Exely Channel Manager vs. LH Plus (formerly Stardekk):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Exely Channel Manager by Exely and LH Plus by Lighthouse requires understanding how each tackles your hotel's online distribution challenges. Both products aim to streamline multi-channel management, reduce manual work, and increase revenue, but they diverge significantly in features, support, and market presence. The key question: which platform aligns best with your hotel's size, tech needs, and growth plans?

Exely offers a user-friendly interface, extensive recent reviews, and solid support, making it the preferred choice for hotels prioritizing ease of use and reliable performance. Lighthouse, with its broader integrations and slightly lower recent review count, caters more to larger, tech-savvy operations. But which one truly fits your needs?

Is Exely or Lighthouse Better for Hotels?

Exely Channel Manager and Lighthouse Cubilis both aim to improve your hotel's online visibility and booking efficiency. Exely’s strength lies in its straightforward, intuitive interface, and its recent surge in reviews—102 reviews with 34 in last six months—indicates active, current user engagement. Lighthouse, with just 12 reviews and only one recent review, shows less recent feedback, making its data less reliable for today's decision.

Exely’s reviews highlight its stable, easy-to-navigate platform that reduces manual workload and increases revenue, with users praising its automated reports and real-time synchronization. Conversely, Lighthouse is recognized for its extensive integrations—over 200 partners—and a robust dashboard that suits larger operations needing a broad distribution network. Are you seeking a modern, user-friendly system or a highly integrated, extensive distribution tool?

Exely vs Lighthouse: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a simple, reliable channel manager with quick onboarding and high user satisfaction, go with Exely. It’s better suited for independent hotels and boutique properties aiming for efficiency and ease of use, especially since recent reviews praise its intuitive interface and customer support.

If your hotel is a larger operation or requires extensive integration with PMS and yield management features, Lighthouse’s Cubilis might be more appropriate. Its compatibility with over 200 partners and features like PMS connectivity and Yield Rules make it ideal for properties with complex distribution needs. Do you prioritize simplicity or comprehensive integration?

Is Exely or Lighthouse Easier to Use?

Exely’s UI is rated at an impressive 4.95/5, with users describing it as “intuitive,” “friendly,” and “easy to navigate,” enabling staff to quickly adopt the system. Onboarding is similarly rated high at 4.86/5, and support is considered responsive, with many reviews emphasizing quick issue resolution.

Lighthouse’s interface earns a 3.83/5 rating, with some users mentioning that it can feel less modern and slightly more complex initially. Support scores lower at 3.79/5, and some reviews point out transparency issues and less personalized service. Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Features: Exely or Lighthouse?

Exely boasts 12 shared features with Lighthouse and an exclusive Channel Self-Mapping feature that simplifies channel setup. Its unique offering—channel self-mapping—reduces manual setup time and potential errors.

Lighthouse offers two exclusive features: PMS connectivity and Yield Rules, which are crucial for larger hotels seeking advanced revenue management and operational integration. Lighthouse also claims over 71 verified integrations, whereas Exely has only 8. If you want a straightforward, feature-rich channel manager, Exely’s simplicity is appealing; for advanced revenue features, Lighthouse leads. Edge: Exely.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Exely or Lighthouse?

Exely’s support ratings are significantly higher, at 4.95/5, with recent reviews praising its quick, helpful responses. One reviewer shared, “The support team is always responsive and solves issues quickly,” reinforcing its reputation for reliability.

Lighthouse support scores 3.79/5, with some users describing the support as “ok” but lacking transparency and responsiveness during critical issues. Several reviews indicate support can be inconsistent, especially outside regular hours. Edge: Exely.

Which Has More Integrations: Exely or Lighthouse?

Lighthouse boasts over 71 verified partners, including major OTAs like Booking.com, Airbnb, and numerous local channels, making it suitable for hotels with extensive distribution networks. Shared integrations include Hotellab, Oracle Hospitality, and Mews.

Exely, with only 8 verified partners, offers a smaller but targeted set of integrations, including Booking.com and Bakuun.com Ltd, but lacks the wide-ranging partner network of Lighthouse. If broad distribution is critical, Lighthouse’s extensive partner list is advantageous. Edge: Lighthouse.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Exely or Lighthouse?

Exely’s recent reviews reflect a high satisfaction level, with a 9.8/10 NPS score and 98% likelihood to recommend. Hotels of diverse segments, particularly city hotels and resorts, rate it highly, often citing its reliability and ease of use.

Lighthouse’s user ratings are lower, at an average of 4.44/5, with smaller sample sizes and less recent feedback. Reviews from independent hotels and small properties are positive but less enthusiastic. For recent, consistent praise, Exely outperforms. Edge: Exely.

How Much Do Exely and Lighthouse Cost?

Exely’s pricing is straightforward at $100 per month, with no trial or implementation fees, making it highly accessible for small to mid-sized hotels. Lighthouse’s base price is $500 monthly, with no trial or setup fees, positioning it as a premium, more expensive solution.

If budget is a concern, Exely’s lower price point offers significant value. Larger hotels or chains needing extensive integrations might justify Lighthouse’s higher cost. Is affordability or extensive functionality your priority?

What Type of Hotel Should Use Exely?

• Hotels that prioritize ease of use, quick onboarding, and reliable synchronization.
• Independent hotels and boutique properties seeking to increase direct bookings.
• Hotels with limited staff needing automation to reduce manual work.
• Properties that want to avoid complex setups and prefer a straightforward solution.
• Teams that value responsive support and simple, effective management tools.

Not ideal if you require advanced revenue management, PMS connectivity, or extensive third-party integrations.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Lighthouse?

• Hotels and resorts with large distribution networks needing over 200 partner integrations.
• Larger properties requiring PMS connectivity and yield management features.
• Hotels with complex pricing strategies and multiple revenue streams.
• Teams that prioritize extensive customization and detailed analytics.
• Properties in regions where Lighthouse’s local partner support is strong.

Not ideal if you prefer a simple, quick-to-deploy platform with minimal setup or if budget is a primary concern.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Exely Channel Manager offers a streamlined, easy-to-use platform supported by recent, positive reviews and a high NPS score, making it ideal for hotels seeking reliability and simplicity. Its lower price point increases value for small to mid-sized properties aiming to reduce overbooking risks and improve online distribution.

Lighthouse Cubilis, with its broader integrations and advanced features, suits larger hotels or chains with complex distribution needs. Its extensive partner network can deliver more channels and customization but at a higher cost and potentially steeper learning curve.

In conclusion, if your hotel values user experience, recent strong reviews, and cost-effectiveness, Exely is the clear choice. If your operation requires deep integrations, PMS connectivity, and sophisticated revenue features, Lighthouse is worth considering despite its higher price and complexity.