Planet Payments vs. Sertifi by Flywire (Payments):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Planet Payments by Planet and Sertifi by Flywire boils down to your hotel’s specific payment needs. Both aim to simplify and secure your payment operations, but they diverge significantly in scope, integrations, and user experience. Planet offers a broad, multi-faceted payment platform, while Sertifi emphasizes fast, secure transaction processing with integrated eSignatures. So, which solution better aligns with your hotel’s priorities?

Is Planet Payments or Sertifi by Flywire Better for Hotels?

Planet Payments and Sertifi by Flywire both serve the hotel industry by streamlining payment processes. Planet’s platform is comprehensive, covering acquiring, digital wallets, VAT refunds, and currency conversion, aiming to be an all-in-one payment solution. Sertifi, on the other hand, focuses on the quick capture of payments and agreements through a secure, user-friendly platform.

While Planet’s extensive integrations (195 verified partners) and support for 150+ currencies make it suitable for hotels with international guests and complex payment needs, Sertifi’s strength lies in its simplicity, security, and speed, especially for hotels that prioritize quick deposits and contract management. Both products claim ease of use but differ in their approach—do you need a broad payment infrastructure or a streamlined transaction and eSignature tool?

Planet Payments vs Sertifi by Flywire: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel requires a flexible, multi-channel payment platform with global currency support and numerous integrations, Planet Payments is the better choice. Its ability to accept contactless payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and multiple alternative methods makes it ideal for hotels with diverse guest preferences or regional needs.

If your primary focus is on capturing payments quickly, securely, and managing agreements efficiently, Sertifi by Flywire is the clear pick. It’s especially suitable for hotels aiming to reduce administrative hassle and enhance customer experience with features like PCI compliance, eSignatures, and integration with platforms like Opera.

Hotels with complex payment structures and international guest bases should lean toward Planet. Conversely, hotels that want fast, secure deposits and contract management with minimal setup will find Sertifi more aligned with their needs.

Is Planet Payments or Sertifi by Flywire Easier to Use?

Sertifi by Flywire scores dramatically higher in ease of use, with a 4.78/5 rating compared to Planet’s 3/5. Sertifi’s interface is praised for being intuitive, simplifying tasks like sending secured documents, accepting payments, and managing client interactions. Its onboarding process is rated 4.57/5, and users frequently mention how straightforward it is to add new team members.

Planet’s platform, rated 3/5 for ease, has a more complex interface that can appear cluttered or overly technical, especially given its extensive features. Its onboarding and support ratings are lower, and users report difficulties navigating its dashboards and functionalities.

Edge: Sertifi by Flywire.

Which Has Better Features: Planet Payments or Sertifi by Flywire?

Planet boasts 10 features exclusive to its platform, including contactless payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, dynamic currency conversion, and payment splitting. Its feature set caters to hotels needing diverse, flexible payment methods and multi-currency support.

Sertifi offers 9 unique features, notably PCI 3-D Secure payments, refund and chargeback management, and integrations with major credit card processors like Elavon, TSYS, and Chase. It emphasizes secure, quick payment processing combined with eSignatures, reducing administrative tasks.

While Planet’s feature count is higher (11 shared + 10 exclusive), Sertifi’s specialized focus on security and fast transactions makes it ideal for hotels prioritizing operational efficiency.

Edge: Planet Payments, for broader payment options; Sertifi, for streamlined transaction management.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Planet Payments or Sertifi by Flywire?

Sertifi’s customer support scores a 4.59/5, with reviews highlighting quick, helpful assistance and an overall positive support experience. Users appreciate its responsiveness and the proactive approach of its support team, especially during onboarding.

Planet’s support ratings are lower, at 3/5, with reviews criticizing slow responses and limited product knowledge among support staff. Users mention frustration with unresolved issues and limited help, particularly for complex functionalities.

Edge: Sertifi by Flywire.

Which Has More Integrations: Planet Payments or Sertifi by Flywire?

Planet’s platform integrates with 195 verified partners, including major PMS, CRM, and revenue management systems like Oracle Hospitality, Infor, Amadeus, and Stripe. It supports a vast ecosystem, providing flexible options for hotels with existing systems.

Sertifi’s integrations are limited to 7 verified partners, such as Salesforce and Opera. While these cover common hotel systems, the overall number is significantly lower, reducing flexibility for hotels with diverse tech stacks.

Edge: Planet Payments.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Planet Payments or Sertifi by Flywire?

Sertifi by Flywire has a much larger review base—129 reviews in the last 6 months—indicating more current data. Its average rating of 94.14/100 reflects strong satisfaction, especially among hotels in North America and Europe, with high marks for ease of use and support.

Planet’s reviews are scarce (only 2 reviews) and outdated. The limited feedback paints a picture of a product suitable for very simple needs but not for hotels seeking ongoing support or advanced features.

Edge: Sertifi by Flywire.

How Much Do Planet Payments and Sertifi by Flywire Cost?

Planet does not publicly list its pricing or offer a freemium plan, indicating a custom quote approach. This makes budgeting difficult without direct contact, but it suggests the platform is tailored to larger or more complex operations.

Sertifi’s base price is $100/month, with no free tier, but this fee provides access to its core features, including secure payments and eSignatures. The transparent pricing model allows easier comparison and planning for hotels with limited budgets.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Planet Payments?

• Hotels that operate across multiple regions and require multi-currency support.
• Large properties or groups with complex payment structures needing flexible integration options.
• Hotels that prefer an all-in-one payment platform with extensive method choices, including contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
• Hotels seeking to connect with a broad network of acquirers and partners for maximum payment flexibility.

Not ideal if your hotel is small or has simple, domestic payment needs, or if you require immediate, straightforward support.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Sertifi by Flywire?

• Hotels prioritizing rapid, secure deposits to improve cash flow.
• Properties needing integrated eSignatures for contracts, especially for bookings and advance payments.
• Hotels that prefer a user-friendly, quick-to-implement system with strong security features.
• Hotels already using platforms like Salesforce or Opera, seeking seamless workflow integration.

Not ideal if your hotel has highly complex payment setups, multiple currencies, or requires extensive customization.

Sertifi by Flywire vs Planet Payments: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference lies in scope versus specialization. Planet provides a detailed, multipurpose payment ecosystem that supports diverse methods, currencies, and integrations, ideal for large, international hotels or groups. Sertifi, by contrast, centers on quick, secure payment capturing and contract management, best for hotels seeking efficiency and simplicity.

If your hotel needs a broad payment infrastructure with extensive partner connections, go with Planet. It’s especially suited for properties with complex operational and regional requirements.

Choose Sertifi if your focus is on reducing administrative burdens, capturing deposits swiftly, and streamlining agreements, particularly if you rely on platforms like Opera or Salesforce.

In conclusion, for hotels with larger or more complex payment environments and a need for multiple integrations, Planet Payments is the more comprehensive choice. For hotels seeking straightforward, fast, and secure payment processing with excellent support, Sertifi by Flywire is the better pick.