Planet Booking Engine vs. RateGain Hotel Booking Engine:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right booking engine for your hotel hinges on several key factors. Both Planet Booking Engine by Planet and RateGain Hotel Booking Engine aim to streamline the booking process, but their capabilities, support, and market presence differ significantly. Your decision should reflect your hotel’s size, needs, and the experience you want to offer your guests.

Planet offers a basic, no-frills solution suited for small properties, while RateGain provides a more feature-rich platform with extensive integrations and global reach. Which aligns better with your hotel’s current and future needs?

Is Planet Booking Engine or RateGain Hotel Booking Engine Better for Hotels?

Both products aim to facilitate direct bookings, but they diverge in scope and sophistication. Planet’s solution is primarily suitable for single-property hotels with simple rate structures, minimal channels, and low complexity. It’s designed for owners and small teams who need a straightforward booking process with limited external integrations.

RateGain, by contrast, caters to larger hotels and brands seeking advanced features such as multi-currency support, A/B testing, Google Hotel Ads, and extensive third-party integrations. It’s built for hotels that prioritize marketing, analytics, and a seamless guest experience on a global scale.

Your choice hinges on whether you prioritize simplicity or advanced marketing and revenue tools. Do you need a basic booking engine or a comprehensive platform that supports growth and brand expansion?

RateGain vs Planet: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel is a small, independent property with a limited budget and straightforward operational needs, Planet is the logical choice. It is ideal for properties with no more than two room types, simple rate plans, and minimal external system integration, especially if your team is experienced and self-sufficient.

Conversely, if your hotel is part of a chain, a boutique hotel with multiple offerings, or you want to scale your online presence, RateGain’s extensive feature set makes it the superior option. Its ability to handle multi-lingual, multi-currency bookings, and support complex rate plans suits hotels with a larger guest base and marketing ambitions.

In essence, choose Planet for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, and RateGain for scalability and advanced capabilities.

Is Planet Booking Engine or RateGain Hotel Booking Engine Easier to Use?

RateGain scores significantly higher in usability, with a 4.71/5 rating based on user reviews, praised for its intuitive dashboard, quick training, and support tools. Users describe it as "easy to handle" with "quick response" and "full information through the dashboard," making staff onboarding smoother.

Planet’s ease of use is rated at only 1.67/5, with reviews highlighting its outdated interface, bugs, and limited support. Users say it’s "not supported for complex setups" and "buttons often just a facade," indicating a steep learning curve with frequent frustrations.

Edge: RateGain.

Which Has Better Features: Planet Booking Engine or RateGain Hotel Booking Engine?

RateGain boasts 28 unique features, including mobile responsiveness, multi-room bookings, rate plan comparisons, Google Hotel Ads, multi-lingual, multi-currency support, and integrated promotional tools. These features enable you to optimize revenue, market globally, and personalize guest experiences.

Planet, on the other hand, offers none of these advanced features, serving only basic booking functions suitable for very simple setups. Its limited functionality makes it less adaptable for growing or complex hotels.

Edge: RateGain.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Planet Booking Engine or RateGain Hotel Booking Engine?

Review scores highlight RateGain’s support as a standout, with a 4.76/5 rating and comments about "timely problem-solving" and "support system" that helps hotels solve issues quickly. Users note that RateGain’s team is responsive and attentive, making support a key advantage.

Planet’s support rating is just 1/5, with reviews describing it as "practically non-existent" and "support agents thwarted by product limitations." Customers report delays, unanswered inquiries, and frustration with the help system.

Edge: RateGain.

Which Has More Integrations: Planet Booking Engine or RateGain Hotel Booking Engine?

RateGain leads with 95 verified partners, including major hotel systems like RoomRaccoon, HotelTime, and OpenHotel, along with integrations for social media, payment gateways, and channel managers. Its extensive partner network supports broad connectivity and operational flexibility.

Planet offers 194 verified partners, including several well-known brands, but has fewer overall integrations. Shared partners include Profitroom and VISIT, but it lacks many of the marketing and revenue management integrations present in RateGain.

Edge: RateGain.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Planet Booking Engine or RateGain Hotel Booking Engine?

RateGain has a significantly higher user rating, with a 9.29/10 NPS score and 93% likelihood to recommend. Hoteliers across various segments, especially larger hotels and brands, praise its usability, support, and feature set.

Planet’s reviews are sparse, with only three reviews and a 1/5 overall rating. The few comments describe it as suitable only for very small, simple properties with experienced staff.

Edge: RateGain.

How Much Do Planet Booking Engine and RateGain Hotel Booking Engine Cost?

Planet does not publicly list its pricing, suggesting a custom quote or limited access. This could mean higher costs or limited flexibility, especially considering its minimal features and support.

RateGain charges a flat $400 monthly fee, providing a transparent, predictable cost structure. Additional fees may apply for extensive integrations or customizations, but the platform’s comprehensive feature set offers clear value for the price.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Planet Booking Engine?

• Hotels that operate a single property with a simple rate structure.
• Small hotels or bed & breakfasts with minimal booking complexity.
• Properties with proactive, experienced staff able to manage basic systems.
• Hotels prioritizing low-cost, straightforward booking solutions.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel has multiple properties or complex rate plans.
• You need integrations with PMS, CRM, or revenue management systems.
• Your team requires extensive support or automation.
• You plan to scale or market aggressively online.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RateGain Hotel Booking Engine?

• Hotels in need of multi-channel distribution and global reach.
• Larger properties, brands, or chains with complex rates and packages.
• Hotels seeking detailed analytics, A/B testing, and marketing tools.
• Teams that prioritize guest experience, personalization, and revenue optimization.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel is very small with a limited budget.
• You only need basic booking functions without advanced features.
• Your team prefers simple, manual operations without extensive integrations.
• You do not plan to expand your online presence.

RateGain vs Planet: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference lies in complexity and scope: RateGain offers a broad, feature-rich platform designed for hotels aiming to grow and scale, while Planet provides a basic, low-cost solution for small, simple properties. If your hotel needs advanced marketing, multi-currency support, and robust integrations, RateGain is the clear choice.

Choose RateGain if you want a well-supported, scalable system capable of handling complex operations and international bookings. Its extensive features and high user satisfaction make it suitable for larger, growth-oriented hotels.

On the other hand, if your property is small, local, and operates with minimal complexity, Planet may suffice, but be prepared for limited support, outdated interface, and fewer functionalities. Consider your growth plans carefully before opting for a basic system that might hinder future expansion.

In conclusion, for hotels seeking reliability, advanced features, and support, RateGain is the superior option. For very small, budget-conscious properties with minimal needs, Planet might be a temporary solution—but it’s unlikely to serve your long-term growth.