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 228 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:
Akia shines when it comes to instant messaging and overall communication — especially for brand properties (4.9/5) , with exclusive features like Broadcast Messaging and Team Messaging.
Zingle shines when it comes to communication — especially for independent properties (4.8/5) , with exclusive features like Guest History and SMS text messaging.
Side-by-side ratings based on 228 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $500/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 121 | 107 |
After analyzing 228 verified reviews, Akia users most value its instant messaging and overall communication, ai auto-responses, guest feedback and reviews, while Zingle users highlight communication, ease of use, auto messages. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Instant Messaging and Overall Communication
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Communication
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AI Auto-Responses
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Ease of use
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Guest Feedback and Reviews
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Auto messages
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Pre-registration and Contactless Check-in
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Response time
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Virtual Assistant Errors
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Customization
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Credit Card Authorization
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Technical glitches
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Platform integration
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How each product ranks among Guest Messaging Software vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #5 46 reviews | #12 8 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #9 54 reviews | #11 25 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #16 4 reviews | #3 42 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #10 5 reviews | #4 25 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #9 46 reviews | #10 44 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #11 21 reviews | #8 47 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #10 36 reviews | #8 48 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #6 15 reviews | #11 7 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #3 119 reviews | #5 103 reviews |
| Europe | — | #18 1 reviews |
Choosing between Akia by Akia and Medallia Zingle by Zingle for guest messaging software hinges on your hotel’s priorities and operational needs. Both platforms facilitate communication, but Akia focuses heavily on AI automation and guest engagement, while Zingle emphasizes real-time messaging through multiple channels with strong integrations. Your decision should align with whether you need a more automated AI-driven platform or a flexible, channel-agnostic messaging solution.
Akia and Zingle aim to improve guest interactions, streamline operations, and drive revenue. But their core capabilities, ease of use, and customer support differ significantly, impacting how quickly your team can realize value. Are you ready to dive into the nuances of each?
Both Akia and Zingle serve the goal of enhancing guest communication, yet they diverge in approach. Akia offers a broad suite of features centered on AI automation, digital surveys, and upselling via Mini Apps, making it ideal for hotels prioritizing tech-driven guest experiences. Zingle emphasizes multi-channel communication—SMS, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp—with integrations that help streamline workflow management.
While Akia is equipped with more comprehensive features—over 44 exclusive tools—Zingle’s strength lies in its simplicity, ease of use, and extensive channel support. Akia’s review count (113 recent reviews) surpasses Zingle’s (107), providing more recent data that makes its current performance more trustworthy. Does your hotel need a robust AI assistant or flexible messaging across channels?
If your hotel requires a platform with extensive automation, AI-driven responses, and advanced guest engagement features, Akia is the clear choice. It is especially suited for boutique, resort, and branded hotels seeking to enhance digital guest experiences, with a 4.93/5 overall rating backed by 113 reviews, mostly recent.
On the other hand, if your focus is on managing guest communications via familiar channels like SMS or WhatsApp, with easy integration to existing PMS systems, Zingle is more suitable. It boasts a high overall rating of 4.68/5 based on 107 reviews, with a strong reputation for ease of use and effective guest engagement.
For hotels that want automation and AI, go with Akia. For those needing channel flexibility and straightforward messaging workflows, choose Zingle. Which features align better with your operational goals?
Akia’s ease of use is rated at 4.84/5, with reviews highlighting its user-friendly interface, especially the staff-facing app and real-time management dashboard. Users appreciate its intuitive design, though some mention integration hiccups and desire for mobile message management improvements.
Zingle scores slightly lower at 4.73/5 but remains highly rated for simplicity. Users commend its straightforward setup, making staff adoption quick, especially for teams familiar with existing PMS integrations. However, occasional technical glitches in Zingle can hinder the user experience.
Edge: Akia.
Akia offers over 44 unique features, including desktop app access, live translations, ticketing, upsell campaigns, and integrated review campaigns—all absent in Zingle. It also provides tools like custom fields, digital check-in, and automation workflows tailored for comprehensive guest engagement.
Zingle provides 15 shared features and 6 exclusive ones, notably SMS, Facebook Messenger, and API access, which support multi-channel communication. Its features are more streamlined but less diverse.
In terms of feature depth, Akia clearly leads, especially for hotels seeking automation, upselling, and operational tools. Edge: Akia.
Akia’s customer support scores 4.84/5, with reviews praising its quick response times and helpful onboarding. Users often quote how Akia’s support team has been proactive and effective in resolving integration issues and providing training.
Zingle scores slightly lower at 4.58/5, with reviews noting good but sometimes inconsistent support. Some users mention delays in troubleshooting or system glitches that affected their overall experience.
Edge: Akia.
Akia integrates with 32 verified partners, including major PMS and booking platforms like Stayntouch, SiteMinder, and PMS providers like RoomRaccoon and OpenHotel. Its integrations cover a broad spectrum of operational needs, from keyless access to revenue management.
Zingle connects with 16 verified partners, including Opera, HotSOS, and other industry-standard tools. Its integrations are well-regarded but less extensive than Akia’s.
For broader integration needs, Akia is the better choice. Edge: Akia.
Akia’s overall rating of 4.93/5 from 113 reviews, with recent feedback emphasizing its ease of use, automation, and impact on guest satisfaction, makes it the more highly-rated platform. Hotels in boutique, resort, and branded segments particularly favor Akia’s advanced features, giving it higher segment-specific scores.
Zingle’s 4.68/5 rating, based on reviews that praise its simplicity and multi-channel support, is strong but less recent data and fewer reviews make its score less current.
Thus, Akia receives the higher hotel ratings overall. Edge: Akia.
Akia charges a flat monthly fee of $500, with no additional implementation fees or freemium options, representing transparent pricing. Zingle does not publicly disclose its pricing, suggesting it may be customized based on hotel size and needs.
Considering value, Akia offers a predictable cost structure, while Zingle’s pricing likely varies. For budget-conscious hotels wanting clear costs, Akia is more straightforward.
Not ideal if your hotel needs minimal automation or prefers channel-specific messaging without AI automation.
Not ideal if you require advanced automation, AI responses, or extensive operational tools.
Akia and Zingle serve complementary roles in guest messaging. Akia excels in automation, AI-powered engagement, and feature depth, making it suitable for hotels aiming for digital transformation and revenue growth.
Zingle offers a highly adaptable messaging platform with excellent multi-channel support, ideal for hotels that need straightforward communication and seamless PMS integrations. If your hotel values automation and advanced features, Akia is the definitive choice.
Conversely, if channel flexibility and ease of use are your priorities, Zingle remains a solid option. Ultimately, your hotel’s size, technical needs, and guest engagement goals will determine the best fit.
For most hotels looking for a robust, reviewed, and recent platform, Akia’s superior ratings and richer feature set make it the preferred choice.
This comprehensive comparison should guide your decision based on your hotel's operational needs and guest experience ambitions.
According to HTR's product database, Akia and Medallia Zingle share 15 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
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| Analytics dashboard | ||
| Broadcast Messaging | ||
| Desktop App (non-web based) | ||
| Facebook Messenger Integration | ||
| Guest History | ||
| Live Translations | ||
| Open API | ||
| SMS text messaging | ||
| Secured Data Protection | ||
| TripAdvisor Review Partner | ||
| Upsell Fulfillment Tracking | ||
| Website Livechat |
Showing top differences. 38 more features differ between these products.
We analyzed 1 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Automation emphasizes the guests experience at their fingertips. Akia closes the gap of missed opportunities by acting as a liaison to our guest satisfaction efforts. We have been..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Users frequently praised Akia's messaging capabilities, highlighting how it allows for seamless communication with guests for requests, check-ins, and... Users frequently praised Akia's messaging capabilities, highlighting how it allows for seamless communication with guests for requests, check-ins, and problem resolution. Many noted that being able to handle everything via text improves efficiency and guest interaction.
Akia's AI-driven automatic responses received mixed reviews. While appreciated for handling simple queries and saving time, some users noted inaccurac... Akia's AI-driven automatic responses received mixed reviews. While appreciated for handling simple queries and saving time, some users noted inaccuracies and inappropriate replies that required follow-up human intervention. There were calls for better learning algorithms and easy ways to report unsatisfactory responses.
Akia has been effective in garnering immediate feedback from guests both during and after their stay. Users reported that this real-time communication... Akia has been effective in garnering immediate feedback from guests both during and after their stay. Users reported that this real-time communication helps address issues promptly, leading to improved online reviews and guest satisfaction scores.
Where hoteliers push back
Approximately half of the reviewers reported minor frustrations with the chatbot feature, which sometimes misinterprets guest questions and sends inap... Approximately half of the reviewers reported minor frustrations with the chatbot feature, which sometimes misinterprets guest questions and sends inappropriate responses. These inaccuracies necessitate manual oversight and intervention.
Several reviews emphasized the need for improved credit card authorization features. Users mentioned that currently, they need to rely on third-party... Several reviews emphasized the need for improved credit card authorization features. Users mentioned that currently, they need to rely on third-party solutions for secure capture and processing of credit card transactions.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Users find Zingle excels in facilitating easy and quick communication with guests, allowing issues to be resolved before escalating. This adaptability... Users find Zingle excels in facilitating easy and quick communication with guests, allowing issues to be resolved before escalating. This adaptability has led to elevated guest satisfaction and lessened workload on staff. The ability to handle multiple guest inquiries simultaneously and send mass messages is viewed as a significant strength.
Zingle's user-friendly interface is frequently praised, making it easy for hotel staff to learn and efficiently handle guest messages. This ease of us... Zingle's user-friendly interface is frequently praised, making it easy for hotel staff to learn and efficiently handle guest messages. This ease of use extends to both the web platform and mobile application.
Auto messaging is appreciated for handling routine communications and improving response times. However, there were critiques about auto responses not... Auto messaging is appreciated for handling routine communications and improving response times. However, there were critiques about auto responses not always reflecting the current status accurately, which could lead to guest confusion.
Where hoteliers push back
Users generally appreciate Zingle's customization options for both messages and the platform itself. However, some new users found it challenging to c... Users generally appreciate Zingle's customization options for both messages and the platform itself. However, some new users found it challenging to customize certain features to fit their specific needs, suggesting room for improvement in flexibility.
Although most users are satisfied with Zingle, some have pointed out technical issues such as system crashes, message delays, and synchronization prob... Although most users are satisfied with Zingle, some have pointed out technical issues such as system crashes, message delays, and synchronization problems with PMS, affecting overall efficiency and user experience.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
It depends on your requirements. Akia and Medallia Zingle share many core Guest Messaging Software features, but each has unique capabilities. Akia offers 32 verified integration partners, while Medallia Zingle offers 16. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Akia leads in ease of use at 4.9/5 vs 4.7/5. Look for transparent pricing and a trial or demo option. Filter reviews on each product page by property size to hear from hotels like yours.
Akia: No. Medallia Zingle: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Guest Messaging Software 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. Akia has an HT Score of 67 and Zingle has 19. 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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