freetobook Channel Manager vs. Viato:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right channel manager can significantly impact your hotel’s revenue, operational efficiency, and guest experience. Both freetobook and Viato aim to streamline your online distribution and reservations, but they diverge in scale, features, user feedback, and global reach. With more recent reviews and a larger user base, freetobook’s Channel Manager offers a more mature and well-supported solution for small to mid-sized properties. But is it the best fit for your hotel’s specific needs?

Is freetobook or Viato better for hotels?

freetobook’s Channel Manager is designed primarily for small hotels, bed & breakfasts, and vacation rentals, offering an easy-to-use, cost-effective solution. Viato, on the other hand, caters toward hotels seeking an all-in-one platform that emphasizes automation, dynamic pricing, and direct online sales, with a focus on more complex operations. While freetobook boasts an extensive regional presence across 29 countries, Viato is currently limited to Europe, which could influence your choice based on geographic needs.

Both platforms aim to connect your property to multiple OTAs, but freetobook has a significantly larger review count (145 vs. 2) and more recent feedback, making its reputation more reliable. Where freetobook’s reviews emphasize reliability, ease of use, and value, Viato’s reviews highlight customer support and system flexibility, albeit with fewer voices backing its performance. Are you prioritizing a platform with proven reliability and broad regional support, or are you looking for a system with deep customization and automation features?

freetobook vs Viato: Which should your hotel choose?

If your hotel operates primarily in Europe or North America and focuses on small-scale operations like B&Bs, hostels, or vacation rentals, freetobook is the more suitable choice. It offers a well-rounded, budget-friendly solution that emphasizes direct bookings and ease of management, favored by 99% of its reviewers. Conversely, Viato appeals to larger hotels or properties with complex rate structures and multi-lingual, multi-currency needs, especially in Europe, but its limited review data makes this less certain.

For properties seeking straightforward, reliable channel management with high user satisfaction, freetobook’s extensive reviews and recent positive feedback make it the safer pick. If your hotel needs advanced yield management, multi-lingual support, and multi-currency automation, Viato’s added features could be worth the extra investment, but the limited review volume is a consideration.

Is freetobook or Viato easier to use?

freetobook’s ease of use is reflected in its stellar 4.88/5 rating and 145 reviews, with customers praising its intuitive interface, onboarding, and customer support. Reviewers highlight its user-friendly design and helpful onboarding process, making staff adoption straightforward. Viato, while rated slightly higher at 5/5 on ease of use and with only 2 reviews, also receives praise for its straightforward platform and support. However, the smaller sample size means less confidence in its long-term usability.

Edge: freetobook.

Which has better features: freetobook or Viato?

freetobook offers 12 shared features but does not have any exclusive features, focusing instead on core channel management, booking, and rate control functions. Its features include real-time synchronization, reservation management, and integrations with key partners like Stripe and Pitchup.com. Viato, in contrast, provides three unique features: Yield Rules, Multi-Currency Support, and Multi-Lingual capabilities, which are critical for hotels operating across borders or with complex pricing.

Given the feature count, freetobook covers essential needs for small properties, while Viato’s specialized features cater to properties with international or multi-rate requirements. Edge: Viato.

Which has better customer support: freetobook or Viato?

freetobook’s support is highly rated at 4.92/5 with 145 reviews, with users citing quick responses and proactive assistance. Many reviewers mention that the support team is helpful and professional, making onboarding and ongoing use smooth. Viato’s support is also praised, especially during implementation, but with only 2 reviews, the data offers less confidence. Its support team is described as fast and solution-oriented, but the small review volume limits definitive comparison.

Edge: freetobook.

Which has more integrations: freetobook or Viato?

freetobook connects with 5 verified partners, including Stripe, Pitchup.com, and RoomPriceGenie, mainly covering OTAs, payment, and channel distribution. Viato supports 7 verified integrations, including property management systems like Mews, apaleo, and SIHOT, offering broader connectivity especially suitable for larger operations. However, the overall number of integrations remains modest for both, with no shared partners.

If your hotel relies on specific PMS or booking engines, Viato’s broader integration list might be advantageous. For small properties prioritizing primary OTA connections and straightforward payment integrations, freetobook’s offerings are sufficient.

Edge: Viato.

Which do hoteliers rate higher: freetobook or Viato?

freetobook dominates in reviews, with 145 recent reviews and a 99% likelihood to recommend. Hotels across various segments, especially B&Bs and vacation rentals, praise its reliability, affordability, and ease of use, with comments like “the control it allows us” and “the best I’ve used.” Viato, with only 2 reviews, has high praise for customer support but lacks enough data for a conclusive hotel segment analysis.

Given the volume and recency of reviews, freetobook’s reputation is more trustworthy.

Edge: freetobook.

How much do freetobook and Viato cost?

freetobook’s Channel Manager is priced at a flat $100 monthly fee, with no implementation or trial costs, making it highly accessible for small properties. Viato’s pricing starts at $400 per month, with no free tier or trial, reflecting its more advanced feature set and targeted larger hotel clientele.

For small, budget-conscious hotels, freetobook offers a more economical and predictable pricing model. Larger operations or those needing multi-currency and multi-lingual features might find Viato’s higher cost justified.

What type of hotel should use freetobook?

• Hotels that operate primarily in Europe or North America.
• Small hotels, B&Bs, hostels, or vacation rentals seeking simplicity.
• Properties focusing on direct bookings to reduce OTA dependency.
• Teams that prioritize ease of use and quick onboarding.
• Hotels with a tight budget requiring reliable, affordable channel management.

Not ideal if you need multi-lingual support, complex yield management, or operate in regions outside of freetobook’s coverage.

What type of hotel should use Viato?

• Hotels with international guests requiring multi-lingual and multi-currency support.
• Larger properties or chains with complex rate structures.
• Hotels seeking advanced automation, dynamic pricing, and revenue management.
• Properties in Europe looking for a flexible, integrated platform.
• Teams that want a comprehensive operational system, including reservations and channel management, in one platform.

Not ideal if your hotel is small, budget-constrained, or primarily operates outside Europe with limited need for advanced automation.

freetobook vs Viato: The bottom line for hotels

freetobook offers a straightforward, budget-friendly channel management solution well-suited for small hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals that need reliability and simplicity. Its extensive reviews, high satisfaction ratings, and regional coverage make it a safer, proven choice, especially for properties prioritizing direct bookings and ease of use.

Viato provides a more feature-rich, automation-oriented platform, ideal for hotels with international guests or complex operational needs. However, its limited review data and higher cost suggest it’s better suited for larger or more technologically advanced properties in Europe.

If your hotel values proven reliability, affordability, and extensive recent feedback, go with freetobook. If you need multi-lingual, multi-currency support, and advanced yield management, and are comfortable with a higher price, consider Viato.