HotelRunner PMS vs. Shiji Daylight PMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right PMS is critical for your hotel’s efficiency, guest experience, and revenue management. HotelRunner PMS by HotelRunner and Shiji Daylight PMS both aim to streamline operations but diverge significantly in features, user experience, and market presence. HotelRunner’s more recent reviews and higher overall ratings make it the more reliable option today, especially for hotels seeking straightforward, cost-effective management.

Both systems address reservation handling, guest management, and operational automation, yet their approaches differ. HotelRunner emphasizes ease of use and affordability, while Shiji offers a broader set of features tailored for larger, multi-property operations. Which of these aligns better with your hotel’s needs?

Is HotelRunner PMS or Shiji Daylight PMS Better for Hotels?

HotelRunner PMS simplifies hotel operations with a focus on user-friendliness and affordability. It offers core PMS functions, a channel manager, revenue management, and a booking engine, packed into a system that scores 4.81 out of 5 for ease of use and 5 out of 5 for support.

Shiji Daylight PMS, in contrast, provides a comprehensive, cloud-native platform with a wide range of modules, including guest profiles, multi-lingual support, and advanced automation. Its complexity offers more robust features—76 unique functions compared to HotelRunner’s 7 exclusive features—but it’s often criticized for slower performance and a steeper learning curve.

Given these differences, your choice hinges on your hotel’s size, complexity, and operational needs. Do you want an intuitive, budget-friendly solution or a feature-rich platform for multi-property management?

HotelRunner vs Shiji: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel is a boutique, city-center, or B&B operation, HotelRunner’s straightforward platform with a 5/5 rating for overall satisfaction and recent reviews makes it ideal. Its affordability ($100/month) and ease of onboarding suit smaller teams seeking quick deployment and minimal training.

For larger or hotel group operators seeking detailed guest profiling, multi-channel integrations, and advanced automation, Shiji’s platform—though pricier at $1,200/month—delivers a broader feature set. Its 32 reviews in the last six months, with a focus on ease of learning, support, and detailed reporting, make it compelling for multi-property chains aiming for operational consistency.

If your focus is on quick setup, simple management, and excellent support, HotelRunner is the clear choice. If you need extensive features, automation, and scalability, Shiji is better suited—despite its more complex interface.

Is HotelRunner PMS or Shiji Daylight PMS Easier to Use?

HotelRunner’s user experience shines with a 4.81/5 rating and recent reviews citing the system as “very user-friendly,” “efficient,” and “easy to handle.” The onboarding process is rated 5/5, and users appreciate ongoing training and support, making staff adoption smooth.

Shiji Daylight PMS, while also rated highly at 4.63/5, receives praise for its intuitive interface and comprehensive training materials, including videos. However, some users report occasional slow responses and a more complex workflow that takes longer to master.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has Better Features: HotelRunner or Shiji Daylight PMS?

HotelRunner offers 7 exclusive features, including a channel manager, revenue management module, booking engine, mobile app, guest CRM, on-premise operation, and voice-to-text notes. These focus on core hotel management needs with a straightforward approach.

Shiji’s 76 features cover a vast spectrum, including guest profiles, multi-lingual support, online check-in/out, integrated CRS, automation tools, digital registration, and advanced housekeeping modules. Its extensive automation and integration capabilities are crucial for large hotel groups.

Edge: Shiji Group.

Which Has Better Customer Support: HotelRunner or Shiji Daylight PMS?

HotelRunner’s customer support receives a perfect 5/5 rating, with reviews emphasizing ongoing training, responsiveness, and a “great relationship” between the support team and your hotel staff.

Shiji’s support scores 4.53/5, with reviews praising the availability of support staff 24/7 and helpful training materials. However, some users mention occasional delays during system speed issues, suggesting room for improvement.

Edge: HotelRunner.

Which Has More Integrations: HotelRunner or Shiji Daylight PMS?

HotelRunner integrates with 17 verified partners, including Airbnb, Expedia, and Stripe, offering essential distribution and payment integrations suitable for small-to-mid-sized hotels.

Shiji boasts 64 verified partners, including industry giants like Oracle Hospitality, Revinate, SiteMinder, and Amadeus, providing extensive options for integrations across PMS, POS, revenue management, and guest engagement tools.

Edge: Shiji Group.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: HotelRunner or Shiji Daylight PMS?

HotelRunner’s reviews in the last six months are exclusively recent and highly positive, with a 5/5 overall rating from 16 reviews. Hotels across segments—especially boutique and B&Bs—praise its user-friendliness, support, and value.

Shiji, with 32 reviews, has mixed ratings, and many reviews from larger hotels highlight issues like slower system speed and reporting limitations. The most recent reviews emphasize the need for performance improvements.

Edge: HotelRunner.

How Much Do HotelRunner and Shiji Cost?

HotelRunner charges a flat $100 per month, with no additional implementation or trial fees, making it accessible for smaller hotels or those with tight budgets.

Shiji’s pricing starts at $1,200 per month, reflecting its extensive feature set and scalability. There are no trial options, and the higher price point targets larger or multi-property hotels.

If budget is a concern, HotelRunner offers a clear, affordable entry point. For more advanced, multi-property needs, Shiji’s higher cost may be justified.

What Type of Hotel Should Use HotelRunner?

• Hotels that want an easy-to-use, cost-effective PMS with core features.
• Boutique hotels, B&Bs, and small city hotels needing fast onboarding.
• Teams seeking a straightforward channel manager and revenue tools.
• Hotels focused on guest relationship management without complex automation.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel is a large group requiring extensive automation.
• You need multi-lingual support or integrated CRS.
• Your property demands advanced housekeeping or digital registration.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Shiji Group?

• Hotel groups or chains with multiple properties needing centralized management.
• Hotels that require extensive automation, detailed reporting, and integrations.
• Large resorts or conference hotels with complex operation needs.
• Hotels seeking multi-lingual, multi-currency support, and advanced guest profiling.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel is small or boutique, prioritizing simplicity and low cost.
• You need a system with a quick setup and minimal training.
• Your focus is on straightforward reservation handling without automation.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

HotelRunner PMS delivers a simple, affordable management platform with high customer satisfaction and recent, glowing reviews. Its core features are ideal for small to mid-sized hotels that prioritize ease of use, support, and quick deployment.

Shiji Daylight PMS offers a broad, integrated suite suited for larger hotel groups that need detailed automation, extensive integrations, and centralized management. Its feature richness and scalability make it a strong choice for complex operations, though at a higher cost and with a steeper learning curve.

If your hotel values ease of use and affordability, HotelRunner is the clear pick. For multi-property, automation-heavy management, Shiji is the more comprehensive solution—despite its complexity.