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 297 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 ROI , with exclusive features like Payment Requests and Centralized Messaging.
Preno shines when it comes to user-friendly interface , with exclusive features like Guest CRM and Mobile App.
Side-by-side ratings based on 297 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | From $200/mo | From $800/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 137 | 160 |
After analyzing 297 verified reviews, freetobook users most value its ease of use, pricing/value for money, guest experience enhancements, while Preno users highlight user-friendly interface, customer support, reporting and analytics. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
Ease of Use
▾
|
+
User-Friendly Interface
▾
|
|
+
Pricing/Value for Money
▾
|
+
Customer Support
▾
|
|
+
Guest Experience Enhancements
▾
|
+
Reporting and Analytics
▾
|
|
+
Reservation Management
▾
|
+
Dynamic Pricing
▾
|
| Cons | |
|
−
Customization
▾
|
−
Reporting and Analytics
▾
|
|
−
Self-Catering Focus
▾
|
−
Mobile Application
▾
|
|
−
Handling of Single vs. Double Occupancy Rates
▾
|
|
How each product ranks among Property Management Systems 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) ▾ | #28 26 reviews | #13 80 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #53 2 reviews | #32 15 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | — | #46 1 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #25 1 reviews | #39 0 reviews |
By Property Type
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #23 24 reviews | #14 65 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #26 20 reviews | #12 53 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #31 6 reviews | #21 17 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #26 5 reviews | #8 26 reviews |
By Region
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | #28 6 reviews | #27 7 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #8 94 reviews | #25 13 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | #22 2 reviews | #20 3 reviews |
| Middle East | #14 2 reviews | #13 2 reviews |
Choosing a property management system (PMS) for your hotel involves balancing features, usability, support, and value. Both freetobook and Preno aim to streamline hotel operations, but they serve slightly different hotel profiles and priorities. While freetobook offers a broad feature set focused on independent hotels and B&Bs, Preno emphasizes multi-property management and seamless integration with accounting tools. Which product aligns best with your hotel’s size and operational complexity?
freetobook and Preno both aim to improve reservation management, operations, and guest experience, but they do so with different strengths. freetobook's core appeal lies in its extensive feature set tailored for small and independent hotels, especially B&Bs, with emphasis on direct booking, channel management, and guest messaging. Preno, on the other hand, offers a clean, user-friendly interface suited for multi-property operators and hotels seeking strong integration with financial tools like Xero. Are you prioritizing in-depth features or ease of multi-property oversight?
The key difference is in their focus: freetobook is designed primarily for small to medium independent hotels and B&Bs, whereas Preno targets hotels managing multiple properties or with more complex operational needs. freetobook's recent review activity and higher overall rating suggest a more mature user base, especially in less complex hotel segments. Given the significant recent review volume for freetobook, its data provides a more current snapshot of user satisfaction. Which feature or operational focus better matches your hotel’s needs?
If your hotel needs a flexible, all-in-one booking and channel management system with strong guest communication and automation, freetobook is the better choice. Its extensive suite of features—such as integrated payments, digital registration, guest messaging, and housekeeper apps—caters to small hotels and B&Bs looking to maximize direct bookings and streamline operations.
If your hotel operates multiple properties or relies heavily on integrations with accounting and distribution platforms like Xero and SiteMinder, Preno is more suitable. Its focus on multi-property management, combined with a straightforward interface and features like automated night audits and drag-and-drop tape charts, benefits teams managing complex portfolios.
In summary, for small independent hotels or B&Bs, freetobook delivers a comprehensive, cost-effective solution. For multi-property operators or those seeking deep integration with financial and channel tools, Preno offers a more tailored experience.
Based on recent reviews, freetobook scores a nearly perfect 4.91/5 for ease of use, reflecting an intuitive interface and straightforward onboarding process. Users praise how quickly staff can learn the system, and its simple navigation minimizes administrative headaches. Customer support is highly rated at 4.91/5, often praised for personalized assistance, making onboarding smoother.
Preno's ease of use is also highly rated at 4.78/5, with users highlighting its clean, intuitive design that reduces staff training time. The platform’s straightforward layout and helpful support team contribute to a low barrier for new users, even for those less tech-savvy.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook offers 16 features unique to its platform, including payment requests, guest messaging, integrated payment terminals, online check-in, and employee shift planning—many of which directly enhance guest engagement and staff efficiency. Its total shared features with Preno amount to 22, but the unique tools give it a competitive edge for small hotels seeking operational automation.
Preno provides 8 features not found in freetobook, such as guest CRM, group booking management, automated night audits, and a drag-and-drop tape chart. These features favor hotels managing multiple properties or needing advanced operational oversight.
Overall, freetobook's broad feature set, especially in guest communication and automation, makes it more versatile for small hotels. Preno's focus on multi-property management and financial integrations makes it ideal for larger or expanding hotel portfolios.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook's customer support scores 4.91/5, with reviews emphasizing quick, knowledgeable, and personalized assistance. Guests appreciate the one-to-one help and proactive support, especially during onboarding, which contributes to high satisfaction levels.
Preno's support is similarly rated at 4.8/5, with users commending the responsiveness and helpfulness of its support team. While some mention occasional delays, especially during busy periods, overall, Preno's support is regarded as reliable and attentive.
Given the recent activity, freetobook's slightly higher support score and more recent reviews suggest a marginal edge in this area.
Edge: freetobook.
Preno boasts 17 verified integrations, including popular tools like Xero, SiteMinder, RevControl, and TrustYou, making it more adaptable for hotels with complex tech stacks. Its extensive partner list supports streamlined operations across finance, distribution, and guest feedback.
freetobook has 4 verified partners, including Stripe, Pitchup.com, and RoomPriceGenie, with a strong focus on channel management, online payments, and marketing tools. While less extensive, its integrations are highly relevant for small hotels aiming to maximize direct bookings.
For hotels prioritizing extensive financial and distribution integrations, Preno has the clear advantage. Those seeking core booking and payment integrations may prefer freetobook.
Edge: Preno.
freetobook has a higher overall rating of 0/5 (likely a data inconsistency) but a strong NPS score of 9.9/10, with recent reviews emphasizing its simplicity, support, and value. Its review count (129) and recent activity (27 reviews in the last 6 months) indicate a highly engaged user base.
Preno has a 4.73/5 overall rating and 144 reviews, with a slightly lower NPS score of 9.53/10. Ratings for Preno are generally positive, especially for its ease and integration features, but fewer recent reviews suggest slightly less current user feedback.
Given the recent review activity and higher number of recent reviews, freetobook's data provides a stronger indication of current user satisfaction.
Edge: freetobook.
freetobook offers a straightforward pricing model at $200 per month with no freemium tier, implementation fees, or monthly per-room charges. Its pricing is transparent and attractive for small hotels and B&Bs looking for affordable, feature-rich management.
Preno charges $800 per month with no mention of a freemium tier or additional charges, reflecting its focus on multi-property management and extensive integrations. Its higher price point may be justified for larger operations with complex needs.
For smaller hotels seeking value, freetobook is more budget-friendly. Larger portfolios or multi-property teams might find Preno's features worth the premium.
Not ideal if your hotel needs extensive multi-property management features or advanced financial integrations.
Not ideal if your hotel is a small independent or B&B seeking basic features or a lower-cost solution.
freetobook and Preno cater to different hospitality segments with distinct strengths. freetobook excels for small, independent hotels and B&Bs with a focus on guest engagement, booking automation, and affordability. Preno offers a more scalable, multi-property platform suited for larger hotel groups or those with complex operational needs.
Choose freetobook if you prioritize a broad feature set tailored for small operations, excellent support, and cost-effectiveness. Opt for Preno if managing multiple properties, integrating deeply with financial tools, and streamlining complex workflows are your main goals.
In conclusion, for small hotels and B&Bs, freetobook provides a more mature, highly-rated platform with recent activity confirming high satisfaction. For multi-property portfolios or hotels with advanced integration needs, Preno’s extensive partner network and scalable design make it the better choice.
Property Management Systems 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 $200/mo | From $800/mo |
According to HTR's product database, freetobook and Preno share 22 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Automated night audit | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Digital Registration | ||
| Group functionality | ||
| Guest CRM | ||
| Guest Messaging | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| Integrated Payment Terminal & Card Reader | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Native Email Marketing | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
| Rate Management |
Showing top differences. 12 more features differ between these products.
What hoteliers love
The software’s user-friendly nature is a major highlight, enabling even less tech-savvy users to manage their properties efficiently. This simplicity... The software’s user-friendly nature is a major highlight, enabling even less tech-savvy users to manage their properties efficiently. This simplicity allows property owners and managers to easily navigate the system, reducing the time required for administrative tasks and thereby increasing focus on improving guest services.
Freetobook is perceived as excellent value for money, offering advanced features at competitive pricing. Users recognize its affordability in comparis... Freetobook is perceived as excellent value for money, offering advanced features at competitive pricing. Users recognize its affordability in comparison to other systems, which is particularly attractive to small accommodation businesses looking to maintain professional operations without significant outlays.
Freetobook enables hotels to enhance the guest experience through features like the GuestAppy system, which provides personalized booking confirmation... Freetobook enables hotels to enhance the guest experience through features like the GuestAppy system, which provides personalized booking confirmations and tailored options. Users note these additions positively impact guest satisfaction and help in delivering a more professional service.
Where hoteliers push back
Although generally praised for its flexibility, some users feel there's room for improvement regarding customization options, particularly for invoice... Although generally praised for its flexibility, some users feel there's room for improvement regarding customization options, particularly for invoices and booking summaries. Enhanced options would allow users to better tailor the system to specific operational needs, improving overall satisfaction.
The system is primarily designed for hotels, and some reviewers have indicated a need for more self-catering features, suggesting potential for expans... The system is primarily designed for hotels, and some reviewers have indicated a need for more self-catering features, suggesting potential for expansion in this area. Addressing this could make Freetobook more attractive to a wider variety of accommodation providers.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Preno is frequently commended for its intuitive and clean interface, which makes it simple to navigate. Users across various tech skill levels find it... Preno is frequently commended for its intuitive and clean interface, which makes it simple to navigate. Users across various tech skill levels find it easy to learn and use, which reduces the time and cost associated with staff training.
The support team is typically praised for being responsive and helpful, although some reviews indicate that there can be delays, especially during wee... The support team is typically praised for being responsive and helpful, although some reviews indicate that there can be delays, especially during weekends or busy periods. Responsiveness and direct contact with support staff are valued highly.
Preno’s seamless integration with channel managers like SiteMinder allows for real-time updates and has been attributed to eliminating double bookings... Preno’s seamless integration with channel managers like SiteMinder allows for real-time updates and has been attributed to eliminating double bookings. Users commend this functionality for improving operational efficiency and enhancing bookings management.
Where hoteliers push back
Preno's reporting functions receive mixed reviews, with some users satisfied with its ease of use, while others desire deeper analytics for better str... Preno's reporting functions receive mixed reviews, with some users satisfied with its ease of use, while others desire deeper analytics for better strategic decision-making. Some users expressed a need for customized reporting features.
Although some users laud Preno's features, there is a call for more robust mobile app capabilities. Reviews suggest that enhancing the mobile app with... Although some users laud Preno's features, there is a call for more robust mobile app capabilities. Reviews suggest that enhancing the mobile app with offline functionality and more feature depth would improve usability, especially for managers on the go.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. freetobook and Preno share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. freetobook offers 4 verified integration partners, while Preno offers 17. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. freetobook leads in ease of use at 4.9/5 vs 4.8/5. 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: No. Preno: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Property Management Systems 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 87 and Preno has 80. 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