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 1,706 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:
Cloudbeds shines in reservations and calendar management — especially for boutique properties (4.6/5), with exclusive features like Mobile optimized/responsive and Revenue management module.
Exely shines in Ease of Use and Customer Support, with exclusive features like Gift Vouchers.
Side-by-side ratings based on 1,706 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Value for Money |
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| Starting Price | From $500/mo | From $400/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 1,597 | 109 |
After analyzing 1,706 verified reviews, Cloudbeds users most value its reservations and calendar management, ease of use and staff adoption, reporting and analytics, while Exely users highlight ease of use and daily operations efficiency, support and account management, reservation, availability, and rate management. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Reservations and calendar management
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Ease of use and daily operations efficiency
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Ease of use and staff adoption
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Support and account management
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Reporting and analytics
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Reservation, availability, and rate management
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Channel manager and OTA synchronization
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Integration and connectivity
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Support and onboarding
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Customization and flexibility
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Mobile app limitations
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Billing, invoicing, and payment workflows
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Billing, invoices, and folios
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How each product ranks among Hotel Management Software 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) ▾ | #1 793 reviews | #13 51 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #1 249 reviews | #12 27 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #1 55 reviews | #4 16 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #5 5 reviews | #10 3 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #1 635 reviews | #13 38 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #3 260 reviews | #14 22 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #2 153 reviews | #16 9 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #2 102 reviews | #19 4 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #2 570 reviews | #24 2 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #4 173 reviews | #20 9 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #3 315 reviews | #4 82 reviews |
| Middle East ▾ | #4 14 reviews | #1 13 reviews |
Choosing between Cloudbeds HMS and Exely hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, operational complexity, and growth ambitions. Both tools aim to streamline management and boost revenue, but Cloudbeds offers a more extensive, integrated platform with a significant review base and recent user feedback. Exely, while simpler and praised for its ease of use, has a smaller user base and fewer recent reviews, which impacts the confidence in its current capabilities. Which platform aligns best with your growth plans?
Cloudbeds and Exely both address core hotel management challenges—reservation handling, channel management, and guest communication. While Cloudbeds provides a broad suite of features, including revenue management, analytics, and multi-lingual support, Exely mainly focuses on operational efficiency through its PMS and booking engine. The key divergence is in their scope: Cloudbeds is a full-stack system with over 50 exclusive features, whereas Exely offers a leaner, streamlined platform.
Cloudbeds’ extensive integrations—190 verified partners—support complex multi-channel operations, ideal for larger or expanding properties. Exely’s 8 verified partners suffice for smaller hotels prioritizing simplicity and quick setup. Do you need an all-in-one powerhouse or a straightforward workflow?
If your hotel needs a comprehensive, scalable platform with extensive integrations, Cloudbeds is the clear choice. Its user-friendly interface (rated 4.58/5) and large, recent review count (1,219 reviews with 76 in the last 6 months) indicate strong ongoing support and a trusted reputation.
If your team values simplicity, quick onboarding, and cost-effective operations, Exely is suitable. Its ease of use (rated 4.88/5) and high customer satisfaction scores (support rating 4.9/5) make it appealing, especially for smaller properties or those new to PMS software. However, with only 48 reviews and fewer features, it’s less suited for complex operations or rapid growth.
Cloudbeds scores 4.58/5 for ease of use, with many users praising its intuitive dashboard and quick onboarding processes. Recent reviews note that staff find it straightforward to navigate, reducing training time and minimizing errors.
Exely outperforms slightly with a 4.88/5 rating, with users highlighting its simple interface and helpful support. Customers appreciate the straightforward setup and ability to manage daily operations efficiently, even under peak workloads.
Edge: Exely.
Cloudbeds boasts 56 features exclusive to its platform, including PMS connectivity, analytics dashboards, revenue management, integrated CRS, and multi-channel management—features that provide comprehensive control over hotel operations.
Exely offers only 4 unique features, such as gift vouchers, native email marketing, and POS, focusing on operational tasks rather than strategic management. This makes Cloudbeds the superior choice for properties seeking advanced automation and data-driven tools.
Edge: Cloudbeds.
Cloudbeds maintains a support rating of 4.38/5 with positive reviews citing quick, attentive service, and responsive support teams. Users mention that Cloudbeds’ support is generally reliable, though some note response times during busy periods could improve.
Exely excels with a 4.9/5 rating, with many reviews emphasizing its responsive and sociable support staff. Customers often highlight their appreciation for ongoing improvements and attentive service, making Exely’s support arguably more personalized.
Edge: Exely.
Cloudbeds offers 190 verified integrations with a wide array of partners including OTAs, POS systems, revenue management, and payment processors. Its extensive partner network supports diverse property types and operational needs.
Exely has only 8 verified partners, mainly focused on core hotel functions like booking engines and POS. While this simplicity suits smaller operations, it limits scalability for properties with complex multi-channel requirements.
Edge: Cloudbeds.
Cloudbeds’ overall score of 4.62/5 is backed by over 1,200 reviews, with recent feedback emphasizing its reliability, ease of use, and strong support. Its user base covers a variety of hotel segments, including boutique hotels, hostels, and resorts, which rate it highly across the board.
Exely, with a 81.7 score based on only 48 reviews, has a smaller, more niche user base. Recent reviews favor its simplicity and support but lack the breadth and depth of Cloudbeds’ ratings.
Edge: Cloudbeds.
Cloudbeds charges a base fee of $500/month without a free trial, positioning itself as a premium, all-in-one platform. Its pricing reflects its extensive feature set and integration capabilities.
Exely costs $400/month, also without a free trial, offering a lower-cost option with core functionalities suited for smaller hotels or properties prioritizing ease of use over advanced features.
Not ideal if you prefer a lightweight, easy-to-learn system without many advanced features or are on a tight budget.
Not ideal if you operate at a large scale or need complex revenue management, detailed reporting, or integration-heavy systems.
Cloudbeds offers a broad, feature-rich platform with deep integrations, making it ideal for hotels seeking to grow and streamline complex operations. Its 1,219 reviews and recent feedback confirm its ongoing relevance and reliability, especially for properties aiming for automation and scalability.
Exely is a user-friendly, cost-effective alternative with high support ratings and a smaller feature set. It suits boutique hotels, hostels, and small properties that want simplicity, quick onboarding, and responsive support without the need for extensive automation or integrations.
If your hotel is looking for a scalable, all-in-one management system with a proven track record, Cloudbeds is your best choice. For smaller operations focused on ease and support, Exely can effectively meet your needs—though it offers fewer advanced tools.
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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Accounting & Finance
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| Multi-currency | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Direct billing | ||
| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| Automated night audit | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
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Marketing & Ecommerce
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| Native Email Marketing | ||
| Group Booking Engine | ||
| Website Development | ||
| Booking Engine | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| Guest Communication (SMS Messaging) | ||
| Native Email Marketing | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Guest CRM | ||
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Administration & Configuration
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| Multi-lingual | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Centralized user & role management | ||
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Customer Management
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| Native Email Marketing | ||
| Guest Feedback Management | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
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Front Office
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| Guest Feedback Management | ||
| Housekeeping module | ||
| Property Management System | ||
| Automated night audit | ||
| Mobile Device Notes & Tasks (Voice-to-Text) | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Calendar view | ||
| Task Management | ||
| Automated reminders | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
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Groups Management
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| Group functionality | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
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Guest Experience
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| Guest Feedback Management | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Integrated ID & Passport Scanner | ||
| Digital Registration | ||
| Guest App | ||
| Online Check-in | ||
| Online Checkout | ||
| Guest Messaging | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in | ||
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Housekeeping
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| Housekeeping module | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
| Housekeeping Mobile App | ||
| Real-Time Status Updates | ||
| Automated Assignments | ||
| Real Time Reporting | ||
| Shift Planning | ||
| Employee Messaging | ||
| Online Checkout | ||
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Payments
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| Multi-currency | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
| Direct billing | ||
| Automated reminders | ||
| Integrated Payment Terminal & Card Reader | ||
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Reservations Management
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| Rate Shopping Module | ||
| Property Management System | ||
| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| Drag-n-Drop Tapechart | ||
| Rate Management | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
| Automated Assignments | ||
| Rules Based Room Assignments | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
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Revenue Management
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| Rate Shopping Module | ||
| Revenue Management Module | ||
| Pricing Intelligence | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Custom rates | ||
| Ancillary revenue tracking | ||
| Base Pricing | ||
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Taxes & Compliance
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| PCI Compliant | ||
| GDPR Compliant | ||
| SOC2 Complaint | ||
| Tax Configuration | ||
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Support & Training
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| Online 24/7 support | ||
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Food & Beverage
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| Point of Sale |
We analyzed 11 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"I have not worked with a company that has such good customer service as Cloudbeds has. It's miles ahead."
"We took a proactive approach and collaborated with Exely, implementing various strategies, such as a loyalty program. The outcome has been outstanding — not only have we been able..."
"The biggest benefit of Cloudbeds' platform is its flexibility. I can access reporting online from anywhere. Everything is smoother with Cloudbeds."
"Once we switched to Exely, we immediately noticed a significant increase in reservations from online travel agencies. We discovered that our previous system had blocked some availa..."
"Cloudbeds is like if Apple made a property management system. The ease of use is super simple and straightforward for guests and our staff. It’s very intuitive and just makes sense..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Users most often praise Cloudbeds for making reservation handling fast and visual, especially through the calendar/grid view. They like drag-and-drop... Users most often praise Cloudbeds for making reservation handling fast and visual, especially through the calendar/grid view. They like drag-and-drop changes, room moves, split bookings, and seeing occupancy in one place, which saves time at the front desk and helps staff react quickly to guest changes.
Cloudbeds is consistently described as intuitive, clean, and easy for staff to learn, which lowers training effort and helps teams move faster in dail... Cloudbeds is consistently described as intuitive, clean, and easy for staff to learn, which lowers training effort and helps teams move faster in daily operations. Buyers should note that this simplicity is a major reason smaller hotels and hostels adopt it successfully.
Reporting is one of the most frequently discussed strengths, with users saying Cloudbeds provides broad operational and financial visibility. At the s... Reporting is one of the most frequently discussed strengths, with users saying Cloudbeds provides broad operational and financial visibility. At the same time, many want faster downloads, more customizable dashboards, better filtering, and more relevant reports for daily hotel work or management analysis.
Where hoteliers push back
Many reviews discuss the support experience and onboarding process. Users often praise quick, helpful chat or training resources, but others report sl... Many reviews discuss the support experience and onboarding process. Users often praise quick, helpful chat or training resources, but others report slow responses, chatbot friction, or long implementations that delay adoption and increase setup pain.
A recurring complaint is that the mobile app is too limited for real operations. Users repeatedly say they can mostly view information but cannot crea... A recurring complaint is that the mobile app is too limited for real operations. Users repeatedly say they can mostly view information but cannot create or edit bookings, manage inventory, or receive useful notifications, which reduces its value when staff are away from the desk.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
A major reason hotels like Exely is that it is intuitive and easy to learn, helping staff handle daily operations with less training and fewer mistake... A major reason hotels like Exely is that it is intuitive and easy to learn, helping staff handle daily operations with less training and fewer mistakes. Reviewers often mention that it reduces manual work, saves time, and makes front-office and reservation workflows more efficient.
Support is one of Exely’s strongest differentiators, with users repeatedly describing the team as responsive, professional, and quick to resolve issue... Support is one of Exely’s strongest differentiators, with users repeatedly describing the team as responsive, professional, and quick to resolve issues. Several reviews also mention account managers and other teams being attentive, which helps hotels adopt the system and keep operations running smoothly.
Many reviews highlight how Exely simplifies managing reservations, room availability, and pricing in one place. Users say it makes daily operations mo... Many reviews highlight how Exely simplifies managing reservations, room availability, and pricing in one place. Users say it makes daily operations more organized, speeds up updates, and helps them react faster to demand changes.
Where hoteliers push back
Users often want Exely to be more configurable for different property types, especially in PMS workflows, invoices, confirmations, and interface behav... Users often want Exely to be more configurable for different property types, especially in PMS workflows, invoices, confirmations, and interface behavior. While some praise its flexibility, many ask for more tailored layouts, property-specific options, and smoother editing tools.
Reporting is a common pain point: users want deeper, faster, and more flexible reports covering bookings, revenue, occupancy, channel performance, and... Reporting is a common pain point: users want deeper, faster, and more flexible reports covering bookings, revenue, occupancy, channel performance, and guest trends. A few reviewers say current reports are sufficient for basic use, but most want better dashboards, mobile access, and more analytical detail for decision-making.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Cloudbeds HMS and Exely HMS share many core Hotel Management Software features, but each has unique capabilities. Cloudbeds HMS offers 208 verified integration partners, while Exely HMS offers 10. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Exely HMS leads in ease of use at 4.9/5 vs 4.6/5. 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.
Cloudbeds HMS: No. Exely HMS: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Management Software 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. Cloudbeds has an HT Score of 100 and Exely has 88. 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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