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HotelKey HMS vs. HotelRunner HMS:
Which Is Right for You?
TLDR
We analyzed 29 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:
HotelKey shines , with exclusive features like Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) and Guest profiles.
HotelRunner shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Guest Feedback Management and Native Email Marketing.
How Does HotelKey HMS Compare to HotelRunner HMS?
Side-by-side ratings based on 29 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
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| Likelihood to Recommend |
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| Ease of Use |
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| Customer Support |
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| Value for Money |
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| Starting Price | From $600/mo | From $100/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 15 | 14 |
HotelKey vs HotelRunner: Rankings by Hotel Segment
How each product ranks among Hotel Management Software 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) ▾ | #34 4 reviews | #26 7 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #21 10 reviews | #25 1 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #23 0 reviews | #18 0 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | — | #23 0 reviews |
By Property Type
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #32 4 reviews | #20 11 reviews |
| Luxury | — | #24 2 reviews |
| Branded / Chain | #23 4 reviews | #30 0 reviews |
| Extended Stay | — | #30 0 reviews |
By Region
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | #16 15 reviews | #27 0 reviews |
| Europe | #37 0 reviews | #22 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #16 1 reviews |
| Middle East ▾ | — | #2 6 reviews |
How Much Do HotelKey HMS and HotelRunner HMS Cost?
Hotel Management Software 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.
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|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $600/mo | From $100/mo |
Which Features Does HotelKey HMS Have That HotelRunner HMS Doesn't (and Vice Versa)?
According to HTR's product database, HotelKey HMS and HotelRunner HMS share 9 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
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|
|---|---|---|
| Automated night audit | ||
| Direct billing | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Group Booking Engine | ||
| Guest CRM | ||
| Guest Feedback Management | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Native Email Marketing | ||
| Rate Shopping Module | ||
| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| Website Development |
Showing top differences. 32 more features differ between these products.
HotelKey vs HotelRunner: The Bottom Line
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
Frequently Asked Questions About HotelKey HMS vs HotelRunner HMS
Can HotelKey HMS replace HotelRunner HMS?
It depends on your requirements. HotelKey HMS and HotelRunner HMS share many core Hotel Management Software features, but each has unique capabilities. HotelKey HMS offers 31 verified integration partners, while HotelRunner HMS offers 17. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Which is better for small or independent hotels?
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. HotelRunner HMS leads in ease of use at 4.6/5 vs 4.1/5. 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.
Do HotelKey HMS or HotelRunner HMS offer a free plan?
HotelKey HMS: No. HotelRunner HMS: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Management Software vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
How Does HTR Evaluate and Rank HotelKey HMS and HotelRunner HMS?
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. HotelKey has an HT Score of 0 and HotelRunner has 0. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 →
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