Feratel Booking Engine (IBE) vs. HotelSync Booking Engine:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing a booking engine for your hotel is a critical step toward increasing direct bookings and improving operational efficiency. Both Feratel Booking Engine (IBE) and HotelSync aim to address these needs, but they differ significantly in their history, user feedback, and feature set. Feratel, founded in 1978 with a focus on European tourism, offers a simple, responsive widget, whereas HotelSync, a newer entrant from Estonia, provides a feature-rich platform with extensive integrations. Which one aligns better with your hotel’s goals?

Is Feratel Booking Engine or HotelSync the Better Fit for Hotels?

Feratel’s Booking Engine primarily targets businesses already using its Deskline 3.0 Destination Management System, emphasizing straightforward direct bookings via a user-friendly widget. It offers automatic price calculations, multilingual support, and packages but lacks additional marketing or upselling features and has no recent reviews, limiting confidence in current performance.

HotelSync, on the other hand, has a 5/5 overall rating with 73 reviews, 14 of the most recent in the last six months. Its reviews praise its ease of use, robust features, and continuous updates, making it a more validated choice for hotels seeking a comprehensive solution. Are you looking for a proven, highly-rated platform, or a simpler widget for existing systems?

HotelSync vs Feratel: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a full-featured booking engine with marketing tools, upselling, multi-currency support, and deep integrations, HotelSync is the clear choice. It suits mid-sized to large properties or hotel groups wanting to automate and expand their online presence.

Conversely, if your hotel is already integrated with Feratel’s Deskline system and prefers a straightforward, minimalistic widget for direct bookings, Feratel’s solution may suffice. It’s best for small hotels or destinations looking for a basic, no-frills booking tool.

In summary, choose HotelSync if you prioritize a feature-rich platform validated by recent reviews. Opt for Feratel if your system already relies on its DMS and you need a simple booking widget.

Is Feratel Booking Engine or HotelSync Easier to Use?

Feratel’s booking widget is designed to be simple, with minimal setup and an emphasis on ease of use within its ecosystem. However, with no recent reviews, there’s limited feedback on its current UI or onboarding process, making it difficult to assess how smoothly new users adopt it today.

HotelSync’s platform boasts a 4.99/5 ease of use rating from 73 reviews, with comments about its intuitive interface, quick setup, and straightforward management. Reviewers highlight how even non-technical staff can operate it confidently, with onboarding rated 4.96/5.

Edge: HotelSync.

Which Has Better Features: Feratel or HotelSync?

Feratel offers 10 shared features suitable for basic booking needs but lacks additional capabilities. It does support multilingual bookings, packages, and GDPR compliance, but it doesn’t include marketing or upselling tools.

HotelSync excels with 30 features, including pre- and post-stay emails, multi-currency, PCI compliance, booking abandonment recapture, loyalty program integration, social media bookings, and A/B testing. The breadth of features—especially those related to marketing, automation, and revenue management—makes it more comprehensive.

Edge: HotelSync.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Feratel or HotelSync?

Feratel’s support ratings are unavailable, and with no recent reviews, its current support quality is uncertain. Its long-standing presence suggests a stable support infrastructure, but the lack of recent feedback limits confidence.

HotelSync’s support and onboarding are rated at 4.97/5 from 73 reviews, with users describing the team as responsive, helpful, and proactive. Recent testimonials praise their quick resolution of issues and continuous communication, making it a safer choice for ongoing support.

Edge: HotelSync.

Which Has More Integrations: Feratel or HotelSync?

Feratel has verified integrations with 13 partners, including major industry players like Mews, TravelLine, and Profitroom, primarily targeting European markets.

HotelSync offers 11 verified integrations, including prominent providers like Stripe, SiteMinder, GuestJoy, and PriceLabs. While slightly fewer, it covers key areas like payment, channel management, and revenue tools. Both are solid choices, but Feratel’s broader European focus might be advantageous if your hotel operates mainly there.

Edge: Feratel.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Feratel or HotelSync?

HotelSync’s reviews are recent, with a 5/5 rating from 73 reviews, mostly from hotels across Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. Hoteliers praise its ease of use, automation, and customer support, especially for larger properties needing more features.

Feratel has no recent reviews or ratings, making it difficult to gauge current user satisfaction. Given the recent positive feedback for HotelSync, it has a clear advantage in user ratings and hotel confidence.

Edge: HotelSync.

How Much Do Feratel and HotelSync Cost?

Feratel’s pricing starts at $100 a month, with no free tier or trial, and no setup fees. Its simple pricing model may appeal to smaller hotels or destinations.

HotelSync charges $600 per month, with no free tier or trial, but offers a more expansive feature set. The higher cost reflects its broader capabilities and enterprise-focus, making it more suited for hotels needing advanced tools.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Feratel?

• Hotels that already use feratel Deskline 3.0 DMS and want a straightforward booking widget.
• Small hotels or destinations prioritizing simplicity and minimal management.
• Hotels seeking a cost-effective solution for direct bookings without marketing extras.

Not ideal if your hotel needs marketing automation, upselling, multi-currency, or extensive integrations.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelSync?

• Hotels that want a full-featured booking engine integrated with PMS and channel managers.
• Larger properties or hotel groups aiming to automate reservations and increase direct bookings.
• Hotels interested in marketing tools like pre- and post-stay emails, loyalty programs, or social media bookings.
• Hotels that value recent user reviews and ongoing support.

Not ideal if your hotel prefers a minimalistic, low-cost widget or mainly operates in regions with limited HotelSync presence.

HotelSync vs Feratel: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference is that HotelSync offers a comprehensive, highly-rated platform with deep marketing and automation features, backed by recent reviews from satisfied hoteliers. Feratel, while established and effective for specific ecosystems, lacks recent feedback and a broad feature set.

If your hotel needs proven, feature-rich software supported by recent customer feedback, HotelSync is the clear choice. Its ease of use, support, and extensive feature set make it suitable for most mid-sized to large properties.

Choose Feratel if your hotel is already integrated with its DMS, operates in Europe, and requires a simple booking widget to complement your existing setup. Its lower price point offers value for small hotels or destinations with minimal online booking needs.

In conclusion, for most hotels evaluating a serious booking engine today, HotelSync’s recent reviews and extensive capabilities make it the more reliable and versatile option. Feratel remains a niche choice, best suited for specific ecosystems and minimal direct booking requirements.