Booking Engine by HotelRunner vs. StayNow: AI-Powered Trip Planning & Hotel Booking:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right booking engine for your hotel depends on your operational needs, target market, and growth ambitions. HotelRunner and StayNow both aim to streamline reservations and boost direct bookings, but they approach this goal differently. HotelRunner offers a feature-rich platform with extensive integrations and proven stability, while StayNow is an emerging AI-powered solution focused on boutique hotels and independent properties. How do their capabilities compare for your specific hotel?

Is HotelRunner or StayNow Better for Hotels?

HotelRunner, established in 2011, boasts a mature platform with a 4.5/5 overall rating, over 40 reviews, and a recent review count of 4 in the last six months. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including multi-channel management, customizable booking options, and extensive integrations, making it suitable for hotels seeking a reliable, all-in-one solution. Conversely, StayNow is a newer entrant, founded in 2023, with no reviews or ratings yet, and focuses primarily on AI-driven, personalized booking experiences for boutique and independent hotels.

While HotelRunner’s broad feature set and market presence make it a proven choice, StayNow’s AI-driven approach may appeal to hotels wanting to differentiate through guest personalization. Are you looking for a mature, feature-packed platform or an innovative AI solution tailored for boutique properties? The answer will help determine the better fit.

HotelRunner vs StayNow: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a well-established platform with extensive integrations, multi-channel management, and a high NPS score (9.33/10), HotelRunner is the clear choice. It’s ideal for properties that require robust reporting, multiple currency support, and a proven track record of support, especially if you operate in multiple regions.

If, however, your hotel is a boutique or independent property prioritizing personalized guest experiences and AI-driven booking processes, StayNow might be appealing once it gains reviews. As a new platform, it offers an intuitive interface and aims to help attract high-quality, authentic travelers, especially if you want to leverage AI for guest discovery. Until StayNow garners reviews and proves stability, HotelRunner remains the safer, more proven choice.

Is HotelRunner or StayNow Easier to Use?

HotelRunner scores 4.73 out of 5 for ease of use, based on reviews praising its user-friendly interface, straightforward onboarding, and quick staff adoption. Guests appreciate its simple navigation, and support is highly rated at 4.8/5, with many users noting prompt, helpful assistance.

StayNow, being newer and less reviewed, has not yet established a user experience rating or detailed feedback. Given HotelRunner’s long-standing presence and positive reception, it clearly has the edge in usability and support. If your team values a platform with proven ease of implementation and ongoing support, HotelRunner is the better choice.

Which Has Better Features: HotelRunner or StayNow?

HotelRunner offers a comprehensive suite with 40 features, including mobile responsiveness, multi-lingual support, multi-currency management, automated reporting, pre- and post-stay emails, special offers, gift vouchers, and integrations with major OTAs like Airbnb and Expedia. It also provides booking abandonment recapture, A/B testing, conversion reports, and GDPR compliance—features that directly impact your revenue and operational efficiency.

StayNow, as a newer platform, offers no detailed features list but emphasizes AI-driven trip planning and personalized reservations. While promising, its limited feature set means it lacks the breadth HotelRunner provides now. For hotel operators seeking a feature-rich, reliable platform, HotelRunner holds the advantage.

Which Has Better Customer Support: HotelRunner or StayNow?

HotelRunner’s support system is highly rated at 4.8/5, with many reviews citing quick, effective assistance via multiple channels, including WhatsApp. Clients often mention that support is responsive, helping resolve issues with reservations, setup, and integrations swiftly.

There is no available support or onboarding data for StayNow, likely due to its recent market entry and lack of reviews. Given HotelRunner’s established support reputation, it clearly offers a stronger, more dependable support experience for your team. If support quality is a priority, HotelRunner is the clear winner.

Which Has More Integrations: HotelRunner or StayNow?

HotelRunner integrates with 17 verified partners, including major OTAs such as Airbnb, Expedia, Agoda, and proprietary systems like Hotelogix and Oracle Hospitality. Its extensive partner network simplifies connectivity, reduces manual work, and minimizes double bookings.

StayNow currently has no verified integrations, limiting its immediate connectivity options. For a hotel that relies on multiple distribution channels and wants a platform with proven connectivity, HotelRunner’s integration ecosystem is a significant advantage. Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: HotelRunner or StayNow?

HotelRunner’s reviews are plentiful, with 40 reviews and a recent 4 review count in the last six months. Its overall rating of 4.5/5 reflects high satisfaction among hotels of various types, including boutique, city center, and B&B properties. Hoteliers frequently praise its ease of use, support, and feature depth.

StayNow, lacking reviews or ratings, cannot be compared on this measure. Given the detailed, positive feedback for HotelRunner and the absence of data for StayNow, HotelRunner’s ratings are the more reliable indicator of hotel satisfaction. Edge: HotelRunner.

How Much Do HotelRunner and StayNow Cost?

Both platforms are priced at a base rate of $100 per month, with no indication of additional implementation fees or trial periods. HotelRunner does not offer a freemium model or tiered pricing, so your costs are predictable.

StayNow’s pricing information is also available at $100/month, but with no details about additional costs or possible future tiers. As both are similarly priced, your decision should focus on feature set, support, and proven stability rather than cost alone.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelRunner?

• Hotels seeking a mature, reliable platform with extensive integrations and proven support.
• Properties that require multi-channel management and advanced booking customization.
• Hotels operating across multiple regions needing multi-lingual and multi-currency support.
• Properties aiming to increase direct bookings through customizable booking engines.
• Hotels that value detailed reporting and analytics for rate and revenue management.

Not ideal if your hotel is a very small boutique with minimal distribution needs or if you’re looking for a platform solely focused on AI-driven guest discovery.

What Type of Hotel Should Use StayNow?

• Independent, boutique, or small hotels looking for innovative, AI-powered booking solutions.
• Hotels targeting guests seeking authentic, personalized experiences and direct booking channels.
• Properties interested in leveraging AI for guest discovery and trip planning.
• Hotels that prefer a lightweight, user-friendly platform over extensive feature sets.
• Hotels with a tech-savvy team willing to evaluate new platforms and provide feedback.

Not ideal if your hotel needs a proven, feature-rich, multi-channel platform or requires extensive integrations immediately.

HotelRunner vs StayNow: The Bottom Line for Hotels

HotelRunner and StayNow serve different hotel segments and operational priorities. HotelRunner, with its extensive feature set, proven stability, and high support ratings, offers a comprehensive solution suitable for both small and large hotels seeking reliability and control.

StayNow’s focus on AI-driven, personalized booking experiences makes it attractive for boutique hotels targeting high-quality, authentic travelers, but it currently lacks the proven stability and user feedback that make HotelRunner a safer choice for most properties.

If you’re looking for a mature, well-supported platform with broad capabilities, HotelRunner is the clear recommendation. For hotels eager to explore innovative AI solutions and willing to accept a less proven platform, StayNow may be worth considering once it develops more reviews and integrations.