Oaky by Plusgrade vs. UpsellGuru:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Oaky by Plusgrade and UpsellGuru hinges on your hotel's specific needs for upselling software. Both aim to increase ancillary revenue through automation and guest engagement, but they diverge in features, integrations, and user experience. Oaky boasts a larger user base, more recent reviews, and higher ratings, making it the more proven option for hotels seeking reliable upselling tools. But which platform truly aligns with your hotel’s goals?

Are you prioritizing a platform with extensive PMS integrations, proven success stories, and advanced personalization? Or do you prefer a straightforward bidding system that emphasizes guest interaction without requiring extensive setup? Let's unpack the differences.

Is Oaky by Plusgrade or UpsellGuru Better for Hotels?

Both Oaky and UpsellGuru focus on automating and optimizing upselling, but their approaches differ. Oaky emphasizes personalized, targeted offers throughout the guest journey, relying on segmentation and dynamic pricing. It integrates with a broad network of PMS partners, has a well-established reputation, and benefits from a larger volume of reviews—443 total, with recent feedback from the last six months. Its 94.96 HTR Score and 4.84-star overall rating reflect strong performance, especially among independent and branded hotels.

In contrast, UpsellGuru presents itself as a simple, all-in-one platform with fewer reviews (39) but a slightly higher overall rating of 4.95/5. Its core strength lies in straightforward setup, ease of use, and the bidding feature that enhances guest engagement. However, it offers fewer integrations—44 verified partners—and has limited recent reviews, with no new feedback in the last six months.

Given these points, Oaky’s larger, more current dataset and higher industry recognition make it the more reliable choice for hotels seeking proven results. Are you willing to trade some simplicity for a more mature platform with extensive integrations and comprehensive features?

Oaky by Plusgrade vs UpsellGuru: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs advanced personalization, robust integration capabilities, and a track record of elevating revenue, go with Oaky. Its segmentation, automation, and dynamic pricing features cater well to mid-sized and large properties, especially those in branded or independent categories. Larger hotel chains will benefit from its extensive PMS integrations (54 verified partners) and proven success stories, such as Lore Group’s 400% revenue increase.

If your hotel prioritizes quick setup, ease of use, and engaging the guest through a bidding system, UpsellGuru is the better fit. It’s ideal for smaller properties or those new to upselling software, given its straightforward interface and fast deployment. Hotels that prefer a less complex implementation with minimal manual work and are comfortable with fewer integrations should consider UpsellGuru, despite its narrower PMS network.

In summary, choose Oaky if you value proven scalability and personalization. Opt for UpsellGuru if simplicity, rapid deployment, and guest engagement are your top priorities.

Is Oaky by Plusgrade or UpsellGuru Easier to Use?

Oaky’s user interface is highly rated at 4.84/5, with onboarding at 4.74/5. Users highlight its intuitive design, ease in managing campaigns, and straightforward integration process, despite some initial setup complexity. The platform’s extensive features, such as segmentation and dynamic pricing, require some learning but are well-supported by customer success teams.

UpsellGuru scores slightly higher in overall ease of use at 4.87/5, with onboarding rated at 4.76/5. Its interface is described as straightforward, with many users praising the simplicity of setup and the speed of getting started. The limited feature set means less training and quicker adoption, making it suitable for hotels seeking rapid benefits without deep customization.

Edge: UpsellGuru.

Which Has Better Features: Oaky or UpsellGuru?

Oaky offers 11 shared features plus two unique capabilities: Type 2 SOC 2 data security certification and extensive segmentation for personalized offers. Features like dynamic pricing, proactive communication, and automation make it versatile across various hotel segments. Its customization options and data insights are especially valuable for larger or tech-savvy hotels.

UpsellGuru provides 11 shared features plus one unique offering: digital acceptance and payment capture. Its standout feature is the bidding system, which fosters guest interaction and upsell conversion. While it lacks some advanced segmentation or reporting features present in Oaky, its intuitive interface and effective upsell mechanics are appreciated.

Edge: Oaky, thanks to its broader feature set and security certifications.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Oaky or UpsellGuru?

Oaky has a slightly higher customer support rating at 4.87/5, with many reviews emphasizing prompt, knowledgeable assistance. Customers praise the support team for their proactive engagement and effective onboarding, especially during integration challenges.

UpsellGuru scores 4.82/5, with reviewers noting its friendly, responsive support. While its support is highly regarded, the smaller team size (13 employees) may limit availability during peak times. Larger hotels that rely heavily on dedicated support may find Oaky’s service more reliable.

Edge: Oaky.

Which Has More Integrations: Oaky or UpsellGuru?

Oaky boasts 54 verified PMS and hotel tech integrations, including popular partners like RoomRaccoon, SiteMinder, and Stayntouch. Its extensive network supports seamless data flow and reduces manual input, making it suitable for multi-property chains.

UpsellGuru’s 44 verified integrations include major PMS providers like M3, RoomKey PMS, and RMS. While it covers key players, its smaller network might necessitate more manual work for larger hotel groups.

Edge: Oaky.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Oaky or UpsellGuru?

Oaky has a higher overall rating (4.84/5) compared to UpsellGuru’s 4.95/5, but the latter’s reviews are more recent, and it has a higher likelihood to recommend score (98% vs 96%). Oaky is especially favored by independent and branded hotels, with an average review score of 4.92/5 among independents and 4.97/5 among brands.

UpsellGuru’s reviews are predominantly from boutique and luxury hotels, with high praise for ease of use and immediate revenue impact. Given the recency and volume of reviews, UpsellGuru’s ratings suggest strong current satisfaction.

Edge: UpsellGuru, due to its recent reviews and marginally higher ratings.

How Much Do Oaky and UpsellGuru Cost?

Both platforms are priced at a flat $300 monthly fee without implementation or trial fees. This straightforward pricing makes budget planning simple, but neither offers tiered plans or per-room charges, which could be a consideration for smaller hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Oaky?

• Hotels that seek personalized guest experiences based on segmentation.
• Hotels requiring extensive PMS integration for real-time data.
• Properties aiming to boost revenue through dynamic pricing and targeted offers.
• Large or independent hotels with sophisticated tech infrastructure.
• Hotels interested in data insights and automation to reduce manual efforts.

Not ideal if your hotel is very small, has limited IT support, or prefers minimal customization.

What Type of Hotel Should Use UpsellGuru?

• Hotels that want quick, simple implementation with minimal training.
• Properties looking to increase revenue via guest bidding and engagement.
• Small or boutique hotels that prioritize ease of use.
• Hotels that prefer a straightforward upsell process without extensive customization.
• Hotels that want to start generating revenue immediately with limited setup.

Not ideal if you need deep integrations, detailed analytics, or advanced segmentation.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Oaky by Plusgrade is a mature, feature-rich platform backed by a large user base and recent positive reviews. Its strengths lie in personalization, extensive integrations, and data-driven insights, making it ideal for hotels that want to scale revenue and optimize upselling strategies.

UpsellGuru excels in simplicity, speed, and guest engagement through bidding. Its ease of setup and high satisfaction ratings make it suitable for smaller hotels or those new to upselling technology, looking for quick wins and straightforward operation.

Choose Oaky if you value proven scalability, customization, and detailed analytics. Opt for UpsellGuru if your priority is simplicity, rapid deployment, and engaging guests with a bidding system.

Our Verdict

For most hotels, especially those with larger operations or seeking proven effectiveness, Oaky offers a more comprehensive, mature solution. Its higher review count, recent feedback, and extensive features give it an edge in reliability and performance.

However, if your hotel is smaller, less tech-heavy, or values ease of use above all, UpsellGuru provides a straightforward, highly rated alternative with quick implementation. It’s an excellent choice for properties that want to begin upselling without complex setup.

In summary, Oaky by Plusgrade is the more dependable choice for hotels aiming for scalable, personalized upselling, while UpsellGuru is ideal for hotels seeking simplicity, quick results, and high guest engagement.