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 162 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:
freetobook shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Support for Weekly & Monthly Rates.
update247 shines , with exclusive features like Multi-Currency Support.
Side-by-side ratings based on 162 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | From $100/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 162 | 0 |
After analyzing 162 verified reviews, freetobook users most value its user-friendly interface, customer experience enhancement, channel management efficacy, while update247 users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
User-Friendly Interface
▾
|
|
|
+
Customer Experience Enhancement
▾
|
|
|
+
Channel Management Efficacy
▾
|
|
|
+
Customization Options
▾
|
|
| Cons | |
|
−
Self-Catering Features
▾
|
|
|
−
Internationalization
▾
|
|
How each product ranks among Channel Managers vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #13 25 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) | #29 2 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #13 3 reviews | — |
By Property Type
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #13 30 reviews | — |
| Luxury ▾ | #15 21 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #23 5 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #13 5 reviews | — |
By Region
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | #12 8 reviews | — |
| Europe ▾ | #6 114 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #16 3 reviews | — |
| Middle East | #14 2 reviews | — |
Choosing the right channel manager can significantly impact your hotel’s occupancy, revenue, and guest experience. Both freetobook Channel Manager and update247 aim to simplify distribution and reduce overbooking, but they diverge in market presence, user feedback, and features. Your decision hinges on your property type, region, and specific operational needs. Which product aligns best with your hotel’s goals?
freetobook has established itself in multiple regions globally, including North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, supported by 145 reviews and recent feedback from 32 users in the last six months. Its high ratings—an overall score of 83.69 and a customer support score of 4.92/5—indicate strong user satisfaction.
update247, on the other hand, has a limited global footprint with no regional data or recent reviews, making it harder to evaluate its reliability and user experience. With no publicly available review ratings, it’s less clear whether update247 can match freetobook’s proven track record.
Both tools aim to streamline online distribution, but freetobook’s extensive, recent reviews and high satisfaction scores suggest it’s more trusted by hoteliers. Are you seeking a globally proven solution with a vibrant user community?
If your hotel requires a well-established, highly-rated platform with a global presence and a dedicated customer support team, go with freetobook. Its broad regional coverage and 145 reviews—more than 32 recent—confirm its reliability and popularity among small to medium accommodations, especially bed & breakfasts, inns, and vacation rentals.
If your priority is a niche solution with multi-currency support or a focus on specific channels, update247 may be worth exploring. However, with no recent reviews or clear market presence, its suitability for your hotel is uncertain.
Given the data, freetobook’s proven performance and recent user feedback make it the stronger option for most small to mid-sized properties.
freetobook scores an impressive 4.88/5 for ease of use, with many users praising its intuitive interface and straightforward onboarding process. Reviewers appreciate how quickly staff can adopt the system, with some noting it’s suitable for non-technical team members.
update247 offers no available ratings or recent feedback, making it difficult to gauge user experience. Without concrete data, it’s reasonable to conclude that freetobook’s strong user satisfaction indicates a more user-friendly platform.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook offers 11 shared features with update247, plus two unique functionalities—support for weekly and monthly rates, and extensive customization options. It also provides tools like GuestAppy for digital guest communications and rate management features appreciated by users.
update247 has only three verified partners, with no unique features clearly outlined. Its support for multi-currency is a notable feature but is overshadowed by the lack of detailed functionality or recent reviews.
freetobook’s feature set and positive user feedback give it a clear edge.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook boasts a 4.92/5 customer support rating, with reviewers describing its team as “professional, friendly, and always available.” Recent reviews emphasize quick, helpful responses and a personal touch that enhances user satisfaction.
update247 provides no documented support ratings or recent feedback, making it difficult to assess support quality. Based on available data, freetobook’s customer service reputation is significantly stronger.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook supports five verified partners, including Stripe, RoomPriceGenie, Pitchup.com, and Sweeply, giving users a variety of options for payment, channel, and rate management integrations.
update247 offers just three verified partners, with RMS and PriceLabs being notable but fewer in number. The limited integrations suggest less flexibility and fewer tools for customization.
freetobook’s broader integration ecosystem benefits hotels seeking flexibility.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook’s user reviews, with 145 ratings and recent feedback from 32 users, consistently praise its ease of use, support, and value. Its NPS score of 9.91/10 indicates high likelihood of recommendation, particularly among bed & breakfast, inn, and vacation rental operators.
update247 has no recent reviews or rating data, leaving its user satisfaction unverified. Without current feedback, it’s reasonable to assume freetobook’s higher rating reflects ongoing customer trust.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook charges a base price of $100 monthly per property, with no trial or implementation fees. Its transparent pricing and high value for money—scoring 4.85/5—make it accessible for small properties on tight budgets.
update247’s pricing information is unavailable, making comparison difficult. Given the lack of transparency, it’s safer to consider freetobook as a known cost with predictable expenses.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
freetobook offers a highly-rated, well-established platform supported by a large and recent user base. Its strengths lie in ease of use, customer service, and broad integrations, making it ideal for small to medium accommodations seeking reliable distribution management.
update247 appears more niche, with limited recent reviews and less market presence, which makes its long-term reliability uncertain. If your hotel values proven performance and customer satisfaction, freetobook is the clear choice.
Choose freetobook if you want a trusted, well-rated channel manager with extensive features and support. Consider update247 only if your specific needs align closely with its capabilities and regional presence, and if you can verify its performance firsthand.
Channel Managers 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.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $100/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, freetobook Channel Manager and update247 Channel Manager share 11 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Currency Support | ||
| Support for Weekly & Monthly Rates |
What hoteliers love
While generally praised for its ease of use, there are suggestions to modernize the user interface, particularly from a design aspect, to keep up with... While generally praised for its ease of use, there are suggestions to modernize the user interface, particularly from a design aspect, to keep up with current app standards. A mobile app is also on some users' wishlist for more flexible access.
freetobook's tools, including the GuestAppy system, aid in providing a premium guest experience, offering features like digital registration, messagin... freetobook's tools, including the GuestAppy system, aid in providing a premium guest experience, offering features like digital registration, messaging, and personalized guest interfaces. This enhances guest satisfaction and hospitality service perception.
The platform's channel management capabilities are consistently praised for their reliability and ease of use. Users note that it simplifies distribut... The platform's channel management capabilities are consistently praised for their reliability and ease of use. Users note that it simplifies distributing inventory across various OTAs and aids in real-time synchronization, offering peace of mind with reduced risk of overbooking.
Where hoteliers push back
Several users mention a lack of focus on self-catering functionalities, suggesting that expanding these features could enhance usability for non-tradi... Several users mention a lack of focus on self-catering functionalities, suggesting that expanding these features could enhance usability for non-traditional accommodations.
Despite its support for multiple languages, some users feel that the absence of certain languages, such as Dutch, limits its attractiveness to non-Eng... Despite its support for multiple languages, some users feel that the absence of certain languages, such as Dutch, limits its attractiveness to non-English-speaking guests, suggesting room for improvement in global user appeal.
Unique capabilities
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. freetobook Channel Manager and update247 Channel Manager share many core Channel Managers features, but each has unique capabilities. freetobook Channel Manager offers 5 verified integration partners, while update247 Channel Manager offers 3. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. freetobook Channel Manager leads in ease of use at 4.9/5 vs 0.0/5. 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.
freetobook Channel Manager: No. update247 Channel Manager: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Channel Managers 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. freetobook has an HT Score of 83 and update247 has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 →
Product recommendations advisor