Exely Booking Engine vs. Booking Engine by HotelRunner:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Exely Booking Engine by Exely and Booking Engine by HotelRunner hinges on your hotel’s specific needs and priorities. Both platforms aim to streamline bookings and boost revenue, but they differ significantly in features, user experience, and market presence. Your decision should be based on which product aligns best with your hotel’s size, segment, and technical requirements.

Exely is a newer entrant with a high review count and recent positive feedback, indicating a more tested and trusted solution. HotelRunner, while more established and with a broader integration network, has fewer recent reviews and slightly lower ratings. Does your hotel prioritize proven reliability and comprehensive features? Or do you need a highly customizable platform with extensive OTA partnerships?

Is Exely or HotelRunner Better for Hotels?

Both products focus on enabling direct bookings and improving operational efficiency. Exely emphasizes marketing tools and a straightforward booking experience, especially suited for independent hotels and chains seeking to elevate their online presence. HotelRunner, with its strong OTA integrations and channel management capabilities, caters to hotels aiming for maximum occupancy through extensive distribution channels.

While Exely boasts a high overall review score of 92.7, reflecting recent positive hotelier feedback, HotelRunner’s ratings are slightly lower at 74.7, with only four recent reviews. This indicates Exely’s solutions are more trusted today, especially among active users. Are you looking for a platform with a track record of recent user satisfaction? Or is your hotel’s focus on extensive channel integrations more important?

Exely vs HotelRunner: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a booking engine that enhances direct bookings through marketing tools, automation, and a user-friendly interface, go with Exely. Its focus on customer engagement and proven support makes it ideal for independent hotels, boutique properties, and those prioritizing direct revenue growth.

If your hotel requires extensive OTA integration, pooled inventory management, and advanced customization options, select HotelRunner. Its larger partner network and rich feature set suit larger hotels, resorts, and properties with complex distribution needs. For hotels seeking flexibility and wide connectivity, HotelRunner offers an edge.

Is Exely or HotelRunner Easier to Use?

Exely’s interface scores a 4.91 out of 5 for ease of use, with onboarding rated at 4.84. Users praise its intuitive dashboard, which simplifies managing rates, availability, and reservations, along with quick, friendly support. Recent reviews emphasize how quickly hotels can launch a functional booking engine without technical expertise.

HotelRunner follows closely with a 4.73 rating in ease of use and onboarding at 4.79. Its platform is also praised for being user-friendly, especially with features like the channel manager and website builder. However, some users mention occasional lag during last-minute updates, impacting real-time adjustments.

Edge: Exely

Which Has Better Features: Exely or HotelRunner?

Exely offers 28 shared features plus 1 unique feature—Facebook conversion tracking—focusing on direct marketing and booking optimization. Its exclusive features include upselling tools, multiple payment methods, and promotional widgets, enhancing booking conversions.

HotelRunner provides 12 features unique to its platform, such as pooled inventory, gift vouchers, ADA compliance, and A/B testing. Its broader customization options and advanced marketing modules cater to complex property management needs.

The total feature count favors Exely for its targeted marketing tools, but HotelRunner’s suite excels in distribution and accessibility features. Which set of features aligns better with your property’s operational priorities?

Edge: Exely

Which Has Better Customer Support: Exely or HotelRunner?

Exely’s customer support ranks at 4.96 out of 5, with recent reviews emphasizing prompt responses and personalized assistance. Hoteliers mention that the support team’s quick, friendly responses significantly reduce downtime and streamline issue resolution.

HotelRunner also maintains a high support rating of 4.8, with reviews noting rapid assistance via WhatsApp and other channels. Some users, however, highlight occasional system bugs and missed reservations, suggesting room for support improvements.

Edge: Exely

Which Has More Integrations: Exely or HotelRunner?

HotelRunner boasts 17 verified integrations, including major OTAs like Airbnb, Expedia, Agoda, and channel management systems such as Protel and Hotelogix. This extensive network allows for broad distribution and ease of connectivity, especially valuable for properties relying on multiple channels.

Exely offers 8 verified partners, including Oracle Hospitality and Booking.com, with some integration limitations. Its narrower network may restrict some properties seeking widespread OTA connectivity but offers strong core integrations.

Edge: HotelRunner

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Exely or HotelRunner?

Exely’s reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with a 98% likelihood to recommend and a recent review count of 63, indicating active and recent user engagement. Hotels across various segments, from boutique to city center hotels, praise its effectiveness and support.

HotelRunner’s reviews, with only 4 recent ones, are slightly less glowing, averaging a 4.44/5 in satisfaction. Boutique hotels and B&Bs appreciate its flexibility, but some larger properties report issues with connectivity speed and reporting.

Edge: Exely

How Much Do Exely and HotelRunner Cost?

Exely’s pricing is a flat $200 per month, with no free tier or trial available. Its higher price reflects its comprehensive features and recent high review scores, targeting hotels seeking a full-service booking engine.

HotelRunner costs $100 per month, making it more affordable. Its lower price point is attractive, but some users suggest it might lack the depth of automation and advanced features found in Exely.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

• Hotels that prioritize direct bookings over third-party OTAs and want to boost revenue.
• Independent hoteliers seeking a user-friendly platform with marketing tools.
• Properties aiming to improve online visibility and guest engagement.
• Hotels with a focus on boutique, city center, or resort segments.
• Teams wanting rapid onboarding and dedicated support.

Not ideal if your hotel:

• Relies heavily on extensive OTA distribution without marketing-driven booking strategies.
• Needs a highly customizable website design beyond available templates.
• Is primarily budget-focused, with tight cost constraints.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelRunner?

• Hotels that need extensive OTA connectivity and pooled inventory management.
• Larger properties or resorts with complex distribution channels.
• Hotels seeking advanced marketing features like A/B testing and gift vouchers.
• Properties that require multi-channel management from a single platform.
• Hotels looking for flexible customization and website design options.

Not ideal if your hotel:

• Prefers a straightforward booking engine without advanced distribution needs.
• Is a small boutique property with limited online channel complexity.
• Requires in-depth analytics or reporting features that are currently lacking.
• Needs a platform with a more recent, high-volume user review base.

Exely vs HotelRunner: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Exely stands out with its high review count, recent positive feedback, and a 92.7 HTR score. It’s tailored for hotels that want to increase direct bookings through marketing tools and a simple, effective booking engine.

Choose Exely if you prioritize ease of use, dedicated support, and advanced marketing features. Its focus on direct revenue makes it ideal for independent hotels, boutique properties, and those seeking quick onboarding.

HotelRunner remains a solid option for properties with broad OTA needs, extensive integrations, and advanced distribution management. Its lower cost and customizable features suit larger hotels and resorts that rely on multiple channels.

If your hotel values proven recent satisfaction, rapid implementation, and marketing tools, Exely is the clear choice. For properties requiring extensive multi-channel management and integration, HotelRunner offers a more flexible, networked solution.