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 672 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 / messaging — especially for resort properties (4.9/5), with exclusive features like Mobile Friendly and SMS text messaging.
LIKE MAGIC shines in Value for Money — especially for extended-stay properties (5.0/5).
Side-by-side ratings based on 672 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $900/mo | From $700/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 643 | 29 |
After analyzing 672 verified reviews, Duve users most value its guest communication / messaging, operational efficiency / reduced front-desk workload, pre-arrival / online check-in, while LIKE MAGIC users highlight guest journey app, automation & integration, contactless check-in. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Guest communication / messaging
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Guest Journey App
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Operational efficiency / reduced front-desk workload
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Automation & Integration
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Pre-arrival / online check-in
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Contactless Check-in
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Guest app / branded journey
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Design Flexibility
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Reliability / bugs / delivery issues
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Revenue Opportunities
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PMS / system integration and sync reliability
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Analytics & Reporting
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Payment / folio / billing handling
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Push Notification Delays
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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
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #1 132 reviews | #7 12 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #2 204 reviews | #7 11 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #2 164 reviews | #11 3 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #2 48 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #2 231 reviews | #9 8 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #2 262 reviews | #15 2 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #2 188 reviews | #16 2 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #2 92 reviews | #5 12 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #3 54 reviews | #18 1 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #1 240 reviews | #5 27 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #2 24 reviews | — |
| Middle East ▾ | #1 237 reviews | — |
Duve and LIKE MAGIC both target the contactless check-in market but diverge sharply in scope and maturity. Duve offers a comprehensive guest experience platform with advanced upselling, messaging, and PMS integration, serving a broad range of hotel types worldwide. LIKE MAGIC focuses primarily on contactless check-in and digital key management with a mobile-first, streamlined user interface, tailored to smaller or lean-staffed properties mainly in Europe and Asia Pacific.
Both solve the front desk bottleneck by enabling guests to check in without physical queues, speeding arrivals, and reducing manual workload. Duve extends this by integrating revenue-driving features like room upgrades and multi-channel messaging. LIKE MAGIC simplifies check-in and room access, emphasizing operational efficiency through automation and self-service for smaller teams.
If your property is a medium to large hotel or a multi-property operator seeking a robust, feature-rich platform with proven upselling capabilities and deep PMS integration, Duve’s 639 reviews with an overall 4.8 rating and broad global presence make it the clear choice. Its 31 unique features, including document scanning, e-signatures, and multi-channel messaging, support complex workflows and diverse guest profiles.
If you operate a small or boutique hotel, serviced apartment, or vacation rental primarily in Europe or Asia Pacific and prioritize a simple, mobile-first check-in experience with digital key access, LIKE MAGIC’s perfect 5/5 rating across 29 reviews and lean operational focus may fit better. Its low staff training time and specialized automation help teams run efficiently with minimal personnel.
For segments with limited review data, such as luxury hotels or resorts for LIKE MAGIC, the evidence is thin. Duve’s 13% luxury and 4% resort users rate it consistently at 4.8-4.9/5, supporting its suitability for upscale properties. Conversely, LIKE MAGIC’s 28% extended stay segment rates it 5/5 over 12 reviews, indicating strong fit there.
Duve scores 4.7 for ease of use and onboarding, supported by frequent reviewer praise for intuitive guest communication tools and automated workflows, though some mention initial setup complexity and PMS integration challenges. LIKE MAGIC rates slightly higher at 4.9 ease of use and 4.8 onboarding, with reviewers highlighting its straightforward guest interface and minimal staff training time of 1.5 days in a 168-room hotel case study.
However, LIKE MAGIC’s backend interface is noted by some users as less intuitive for staff, suggesting that while guest adoption is smooth, internal operations may require adjustment. Duve’s broader feature set adds complexity but provides more operational control once configured.
Edge: Even.
Duve offers 31 unique features not found in LIKE MAGIC, including PMS integration, WhatsApp messaging, automated replies, secured data protection, multiple payment options, document scanning, e-signatures, guest surveys, dynamic upgrade pricing, and a mobile guest app. These features support profile-driven experiences, upselling, and operational automation across the guest journey.
LIKE MAGIC, while strong in contactless check-in and digital key management, does not list any exclusive features beyond the shared 17 common to both platforms. Its focus remains on streamlined check-in, self-service, and task automation without deeper upsell or messaging capabilities.
These differences matter operationally: Duve’s automated opt-in consent collection and multi-channel messaging reduce front desk inquiries and increase ancillary revenue. LIKE MAGIC’s simplicity benefits teams with fewer resources but limits customization and revenue opportunities.
Edge: Duve.
Duve’s customer support rates 4.6 with onboarding at 4.7, while LIKE MAGIC rates slightly higher at 4.8 and 4.8 respectively. Both products receive positive reviewer comments about responsive, professional support teams. Duve users praise quick issue resolution despite occasional bugs; LIKE MAGIC users report generally good response times but note variability in support staff familiarity.
With 639 reviews for Duve versus 29 for LIKE MAGIC, Duve’s support ratings are validated by a much larger sample and consistent recent feedback. LIKE MAGIC’s smaller review base limits confidence in its support rating stability.
Edge: Even.
Duve boasts 72 verified integrations, including major PMS systems (Oracle Hospitality, Mews), door lock systems (SALTO Systems), payment gateways (Adyen), and many niche partners like RoomRaccoon and WebRezPro. LIKE MAGIC has 11 verified partners, overlapping on key PMS and lock providers but lacking the breadth of specialized integrations.
Duve’s wider integration ecosystem supports complex hotel environments requiring seamless data flow and operational automation. LIKE MAGIC’s smaller set fits leaner operations but may limit expansion or third-party enhancements.
Edge: Duve.
Overall ratings are close: Duve at 4.8/5 from 639 reviews including 85 recent ones at 4.5/5; LIKE MAGIC at a perfect 5/5 from 29 reviews but no recent reviews in the last 6 months. This suggests Duve’s rating better reflects current product performance.
Segment analysis favors Duve for larger, luxury, and resort properties with 4.8-4.9 ratings across 200+ reviews per segment. LIKE MAGIC excels in extended stay with a 5/5 rating from 12 reviews and boutique hotels at 4.8/5 from 8 reviews. Limited data for LIKE MAGIC in luxury and vacation rentals suggests cautious interpretation.
Edge: Even.
Duve charges a $900 base price with no freemium, monthly flat, or per-room fees, and no implementation fee. LIKE MAGIC is priced at a $700 base price with similar terms—no freemium, monthly, or implementation fees. Neither product offers a trial period.
While LIKE MAGIC is $200 cheaper upfront, total cost-effectiveness depends on property size and feature needs, especially given Duve’s broader capabilities and integrations.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Duve and LIKE MAGIC both address contactless check-in but diverge fundamentally in scope and target market. Duve is a comprehensive guest experience platform that integrates deeply with PMS, upselling, guest messaging, and multiple communication channels, supporting a wide hotel segment from luxury to budget across 58 countries. LIKE MAGIC delivers a focused, mobile-first check-in and digital key solution with automation for smaller or lean-staffed properties mainly in Europe and Asia Pacific.
Choose Duve when your hotel requires a unified platform that enhances revenue through dynamic upselling, streamlines complex workflows with PMS and lock integrations, and supports diverse guest profiles with multi-lingual, multi-channel communication. Its large user base and extensive case studies demonstrate proven ROI and operational benefits for medium to large properties.
Choose LIKE MAGIC if your priority is a simple, GDPR-compliant contactless check-in and digital key system that can be deployed rapidly with minimal staff training. Its mobile-first design and automation suit small to mid-sized properties focused on operational efficiency and guest convenience, especially in regions where LIKE MAGIC has established presence.
Where Duve’s feature depth and integration breadth make it the best fit for complex operations, LIKE MAGIC’s streamlined approach appeals to hotels seeking ease of use and focused functionality without the overhead of broader guest experience management.
Contactless Check-in 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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Pre-Arrival & Check-in
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| Hotel Website Check-in Portal | ||
| Lobby Kiosk | ||
| Self Service Checkout | ||
| Self Service Checkin | ||
| Device Agnostic | ||
| Easy Room Selection | ||
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Information Collection
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| Custom Questions | ||
| Terms & Conditions Signing | ||
| Marketing Communications Opt-in | ||
| Pre-regisration info collection | ||
| Document & Passport Scanning | ||
| ID Verification | ||
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Translations
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| Automatic Translations | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
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Payments & Authorization
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| Registration Card E-signature | ||
| Collect Deposits | ||
| Payment & Authorizations | ||
| ID Verification | ||
| PCI Compliant | ||
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Mobile Key
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Upgrades & Upselling
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Other
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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 highlight Duve as a central messaging hub for pre-arrival, in-stay, and post-stay communication. They say it helps hotels answe... Reviewers consistently highlight Duve as a central messaging hub for pre-arrival, in-stay, and post-stay communication. They say it helps hotels answer questions faster, keep guests informed, and reduce repetitive work for reception teams, though some want more natural messaging and better multilingual translation.
Hotels say Duve reduces manual work by shifting registration, communication, and routine requests into digital workflows. Reviewers link this to faste... Hotels say Duve reduces manual work by shifting registration, communication, and routine requests into digital workflows. Reviewers link this to faster service, less reception congestion, and more time for staff to focus on guest-facing tasks.
Users repeatedly say Duve speeds arrivals by letting guests complete registration before reaching the hotel, reducing front-desk queues and duplicate... Users repeatedly say Duve speeds arrivals by letting guests complete registration before reaching the hotel, reducing front-desk queues and duplicate data entry. Hotels value the time savings and the smoother arrival flow, especially during busy periods or high occupancy.
Where hoteliers push back
A meaningful set of reviews flags reliability problems, including pages not loading, messages not sending, wrong guest data, cache issues, and inconsi... A meaningful set of reviews flags reliability problems, including pages not loading, messages not sending, wrong guest data, cache issues, and inconsistent behavior across devices. These issues matter because they can interrupt guest service and force staff back into manual work.
A frequent concern is whether Duve synchronizes cleanly with PMS and other hotel systems. Reviewers mention manual re-entry, delayed updates, compatib... A frequent concern is whether Duve synchronizes cleanly with PMS and other hotel systems. Reviewers mention manual re-entry, delayed updates, compatibility issues, and failed syncs, showing that integration quality is critical to realizing the promised efficiency gains.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
The Guest Journey App serves as a centralized hub, integrating multiple communication channels and allowing guests to manage services digitally. Its i... The Guest Journey App serves as a centralized hub, integrating multiple communication channels and allowing guests to manage services digitally. Its intuitive design significantly reduces staffing needs while enhancing guest experience.
Users value LikeMagic for its seamless integration with existing systems like PMS and digital key systems. The automation of repetitive tasks, such as... Users value LikeMagic for its seamless integration with existing systems like PMS and digital key systems. The automation of repetitive tasks, such as housekeeping and payment processing, frees up hotel staff to focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.
LikeMagic's contactless check-in feature is highly praised for enhancing guest convenience and reducing front desk congestion. Guests can check in via... LikeMagic's contactless check-in feature is highly praised for enhancing guest convenience and reducing front desk congestion. Guests can check in via mobile, offering a quick and hygienic process, particularly appreciated by international visitors.
Where hoteliers push back
LikeMagic is noted for driving upsell revenue through features like room upgrades and package add-ons. The platform's capabilities in integrating addi... LikeMagic is noted for driving upsell revenue through features like room upgrades and package add-ons. The platform's capabilities in integrating additional services, such as late checkouts or in-room dining, provide valuable opportunities for increasing revenue.
The need for more comprehensive analytics and reporting features is frequently mentioned. Users express a desire for advanced modules that track guest... The need for more comprehensive analytics and reporting features is frequently mentioned. Users express a desire for advanced modules that track guest engagement and provide key performance metrics, potentially leading to better decision-making and service improvements.
Ranks higher for
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Duve - Online Check-in and LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) share many core Contactless Check-in features, but each has unique capabilities. Duve - Online Check-in offers 72 verified integration partners, while LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) 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 (Check-in) leads in ease of use at 4.9/5 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 - Online Check-in: No. LIKE MAGIC (Check-in): 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. Duve has an HT Score of 96 and LIKE MAGIC has 71. 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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