Onity vs. Canary Mobile Keys:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Onity by Onity and Openkey.co for your hotel’s keyless entry system requires understanding where both solutions excel and where they fall short. Both products aim to streamline guest access and improve operational efficiency, but they differ significantly in their approach, features, and market presence. Your decision hinges on your hotel’s size, guest expectations, and specific operational needs.

Onity offers a longstanding, global presence with a focus on electronic lock hardware and a broad portfolio. OpenKey, on the other hand, specializes in mobile key solutions with a focus on guest experience and integration capabilities. Which solution aligns better with your hotel’s future plans?

Is Onity or Openkey.co Better for Hotels?

Onity has been a dominant name in hotel locks for over 80 years, with more than 5 million locks installed across 30,000 properties worldwide. Its strength lies in hardware reliability, with a broad range of electronic locks, safes, and energy systems, plus a cloud-based mobile credential platform called DirectKey.

OpenKey, meanwhile, is a newer entrant focused on mobile key technology, with a platform that integrates with over 50 PMS and lock providers. It offers a fully digital guest experience, allowing check-in, key delivery, and access through smartphones or Wallet apps, which many hoteliers consider essential post-pandemic.

Both systems aim to enhance security and guest convenience, but Onity’s strength is in established hardware and global support, whereas OpenKey excels in digital guest interactions and integration ease. Do you prioritize hardware reliability or mobile guest experience?

Onity vs Openkey.co: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a hardware-centric, long-established lock system that supports a range of physical and digital solutions, Onity is the better fit. Its extensive global network and 80+ years of experience make it ideal for luxury hotels, large resorts, or properties with complex security needs.

If your hotel targets a modern, tech-savvy clientele that values contactless check-in and seamless mobile access, OpenKey is the clear choice. Its platform is better suited for boutique hotels, resorts, and properties emphasizing guest experience and operational agility.

For hotels seeking a robust hardware solution with optional mobile features, Onity offers a dependable route. Conversely, if a hotel prioritizes full mobile integration, multi-property management, and ease of use, OpenKey outperforms.

Is Onity or Openkey.co Easier to Use?

User reviews consistently rate OpenKey higher for ease of use, with a 4.45/5 rating compared to Onity’s 2.33/5. OpenKey’s app interface is intuitive, with quick guest onboarding, and hosts report fewer technical issues, making staff adoption smoother.

Onity’s interface is described as simple but outdated, with many reviews citing a steep learning curve and concerns about regular updates and system outages. Its onboarding process is rated at 2/5, reflecting the complexity of hardware installations and staff training.

Edge: OpenKey.

Which Has Better Features: Onity or Openkey.co?

OpenKey offers 16 features, including mobile check-in, multi-property management, notifications, guest management dashboards, and remote access, giving it a comprehensive digital toolkit. It also supports integrations with numerous PMS and lock providers, adding flexibility.

Onity’s features are primarily hardware-focused, including electronic locks, safes, energy management, and a cloud-based platform for mobile credentials, but it lacks many of the guest-centric features found in OpenKey. Its hardware-centric approach limits digital functionalities.

Edge: OpenKey.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Onity or Openkey.co?

Both products have mixed reviews regarding support. Onity’s support ratings are notably low at 2.33/5, with multiple reviews citing difficulty reaching representatives and unresolved technical issues, especially in recent months.

OpenKey’s support is rated higher at 4.25/5, with reviews praising quick responses and helpful staff. Hoteliers appreciate the proactive communication, though some mention occasional delays.

Edge: OpenKey.

Which Has More Integrations: Onity or Openkey.co?

Onity boasts 75 verified integration partners, including major PMS providers like Oracle Hospitality, Mews, and Maestro PMS, plus many hardware partners. Its larger partner network facilitates deeper hardware and software integrations.

OpenKey has 34 verified integrations, focusing on popular PMS and lock providers like Assa Abloy, StayNTouch, and SALTO Systems. While smaller, its integrations are generally easy to implement and operate smoothly.

Edge: Onity.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Onity or Openkey.co?

OpenKey has a higher overall rating (4.26/5) based on 69 recent reviews, with notable positive feedback from boutique, resort, and independent hotels. Guests and staff find its mobile solutions convenient and easy to operate.

Onity's perfect 5/5 rating is based on only three reviews, all from the perspective of large properties. Recent reviews are absent, and support issues are frequently noted, which diminishes confidence.

Edge: OpenKey.

How Much Do Onity and Openkey.co Cost?

Onity’s pricing details are not publicly available, but given its hardware-centric approach, costs typically involve hardware purchase, installation, and ongoing maintenance — often a significant investment.

OpenKey charges a $500 base fee, with no monthly fees or implementation costs, making it more accessible for hotels with limited budgets. Its flexible pricing model appeals to properties seeking digital solutions without high upfront costs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Onity?

• Hotels that require reliable hardware solutions and have a global or large-scale operation.
• Resorts and luxury hotels needing a mix of physical and digital locks.
• Properties with existing Onity infrastructure seeking to upgrade or expand.
• Hotels that value long-term hardware durability and extensive partner support.

Not ideal if you prioritize a mobile-first or contactless guest experience without physical hardware emphasis.

What Type of Hotel Should Use OpenKey?

• Boutique hotels, resorts, and properties emphasizing guest convenience and digital engagement.
• Hotels looking to reduce front desk congestion with mobile check-in and keyless entry.
• Hotels with multiple properties seeking centralized management.
• Properties that want seamless PMS and lock integrations with rapid deployment.

Not ideal if your hotel relies heavily on physical keys, security hardware, or has minimal focus on mobile guest interaction.

Onity vs OpenKey: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference lies in their focus: Onity provides a hardware-driven access control system backed by decades of experience, while OpenKey centers on mobile and digital guest experiences with rapid integration.

Choose Onity if your priority is a tried-and-true physical lock system with global support, especially for large properties or luxury hotels. It’s a solid long-term investment in physical security.

Opt for OpenKey if your hotel aims to enhance guest satisfaction through mobile check-in and keyless entry, especially if you value quick deployment and a modern interface. It’s ideal for boutique, resort, or tech-forward properties.

If recent reviews and higher ratings matter most, OpenKey clearly leads, especially in ease of use, customer support, and guest-centric features. For stability and a hardware legacy, Onity remains a reliable choice, but it lags behind in digital experience.

This comparison should help you make an informed decision aligned with your hotel’s strategic priorities and guest expectations.