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

The Decision

Choosing between HotelRunner’s Booking Engine and RateGain’s Hotel Booking Engine hinges on your hotel’s specific needs. Both platforms aim to increase direct bookings and streamline reservation management but differ significantly in features, user experience, and regional presence. Your decision should focus on the scale of your operation, geographic reach, and preferred integrations.

HotelRunner boasts a higher overall rating, more recent reviews, and a broader feature set, making it the more reliable choice for most hoteliers. RateGain, while less reviewed and regionally limited, offers a straightforward booking experience for specific markets. Which platform aligns better with your hotel’s goals?

Is HotelRunner or RateGain Better for Hotels?

HotelRunner’s strength lies in its extensive feature set, strong user ratings, and global presence, making it suitable for hotels seeking comprehensive management solutions. RateGain, with a lower review count and limited regional coverage, focuses on ease of use and quick setup but lacks some advanced features found in HotelRunner.

Both platforms aim to boost direct bookings—HotelRunner through customizable options and integrated marketing tools, RateGain through a simple, fast booking interface. The choice depends on whether you prioritize a feature-rich system or a straightforward booking experience.

HotelRunner vs RateGain: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a comprehensive platform that manages bookings, channels, and marketing campaigns across multiple regions, HotelRunner is the clear choice. Its 40 recent reviews and 4.5/5 overall rating (versus RateGain’s zero ratings) provide better confidence in reliability and support.

For boutique hotels, B&Bs, or properties focused on quick, easy online bookings without extensive customization, RateGain’s straightforward approach might suffice. However, given HotelRunner’s higher review count, recent positive feedback, and broader regional reach, it offers a more dependable solution for hotels aiming to grow their direct bookings and operational control.

Is HotelRunner or RateGain Easier to Use?

HotelRunner’s user interface is rated 4.73/5, with most users praising its intuitive navigation, quick setup, and support responsiveness. Recent reviews highlight its straightforward onboarding process, even for users with limited technical skills.

RateGain’s UI scores 4.71/5, with reviews emphasizing its simplicity and quick learning curve. Reviewers find it easy to train staff and manage bookings, making it suitable for properties prioritizing ease of use over extensive customization.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has Better Features: HotelRunner or RateGain?

HotelRunner offers 27 shared features plus 13 exclusive functionalities, including advanced options like tariffs, pooled inventory, automated reporting, website integration, and special modules for weddings and corporate bookings. These features allow for a highly customizable experience tailored to diverse property types.

RateGain provides only 1 exclusive feature—Facebook conversion tracking—and shares 27 features with HotelRunner. Its offerings focus more on core booking functions, lacking the depth of HotelRunner’s extensive feature set.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has Better Customer Support: HotelRunner or RateGain?

HotelRunner’s customer support scores 4.8/5, with recent reviews praising its responsiveness, especially via WhatsApp, and effective issue resolution. Users frequently mention support as a key reason for their continued loyalty.

RateGain’s support ratings are slightly lower at 4.76/5, with reviews describing the support team as timely and helpful, though some mention occasional delays. Overall, HotelRunner’s support is marginally favored by users.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has More Integrations: HotelRunner or RateGain?

HotelRunner integrates with 17 verified partners, including major OTAs like Airbnb, Expedia, and Agoda, plus proprietary solutions like protel and Stripe. Its partnerships cover essential distribution channels but are fewer compared to RateGain.

RateGain boasts 95 verified integrations, including a wide array of PMS, channel managers, and software providers such as Profitroom and HotelTime. Its extensive partner network offers broader connectivity for larger or more complex hotel ecosystems.

Edge: RateGain.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: HotelRunner or RateGain?

HotelRunner’s reviews are recent, totaling 40, with a 4.5/5 rating and an NPS of 9.33/10, indicating high satisfaction. Hoteliers in various segments, especially boutique hotels and B&Bs, frequently praise its customization and support.

RateGain’s reviews are less recent, with only 21 reviews and no current rating, making it difficult to gauge recent satisfaction. Based on available data, HotelRunner’s higher and more current ratings favor it.

Edge: HotelRunner.

How Much Do HotelRunner and RateGain Cost?

HotelRunner charges a flat monthly fee of $100, with no freemium or implementation costs, offering predictable pricing for small to mid-sized hotels. RateGain’s base price is $400 per month, also without freemium options, making it more expensive but potentially more comprehensive.

Both platforms do not list trial options or discounts publicly, so costs should be confirmed directly. However, HotelRunner’s lower price point makes it more accessible for smaller properties.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelRunner?

• Hotels that want a feature-rich booking engine with extensive integrations, including tariffs, pooled inventory, and customizable reports.
• Properties seeking to increase direct bookings through website and marketing tools.
• Hotels that operate in multiple regions and need reliable, scalable solutions.
• Teams that value high support responsiveness and onboarding.
• Not ideal if you prefer a simple, minimal booking engine focused solely on basic reservations.

Not ideal if:

• Your property is small and only needs straightforward booking functionality.
• You operate in a region where HotelRunner’s regional support is limited.
• You prefer a free or very low-cost solution.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RateGain?

• Hotels looking for a simple, fast-to-implement booking engine to boost direct bookings.
• Properties that prioritize ease of use over advanced customization.
• Hotels seeking broad integration options, especially in Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.
• Teams that want minimal setup and quick staff training.
• Not ideal if you require deep customization, extensive marketing tools, or additional modules.

Not ideal if:

• You need advanced features like pooled inventory or complex automation.
• Your hotel operates in regions outside RateGain’s primary markets.
• You want a highly customizable website integration.

RateGain vs HotelRunner: The Bottom Line for Hotels

HotelRunner and RateGain target different hotel segments and operational needs. HotelRunner excels in offering a broad feature set, regional reach, and high user satisfaction, making it suitable for hotels seeking a comprehensive, scalable booking platform.

RateGain is geared toward properties wanting a quick, easy-to-use booking engine with broad integrations, particularly in specific regions. Its limited recent reviews and regional focus make it less suitable for hotels looking for long-term, feature-rich solutions.

If you want a dependable, well-supported platform with extensive features, choose HotelRunner. For a simple, no-fuss booking engine with fast setup, RateGain is an option.

In conclusion, for most hotels prioritizing reliability, support, and growth potential, HotelRunner is the recommended choice. If simplicity and quick deployment outweigh advanced features, RateGain may serve your needs—though its limited recent review data warrants caution.