Gearco - True Extended Stay vs. SkyTouch Technology:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Gearco - True Extended Stay and SkyTouch Technology hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Gearco is designed for long-term stays and offers automation tailored to extended stay properties, while SkyTouch covers a broader range of hotel types with a focus on user-friendliness and integration. Both aim to streamline operations, but which aligns better with your hotel’s operational priorities?

If your hotel primarily manages extended stays or long-term guests, Gearco's specialized features could be the better fit. Conversely, if you operate a multi-property portfolio with diverse property types, SkyTouch’s broader feature set and extensive integrations might serve you better.

Is Gearco or SkyTouch Better for Hotels?

Gearco and SkyTouch both aim to simplify hotel management, but they serve different hotel profiles. Gearco specializes in long-term, extended stay management, automating check-ins, payments, and occupancy controls for properties with guests staying weeks or months. It automates many administrative tasks, reduces errors, and offers features like automated surcharges and stay tax calculations.

SkyTouch, however, is a general-purpose PMS designed for a wide spectrum of hotel types, from luxury to budget, with a focus on ease of use and integration. It offers features like guest CRM, role management, and real-time reporting, but it is less tailored to long-term stays. Do you need a system optimized for extended stays, or a versatile platform for multiple property types?

Gearco vs SkyTouch: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs to efficiently manage long-term guests, automate billing, and control revenue from extended stays, Gearco is the clear choice. Its targeted features, such as multi-property DNR checks and stay-specific tax handling, make it ideal for hotels that focus on long-term guests.

If your hotel requires a widely-used, multi-property management system with strong rate management, detailed reporting, and extensive integrations, SkyTouch is the better option. Its user-friendly interface and broad feature set suit properties that need flexibility and scalable growth.

Is Gearco or SkyTouch Easier to Use?

Gearco’s ease of use is rated at 5/5, with glowing reviews about its quick onboarding and straightforward operation. Users highlight how new staff can be trained in less than a day, and remote access is a plus. Support is rated highly, and the interface is praised for its simplicity, although some reviewers wish for more detailed training resources.

SkyTouch scores 4.64/5 for ease of use, with many reviews emphasizing its intuitive design that simplifies staff onboarding. However, some users report glitches and bugs that occasionally hinder workflow. Overall, SkyTouch is accessible, but Gearco’s dedicated long-term stay focus makes its interface more tailored and user-friendly for those specific needs.

Edge: Gearco.

Which Has Better Features: Gearco or SkyTouch?

Gearco offers 17 core features, all tailored for long-term stay management, including automated ID retention, DNR procedures, and stay-based tax calculations. It lacks the additional features that SkyTouch provides, but its specialization ensures these core functionalities are deeply integrated.

SkyTouch features 10 unique functionalities, including guest CRM, multi-lingual support, tablet check-in, real-time reporting, and transactional emails—features that Gearco does not have. It also offers a drag-and-drop tape chart for reservation management and PCI compliance, appealing for properties with diverse, high-volume needs.

While SkyTouch's feature count is higher overall, Gearco’s focus on long-term stay automation makes it more effective for its niche.

Edge: SkyTouch.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Gearco or SkyTouch?

Gearco’s customer support is rated at 4/5, with reviews praising its responsiveness and support quality. Users appreciate the support’s consistency and the system’s stability, often describing it as “solid” and “reliable,” which is critical for long-term management.

SkyTouch scores slightly higher at 4.5/5, with reviews highlighting professional and helpful support staff. However, some users express frustration with long wait times and unresolved issues, particularly during peak periods. For general responsiveness and proven reliability, SkyTouch has an edge, but Gearco’s support is highly rated for its consistency.

Edge: SkyTouch.

Which Has More Integrations: Gearco or SkyTouch?

SkyTouch offers 33 verified integrations, including popular systems like SiteMinder, Chargerback, GuestCentric, and Revinate. This extensive ecosystem makes it highly adaptable for hotels seeking to connect multiple tools seamlessly.

Gearco has 5 verified partners, including ChannelManager and InFlow, but it lacks the breadth of SkyTouch. For properties requiring diverse integrations with distribution, reputation, and revenue tools, SkyTouch’s extensive partner network provides a clear advantage.

Edge: SkyTouch.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Gearco or SkyTouch?

SkyTouch’s overall rating is 3.5/5 based on 119 reviews, with recent reviews from multi-property hotels praising its ease of use and reporting. Independent hotels rate it slightly higher, at 4/5, appreciating its flexibility and support.

Gearco’s lone review assigns a 0/5 rating, indicating limited user engagement and possibly niche usage, which skews metrics. Since SkyTouch has significantly more recent reviews from a broader user base, it is the more trusted option among hoteliers.

Edge: SkyTouch.

How Much Do Gearco and SkyTouch Cost?

Gearco does not list explicit pricing, suggesting a custom quote or enterprise-level model tailored to long-term stay properties. In contrast, SkyTouch charges a flat $600 monthly fee, with no trial period.

Cost considerations favor SkyTouch for properties seeking predictable expenses, while Gearco’s pricing may be suited for larger, specialized hotels with specific needs who are willing to negotiate.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Gearco?

• Hotels that primarily focus on long-term, extended stay guests, including serviced apartments and long-term rentals.
• Teams that want automation for guest data, billing, and stay management without extensive third-party integrations.
• Properties seeking to reduce manual errors in billing and guest documentation.
• Hotels with multi-property operations managing long-term stays across locations.
• Not ideal if your hotel has a high turnover of short-term guests or operates mainly as a traditional hotel.

What Type of Hotel Should Use SkyTouch?

• Hotels with multiple properties needing centralized management.
• Properties that benefit from detailed reporting and a broad array of integrations.
• Hotels seeking a user-friendly system with quick staff onboarding.
• Boutique, branded, or motels that want flexible rate management and guest communication tools.
• Not ideal if your hotel primarily manages long-term guests, as SkyTouch is less tailored to that niche.

The Bottom Line for Hotels: Gearco or SkyTouch?

Gearco’s core advantage is its specialization in long-term guest management, automating many tedious tasks for extended stay properties. It’s best for hotels where long-term occupancy is the norm, and operational efficiency in this area is a priority.

SkyTouch excels at managing varied hotel portfolios, offering a broader feature set, extensive integrations, and proven ease of use. It suits properties that want versatility, scalability, and detailed reporting.

If your hotel primarily caters to extended stays and values automation of long-term processes, Gearco is the definitive choice. If you operate a multi-property hotel or need a flexible, widely-used PMS, SkyTouch stands out as the better option.

This comparison aims to guide your decision based on your hotel’s operational profile and priorities. Both systems are capable, but only one aligns perfectly with your specific needs.