The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
TLDR
We analyzed 29 verified hotelier reviews, compared feature sets, pricing, and real-world case studies to break down where each platform delivers. The right choice depends on your property type and priorities:
LIKE MAGIC shines in b2b and corporate booking functionality — especially for extended-stay properties (5.0/5), with exclusive features like Hotel Website Check-in Portal and Lobby Kiosk.
Side-by-side ratings based on 29 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | Contact sales | From $700/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 0 | 29 |
After analyzing 29 verified reviews, ICG Software users most value its , while LIKE MAGIC users highlight b2b and corporate booking functionality, all-in-one guest journey platform, integration savings and reduced complexity. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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B2B and corporate booking functionality
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All-in-one guest journey platform
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Integration savings and reduced complexity
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Operational overviews and staff efficiency
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Customization gaps and branding limitations
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Self-service upgrades and room selection
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How each product ranks among Contactless Check-in vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment | ICG Software |
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | — | #7 12 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | — | #7 11 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | — | #11 3 reviews |
By Property Type
| Segment | ICG Software |
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| Boutique ▾ | — | #9 8 reviews |
| Luxury | — | #15 2 reviews |
| Branded / Chain | — | #16 2 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | — | #5 12 reviews |
By Region
| Segment | ICG Software |
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| North America | — | #18 1 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | — | #5 27 reviews |
ICG Check-in Online by ICG Software and LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) by LIKE MAGIC both address the need for contactless check-in solutions that reduce front desk interactions and improve guest satisfaction. However, they diverge sharply in market presence, feature depth, and user adoption. ICG Check-in Online appears to have little market traction, no verified integrations, and no user reviews on Hotel Tech Report, indicating limited adoption or data availability. LIKE MAGIC, by contrast, has 29 verified reviews, a perfect 5/5 overall rating, and active users across multiple hotel segments.
Both platforms aim to streamline the guest arrival experience by enabling online registration and reducing manual check-in workload. However, LIKE MAGIC extends this with a broad feature set including digital key integration and upselling tools that transform operational workflows beyond simple check-in. ICG Check-in Online promises seamless PMS integration and automation but lacks publicly verifiable evidence or detailed feature disclosures. Hotels seeking proven, scalable contactless check-in will find LIKE MAGIC's data-backed capabilities more reliable.
If you manage a hotel in Europe or the Asia Pacific with 10 or more rooms, LIKE MAGIC is the clear choice given its verified presence in seven countries, 29 reviews averaging 5/5, and proven success in small to medium-sized properties including boutique hotels and extended stay apartments. Hotels in these segments report high satisfaction with LIKE MAGIC’s self-check-in, digital key integration, and operational automation — all supported by multiple case studies documenting reduced staffing needs and higher guest engagement.
Conversely, if you are considering ICG Check-in Online, be aware that there is no available review data or verified integrations on Hotel Tech Report. Its user base and feature set are undocumented, and it has no recorded market share. This absence means any decision to deploy ICG Check-in Online relies on unverified vendor claims and may involve greater risk. For hotels prioritizing proven ROI and operational impact, LIKE MAGIC’s data-backed record offers more confidence.
LIKE MAGIC boasts an ease of use rating of 4.9/5 across 29 reviews, with users highlighting a mobile-first, browser-based platform that guests and staff find intuitive. Reviewers praise its straightforward guest experience—no app downloads required—and seamless integration with existing PMS and door lock systems that reduces staff training time to as little as 1.5 days, according to a case study.
ICG Check-in Online has no recorded user ratings for ease of use or onboarding on Hotel Tech Report, leaving its usability unverified by hotel operators. Without user feedback, it is impossible to assess how quickly staff or guests adapt to the system.
Because both products have fewer than 10 recent reviews for ICG, and no ICG reviews at all, ratings cannot be definitively compared. The available LIKE MAGIC data supports confidence in its usability, but the absence of ICG data means no direct contrast can be drawn.
Edge: Even.
LIKE MAGIC offers 17 verified contactless check-in features absent in ICG Check-in Online, which has no publicly listed unique features and no verified integrations. These LIKE MAGIC features include device-agnostic self-service check-in and checkout portals, kiosk support, document and passport scanning, ID verification, multi-lingual support, payment authorizations, deposit collection, registration card e-signature, door lock integration, and pre-arrival upselling and upgrades.
Operationally, these features reduce front desk bottlenecks by letting guests complete pre-registration tasks, verify identity, and unlock rooms without staff intervention. The upselling capabilities enable revenue growth by presenting upgrade and add-on offers during pre-arrival. LIKE MAGIC’s kiosk support adds flexibility for hotels with lobbies that prefer self-service terminals.
ICG Check-in Online claims automation of ID verification and room assignment but provides no verifiable feature list or unique capabilities on Hotel Tech Report. Without detailed disclosures, it cannot match LIKE MAGIC’s feature breadth, which directly impacts guest convenience and staff efficiency.
Edge: LIKE MAGIC.
LIKE MAGIC maintains strong customer support ratings (4.8/5) with onboarding rated at 4.8/5 from 29 reviews. Users report generally good response times and helpful support staff, though some note variability in familiarity among support employees. The presence of multiple case studies demonstrating successful onboarding and operational turnaround further supports LIKE MAGIC’s support reliability.
ICG Check-in Online has no customer support or onboarding ratings available. The lack of reviews means its support quality cannot be assessed or compared.
Given the data gap for ICG, the evidence supports LIKE MAGIC as the better-documented choice for customer support, but without direct comparative ratings, the margin is unclear.
Edge: Even.
LIKE MAGIC integrates with 11 verified partners relevant to hotel operations, including PMS providers like Mews, Oracle Hospitality, and apaleo GmbH, door lock manufacturers SALTO Systems, payment processor Adyen, and guest experience platforms Triptease and TrustYou. These integrations enable real-time PMS updates, digital key access, payment processing, guest sentiment analysis, and marketing automation.
ICG Check-in Online has no verified integrations listed on Hotel Tech Report, offering zero confirmed third-party connections. This absence restricts its ability to embed into existing hotel IT ecosystems and limits automation potential.
Hotels relying on multiple hotel systems will find LIKE MAGIC’s broad integration network essential for seamless workflows and guest management.
Edge: LIKE MAGIC.
LIKE MAGIC has 29 reviews averaging 5/5 overall and 4.9/5 ease of use, with strong ratings across customer support, onboarding, and value. These reviews span various hotel segments: extended stay & serviced apartments (5/5, 12 reviews), boutique hotels (4.8/5, 8 reviews), city center hotels (4.8/5, 12 reviews), limited service & budget hotels (4.9/5, 5 reviews), and luxury hotels (5/5, 2 reviews). The data reflects a mature and widely appreciated product.
ICG Check-in Online has zero reviews on Hotel Tech Report, providing no rating data for any segment or overall. This lack of feedback prevents any rating comparison.
While LIKE MAGIC’s last six months have no new reviews, its historical average of 7.3 reviews per six months confirms consistent interest. ICG’s absence leaves it unranked.
Edge: Even.
ICG Check-in Online does not publish pricing or trial information on Hotel Tech Report, nor does it offer freemium or monthly flat-rate options.
LIKE MAGIC’s pricing starts at a base price of $700.00. It does not offer freemium, monthly flat, or per-room pricing, and there is no trial available.
Hotels interested in cost transparency will find LIKE MAGIC’s published pricing advantageous. ICG’s undisclosed pricing requires direct vendor inquiry, adding uncertainty to budgeting.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
ICG Check-in Online and LIKE MAGIC both address the hotel industry’s need for contactless check-in solutions but differ radically in market presence and feature depth. ICG Check-in Online offers an unverified, basic online check-in tool with claims of PMS automation but no public evidence of customer adoption or integrations. LIKE MAGIC is a mature platform with 29 reviews averaging 5/5, 17 unique features, and 11 verified integrations supporting a broad range of hotel operations beyond check-in.
Hotels should choose ICG Check-in Online only if they require a simple, unproven solution and have the technical resources to manage integration and workflow customization themselves. LIKE MAGIC’s advantages include a proven track record in multiple hotel segments, seamless device-agnostic guest check-in combined with digital key integration, and operational automation that reduces staffing needs while enhancing guest satisfaction.
Conversely, properties prioritizing operational efficiency, guest experience, and revenue growth through upselling will find LIKE MAGIC’s comprehensive feature set, strong support, and verified integrations indispensable. Its transparent pricing and documented case studies make it a confident choice for hotels ready to modernize their guest arrival and departure workflows.
Contactless Check-in pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
| ICG Software |
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| Starting Price | — | From $700/mo |
These are the features each vendor has configured, organized by feature group — the same data shown in the vendor dashboard. Expand a group to compare features side by side.
| Feature | ICG Software |
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Pre-Arrival & Check-in
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| Hotel Website Check-in Portal | ||
| Lobby Kiosk | ||
| Self Service Checkout | ||
| Self Service Checkin | ||
| Device Agnostic | ||
| Easy Room Selection | ||
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Information Collection
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| Custom Questions | ||
| Terms & Conditions Signing | ||
| Marketing Communications Opt-in | ||
| Pre-regisration info collection | ||
| Document & Passport Scanning | ||
| ID Verification | ||
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Translations
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| Automatic Translations | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
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Payments & Authorization
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| Registration Card E-signature | ||
| Collect Deposits | ||
| Payment & Authorizations | ||
| ID Verification | ||
| PCI Compliant | ||
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Mobile Key
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| Door Lock Integration | ||
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Upgrades & Upselling
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| Easy Room Selection |
We analyzed 4 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Like Magic allowed us to operate with just six staff members, without compromising guest experience. The platform is easy to use, fun to work with, and has revolutionized how we ru..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"LIKE MAGIC isn't just a tool for us, it's the backbone of our overall guest experience. If I ever worked somewhere else, I'd bring it with me."
What hoteliers love
One review notes that LikeMagic is tailored toward B2B use cases such as corporate clients, TMCs, and partners. This suggests the product is especiall... One review notes that LikeMagic is tailored toward B2B use cases such as corporate clients, TMCs, and partners. This suggests the product is especially useful for hotels that need structured booking workflows beyond standard leisure guest needs.
Reviewers consistently describe LikeMagic as a single platform that combines online check-in, guest portal, and IBE into one flow. This reduces the ne... Reviewers consistently describe LikeMagic as a single platform that combines online check-in, guest portal, and IBE into one flow. This reduces the need for multiple tools and creates a smoother, more unified pre-arrival and in-stay guest experience.
The reviews highlight that LikeMagic reduces the need for third-party interfaces and saves significant time through integrations. Hotels value the low... The reviews highlight that LikeMagic reduces the need for third-party interfaces and saves significant time through integrations. Hotels value the lower operational complexity, fewer moving parts, and the ability to focus staff time on higher-value guest service.
Where hoteliers push back
A key negative theme is the lack of flexibility in branding and guest-facing customization. One reviewer says custom branding for the back office was... A key negative theme is the lack of flexibility in branding and guest-facing customization. One reviewer says custom branding for the back office was removed after being promised, and also wants more UX customization for the guest portal.
Reviewers want LikeMagic to support self-service room upgrades so guests can buy higher room categories during the digital journey. This is seen as an... Reviewers want LikeMagic to support self-service room upgrades so guests can buy higher room categories during the digital journey. This is seen as an opportunity to improve personalization and add incremental revenue, but it is currently missing.
Unique capabilities
It depends on your requirements. ICG Check-in Online and LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) share many core Contactless Check-in features, but each has unique capabilities. ICG Check-in Online offers 0 verified integration partners, while LIKE MAGIC (Check-in) offers 11. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
ICG Check-in Online: No. LIKE MAGIC (Check-in): No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Contactless Check-in vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
The HT Score is a composite ranking that considers 4 criteria groups and over a dozen variables to help hoteliers objectively compare hotel technology products. ICG Software has an HT Score of 0 and LIKE MAGIC has 71. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
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| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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How highly do users recommend this product? Ratings Score, Review Volume, Share of Voice, Review Depth, Review Recency, Success Stories ▾ The most heavily weighted factor. Analyzes average satisfaction ratings (likelihood to recommend, ease of use, support, ROI), total review count relative to category peers, review recency (at least 20 reviews in the trailing 6 months), and share of voice across unique hotel clients to detect selection bias. |
| Partner Ecosystem |
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How highly do tech partners recommend this company? Partner Recommendations, Integration Quantity, Integration Quality ▾ Evaluates partner recommendations as expert votes of confidence, the number of verified integrations, and ecosystem quality — the average HT Scores of integration partners. Products with higher-quality integration ecosystems are more likely to deliver a connected tech stack. |
| Customer Centricity |
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How customer-centric is this organization? Certified Support, Review Consistency, Profile Completeness ▾ Assesses whether the company has earned HTR Customer Support Certification, maintains consistent review collection over time (an indicator of feedback-driven culture), and keeps product profiles complete with capabilities, screenshots, pricing, and features. |
| Reach, Staying Power & Resources |
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How extensive is this company's reach and resourcing? Geographic Reach, Staying Power, Company Resources, Trending Score ▾ Measures global presence (countries and regions served), years in business as a stability proxy, team headcount as a resource proxy, and a trending score based on trailing-twelve-month buyer inquiries, reviews, partner recommendations, and press activity. |
Customer ratings and reviews are by far the most important factor in the HT Score algorithm. HTR does not accept payment for higher rankings. All reviews are verified — only hotel industry practitioners with confirmed affiliations can submit ratings. View full HT Score methodology →
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