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

The Decision

Choosing the right booking engine for your hotel can significantly impact your revenue, guest experience, and operational efficiency. Both Exely Booking Engine by Exely and openROOM by openROOM aim to improve direct bookings and streamline the reservation process, but they differ in features, market presence, and support. Exely, with its larger user base and recent reviews, offers a more proven track record, whereas openROOM emphasizes high conversion rates and customization tailored for chains and independents alike.

Your decision hinges on your hotel's size, target market, and specific needs—are you prioritizing a platform with extensive integrations and regional reach, or one optimized explicitly for conversion and flexibility?

Is Exely or openROOM Better for Hotels?

Exely and openROOM both target improving direct bookings and guest engagement, but they approach these goals differently. Exely’s platform is packed with features like booking abandonment recapture, customizable add-ons, and a strong focus on marketing tools, making it ideal for hotels seeking a comprehensive solution. Conversely, openROOM emphasizes conversion, with a simplified, intuitive booking interface designed to maximize booking success and reduce drop-offs.

Exely’s extensive regional presence across 27 countries and a broad hotel segment coverage makes it more versatile, especially for hotels operating internationally or with complex offerings. openROOM’s more focused regional footprint and emphasis on high conversion rates suit hotels with a clear focus on optimizing online booking effectiveness.

Given the more recent reviews and higher review volume, Exely’s proven reliability and support make it the safer choice for most hotels. But if your hotel’s priority is maximizing conversion or catering to youth hostels and boutique hotels, openROOM’s streamlined interface might appeal more.

Exely vs openROOM: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a robust booking engine with advanced marketing tools and extensive integrations, go with Exely. Its features like booking abandonment recapture, multiple payment options, and PCI compliance are tailored to support growth and operational efficiency, especially for larger or more complex properties.

If your hotel prioritizes a high-conversion, simple booking process that can adapt to chains or independent operations, choose openROOM. Its focus on intuitive design, tailored search options, and accommodations for youth hostels or smaller properties makes it ideal for properties looking to boost occupancy through optimized digital channels.

For hotels seeking proven support, Exely’s larger review base and recent feedback from active users tip the scale. Conversely, if flexibility and a straightforward booking experience are more critical, openROOM’s niche focus should be considered.

Is Exely or openROOM Easier to Use?

Exely scores a 4.91/5 for ease of use, backed by a strong onboarding rating of 4.84/5, and many reviews praise its user-friendly dashboard and management tools. Users highlight its quick setup, intuitive interface, and responsive support team, making daily operations smoother.

openROOM isn’t far behind, with a 4.78/5 ease of use rating and a slightly higher onboarding score of 4.88/5. Customers value its straightforward booking process, especially for mobile devices, and appreciate its simple navigation and clear layout.

Edge: Exely. Its larger user base and recent reviews indicate a more tested and trusted platform for daily hotel operations.

Which Has Better Features: Exely or openROOM?

Exely offers 10 features exclusive to its platform, including room substitutions, booking abandonment recapture, customizable add-ons, website integration, multiple payment options (Paypal, PayU, Stripe), and PCI compliance. These features provide a high level of flexibility and security, supporting complex booking needs.

openROOM has 6 unique features, including Google Analytics tracking, loyalty program integration, gift vouchers, alternative accommodation recommendations, wedding & corporate modules, and availability blocks. While fewer, these tools are tailored to maximize conversion and enhance guest engagement.

With 19 shared features, Exely’s broader suite and richer feature set give it an edge for hotels seeking comprehensive control and customization.

Edge: Exely. Its array of exclusive features and extensive options make it more adaptable for diverse hotel types and operational needs.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Exely or openROOM?

Exely’s customer support scores 4.96/5, with reviews emphasizing rapid response times and clear, helpful communication. Users report feeling well-supported during onboarding and ongoing use, with feedback often highlighting the team’s proactive approach.

openROOM’s support is rated at 4.89/5, with reviews describing their staff as approachable and communicative, acting more like partners than vendors. Users appreciate their collaborative approach, but the smaller support team size may limit rapid scalability.

Edge: Exely. Its larger review volume and recent feedback affirm a slightly stronger track record for support quality and responsiveness.

Which Has More Integrations: Exely or openROOM?

Exely integrates with 8 verified partners, including Hotellab, Oracle Hospitality, Mews, Booking.com, and Clock, offering extensive options for channel management, property management, and distribution.

openROOM currently has no verified integrations listed, which may limit its ability to connect with third-party systems or existing hotel management tools.

For hotels prioritizing seamless operational workflows, Exely’s larger ecosystem of integrations provides a significant advantage.

Edge: Exely. Its verified and diverse integration options facilitate smoother operations across various hotel management systems.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Exely or openROOM?

Exely’s review score of 92.67 and 144 reviews—many recent—indicate strong satisfaction, especially from hotels in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Hoteliers highlight its ease of use, support quality, and impact on direct bookings, with 98% likelihood to recommend.

openROOM’s ratings are unverified due to only 9 reviews, with no recent feedback available. The limited data makes it difficult to assess overall satisfaction or hotel segment preferences.

Given the larger, more recent review base, Exely is clearly rated higher by hoteliers.

Edge: Exely. Its solid reputation backed by recent reviews makes it the preferred choice among hotel operators.

How Much Do Exely and openROOM Cost?

Exely’s base price is $200 per month, with no free trial or implementation fees. Its straightforward pricing appeals to hotels seeking transparency and predictable expenses.

openROOM’s base fee is $400 per month, also without trial or setup costs. Its higher price point reflects its high conversion focus and tailored features.

While both are subscription models, Exely’s more affordable pricing offers better ROI for most hotels without sacrificing core features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

Hotels that should consider Exely include:

• Hotels seeking a full-featured booking engine with marketing tools
• Properties wanting extensive integration options
• Hotels requiring detailed rate management and automation
• Independent hotels and chains looking for regional coverage
• Hotels aiming to improve direct bookings and reduce OTA dependence

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel has minimal online booking needs
• You require highly specialized booking features not offered
• Your property operates in regions where openROOM has a stronger presence

Exely’s versatility suits mid-to-large hotels and properties that value support and customization.

What Type of Hotel Should Use openROOM?

Hotels suitable for openROOM include:

• Independent hotels and boutique properties focused on high conversion
• Youth hostels or accommodations offering bed-by-bed booking
• Hotels prioritizing a simple, intuitive booking process
• Properties seeking to maximize online occupancy with less complex needs
• Hotels that value fast setup and straightforward management

Not ideal if:

• Your property requires extensive integrations
• You operate in regions outside openROOM’s current footprint
• You need advanced features like booking abandonment or PCI compliance

openROOM’s streamlined approach benefits properties focused solely on maximizing online conversion.

Exely vs openROOM: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Exely provides a comprehensive, feature-rich booking engine with extensive integrations, regional coverage, and proven support, making it suitable for hotels seeking an all-in-one solution. Its higher review volume and recent positive feedback reinforce its reliability as a choice for growing or complex properties.

openROOM offers a high-conversion, simple booking experience tailored for independent hotels, boutique properties, and youth hostels. Its focus on maximizing booking success and ease of use is ideal for properties prioritizing straightforward digital growth.

If your hotel needs a trusted, well-supported platform with comprehensive features, Exely is the clear choice. For hotels emphasizing an intuitive interface and conversion-focused design, openROOM is worth considering—but only if your operational needs are simple and regionally compatible.