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 30 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:
apaleo GmbH shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Payment processing and Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc).
Dormakaba Kaba Ltd shines .
Side-by-side ratings based on 30 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | From $900/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 30 | 0 |
After analyzing 30 verified reviews, apaleo GmbH users most value its frequent updates and community engagement, customization and flexibility, open api and integration, while Dormakaba Kaba Ltd users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
|
|
Dormakaba Kaba Ltd |
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
Frequent Updates and Community Engagement
▾
|
|
|
+
Customization and Flexibility
▾
|
|
|
+
Open API and Integration
▾
|
|
|
+
App Store and Third-Party Integrations
▾
|
|
| Cons | |
|
−
Reporting Capabilities
▾
|
|
|
−
Group and Booking Management
▾
|
|
How each product ranks among Property Management Systems vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment |
|
Dormakaba Kaba Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #42 7 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #27 19 reviews | — |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #41 1 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #14 3 reviews | — |
By Property Type
| Segment |
|
Dormakaba Kaba Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #34 14 reviews | — |
| Luxury | #43 4 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain | #40 4 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #19 9 reviews | — |
By Region
| Segment |
|
Dormakaba Kaba Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| North America | #38 2 reviews | — |
| Europe ▾ | #18 26 reviews | — |
Choosing between Apaleo Open PMS and Dormakaba Ilc hinges on understanding their core strengths and limitations. Apaleo, with its open API and extensive feature set, aims to serve hotels seeking a customizable, scalable property management solution. Dormakaba’s Ilc, however, appears limited in market presence and user feedback, making it harder to evaluate its suitability. Given the available data, which platform aligns better with your hotel’s operational goals?
Both products aim to streamline hotel management, but Apaleo’s open API and wide feature array position it as a more flexible choice. Dormakaba’s Ilc, with zero reviews and minimal information, seems underdeveloped and untested in the market. Apaleo’s recent reviews showcase a high satisfaction rate, with a 97% likelihood of recommendation, while Dormakaba’s support and performance remain undisclosed and unverified. Is a platform with proven ratings more suitable for your hotel’s needs?
If your hotel needs a flexible, scalable property management system with extensive integrations and a strong community, go with Apaleo. Its 29 reviews in the last six months and high ratings across ease of use, support, and value make it a reliable choice. Conversely, if your hotel only requires basic PMS functionalities and you’re willing to accept an untested, unsupported solution, Dormakaba might be considered — though data to support this is absent. For most hotels, Apaleo clearly offers a more mature, trusted platform.
Apaleo boasts an impressive ease of use rating of 4.9/5 based on reviews emphasizing its friendly interface and smooth workflows. Its onboarding process, rated 4.85/5, is praised for quick setup and simplicity, with users citing fewer frustrations during implementation. Dormakaba provides no user feedback or ratings, making it impossible to assess usability. Edge: Apaleo.
Apaleo offers 37 unique features, including an integrated CRS, automated night audit, online support, group functionality, real-time reporting, and a mobile app. These features are absent in Dormakaba, which has no documented functionalities or integrations. This extensive feature set positions Apaleo as a comprehensive solution capable of handling complex operations. Edge: Apaleo.
Apaleo’s support ratings are outstanding, with a 4.83/5 score and comments highlighting responsiveness and helpfulness. Its onboarding experience is similarly rated highly, enabling hotels to start quickly. In contrast, Dormakaba offers no support or support-related review data, leaving its service quality unknown. Given the importance of support in PMS stability, Apaleo clearly leads. Edge: Apaleo.
Apaleo’s platform integrates with 120 verified partners, including key players like Yanolja Cloud Solution, RevControl, and hotelkit, offering vast customization options. Dormakaba’s integration count is just one, providing limited connectivity. The large partner ecosystem supports broader operational choices, making Apaleo more adaptable. Edge: Apaleo.
With 29 recent reviews, hotelier ratings for Apaleo are high, especially for ease of use and support. Hotels across various segments — boutique, city center, extended stay — consistently praise its stability and support. Dormakaba, lacking reviews, cannot be rated. The data makes Apaleo the clear frontrunner for user satisfaction. Edge: Apaleo.
Apaleo charges a $900 monthly flat fee, with no free tier or trial, but includes a robust set of features. Dormakaba’s pricing is not disclosed, and with no reviews or customer feedback, its value proposition remains uncertain. For transparency and proven value, Apaleo’s pricing model is clear and aligned with its feature-rich offering.
Not ideal if your hotel prefers out-of-the-box simplicity without the need for extensive integrations. Also, if your property operates in regions where Apaleo’s presence is limited, expansion planning might be necessary.
Not ideal if your hotel requires advanced features, integrations, or proven support, as Dormakaba’s capabilities remain unverified.
Core difference: Apaleo offers a flexible, feature-rich platform with a proven track record and extensive integrations, whereas Dormakaba’s Ilc appears untested, unsupported, and lacking in review data.
When to choose Apaleo: If your hotel aims for a scalable, customizable PMS with strong community support, recent positive reviews, and a broad partner network, Apaleo is the clear choice. Its ability to adapt to complex operational needs and deliver consistent user satisfaction makes it ideal.
When to choose Dormakaba: If your hotel has minimal management needs, prefers a simple system, or operates in a region where Dormakaba has local support — though this is unconfirmed — then Ilc might be considered. However, the absence of reviews and features suggests it’s not suitable for most properties.
In conclusion, Apaleo’s established reputation, feature richness, and recent positive feedback strongly position it as the superior platform for hotels seeking a reliable, flexible property management solution. Dormakaba’s Ilc, with no reviews or evident market presence, cannot match the confidence or capabilities demonstrated by Apaleo.
Property Management 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.
|
|
Dormakaba Kaba Ltd | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $900/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, Apaleo Open PMS and dormakaba Ilc share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
Dormakaba Kaba Ltd |
|---|---|---|
| Automated night audit | ||
| Centralized user & role management | ||
| Cloud based | ||
| Group functionality | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| Online 24/7 support |
Showing top differences. 25 more features differ between these products.
We analyzed 4 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"One of the biggest impacts for us has been the vast array of implementation options available on Apaleo. We’re now able to think outside the box and customise solutions in ways we..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
The platform's commitment to regular updates and community engagement is well-received, with users valuing the attention to feedback and ongoing impro... The platform's commitment to regular updates and community engagement is well-received, with users valuing the attention to feedback and ongoing improvements. The active community provides a support network that enhances the user experience.
Users highlight Apaleo's strength in customization, allowing tailored workflows and process automation. This flexibility helps hotels create systems t... Users highlight Apaleo's strength in customization, allowing tailored workflows and process automation. This flexibility helps hotels create systems that align perfectly with their operational needs, enhancing efficiency and improving guest services.
Apaleo's open API is uniquely praised for enabling custom tech stacks and seamless integration with various systems, greatly enhancing efficiency and... Apaleo's open API is uniquely praised for enabling custom tech stacks and seamless integration with various systems, greatly enhancing efficiency and flexibility in operations. Reviewers appreciate the ability to create their own applications and tech ecosystems, significantly setting Apaleo apart from its competitors.
Where hoteliers push back
While users value the basic reporting functionalities, there is a noticeable demand for advanced reporting features within Apaleo. Many find current o... While users value the basic reporting functionalities, there is a noticeable demand for advanced reporting features within Apaleo. Many find current options limited, leading to reliance on additional tools for deeper analytics.
Apaleo's group management features receive praise for user-friendliness, but some reviews note areas for improvement, particularly concerning comprehe... Apaleo's group management features receive praise for user-friendliness, but some reviews note areas for improvement, particularly concerning comprehensive functionality and intuitiveness.
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Apaleo Open PMS and dormakaba Ilc share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Apaleo Open PMS offers 120 verified integration partners, while dormakaba Ilc offers 1. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Apaleo Open PMS leads in ease of use at 4.9/5 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.
Apaleo Open PMS: No. dormakaba Ilc: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Property Management Systems 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. apaleo GmbH has an HT Score of 77 and Dormakaba Kaba Ltd has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 →
Custom recommendations tailored to your property