Exely Booking Engine vs. iStay Booking Engine (by IBS Software):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right booking engine for your hotel is critical to increasing direct bookings, improving guest experience, and streamlining operations. Both Exely Booking Engine and iStay by IBS Software aim to meet these needs but diverge significantly in their market presence, features, and review credibility. Given the more recent reviews and higher user engagement, Exely emerges as the more reliable option for hoteliers who prioritize proven performance and support.

While iStay is a comprehensive platform designed for large hotels and resorts, the lack of recent review data makes it difficult to assess its current effectiveness. How do these platforms truly stack up in features, ease of use, and support? Let's compare.

Is Exely or iStay Better for Hotels?

Exely Booking Engine is a dedicated, user-friendly system with a focus on driving direct bookings and simplifying online operations. Its recent reviews, totaling 144 with 63 in the last six months, underscore its active user base and ongoing improvements, especially in ease of use and customer support, rated 4.91/5 and 4.96/5 respectively.

In contrast, iStay by IBS Software has no current reviews or ratings, making it impossible to gauge recent user satisfaction or performance. Its broad scope across property management and distribution is appealing, but the lack of recent feedback raises concerns about its current reliability and support.

Both products aim to boost revenue and guest satisfaction, but Exely’s vibrant user community and high ratings suggest it is better suited for hotels seeking proven, immediate results. Are you ready to focus on a platform with a track record?

Exely Booking Engine vs iStay: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a booking engine that emphasizes direct bookings, ease of integration, and responsive support, go with Exely. Its 92.7 score on the HotelTechReport (HTR) scale and over 140 reviews reflect strong, recent customer confidence.

If, however, your hotel or resort requires a unified platform managing multiple aspects of operations beyond bookings—like distribution, guest experience, and property management—iStay might appeal, but the absence of recent reviews makes this less certain. For most hoteliers, Exely’s proven track record and feature set make it the safer choice.

Is Exely or iStay Easier to Use?

Exely’s UI is rated 4.91/5 by users, with reviews highlighting its straightforward dashboard, quick learning curve, and efficient management tools. Its onboarding process is also rated highly at 4.84/5, indicating most users find it easy to implement and adopt.

iStay’s ease of use cannot be assessed due to the lack of recent reviews or ratings. Its broad scope suggests complexity, but without user feedback, it’s impossible to determine if it is as accessible as Exely.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Features: Exely or iStay?

Exely offers 29 unique features not found in iStay, including mobile optimization, multi-room bookings, multilingual support, conversion rate reports, flexible rate plans, and integrations with Google Hotel Ads, Tripadvisor, and more. These features directly support revenue growth and guest engagement.

iStay’s feature set is not publicly detailed, and no unique features are listed beyond its broad property management scope. The absence of detailed features limits confidence in its ability to deliver specific booking enhancements.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Exely or iStay?

Exely’s support is rated 4.96/5, with reviews praising its quick responses, friendly communication, and proactive problem solving. Many users highlight how support staff help resolve issues swiftly, contributing to smoother operations.

iStay’s support ratings and reviews are unavailable, making it impossible to assess its support quality. Given the importance of reliable support in SaaS, Exely’s proven high ratings give it a clear advantage for ongoing assistance.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has More Integrations: Exely or iStay?

Exely integrates with 8 verified partners, including major players like Oracle Hospitality, Mews, Booking.com, and others. Its integrations support channel management, payment processing, and online visibility.

iStay only has 2 verified partners—Duetto and IBS Software—limiting its connectivity options. The broader integration ecosystem of Exely enables more seamless hotel operations and data flow.

Edge: Exely.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Exely or iStay?

Exely’s recent reviews (144 total, 63 in the last six months) reflect an overall satisfaction rating of 92.7/100, with 98% likelihood to recommend. Hotels across various segments, especially boutique and city center hotels, appreciate its ease of use and support.

No current reviews or ratings exist for iStay, so we cannot compare hotel satisfaction directly. The active, positive feedback for Exely underscores its current popularity and trustworthiness among hoteliers.

Edge: Exely.

How Much Do Exely and iStay Cost?

Exely’s pricing starts at $200 per month, with no implementation fees or trial options, making it straightforward and transparent. The absence of pricing data for iStay means hotel teams must contact IBS Software directly for quotes, which might vary based on customizations.

Exely’s clear pricing model is advantageous for budgeting and decision-making, whereas iStay’s opaque costs could be a hurdle.

Edge: Exely.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

• Hotels that prioritize increasing direct bookings and reducing OTA dependence.
• Independent hoteliers and boutique properties seeking a flexible, feature-rich booking engine.
• Hotels with a focus on mobile responsiveness and multilingual support.
• Teams aiming for quick onboarding and responsive support.
• Hotels that want robust analytics, rate management, and promotional tools.

Not ideal if you require a comprehensive property management system beyond bookings, or if your hotel prefers a platform with extensive distribution and operational features outside booking.

What Type of Hotel Should Use iStay?

• Large resorts or hotel groups seeking an integrated platform managing multiple aspects beyond bookings.
• Hotels that need advanced distribution capabilities and real-time connectivity.
• Resorts or gaming properties aiming for a unified system covering the entire guest journey.
• Teams that want to consolidate property management, distribution, and guest experience into one platform.

Not ideal if your primary goal is a dedicated booking engine to boost direct reservations, or if recent user feedback is important for your decision.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Exely Booking Engine offers a proven, feature-rich platform with high user satisfaction, active ongoing development, and extensive integrations. Its recent review data and high ratings make it the safer choice for hotels seeking immediate results and reliable support.

iStay by IBS Software presents an all-in-one, cloud-native solution tailored for large properties and complex operations, but the lack of current reviews makes it a riskier investment for hoteliers prioritizing proven performance.

For most hotels focused on direct bookings, ease of use, and support, Exely is the clear winner. If you need a broad, unified system to manage multiple facets of your property, iStay might appeal—yet its current quality remains unverified through recent user feedback.