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 98 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:
DOWHAT shines , with exclusive features like Hotel Website Check-in Portal.
straiv shines when it comes to digital check-in and check-out , with exclusive features like Mobile Checkin and Mobile Checkout.
Side-by-side ratings based on 98 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $400/mo | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 15 | 83 |
After analyzing 98 verified reviews, DOWHAT users most value its , while straiv users highlight digital check-in and check-out, guest communication and customization, ease of implementation and use. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Digital check-in and check-out
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Guest communication and customization
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Ease of implementation and use
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Continuous improvement and updates
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Payment process issues
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How each product ranks among Contactless Check-in vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment |
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #17 1 reviews | #3 27 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #25 0 reviews | #3 41 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #14 1 reviews | #5 8 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #3 13 reviews | #5 5 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #8 10 reviews | #3 28 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #3 14 reviews | #9 8 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #11 4 reviews | #3 19 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #8 4 reviews | #4 18 reviews |
By Region
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| North America | #18 0 reviews | #16 2 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | — | #2 79 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #10 15 reviews | — |
Choosing between DOWHAT’s E-Reg. Card and straiv hinges on your hotel’s specific needs for contactless check-in solutions. While both aim to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences, they differ significantly in scope, features, and market presence. DOWHAT primarily focuses on digital registration, whereas straiv offers a broader platform encompassing guest journey management and PMS integrations. Which solution aligns better with your operational goals?
Based on recent reviews and total user feedback, straiv emerges as the more established and widely adopted option, especially in Europe, with 81 reviews in the last six months. DOWHAT, with only 14 reviews and a narrower regional footprint, currently lacks the same level of recent user data. For hotels seeking a comprehensive guest journey platform, straiv is the clear choice; if your focus is solely on eco-friendly digital registration, DOWHAT remains a viable, albeit less proven, option.
Both DOWHAT and straiv address contactless check-in, but they target different hotel types. DOWHAT’s focus on replacing paper registration cards makes it ideal for eco-conscious hotels, especially those prioritizing sustainability and straightforward digital registration. Conversely, straiv’s broader feature set—including guest messaging, digital concierge, upselling, and PMS integration—caters to hotels aiming for a complete contactless guest journey.
The key divergence lies in their market reach and feature complexity. DOWHAT’s limited regional presence and narrower feature list mean it’s better suited for smaller, eco-driven properties. Straiv’s extensive integrations and high user rating, especially in Europe, suggest it’s more adaptable for hotels seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform. Are you looking for a simple, paperless check-in or a comprehensive guest experience solution?
If your hotel needs a versatile platform to manage all guest touchpoints in a contactless environment, straiv is the better fit. Its 4.81/5 rating from 81 recent reviews reflects strong satisfaction from hotels in various segments, especially boutique and serviced apartments. Straiv’s features like guest messaging, digital concierge, and integrations with systems like Oracle Suite 8 make it ideal for hotels wanting to streamline operations and elevate guest engagement.
On the other hand, if your primary goal is to eliminate paper registration cards and support ESG initiatives without the need for extensive features, DOWHAT’s E-Reg. Card offers a straightforward, eco-friendly solution. While it excels at replacing traditional registration, its limited recent reviews and regional scope suggest it’s better suited for properties focusing solely on digital registration rather than the full guest journey.
DOWHAT boasts a high ease of use rating at 4.79/5, with reviews praising its straightforward registration portal and simple collaboration tools. Users find it quick to implement and especially suitable for staff who need an uncomplicated, digital registration process. However, as a narrower tool, it doesn’t offer as many user-friendly features beyond registration.
Straiv’s usability is also rated highly at 4.69/5, with reviews emphasizing its intuitive interface and smooth integration into hotel workflows. Guests and staff appreciate its seamless digital check-in process, but some mention occasional sluggishness in certain modules. Edge: DOWHAT for simplicity in standalone registration; straiv for broader, integrated guest journey management.
DOWHAT offers 11 unique features including hotel website check-in portals, document scanning, and multilingual support, specifically focused on digital registration and ESG compliance. Straiv also provides 11 features, such as mobile check-in, guest messaging, and PMS integration, emphasizing a holistic guest experience.
While both have an equal number of exclusive features, straiv’s suite is broader in scope, covering digital concierge, room service, and upselling, which DOWHAT does not include. Edge: straiv, because its features support full guest journey management, not just registration.
DOWHAT’s support rating is solid at 4.71/5, with reviews noting good service and friendly responsiveness. However, the limited number of reviews and the absence of recent feedback reduce confidence in consistent support quality.
straiv’s support is slightly higher at 4.72/5, with recent reviews praising quick issue resolution and proactive development. Its dedicated team is regularly updating features based on user feedback. Edge: straiv, for more extensive recent support data and ongoing product development.
DOWHAT has 2 verified partners, with integrations mainly focusing on core digital registration functions. In contrast, straiv boasts 36 verified integrations, including prominent partners like Oracle Hospitality, Mews, and Protel, covering PMS, keyless access, and payment systems.
The broader integration ecosystem of straiv allows it to serve hotels with complex property management needs. Edge: straiv, for its extensive partner network and ability to connect with various hotel systems.
Despite DOWHAT’s niche focus, it has a very limited review count (14 reviews, none in the last 6 months) and a 0/5 overall rating, indicating very low confidence and satisfaction levels.
straiv, with 81 recent reviews, holds a 4.81/5 rating, with high scores across ease of use, support, and overall satisfaction. Hotels in Europe and boutique hotels especially rate straiv highly, reflecting its maturity and reliability.
Edge: straiv, given the volume and recency of quality reviews.
DOWHAT’s pricing starts at $400 per month, with no mention of a trial or flexible plans, indicating a straightforward but potentially inflexible model.
straiv costs $500 per month, also without a trial, but its higher price reflects its broader feature set and integration capabilities. There are no published discounts or tiered plans, so both are premium-priced solutions.
Hotels that prioritize sustainability and need a simple, digital registration process will find DOWHAT ideal. It’s suitable for small to mid-sized properties, especially those in eco-conscious markets, aiming to replace paper forms with an easy-to-implement solution.
Teams that focus solely on ESG initiatives, or properties with minimal need for guest communication beyond registration, should consider DOWHAT. Not ideal if your hotel requires comprehensive guest engagement, PMS integration, or multiple touchpoints.
Straiv suits hotels aiming for a full contactless guest experience, especially those in boutique, serviced apartment, or branded segments. Its extensive features support hotels that want to streamline operations, enhance guest engagement, and integrate with existing property systems.
Teams that prioritize guest messaging, upselling, and digital concierge services will find straiv’s platform beneficial. Not ideal if your hotel operates on a very limited budget or requires only basic check-in solutions without the need for advanced integrations.
DOWHAT’s E-Reg. Card offers a simple, eco-conscious solution for digital registration, emphasizing sustainability and ease of use. However, its lack of recent reviews and limited features make it less suitable for hotels seeking a comprehensive contactless experience.
Straiv stands out as the more proven, well-rated platform with a broad feature set, extensive integrations, and a robust European user base. It supports hotels looking to manage all aspects of the guest journey through contactless check-in, digital concierge, and personalized communication.
If your hotel needs a scalable, full-suite contactless platform and you value recent user feedback, straiv is the better choice. Choose DOWHAT if your sole priority is digital registration and sustainability, with less concern for wider guest engagement.
Note: Prices and feature sets are based on current publicly available data and may vary with customized packages or negotiations.
According to HTR's product database, E-Reg. Card by DOWHAT and straiv share 8 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Custom Questions | ||
| Easy Room Selection | ||
| Hotel Directory | ||
| Hotel Website Check-in Portal | ||
| Local Recommendations | ||
| Marketing Communications Opt-in | ||
| Mobile Checkin | ||
| Mobile Checkout | ||
| Pre-regisration info collection | ||
| Room Service Ordering | ||
| Terms & Conditions Signing | ||
| Web-app |
Showing top differences. 10 more features differ between these products.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Digital check-in and check-out are praised for significantly reducing waiting times for guests and administrative burdens for staff. Reviews emphasize... Digital check-in and check-out are praised for significantly reducing waiting times for guests and administrative burdens for staff. Reviews emphasize the benefits of contactless processes, especially during the COVID-19 era, providing guests with seamless and flexible arrivals and departures, while ensuring compliance with health safety protocols.
Users appreciate the ability to communicate directly with guests through journey mailing and other customizable modules. This facilitates timely infor... Users appreciate the ability to communicate directly with guests through journey mailing and other customizable modules. This facilitates timely information exchange, promotional offers, and enhances overall guest satisfaction. Reviews laud the flexibility in designing guest interactions based on individual hotel needs.
Straiv receives high marks for the ease with which its system can be implemented, requiring no advanced IT skills. Reviews consistently mention the to... Straiv receives high marks for the ease with which its system can be implemented, requiring no advanced IT skills. Reviews consistently mention the tool's intuitive user interface, making it easy for both staff and guests to interact with the system.
Where hoteliers push back
Some users report issues with the payment processing feature, such as delays and incomplete data transfers. Improvements in integrating multiple payme... Some users report issues with the payment processing feature, such as delays and incomplete data transfers. Improvements in integrating multiple payment gateways are suggested to enhance efficiency and reliability.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. E-Reg. Card by DOWHAT and straiv share many core Contactless Check-in features, but each has unique capabilities. E-Reg. Card by DOWHAT offers 2 verified integration partners, while straiv offers 37. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. E-Reg. Card by DOWHAT leads in ease of use at 4.8/5 vs 4.7/5. 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.
E-Reg. Card by DOWHAT: No. straiv: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Contactless Check-in 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. DOWHAT has an HT Score of 0 and straiv has 73. 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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