Lightspeed Galaxy vs. ThinkReservations PMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) can be a game-changer for your hotel’s operations, guest experience, and revenues. Lightspeed Galaxy by Galaxy Hotel Systems and ThinkReservations PMS both aim to streamline your workflows, but they do so differently. Galaxy offers a long-standing legacy with a focus on large, luxury, and branded hotels, while ThinkReservations packs a punch with its extensive features, recent reviews, and broader market presence. Your decision hinges on your hotel’s size, needs, and growth plans.

Will your hotel prioritize a system with more recent, highly-rated user feedback and extensive features? Or is a longstanding, simplified solution better suited for your property’s current scale?

Is Lightspeed Galaxy or ThinkReservations Better for Hotels?

Lightspeed Galaxy has been serving the hotel industry for over 40 years, emphasizing operational efficiency and staff training. ThinkReservations, however, has a much larger user base, with 356 reviews predominantly from small to mid-sized properties, and more recent positive feedback. Galaxy’s reviews tend to focus on technical support challenges and limited recent activity, whereas ThinkReservations’ latest reviews highlight ease of use, excellent support, and increased revenue.

Both products aim to improve hotel management, but Galaxy’s limited recent reviews and near-zero latest feedback suggest less current support or development activity. Does your hotel need a system actively evolving with frequent updates? Or are you comfortable with a more established, proven solution?

Lightspeed Galaxy vs ThinkReservations: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a robust, enterprise-level system with a focus on luxury or branded properties, Galaxy could be a fit, especially since 50% of its users are in these segments. However, its review score of 0 and only one review in the last six months indicate no recent validation from users. ThinkReservations, by contrast, is more suitable for small to medium hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals, with a 4.88/5 rating from over 340 reviews, many from properties similar to yours.

If seamless OTA integration, extensive automation, and data reporting are priorities, go with ThinkReservations. If your hotel requires a legacy system with a focus on staffing and back-office tools, Galaxy might seem appealing, but its support weaknesses and outdated review activity are concerning.

Is Lightspeed Galaxy or ThinkReservations Easier to Use?

Galaxy’s UI isn’t rated, but user feedback suggests difficulties, especially in onboarding, with a score of 0 out of 5. Reports highlight poor tech support and access issues, which can slow staff adoption. ThinkReservations’ interface is highly rated at 4.82/5, with reviews emphasizing its intuitive design, quick onboarding, and friendly support.

Recent reviews from ThinkReservations users describe a platform that is straightforward, with easy training and less frustration. Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Features: Lightspeed Galaxy or ThinkReservations?

Galaxy offers some core tools, but it lacks the comprehensive feature set of ThinkReservations, which boasts 39 unique features. ThinkReservations includes a channel manager, booking engine, guest messaging, automated night audits, and integrations with OTAs like Expedia, Airbnb, and Triptease. Galaxy’s feature set appears limited, with no detailed list available but no mention of comparable automation or guest engagement tools.

If your hotel needs a broad, integrated feature suite for revenue management, guest communication, and multi-channel distribution, ThinkReservations clearly leads. Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Lightspeed Galaxy or ThinkReservations?

Galaxy’s support ratings are notably low at 2.5/5, with reviews citing poor communication and difficulty accessing tech support. It’s described as “having no luck” with support lines, which could hinder your team’s efficiency. ThinkReservations scores 4.82/5, with reviews emphasizing excellent, accessible support and seamless onboarding. Many users call their support “fantastic” and “helpful,” with 24/7 availability.

If reliable, responsive support is critical for your operation, edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has More Integrations: Lightspeed Galaxy or ThinkReservations?

Galaxy has just one verified integration, with Actabl listed as a partner. ThinkReservations, by contrast, integrates with 16 platforms, including major OTAs and technology providers like Sojern, OpenKey, and Tripadvisor. These integrations enable broader distribution and operational automation, which Galaxy lacks.

For a hotel seeking extensive connectivity, especially with popular OTAs and guest engagement tools, ThinkReservations has the clear edge. Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Lightspeed Galaxy or ThinkReservations?

Galaxy’s reviews are scarce, with only a handful, all from the same source, and no recent feedback. Its overall rating is 5/5, but this is based on only one review, which lacks recent validation. ThinkReservations, meanwhile, has a 4.88/5 rating from 356 reviews, with recent feedback emphasizing support, ease of use, and revenue growth.

Hotels in the small to mid-sized segment tend to rate ThinkReservations highly, reflecting its current relevance and user satisfaction. Edge: ThinkReservations.

How Much Do Lightspeed Galaxy and ThinkReservations Cost?

Galaxy does not list any pricing information, which suggests it may be custom-priced or not transparent. ThinkReservations charges $500 per month with no setup fees, making it easy to budget for small properties. Its transparent pricing is a plus for hotels weighing ROI.

If pricing transparency and predictable costs matter, ThinkReservations is the clearer choice.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Lightspeed Galaxy?

• Hotels that are large, luxury, or branded properties seeking a comprehensive back-office system.
• Hotels that prioritize operational efficiency for multiple departments and employee management.
• Teams that prefer a long-standing vendor with a broad service history in hospitality.
• Hotels that value detailed reporting and control over complex inventories.

Not ideal if your hotel is small, needs modern integrations, or seeks frequent support updates.

What Type of Hotel Should Use ThinkReservations?

• Small to mid-sized hotels, B&Bs, inns, and vacation rentals seeking an easy-to-use PMS.
• Hotels wanting to increase revenue through features like upselling and automated messaging.
• Properties requiring strong OTA integration, guest communication, and online booking.
• Teams that value excellent support and rapid onboarding.
• Hotels aiming for technology that adapts and improves based on user feedback.

Not ideal if your hotel is a large, branded property needing enterprise-level solutions or extensive back-office tools.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Lightspeed Galaxy offers a deeply rooted, traditional PMS with a focus on large, branded, and luxury hotels. Its lack of recent reviews and support issues make it less appealing for hotels looking for active, modern solutions. ThinkReservations, with its extensive features, well-rated user experience, and broad integration, is better suited for small to medium properties aiming to grow efficiently.

If your hotel needs a proven system with extensive automation and excellent support, go with ThinkReservations. If you operate a large, complex property that requires detailed back-end tools, Galaxy might still be worth considering, but its support limitations are a concern. For most hotels evaluating current options, ThinkReservations stands out as the more reliable, feature-rich choice.