Booking Engine by HotelRunner vs. Planet Booking Engine:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

When evaluating booking engines for your hotel, both HotelRunner and Planet aim to streamline reservations and improve guest experiences. HotelRunner offers a comprehensive platform with over 40 features and extensive integrations, while Planet provides a straightforward solution with fewer features but a focus on simplicity. Your choice hinges on whether you need a feature-rich system or a simpler, easy-to-implement tool.

HotelRunner boasts a high HTG score, over 40 reviews with recent feedback, and an overall rating of 4.5/5. Planet's reviews are scarce, with only three, and a 0/5 score, indicating less recent and less positive feedback. Does your hotel require a more proven and supported platform?

Is HotelRunner or Planet Better for Hotels?

HotelRunner is designed for hotels seeking a full-featured booking platform capable of handling complex rate structures, multiple channels, and marketing tools. Its core strengths include multi-channel management, customizable booking options, and a website integration tool, making it ideal for hotels aiming for direct bookings and operational control.

Planet, however, is targeted at smaller properties with simple booking needs. Its limited feature set makes it suitable for single-property hotels or those with minimal automation requirements. It lacks extensive integrations and advanced features, which could hinder growth for larger or more complex operations.

Both products aim to streamline booking processes, but HotelRunner’s broad capabilities make it more suitable for hotels planning to scale or needing flexible configurations. Is your hotel prepared to handle a more sophisticated system or better suited for a straightforward booking solution?

HotelRunner vs Planet: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a versatile platform with extensive integration options, customizable marketing tools, and a robust booking engine, go with HotelRunner. It caters well to boutique hotels, city center properties, or hotels with a high volume of direct bookings, especially given its recent reviews and high satisfaction ratings.

If your hotel operates with a simple rate structure, minimal online presence, and primarily caters to leisure travelers with basic needs, Planet might suffice. Its limited features and focus on small-scale usage mean it’s a quick, low-cost option for single-property hotels or those just starting to digitize.

Your choice should be aligned with your property’s complexity and growth plans. For most hotels seeking reliable support, scalability, and feature richness, HotelRunner remains the stronger recommendation.

Is HotelRunner or Planet Easier to Use?

HotelRunner’s interface scores 4.73/5, with many users praising its intuitive navigation, efficient onboarding, and straightforward management of rates, channels, and reservations. Support staff frequently mention quick training, fast resolution times, and responsiveness across multiple communication channels, including WhatsApp.

Planet, by contrast, scores only 1.67/5 for ease of use, with reviews emphasizing its limited functionality, confusing interface, and lack of support responsiveness. Its users describe the system as “a facade,” with many features either incomplete or buggy, making staff adoption more difficult.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has Better Features: HotelRunner or Planet?

HotelRunner offers over 40 unique features, including mobile optimization, multi-currency and multi-lingual support, automated reporting, flexible tariffs, and booking abandonment recapture. It also integrates with social media, provides booking engine customization, and supports gift vouchers and special offers—functions unavailable in Planet.

Planet provides no notable features beyond basic online booking capabilities. Its system is limited, lacking automation, marketing, or multi-channel management, which constrains properties aiming for growth or enhanced guest engagement.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has Better Customer Support: HotelRunner or Planet?

HotelRunner’s customer support scores 4.8/5, with reviews highlighting prompt, helpful responses, and proactive support via WhatsApp and other channels. Users consistently praise its responsiveness and the availability of support personnel to address issues quickly.

Planet’s support score is only 1/5, with multiple reviews criticizing unresponsiveness, delayed replies, and unresolved issues. The user feedback suggests support is often unavailable or ineffective, which can be detrimental for hotels relying on timely assistance.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has More Integrations: HotelRunner or Planet?

HotelRunner integrates with 17 verified partners, including major OTAs, payment providers, and PMS systems. Its key integrations include Hotelogix, Airbnb, Agoda, Stripe, and OTAs like Expedia, increasing your property’s reach.

Planet boasts 195 verified integrations, but many are with third-party systems less relevant for typical hotels, and some are incomplete or buggy. Its focus appears less on seamless connectivity and more on superficial integrations.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: HotelRunner or Planet?

HotelRunner's recent reviews show a 4.44/5 average rating from 38 evaluations, with properties of various sizes praising its ease of use, support, and feature set. Boutique hotels and city center properties particularly benefit from its customization and automation tools.

Planet, with only 3 reviews, scores 0/5, and review comments are overwhelmingly negative, citing poor support, bugs, and unreliable functionality. Its lack of recent positive feedback diminishes confidence in its quality.

Edge: HotelRunner.

How Much Do HotelRunner and Planet Cost?

HotelRunner’s pricing model starts at $100/month with no implementation fees or freemium options, making it transparent and predictable. Planet’s pricing is unavailable publicly, and the vendor does not specify costs, raising questions about affordability and value.

Given the transparency and proven value of HotelRunner’s pricing, it remains the clear choice for hotels wanting predictable expenses.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelRunner?

• Hotels that need a full-featured booking engine with extensive integrations.
• Hotels aiming to increase direct bookings through customizable websites.
• Properties with complex rate and inventory management requirements.
• Hotels planning to grow or expand their online distribution.
• Teams that need reliable support and ongoing training.
• Not ideal if your property is very small, with minimal online booking needs, or if you prefer a simple, low-cost system.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Planet?

• Single-property hotels with simple booking needs.
• Small B&Bs or guesthouses operating without complex rate structures.
• Hotels that do not plan to scale or add integrations soon.
• Properties with minimal automation requirements.
• Hotels that have budget constraints and need quick deployment.

Not ideal if your hotel requires multi-channel management, automation, or support for complex operations.

HotelRunner vs Planet: The Bottom Line for Hotels

HotelRunner is a proven, feature-rich booking platform with a solid track record, extensive integrations, and high user satisfaction. It’s suitable for hotels wanting to grow, automate, and improve direct booking rates.

Planet appears more suited for owners of very small hotels or properties just beginning online operations, thanks to its limited features and poor recent reviews. Its lack of support, bugs, and minimal functionality make it a risky choice for hotels seeking reliability and scalability.

For most hotels, especially those with growth ambitions, HotelRunner offers a more dependable and comprehensive solution. Choose HotelRunner if you prioritize support, features, and proven performance; opt for Planet only if your needs are minimal and budget is your primary concern.