Merchant Link vs. ROH:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right payments processing software for your hotel hinges on your specific operational needs, budget, and growth ambitions. Merchant Link offers a longstanding, cloud-based payment gateway with a focus on data security, while ROH provides an industry-tailored platform designed to boost cash flow and streamline financial workflows. Both address core payment challenges but diverge significantly in features, user experience, and market presence.

Your team must decide whether a more established, security-focused solution or an innovative, hotel-specific platform aligns better with your goals. Are you prioritizing a mature, widely adopted solution or a newer platform with advanced automation and integrations? Let’s explore.

Is Merchant Link or ROH Better for Hotels?

Merchant Link, founded in 1993 and serving over 400,000 locations, is a legacy provider specializing in secure payment gateway services. Its core strength lies in PCI compliance, tokenization, and data security, making it suitable for hotels that prioritize security and reliability over advanced automation.

ROH, established in 2023 with 65 reviews, is a newer platform focused on automating payments, invoicing, and cash flow management specific to hospitality. It boasts a 4.97/5 customer support rating and a 9.91/5 NPS, making it highly rated for ease of use and customer satisfaction.

While Merchant Link has a broader global presence and extensive payment processing history, ROH’s recent reviews and high ratings suggest a more responsive, hotel-centric experience. Which of these priorities suits your hotel: proven security or innovative financial workflows?

Merchant Link vs ROH: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a robust, secure payment gateway that integrates with existing merchant services and minimizes data breaches, Merchant Link is the logical pick. It’s ideal for large hotels or chains seeking proven, scalable transaction processing with PCI compliance.

If you need to streamline payment collection, invoice scheduling, and improve cash flow with an intuitive platform that’s simple for staff and guests, ROH offers a compelling advantage. Its automation features, including invoice management, reporting, and guest payment tracking, appeal to hotels aiming for operational efficiency.

Luxury hotels and resorts that value security and established infrastructure should lean toward Merchant Link. Budget and limited-service properties focused on operational automation and user-friendliness are better suited for ROH’s modern approach.

Is Merchant Link or ROH Easier to Use?

ROH scores 4.95/5 for ease of use based on recent reviews, with hotel staff praising its intuitive interface and straightforward payment processes. Users highlight how quickly onboarding was, with many noting that even non-technical staff find the platform simple to operate.

Merchant Link, on the other hand, scores a 0/5 for ease of use, with no recent reviews available. Its legacy status and complex interface make it less accessible, especially for hotels seeking quick deployment or staff adoption.

Edge: ROH.

Which Has Better Features: Merchant Link or ROH?

ROH offers 19 distinct features, including refund management, pre-authorizations, payment splitting, pay-by-link, recurring payments, and acceptance of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, American Express, Discover, and Mastercard. Its PCI compliance and tokenization provide security, along with chargeback management and authorization adjustments.

Merchant Link’s feature set is limited to its core payment gateway services with no additional features listed, focusing primarily on transaction processing and security.

Given the wide range of functionalities, especially those tailored for hospitality payment workflows, ROH clearly leads in feature depth and versatility.

Edge: ROH.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Merchant Link or ROH?

ROH’s recent reviews consistently praise its customer support, rating it 4.97/5, with comments emphasizing its support staff’s responsiveness and helpfulness. Clients mention that onboarding was smooth, and ongoing assistance is prompt and effective.

Merchant Link, with a 0/5 rating and no recent reviews, provides no current insights into support quality. Its long-standing presence does not compensate for the absence of recent user feedback or support ratings.

Edge: ROH.

Which Has More Integrations: Merchant Link or ROH?

ROH has one verified integration—Oracle Hospitality—indicating a focus on hospitality-specific systems. Despite the limited number, the integration is relevant for hotel operations, especially for those already using Oracle products.

Merchant Link does not list any verified partners, making its integration options appear minimal or outdated in this context.

ROH’s targeted integration with industry-standard property management systems gives it an edge for hotels seeking seamless operational connectivity.

Edge: ROH.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Merchant Link or ROH?

ROH’s reviews show strong recent feedback, notably a 9.91/5 NPS score, with hotel segments like luxury, resorts, and independent hotels rating it highly. The platform’s user-friendliness and automation are highly appreciated, especially by properties that need efficient payment workflows.

Merchant Link’s lack of recent reviews and ratings means no current hotel feedback is available, but its older reputation suggests less adoption or satisfaction among modern hotels.

In terms of recent review volume and satisfaction, ROH clearly outperforms Merchant Link.

Edge: ROH.

How Much Do Merchant Link and ROH Cost?

Merchant Link does not publicly list pricing details, implying a customized quote based on client needs. Its traditional pricing model, combined with no free trial, suggests a higher or negotiable cost structure.

ROH charges a flat $100 monthly fee with no trial or implementation fees, making its pricing predictable and accessible for many hotels.

The transparent, straightforward pricing of ROH offers better budgeting certainty for hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Merchant Link?

• Hotels that prioritize security, compliance, and data protection above all.
• Large hotel chains or properties with complex payment processing needs.
• Businesses requiring PCI-compliant solutions with extensive transaction security.
• Hotels that already have established merchant services and need a reliable gateway.

Not ideal if your hotel seeks automation, advanced integrations, or user-friendly workflows.

What Type of Hotel Should Use ROH?

• Hotels looking to automate and streamline their payment processes.
• Properties aiming to improve cash flow and reduce manual invoicing.
• Hotels that want an easy-to-use platform with features like recurring payments and payment splitting.
• Hotels seeking real-time reporting and notifications to better manage revenue.

Not ideal if your hotel relies on a legacy payment gateway without automation needs or prefers a security-focused, established provider.

The Bottom Line for Hotels: Merchant Link or ROH?

Merchant Link offers a stable, security-oriented payment gateway suited for hotels that value proven data security and PCI compliance. Its long history and solid reputation make it a trusted choice for large, legacy properties.

ROH is the superior option for hotels prioritizing automation, ease of use, and modern integrations. Its recent, high-rated reviews and feature set position it as the solution most aligned with current hospitality payment trends.

If your hotel needs a mature, security-focused gateway, Merchant Link might be right. But if operational efficiency, automation, and user experience matter most, ROH is the clear winner.