Exely HMS vs. PeopleHub - Human Resources for Hotels (By Papertrail):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Exely HMS by Exely and PeopleHub by Papertrail boils down to your hotel’s primary operational needs. Exely offers a comprehensive management platform designed to streamline reservations, revenue, and guest interactions, while Papertrail specializes in HR automation for hotel staff. Both products address different hotel pain points — but which aligns best with your current priorities?

If your goal is to improve operational efficiency and increase revenue through better management tools, Exely is the clear leader. Conversely, if staffing, employee management, and HR compliance are your biggest challenges, PeopleHub could be the better fit — but only given your specific HR needs.

Is Exely or Papertrail Better for Hotels?

Exely and Papertrail serve distinct functions, with Exely focused on hotel management and operations, and Papertrail centered on human resources. Exely’s platform covers reservation management, online booking, revenue optimization, and guest feedback, directly impacting your hotel’s revenue streams. Papertrail, however, streamlines staff onboarding, scheduling, and compliance, reducing HR administrative burden.

The main divergence? Exely’s extensive feature set (26 unique features) surpasses Papertrail’s minimal feature count (only 4 exclusive features). Moreover, Exely boasts a strong presence across multiple regions and a sizable user base with 48 recent reviews, making its data more current and representative. Papertrail lacks recent reviews and regional presence data, limiting its credibility.

Would you prefer a platform that helps optimize your hotel’s revenue and guest experience or one that simplifies employee management? That decision hinges on your most pressing operational challenges.

Exely vs Papertrail: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a full-featured management system that integrates booking, PMS, channel management, guest engagement, and revenue tools, go with Exely. Its comprehensive capabilities support both daily operations and strategic growth for medium to large hotels, especially those seeking to maximize direct bookings and online reputation.

If your team is overwhelmed by HR paperwork, staff onboarding, shift planning, and compliance issues, and your hotel is a smaller property or part of a chain needing sophisticated employee management, Papertrail might be suitable. However, keep in mind the limited information and absence of recent reviews, which suggests less proven adoption.

For most hotels looking to boost operational efficiency and revenue, Exely’s broad feature set and recent positive reviews make it the stronger choice.

Is Exely or Papertrail Easier to Use?

Exely’s user interface scores a high 4.88 out of 5, based on recent reviews, with users praising its intuitive navigation and seamless integration into daily workflows. Implementation is rated 4.82/5, and customer support is nearly perfect at 4.9/5, with reviewers emphasizing helpful, responsive teams.

In comparison, Papertrail’s reviews are absent, with a zero score in ease of use, support, and onboarding. No recent feedback makes it impossible to gauge usability or implementation quality, but its lack of reviews indicates limited adoption or visibility.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Features: Exely or Papertrail?

Exely offers 26 features exclusive to its platform, including gift vouchers, revenue management, online check-in/out, website development, and guest messaging — all designed to optimize hotel operations. It also provides integrated tools like channel management, rate shopping, and POS, making it a one-stop management solution.

Papertrail, in contrast, only offers 4 unique features, focusing on direct billing, employee messaging, PCI compliance, and SOC2 compliance. It lacks operational management tools, guest engagement features, or revenue modules.

Given the extensive feature count, Exely clearly provides more functionality tailored to hotel management needs. Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Exely or Papertrail?

Exely’s customer support is highly rated at 4.9/5, with reviewers citing quick, helpful responses and proactive assistance. Support staff are described as sociable, responsive, and dedicated to ongoing improvements.

Papertrail’s support ratings are unavailable, and its reviews are absent, making it impossible to assess support quality. The lack of recent reviews raises questions about the product’s current support effectiveness or market presence.

Edge: Exely.

Which Has More Integrations: Exely or Papertrail?

Exely integrates with 8 verified partners, including HotelLab, Oracle Hospitality, Mews, Booking.com, and others, facilitating connectivity across booking channels, property management, and revenue systems. This broad integrations ecosystem simplifies data flow and operational cohesion.

Papertrail has no verified integrations listed, limiting its interoperability and potentially increasing manual work for your team.

Edge: Exely.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Exely or Papertrail?

Exely’s recent reviews (18 in the last 6 months) and total of 48 reviews show consistent positive feedback, with a 98% likelihood of recommendation. Its ratings reflect high satisfaction across operational, support, and usability measures.

Papertrail lacks recent reviews or ratings, preventing a meaningful comparison. Its absence suggests limited adoption or visibility within the hotel industry.

Based on current data, Exely’s higher review count and recent positive feedback make it the preferred option.

Edge: Exely.

How Much Do Exely and Papertrail Cost?

Exely’s pricing starts at a $400 monthly flat fee, with no freemium or trial options available. Its transparent pricing supports budget planning for hotels seeking comprehensive management tools.

Pricing details for Papertrail are not publicly available, which could complicate budget assessments. Its lack of pricing transparency suggests it may be a bespoke or enterprise solution.

If you value clear, predictable costs, Exely’s straightforward pricing is advantageous.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

• Hotels that want a unified platform for reservations, revenue management, and guest engagement.
• Hotels aiming to increase direct bookings and online reputation.
• Properties seeking robust integration with OTAs and channel managers.
• Hotels with medium to large portfolios that can leverage extensive features.
• Teams focused on streamlining daily operations and improving guest experiences.

Not ideal if you operate a boutique hotel or small property with minimal tech needs; you might find Exely’s comprehensive tools too complex or costly.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Papertrail?

• Hotels that prioritize HR automation, staff onboarding, and compliance.
• Boutique hotels or multi-property groups needing centralized employee management.
• Hotels looking to reduce paperwork and improve staff scheduling accuracy.
• Teams that want role and department visibility across locations.

Not ideal if operational management, revenue tools, or guest engagement are your top priorities, as Papertrail lacks these functionalities and has limited reviews.

Exely vs Papertrail: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Exely is a full-featured hotel management platform designed to boost revenue, optimize operations, and engage guests. Its extensive feature set, strong regional presence, and positive recent reviews make it a reliable choice for hotels seeking an all-in-one management solution.

Papertrail, on the other hand, primarily addresses HR needs with minimal operational features and no recent reviews to support its effectiveness. If HR automation is your main concern, and your hotel is small or HR-heavy, Papertrail could work — but its limited market presence and lack of recent data suggest it’s less proven.

In summary, for most hotels aiming to improve operational efficiency and revenue, Exely’s proven track record and broader functional offering make it the smarter choice.