iStay Booking Engine (by IBS Software) vs. Roiback | Booking Engine:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing a booking engine is crucial for your hotel’s direct sales and guest experience. Both iStay Booking Engine by IBS Software and Roiback aim to streamline operations and boost revenue, but they diverge significantly in features, user experience, and market presence. While IBS Software offers a comprehensive platform, Roiback is more accessible and widely reviewed. Do you prioritize extensive features or proven customer satisfaction?

Is iStay or Roiback Better for Hotels?

iStay by IBS Software is designed as an all-in-one platform that covers the entire customer journey, from property management to distribution. Its cloud-native architecture simplifies multiple software integrations into one unified system, making it ideal for large properties or those seeking a highly customizable solution. Conversely, Roiback specializes in driving direct bookings with a feature-rich interface and strong support, making it more appealing to hotels prioritizing user experience and proven results.

iStay’s focus on automation and distribution solutions aims to improve productivity and revenue; however, its review score is zero, and there’s no recent customer feedback. Roiback, with over 43 recent reviews and a 4.72/5 support rating, clearly demonstrates hotel satisfaction and ongoing product improvements. Are you more interested in a platform with proven reviews or a comprehensive but less-reviewed system?

Roiback vs iStay: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a booking engine that emphasizes ease of use, rapid onboarding, and strong customer support, Roiback is the clear choice. Its 4.49/5 ease of use rating and 4.72/5 customer support score reflect high satisfaction among users, especially in increasing direct bookings and providing detailed analytics.

If, however, your hotel is looking for a complete property management and distribution solution capable of handling complex operations across multiple regions, iStay by IBS Software might appeal, despite its lack of recent reviews and customer feedback. Its platform promises to consolidate all business operations into one system, but the absence of user reviews makes it less suitable for immediate decision-making.

For most hoteliers, especially those valuing recent, positive real-world feedback, Roiback offers a more reliable fit. The platform's proven track record for boosting direct sales makes it the safer recommendation.

Is iStay or Roiback Easier to Use?

Roiback’s user interface earns a 4.49/5 rating, with many reviews emphasizing its intuitive navigation, quick onboarding, and seamless management experience. Customers frequently mention how easy it is for staff to adopt, citing "very clear rate grids" and "responsive support." Its multi-lingual functionality and simple booking process are frequently highlighted as strengths.

In contrast, iStay’s ease of use is unquantified, with no recent reviews available. Its platform likely offers advanced features, but without current user feedback, it's difficult to assess how quickly your team could become proficient. Based on available data, edge: Roiback.

Which Has Better Features: iStay or Roiback?

Roiback’s platform includes 36 distinct features, from mobile responsiveness and urgency messaging to multi-currency support, Google Hotel Ads, and loyalty integration. Its ability to support multi-lingual bookings, abandon cart recovery, and provide detailed conversion reports demonstrates a comprehensive feature set.

iStay, with zero unique features listed, appears less detailed in available data. Its value proposition centers on a unified cloud platform, but specifics on additional functionalities are lacking or unverified. Given the number and variety of Roiback’s features, edge: Roiback.

Which Has Better Customer Support: iStay or Roiback?

Roiback’s customer support scores a 4.72/5 rating, with reviews praising responsiveness, dedicated account management, and ongoing assistance that directly contributed to revenue growth. Many customers appreciate the “personalized consulting” and “prompt solutions” that help optimize their online sales.

iStay’s customer support ratings are unavailable, and reviews are nonexistent. Without recent feedback, it’s impossible to gauge the quality of support. Based on current data, edge: Roiback.

Which Has More Integrations: iStay or Roiback?

Roiback boasts 27 verified integrations, including popular channel managers and PMS systems such as Duetto, RoomRaccoon, and GuestCentric. Its seamless connectivity with leading hotel tech simplifies channel management and operational workflows.

iStay’s integration count is just 2, with limited publicly available partners, suggesting a less flexible ecosystem. For hotels needing extensive connectivity, edge: Roiback.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: iStay or Roiback?

Roiback’s recent reviews give it a 4.72/5 customer support rating and a 90% likelihood to recommend, with many hotels reporting increased direct bookings and improved analytics. Its reviews in the last six months, though limited to 5, reinforce its strong reputation among users.

iStay lacks recent or any reviews, making it impossible to determine hotel satisfaction. Given the current data, edge: Roiback.

How Much Do iStay and Roiback Cost?

iStay’s pricing information is unavailable, suggesting a bespoke or enterprise-level quote. Roiback charges a $500 monthly fee, with no mention of implementation or setup costs. Its transparent pricing allows easier budget planning for hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use iStay?

• Hotels looking for a unified platform that integrates property management, distribution, and guest experiences.
• Large resorts or multiservice properties aiming for a consolidated technological infrastructure.
• Gaming providers or complex multi-asset operations needing high customization.
• Hotels focused on automation and extensive distribution channels.

Not ideal if:

• You prefer quick deployment without extensive customization.
• You require detailed reviews or recent customer feedback before purchasing.
• Your property operates in regions where IBS’s presence is weak.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Roiback?

• Hotels that want a straightforward, easy-to-use booking engine with proven results.
• Properties emphasizing direct sales growth and detailed analytics.
• Hotels needing multi-lingual support and fast onboarding.
• Hotels seeking robust integration with channel managers and payment gateways.

Not ideal if:

• You require a full property management system with extensive backend features.
• Your hotel operates in a region with limited Roiback support or integrations.
• You prefer a platform without recent customer feedback or reviews.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

In essence, iStay offers a comprehensive, integrated platform suited for large or complex operations willing to invest in a custom solution. Its lack of recent reviews makes it a risk for hotels seeking quick, proven results, though its promise of an all-in-one system is appealing.

Roiback, with over 43 recent reviews and a 4.72/5 support score, demonstrates a track record of increasing direct bookings with a user-friendly interface. Its extensive features and integrations, along with proven customer satisfaction, make it the recommended choice for most hotels today.

Choose iStay if your hotel needs a fully unified, scalable system and you’re prepared for a longer deployment process. Opt for Roiback if you want an effective, well-supported booking engine with recent, positive reviews and a proven ability to increase direct revenue.