indicating active, current user satisfaction.

The key divergence lies in user engagement and market presence: DIRS21’s reviews are absent, suggesting limited recent customer feedback, while Exely’s recent reviews highlight efficiency, ease of use, and revenue gains. Do you want a platform with proven longevity but no recent feedback, or one with current, highly-rated support and features? That’s the core of your decision.

Exely or DIRS21: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs an easy-to-use, highly-rated solution with extensive customer support, go with Exely. Its modern interface, quick synchronization, and over 102 recent reviews make it ideal for hotels seeking a straightforward, reliable tool. If your team prefers a longstanding product with specialized features like yield rules and PMS connectivity—despite the lack of recent feedback—DIRS21 might be suitable.

For independent hotels or chains aiming for rapid onboarding, high user satisfaction, and a broad partner network, Exely is the clear choice. Conversely, if your hotel operates primarily in Europe and values a product with deep integration options, DIRS21 could still be relevant—though the absence of current reviews diminishes confidence.

Is DIRS21 or Exely Easier to Use?

Exely scores a near-perfect 4.95/5 in ease of use, with recent reviews emphasizing its intuitive design and efficient management. Customers praise its simple interface, quick updates, and user-friendly Extranet, making staff onboarding smooth and quick.

DIRS21, with a 0/5 rating for ease of use, offers no recent reviews or user feedback, leaving its usability unclear. The lack of recent customer insights suggests it may not match the modern standards or simplicity of Exely. For your team, quick adoption and minimal training time favor Exely.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Features: DIRS21 or Exely?

DIRS21 offers 15 features, including yield rules and PMS connectivity—valuable for properties needing advanced inventory management and revenue optimization. It also provides unique capabilities not found in Exely, such as specialized yield management.

Exely includes 13 features, excelling in real-time synchronization, automated reports, and a straightforward booking engine. It’s praised for its ease of updating prices and availability rapidly, though it lacks some advanced features like yield rules.

Considering feature depth, DIRS21 provides additional advanced options. But for daily operation simplicity and core channel management, Exely’s comprehensive, user-focused set of features suffices.

Edge: DIRS21.

Which Has Better Customer Support: DIRS21 or Exely?

Exely’s recent reviews consistently highlight responsive and helpful customer support, with a 4.95/5 rating. Customers describe their support team as quick, friendly, and capable of resolving issues efficiently, which is crucial for smooth operations.

DIRS21, with a 0/5 rating and no recent reviews, offers no current feedback on support quality. Its lack of recent customer engagement suggests it might not meet the same support standards as Exely. For your hotel, reliable support can be a decisive factor.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has More Integrations: DIRS21 or Exely?

DIRS21 boasts 31 verified partners, including major names like Oracle Hospitality, Mews, and Profitroom, giving it a broader ecosystem. Its extensive integrations support larger, more complex hotel operations needing varied connectivity.

Exely, with only 8 verified partners, still covers essential channels like Booking.com and IDeaS but has fewer total options. Its smaller ecosystem may limit scalability if your property relies on diverse tech integrations.

For extensive connectivity, DIRS21 leads. But if your hotel’s core channels are supported by Exely, its streamlined approach might suffice.

Edge: DIRS21.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: DIRS21 or Exely?

Exely enjoys a recent, high rating of 85.1 out of 100 on HT-Score, with 102 reviews from diverse hotel segments, including boutique hotels, resorts, and city center properties. Hotels across multiple segments rate it highly, emphasizing improvements in efficiency, ease of use, and revenue.

DIRS21 has no reviews or ratings in the last six months, making it impossible to gauge current user sentiment. Its lack of recent feedback diminishes confidence in its effectiveness.

Based on recent data, Exely is the preferred choice among hoteliers.

Edge: Exely.

How Much Do DIRS21 and Exely Cost?

DIRS21’s pricing starts at $300 per month, with no free trial, and no options for freemium or pay-per-room plans. Its higher price point may reflect its extensive features and longer market presence.

Exely costs $100 monthly, with no trial or freemium options, making it more affordable for small to medium-sized hotels. Its lower cost combined with high satisfaction makes it appealing, especially for hotels seeking value.

If budget and ease of implementation are priorities, Exely provides a compelling offer. For larger operations needing specialized features, DIRS21’s higher price may be justified.

What Type of Hotel Should Use DIRS21?

Hotels that should consider DIRS21 are those:

• Operating primarily in Europe, where its regional focus might be aligned.
• Requiring advanced revenue management features like yield rules.
• Needing deep integration with PMS and other management systems.
• Managing large portfolios with complex distribution needs.
• Looking for a proven, longstanding solution with extensive channel connections.

Not ideal if your team prioritizes ease of use, recent support, or quick deployment. Its lack of recent reviews suggests it may not be suited for hotels seeking immediate, modern support.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

Hotels that should consider Exely are:

• Independent hotels or small chains seeking simplicity and rapid setup.
• Properties looking to increase direct bookings via integrated booking engine.
• Hotels in need of real-time synchronization and effortless rate updates.
• Businesses wanting a user-friendly system with high customer satisfaction.
• Hotels operating across multiple regions, including North America, Asia, and beyond.

Not ideal if your property requires complex revenue management tools or extensive third-party integrations beyond what Exely offers.

Exely or DIRS21: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference is that Exely offers a modern, highly-rated, and easy-to-use channel management system with consistent recent positive feedback, while DIRS21, despite its extensive feature set, suffers from a lack of current user reviews and support ratings.

Choose Exely if you value a user-friendly, affordable platform that delivers quick results, reliable support, and high hotel satisfaction. It’s especially suited for independent hotels, boutique properties, and mid-sized chains focused on efficiency and growth.

Opt for DIRS21 if your hotel has complex distribution needs, operates primarily in Europe, and requires features like yield rules and PMS connectivity, and you’re comfortable with less recent customer feedback.

In conclusion, for most hotels actively seeking current, well-supported, and highly-rated channel management, Exely stands out as the preferred choice. Its recent reviews and high satisfaction scores make it the safer, more reliable investment in today’s competitive distribution landscape.