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 75 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:
Exely shines when it comes to user interface , with exclusive features like Guest Communication (SMS Messaging).
HotelFriend AG shines , with exclusive features like Tablet/Kiosk Check-in and Guest App.
Side-by-side ratings based on 75 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $400/mo | From $800/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 56 | 19 |
After analyzing 75 verified reviews, Exely users most value its user interface, customer support, hotel operation efficiency, while HotelFriend AG users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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User Interface
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Customer Support
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Hotel Operation Efficiency
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Channel Management
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Customization and Reporting Features
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System Performance and Speed
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Mobile Application
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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) ▾ | #23 16 reviews | #43 1 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #17 15 reviews | #38 1 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #16 3 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #11 1 reviews | #24 0 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #22 13 reviews | #38 1 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #20 11 reviews | #41 0 reviews |
| Branded / Chain | #25 2 reviews | #38 1 reviews |
| Extended Stay | #21 3 reviews | #27 1 reviews |
By Region
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| North America | #22 2 reviews | #31 0 reviews |
| Europe | #24 2 reviews | #25 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #6 28 reviews | #27 1 reviews |
| Middle East ▾ | #7 5 reviews | — |
Choosing between Exely HMS and HotelFriend HMS depends on your hotel’s specific needs, operational complexity, and regional focus. Both products aim to streamline hotel management, but they diverge significantly in features, market presence, and user feedback. Exely, with its broader feature set and larger review base, emerges as the more established choice, especially for hotels prioritizing direct booking growth and flexible integrations. Are you ready to find out which system aligns best with your hotel’s goals?
Both Exely HMS and HotelFriend HMS serve as comprehensive hotel management platforms, but they approach hotel operations differently. Exely emphasizes boosting revenue through direct bookings, channel management, and online reputation, while HotelFriend offers an integrated suite combining property management, booking, POS, and guest experience tools.
Exely's strengths lie in its extensive feature set, including unique modules like multi-currency support, SMS guest communication, and a rate shopping module, which can help increase profitability. HotelFriend’s core appeal is its all-in-one platform, built to streamline workflows for hotels that need integrated booking, POS, and event management, especially those already using or planning to implement hardware solutions.
Given the stark contrast, your choice hinges on whether your hotel prioritizes revenue growth via online channels or operational integration. Do you need a flexible, feature-rich PMS that is highly rated and widely used, or a unified system designed for seamless workflow automation?
If your hotel requires a platform that emphasizes increasing direct bookings, improving online reputation, and offers advanced channel management, go with Exely HMS. It is especially well-suited for boutique, city center, and other property types focused on maximizing revenue from online channels, thanks to its strong reputation, extensive integrations, and recent review activity.
If your hotel needs an integrated property management solution with comprehensive operational tools—like POS, event management, and guest experience modules—HotelFriend is the better fit. It’s ideal for hotels seeking customizable packages, especially those in Europe or with a focus on automation and compliance, such as hotels managing multiple modules and hardware integrations.
In short, choose Exely if revenue growth and online presence are your priorities. Opt for HotelFriend if operational efficiency, customization, and compliance are more critical for your property.
Based on recent reviews and ratings, Exely HMS is slightly easier to adopt. It has a high ease-of-use score of 4.88/5 and recent reviews highlight its intuitive interface, simple integration, and straightforward onboarding. Users praise how staff can quickly learn and navigate the system, even during busy periods, with some noting that quick tutorials or guides for new features would enhance onboarding further.
HotelFriend, with a score of 4.44/5, offers a very user-friendly experience but has a steeper initial learning curve, especially when configuring multiple modules or integrating hardware solutions. Its onboarding process is generally positive, but hotel staff may require more time to become fully proficient.
Edge: Exely HMS.
Exely HMS boasts a total of 38 unique features, including multi-currency support, SMS guest communication, and a rate shopping module, which are absent in HotelFriend. Its features focus on increasing direct bookings, managing online reputation, and optimizing pricing strategies.
HotelFriend offers 15 exclusive modules like direct billing, tablet/kiosk check-in, guest app, integrated ID scanner, and real-time reporting—features designed for operational automation and guest engagement. While its core modules provide robust management tools, Exely’s focus on revenue and marketing features gives it an edge for hotels seeking growth-oriented solutions.
Edge: Exely HMS.
Exely’s customer support scores 4.9/5, with reviews describing the team as responsive, knowledgeable, and attentive. Users appreciate quick solutions and continuous improvements, often highlighting how support helps resolve issues swiftly, contributing to high satisfaction levels.
HotelFriend’s support, rated at 4.56/5, is also well-regarded, with users describing the team as responsive and helpful, particularly during onboarding and implementation. However, given the broader user base and more recent feedback, Exely’s support appears more consistently praised.
Edge: Exely HMS.
Exely significantly outperforms HotelFriend in integrations, with 8 verified partners—including Hotellab, Oracle Hospitality, IDeaS, and Booking.com—covering channel management, revenue, and property systems. This extensive integration network makes Exely more adaptable for hotels with existing systems or seeking flexibility.
HotelFriend, with zero verified partners, offers a more closed ecosystem, primarily focusing on its own modules and hardware integrations. While it provides a suite of built-in operational tools, its limited integration options make Exely the preferred choice for hotels relying on third-party systems.
Edge: Exely HMS.
Exely benefits from 48 reviews, with a recent surge in feedback over the last six months, and a high likelihood to recommend at 98%. Hotels across segments—including boutique, city center, and resorts—generally rate it highly, emphasizing its ease of use, support, and feature set.
HotelFriend, with only 9 reviews, has a lower recent review count and a 90% likelihood to recommend. The reviews tend to be more critical, especially regarding bugs and system stability, and are primarily from European hotels managing multiple modules.
Given the volume and recency, Exely’s ratings are more representative of current user satisfaction, making it the more trusted choice.
Edge: Exely HMS.
Exely’s base price is $400 per month, with no trial or freemium options. Its pricing appears straightforward, with no additional implementation fees, making it accessible for hotels seeking a cost-effective, feature-rich solution.
HotelFriend’s base price is $800 per month, with a 30-day trial available. While more expensive, its pricing includes a broader set of modules, especially in the customizable Enterprise package. Costs may increase with added modules or bespoke development.
Both systems lack transparent tiered plans beyond base fees, so your decision may hinge on whether you value more features for a higher price or a more budget-friendly, core system.
Exely HMS is a more established and highly-rated system with a broader feature set, especially for revenue and online presence. Its extensive integrations and recent positive reviews make it suitable for hotels seeking growth, automation, and flexibility.
HotelFriend offers a unified operational platform, ideal for hotels that want to streamline workflows through a customizable, all-in-one system. It is especially appealing for European properties or those with complex operational needs.
If your hotel emphasizes direct bookings, revenue growth, and robust support, Exely is the clear choice. Conversely, if operational automation, compliance, and customized workflows are your priorities, HotelFriend is worth considering.
In conclusion, for more recent reviews, higher ratings, and a larger trusted user base, Exely HMS is the stronger recommendation. It’s proven to support hotels looking to expand their digital footprint and streamline operations effectively.
Hotel Management Software 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 $400/mo | From $800/mo |
According to HTR's product database, Exely HMS and HotelFriend HMS share 35 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Automated Space Optimization | ||
| Digital Registration | ||
| Direct billing | ||
| Guest App | ||
| Guest Communication (SMS Messaging) | ||
| Integrated ID & Passport Scanner | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Rate Shopping Module | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in |
Showing top differences. 6 more features differ between these products.
We analyzed 2 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"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..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"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..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
The intuitive and straightforward interface of Exely significantly enhances user experience, making it easier for staff to navigate during busy period... The intuitive and straightforward interface of Exely significantly enhances user experience, making it easier for staff to navigate during busy periods and integrating seamlessly into daily operations.
The customer support team receives praise for their quick responses and helpfulness, ensuring any issues are swiftly addressed, though this is a more... The customer support team receives praise for their quick responses and helpfulness, ensuring any issues are swiftly addressed, though this is a more general feature and not unique to Exely.
Exely is praised for streamlining hotel operations, reducing errors and enhancing overall workflow efficiency by automating various processes and task... Exely is praised for streamlining hotel operations, reducing errors and enhancing overall workflow efficiency by automating various processes and tasks.
Where hoteliers push back
Users express a need for more advanced reporting options and customization capabilities to enable deeper performance analysis and personalized user ex... Users express a need for more advanced reporting options and customization capabilities to enable deeper performance analysis and personalized user experience, which are lacking in the current system.
There is critique regarding the system's performance during peak workload periods, with reports of long loading times, occasional errors, and unexpect... There is critique regarding the system's performance during peak workload periods, with reports of long loading times, occasional errors, and unexpected logouts hindering operational flow.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
It depends on your requirements. Exely HMS and HotelFriend HMS share many core Hotel Management Software features, but each has unique capabilities. Exely HMS offers 8 verified integration partners, while HotelFriend HMS offers 1. 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 4.7/5. 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.
Exely HMS: No. HotelFriend 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. Exely has an HT Score of 82 and HotelFriend AG has 0. 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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