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 807 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:
Duve shines in guest communication and unified messaging hub — especially for bed & breakfast properties (4.8/5), with exclusive features like Mobile Friendly and SMS text messaging.
LIKE MAGIC shines in Ease of Use and Value for Money — especially for extended-stay properties (5.0/5).
Side-by-side ratings based on 807 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Value for Money |
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| Starting Price | From $900/mo | From $700/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 781 | 26 |
After analyzing 807 verified reviews, Duve users most value its guest communication and unified messaging hub, operational efficiency and reduced front-desk workload, guest app content and personalization, while LIKE MAGIC users highlight operational efficiency and time savings, booking engine performance and usability, corporate/b2b feature gaps. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Guest communication and unified messaging hub
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Operational efficiency and time savings
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Operational efficiency and reduced front-desk workload
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Booking engine performance and usability
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Guest app content and personalization
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Corporate/B2B feature gaps
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Upselling and ancillary revenue
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All-in-one guest journey platform
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Customization, workflows, and configuration flexibility
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Customization and branding limitations
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Mobile access and app usability for staff/guests
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PMS and third-party integrations
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How each product ranks among Hotel Guest Apps vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #1 139 reviews | #10 10 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #1 229 reviews | #14 10 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #1 195 reviews | #17 3 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #1 66 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #1 256 reviews | #18 8 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #1 305 reviews | #33 2 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #1 208 reviews | #19 3 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #1 94 reviews | #4 13 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #2 56 reviews | #30 1 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #1 262 reviews | #10 24 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #1 29 reviews | — |
| Middle East ▾ | #1 258 reviews | — |
Duve and LIKE MAGIC both serve as hotel guest apps designed to enhance guest communication, streamline check-in, and generate ancillary revenue. They diverge significantly in market presence and feature depth. Duve supports 63 countries globally and offers a broad, customizable platform with 13 unique features like WhatsApp integration and automated guest surveys. LIKE MAGIC focuses exclusively on Europe (6 countries) with a simpler feature set, lacking unique features beyond the shared ten.
Duve fits hotels needing a comprehensive, highly customizable guest engagement tool capable of integrating deeply into existing systems and supporting diverse property types worldwide. LIKE MAGIC suits smaller, European properties seeking an easy-to-use, all-in-one guest journey solution emphasizing operational efficiency and minimal complexity. Both reduce front desk workload and improve guest experiences through digital check-in and messaging, but Duve targets scale and customization, while LIKE MAGIC targets streamlined simplicity.
If you operate a large or mid-sized hotel with complex workflows or require extensive customization and integrations, Duve is the better choice. Its 766 verified reviews, including 183 in the last six months with a 4.6/5 recent rating, reflect sustained use and satisfaction across luxury hotels (4.8/5, 338 reviews), resorts (4.8/5, 279 reviews), and branded hotels (4.8/5, 240 reviews). Duve’s 72 verified integrations span PMS, door locks, and AI tools, enabling seamless connectivity crucial for multi-property or chain operations.
If you manage a small to medium European property prioritizing ease of use and rapid onboarding with minimal tech overhead, LIKE MAGIC is compelling. Although it has only 26 total reviews and no recent ones, it holds a perfect 5/5 overall rating and excels in ease of use (5/5) and onboarding (4.8/5). Its user base is concentrated in extended stay and serviced apartments (33% of users) and city center hotels (15%). LIKE MAGIC’s 11 integrations cover essentials like apaleo and Oracle Hospitality but are limited compared to Duve.
For vacation rentals and boutique hotels, Duve’s broader global footprint and feature richness offer more adaptability. For limited-service hotels and extended stay properties in Europe, LIKE MAGIC’s simpler, tightly integrated platform aligns well but with less evidence of broad adoption.
LIKE MAGIC scores a perfect 5/5 ease of use rating with 26 reviews, reflecting strong user consensus on intuitive design and minimal training. Its onboarding rating of 4.8/5 matches its ease of use, with reviewers praising quick staff adoption and streamlined training as short as 1.5 days. One review highlights a small hotel operating 168 rooms with an 80% reduced staff relying on LIKE MAGIC’s automation.
Duve has a high ease of use rating of 4.7/5 across 766 reviews, with 183 recent reviews maintaining 4.6/5. Reviewers generally find the interface user-friendly but cite initial setup complexity and a learning curve due to extensive features. Some mention challenges integrating workflows and customizing messaging, causing a steeper ramp-up compared to LIKE MAGIC.
Overall, Duve’s complexity delivers power but requires more time to master. LIKE MAGIC’s smaller feature set and simpler UI make it easier for teams needing rapid adoption and less ongoing training.
Edge: LIKE MAGIC.
Duve offers 13 hotel-specific features not present in LIKE MAGIC, including WhatsApp integration, automated replies, message routing, SMS messaging, open API, a mobile app, and multi-lingual automatic translations. These features improve operational workflows by allowing front desk and guest service teams to centralize communication across multiple channels, automate responses, and engage guests in their native language. The open API supports deep integration with third-party systems, expanding Duve’s adaptability.
LIKE MAGIC has no unique features beyond the 10 it shares with Duve, such as online check-in, guest messaging, local recommendations, and upselling. Its simplicity reduces complexity but limits customization and advanced guest interaction options. For example, LIKE MAGIC lacks WhatsApp integration and automated messaging workflows, which can restrict communication channels and operational automation.
Duve’s feature depth enables hotels to create tailored guest journeys and inventory advanced upselling tools, supporting revenue growth and efficiency. LIKE MAGIC’s leaner feature set streamlines operations but may not suffice for hotels needing complex guest engagement.
Edge: Duve App by Duve.
Duve’s customer support rating is 4.6/5 from 766 reviewers, with onboarding rated 4.6/5. Reviews commonly praise responsive support that resolves issues quickly, though some mention difficulty reaching support at times and delayed email responses. There are reports of billing surprises despite published no-surprise policies, indicating occasional communication gaps.
LIKE MAGIC scores slightly higher with a 4.8/5 customer support rating, matching onboarding at 4.8/5 from 26 reviews. Reviewers emphasize friendly, solution-oriented support and fast issue resolution. However, some users request telephone support for urgent issues and find messaging features occasionally confusing, suggesting areas for improvement in user assistance channels.
While Duve has a much larger review base reflecting broader experience, LIKE MAGIC’s higher rating indicates strong support for its current user base. The difference is not large enough to decisively favor one.
Edge: Even.
Duve leads with 72 verified integrations spanning PMS providers like RoomRaccoon, eviivo, and HOTELTIME, door lock systems, payment gateways, and AI tools. This extensive ecosystem enables hotels to maintain their existing technology stack while layering Duve’s guest engagement capabilities on top. Examples include integration with Oracle Hospitality and Adyen for payments.
LIKE MAGIC offers 11 verified partners, including apaleo GmbH, Triptease, and TrustYou, covering core PMS and guest feedback tools but lacking the breadth of Duve’s partner network. The shared 6 integrations include major players like SALTO Systems and Mews.
Hotels requiring diverse system connectivity, especially multi-property groups, benefit from Duve’s larger integration ecosystem. Limited-service or smaller properties using fewer third-party systems may find LIKE MAGIC’s integration set sufficient.
Edge: Duve App by Duve.
LIKE MAGIC holds a perfect 5/5 overall rating from 26 reviews but lacks any reviews in the last six months. This absence raises questions about how current the rating is relative to recent product versions or support. Duve has a 4.7/5 overall rating from 766 reviews, with 183 reviews in the last six months maintaining a 4.6/5 score, reflecting consistent recent satisfaction.
Segment ratings favor Duve among luxury hotels (4.8/5, 338 reviews), resorts (4.8/5, 279 reviews), and branded hotels (4.8/5, 240 reviews). LIKE MAGIC scores highest in extended stay and serviced apartments (5/5, 13 reviews) and boutique hotels (4.9/5, 8 reviews), though these segments have fewer reviews.
The volume and recency of Duve’s reviews provide more confidence in its ratings reflecting current performance. LIKE MAGIC’s ratings are excellent but may not reflect recent product changes or support levels.
Edge: LIKE MAGIC.
Duve’s base price is $900 with no freemium, monthly flat, or per-room pricing disclosed. No implementation fee or trial is offered. LIKE MAGIC’s base price is $700, also without freemium, monthly flat, or per-room pricing, implementation fees, or trial.
Both products use a similar pricing approach focused on a base fee, but LIKE MAGIC is $200 less expensive upfront. Neither publishes detailed tiered pricing, making total cost of ownership dependent on contract terms and hotel size. The $200 difference may be meaningful for smaller properties.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
The core difference between Duve and LIKE MAGIC lies in scope and complexity. Duve offers a comprehensive, deeply integrated guest engagement platform designed for hotels requiring customization, multi-channel communication, and extensive third-party connectivity. LIKE MAGIC provides a leaner, mobile-first solution optimized for operational simplicity and rapid adoption, focused on European markets.
Choose Duve if your property values advanced features like WhatsApp messaging, automated surveys, and a branded guest app, backed by a large, global user base with proven results in luxury and resort segments. Duve’s 72 integrations and 766 reviews, including recent feedback, demonstrate its maturity and adaptability for complex operations.
Choose LIKE MAGIC if you run a small to mid-sized European hotel or serviced apartment that prioritizes ease of use, fast onboarding, and core guest journey essentials at a lower base price. Its perfect rating and reported operational efficiencies highlight its suitability for properties with simpler tech stacks and fewer customization demands.
Hotel Guest Apps 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.
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| Starting Price | From $900/mo | From $700/mo |
These are the features each vendor has configured, organized by feature group — the same data shown in the vendor dashboard. Expand a group to compare features side by side.
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Communication & Messaging
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| Automatic Translations (Multi-Lingual) | ||
| Request Management | ||
| Room Service Ordering | ||
| Guest Messaging | ||
| App download | ||
| Web-app | ||
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Content Management
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| Hotel Directory | ||
| Guest Profiles | ||
| Local Recommendations | ||
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Upselling
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| Payments | ||
| Room Service Ordering | ||
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Request Management
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| Request Management | ||
| Room Service Ordering | ||
| Mobile Checkout | ||
| Mobile Checkin |
We analyzed 12 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Duve was a game changer for our customer service. I knew the platform would help us connect with guests but I was amazed at how cleverly simple it all is, even guests who are not v..."
"Like Magic allowed us to operate with just six staff members, without compromising guest experience. The platform is easy to use, fun to work with, and has revolutionized how we ru..."
"While scaling up and growing in terms of more hotel rooms and more hotels in different countries we found it difficult to communicate with our guests in a very personal way. Duve f..."
"LIKE MAGIC isn't just a tool for us, it's the backbone of our overall guest experience. If I ever worked somewhere else, I'd bring it with me."
What hoteliers love
Reviewers consistently say Duve centralizes guest communication across WhatsApp, SMS, email, OTA channels, and in-app chat, making it easier to manage... Reviewers consistently say Duve centralizes guest communication across WhatsApp, SMS, email, OTA channels, and in-app chat, making it easier to manage conversations in one place. This reduces missed messages, speeds up responses, and helps teams keep guest interactions organized across the full stay.
Reviewers say Duve reduces repetitive admin work by centralizing requests, automating communication, and letting staff handle more guest needs without... Reviewers say Duve reduces repetitive admin work by centralizing requests, automating communication, and letting staff handle more guest needs without constant phone calls or manual follow-up. Many mention better collaboration across departments and faster service delivery, especially in high-volume or understaffed operations.
Users value the branded guest app as a digital directory for hotel services, menus, activities, recommendations, and offers. They also emphasize perso... Users value the branded guest app as a digital directory for hotel services, menus, activities, recommendations, and offers. They also emphasize personalization—different workflows, layouts, translations, and branded content that make the experience feel tailored to the property and guest type.
Where hoteliers push back
A frequent request is for more control over workflows, layouts, templates, messaging rules, and property-specific settings. While many appreciate Duve... A frequent request is for more control over workflows, layouts, templates, messaging rules, and property-specific settings. While many appreciate Duve’s flexibility, reviewers often say certain features are still too rigid or require too much setup to match different hotel operations.
Some reviewers want a native mobile app or easier phone-based access for both staff and guests, saying it would make live communication and task handl... Some reviewers want a native mobile app or easier phone-based access for both staff and guests, saying it would make live communication and task handling more convenient. They also mention occasional usability friction such as login steps, message visibility, or interface complexity on the go.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Users say LikeMagic reduces manual work and saves significant time through integrations and automated workflows. The platform is described as helping... Users say LikeMagic reduces manual work and saves significant time through integrations and automated workflows. The platform is described as helping staff focus more on guests by cutting down on repetitive tasks and implementation overhead.
Reviewers like the fast, easy-to-use booking engine and describe it as clear and straightforward for guests and staff. Some also want more capabilitie... Reviewers like the fast, easy-to-use booking engine and describe it as clear and straightforward for guests and staff. Some also want more capabilities and flexibility beyond the current booking experience.
One review says the platform is better suited to B2B needs, but still lacks more advanced corporate functionality. Desired capabilities include bookin... One review says the platform is better suited to B2B needs, but still lacks more advanced corporate functionality. Desired capabilities include booking changes, availability calendars, and features tailored to corporate clients, TMCs, and partners.
Where hoteliers push back
Some reviewers raise concerns about missing or reduced customization options, especially around backoffice branding and guest portal UX. These gaps ma... Some reviewers raise concerns about missing or reduced customization options, especially around backoffice branding and guest portal UX. These gaps matter for hotels that want the app to closely match their brand and service style.
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Duve App and LIKE MAGIC share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. Duve App offers 72 verified integration partners, while LIKE MAGIC offers 11. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. LIKE MAGIC leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 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.
Duve App: No. LIKE MAGIC: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Guest Apps 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. Duve has an HT Score of 100 and LIKE MAGIC has 74. 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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