The project dashboard is a free tool that is only available to verified hoteliers to make adopting new technology easier by streamlining their research and simplifying their communication workflow.
TLDR
We analyzed 1,608 verified hotelier reviews, compared feature sets, pricing, and real-world case studies to break down where each platform delivers. The right choice depends on your property type and priorities:
Cloudbeds shines in reservations and calendar management — especially for bed & breakfast properties (4.6/5), with exclusive features like Integrated Payment Terminal & Card Reader and Online Check-in.
Preno shines in Customer Support — especially for city-center properties (4.9/5).
Side-by-side ratings based on 1,608 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Value for Money |
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| Starting Price | From $600/mo | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 1,438 | 170 |
After analyzing 1,608 verified reviews, Cloudbeds users most value its reservations and calendar management, ease of use and system simplicity, reporting and analytics, while Preno users highlight ease of use and staff adoption, housekeeping workflow management, billing and finance reporting. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Reservations and calendar management
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Ease of use and staff adoption
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Ease of use and system simplicity
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Housekeeping workflow management
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Reporting and analytics
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Billing and finance reporting
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Channel management and OTA synchronization
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Integrations and API connectivity
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| Cons | |
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Customer support and onboarding
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Payment flexibility gaps
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Billing, invoices, and payments
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Paperless check-in
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Mobile app limitations
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Seasonal training and onboarding support
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How each product ranks among Property Management Systems vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
| Segment |
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #1 694 reviews | #14 87 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #4 222 reviews | #35 15 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #4 48 reviews | #48 1 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #15 3 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #1 562 reviews | #14 68 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #4 242 reviews | #14 54 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #6 126 reviews | #24 18 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #2 100 reviews | #9 28 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #2 468 reviews | #28 7 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #7 175 reviews | #29 14 reviews |
| Asia Pacific ▾ | #3 340 reviews | #22 3 reviews |
| Middle East ▾ | #7 12 reviews | #17 2 reviews |
Cloudbeds and Preno both serve independent hotels, but they diverge sharply in scale, functionality, and market reach. Cloudbeds is built as an all-in-one platform integrating PMS, channel management, booking engine, and payments, designed to scale from small to medium and multi-property groups. Preno targets smaller independents such as boutique hotels, motels, and B&Bs, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use without enterprise complexity.
Both systems solve the core challenge of preventing overbookings and automating reservations and payments. Cloudbeds centralizes complex operations and supports revenue optimization, while Preno streamlines operations with straightforward multi-property dashboards and native Xero integration. The choice depends on property size, operational complexity, and the need for advanced features.
If you manage a small to medium independent hotel or multi-property group with 20+ rooms, Cloudbeds fits better due to its deeper automation, integrated booking engine, and extensive channel management. Its 1,420 reviews averaging 4.6/5 including 180 recent reviews at 4.8/5 affirm its strong current performance. Cloudbeds’ 208 verified integrations, including advanced payment and guest communication tools, support complex workflows and revenue management.
If your property is a small boutique hotel, motel, or B&B under 20 rooms prioritizing straightforward operations and native Xero accounting integration, Preno is a compelling fit. Its 170 reviews average 4.8/5 overall, with fewer than 10 recent reviews, signaling limited current feedback. Preno’s simpler dashboard and seamless SiteMinder channel manager integration support basic reservation and multi-property management without excess complexity.
Data for large hotels or branded chains is sparse for Preno, limiting its suitability beyond small independents. Cloudbeds’ broad global presence across 150 countries and diverse property types gives it more flexibility for properties growing or with complex needs.
Cloudbeds and Preno earn close ease of use scores: Cloudbeds at 4.6/5 ease and 4.5/5 onboarding from 1,420 reviews, and Preno at 4.8/5 ease and 4.7/5 onboarding from 170 reviews. Reviewers for both emphasize user-friendly interfaces and fast staff training.
Cloudbeds users highlight intuitive reservation workflows and a unified dashboard that reduces front desk friction. Preno reviewers praise its clean, simple interface that requires minimal training, especially for small teams. Preno’s integration with touchscreen devices and Xero simplifies daily tasks further.
However, Preno’s recent review volume has dropped sharply (3 reviews in 6 months versus an average of 23.3 previously), raising questions about ongoing usability improvements. Cloudbeds maintains strong recent review activity with high ease-of-use ratings.
Edge: Even.
Cloudbeds offers 34 unique hotel-specific features that Preno lacks, including an integrated payment terminal, online check-in/out, guest messaging with SMS, housekeeping mobile app, multi-currency support, digital registration with ID scanning, and a spa & wellness module. These features reduce manual work for front desk, housekeeping, and revenue teams, enabling automation of guest communications, faster check-ins, and flexible rate management.
Preno has no unique features beyond the 30 shared ones, limiting its functional scope. Its strengths lie in simplicity rather than feature breadth.
The presence of Cloudbeds’ advanced rate management and real-time 2-way channel integrations means hotels can automate pricing and availability updates, which Preno’s basic rate tools do not match. Cloudbeds also supports multi-lingual environments and unlimited channel connections without extra cost, critical for properties with international guests.
Edge: Cloudbeds PMS by Cloudbeds.
Preno edges out Cloudbeds in customer support, scoring 4.8/5 support and 4.7/5 onboarding versus Cloudbeds’ 4.4/5 support and 4.5/5 onboarding. Preno reviewers consistently commend prompt, knowledgeable support with real people answering phones and responsive issue resolution. This is a key advantage for small teams needing quick help.
Cloudbeds support reviews are mixed: many users report helpful, knowledgeable assistance and excellent onboarding materials. However, some cite slow ticket response times and lack of fast live phone support, which can delay urgent problem resolution.
Edge: Preno by Preno.
Cloudbeds has 208 verified partner integrations, including major channel managers (SiteMinder), guest feedback platforms (TrustYou, Revinate), payment processors, and niche tools for mobile keys (FLEXIPASS) and spa management. Preno has 17 verified partners, sharing key integrations like SiteMinder and Xero but lacking breadth in specialized tools.
Cloudbeds’ 13 shared integrations cover essentials, but its 195 unique integrations support hotels seeking to extend functionality across marketing, operations, and guest experience. Preno’s limited ecosystem suits simpler operations without third-party dependencies.
The integration difference matters if your hotel needs advanced revenue management, guest engagement, or multi-property tools.
Edge: Cloudbeds PMS by Cloudbeds.
Overall rating averages are close: Cloudbeds 4.6/5 across 1,420 reviews, Preno 4.8/5 across 170 reviews. Cloudbeds has 180 recent reviews with a 4.8/5 rating, indicating sustained satisfaction. Preno’s last 6 months include only 3 reviews, too few to confirm current quality, and representing an 87% drop in review activity.
Segment breakdown shows Preno rated higher by boutique hotels (4.8/5 from 68 reviews vs Cloudbeds 4.6/5 from 577) and motels (4.8/5 vs 4.4/5). Cloudbeds scores well across diverse segments, including hostels (4.6/5), resorts (4.6/5), and bed & breakfasts (4.6/5), with a much larger review base supporting these figures.
The significant difference in review volume and recency means Cloudbeds’ ratings are more reliable and up-to-date. Preno’s high ratings are positive but less certain due to shrinking review frequency.
Edge: Even.
Cloudbeds charges a base price of $600 per month with no implementation fee or freemium tier. Pricing is not per room or flat monthly, implying a bundled approach covering its unified platform.
Preno’s base price is $500 per month, also without implementation fees or per-room pricing. Preno offers a 30-day trial, unlike Cloudbeds’ lack of trial.
Neither vendor publishes detailed tiered pricing here, so comparing costs beyond base price is limited. Preno is $100 cheaper monthly but has fewer features. The trial offered by Preno may reduce risk for smaller properties testing software.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Cloudbeds and Preno serve independent hotels but diverge fundamentally in scale, features, and integration depth. Cloudbeds combines PMS, channel management, booking engine, and payments in one platform, scaling to medium and multi-property groups with 208 verified integrations. Preno focuses on small independents with essential PMS functions and native Xero integration, prioritizing ease of use and support.
Choose Cloudbeds if your property needs advanced automation, multi-currency support, integrated digital check-in/out, and access to a wide partner ecosystem for revenue management and guest experience enhancements. The platform’s 1,420 reviews averaging 4.6/5 with strong recent feedback confirm its reliability and ongoing development.
Choose Preno if your property is a small boutique hotel or motel under 20 rooms, valuing simple, fast onboarding and excellent support with native Xero accounting integration. Preno’s 4.8/5 rating across 170 reviews reflects user satisfaction, but the steep decline in recent reviews signals potential concerns with ongoing product momentum.
Cloudbeds is the better choice for hotels aiming to grow and optimize revenue with a broad feature set. Preno fits smaller operations prioritizing simplicity and support but with limited features and integrations.
These are the features each vendor has configured, organized by feature group — the same data shown in the vendor dashboard. Expand a group to compare features side by side.
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Accounting & Finance
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| Direct billing | ||
| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| Automated night audit | ||
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Marketing & Ecommerce
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| Guest Communication (SMS Messaging) | ||
| Native Email Marketing | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Guest CRM | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Booking Engine | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
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Administration & Configuration
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| Centralized user & role management | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Cloud based | ||
| On premise | ||
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Customer Management
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| Guest Communication (SMS Messaging) | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
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Front Office
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| Mobile Device Notes & Tasks (Voice-to-Text) | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Automated night audit | ||
| Calendar view | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Task Management | ||
| Automated reminders | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
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Groups Management
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| Group functionality | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
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Guest Experience
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| Integrated ID & Passport Scanner | ||
| Digital Registration | ||
| Guest App | ||
| Online Check-in | ||
| Online Checkout | ||
| Guest Messaging | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
| ID Scanning & Registration Pre-fill | ||
| Lobby Kiosk | ||
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Housekeeping
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| Housekeeping module | ||
| Housekeeping Mobile App | ||
| Real-Time Status Updates | ||
| Automated Assignments | ||
| Real Time Reporting | ||
| Shift Planning | ||
| Employee Messaging | ||
| Online Checkout | ||
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Payments
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| Integrated Payment Terminal & Card Reader | ||
| Direct billing | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Payment processing | ||
| Payment Requests | ||
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Reservations Management
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| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Gift Vouchers | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| Drag-n-Drop Tapechart | ||
| Rate Management | ||
| Automated Space Optimization | ||
| Rules Based Room Assignments | ||
| Transactional Emails (booking, folios, etc) | ||
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Revenue Management
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| RevPaR & ADR Reports | ||
| Custom rates | ||
| Ancillary revenue tracking | ||
| Revenue management module | ||
| Base Pricing | ||
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Taxes & Compliance
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| PCI Compliant | ||
| GDPR Compliant | ||
| SOC2 Complaint | ||
| Tax Configuration | ||
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Support & Training
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| Online 24/7 support | ||
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Food & Beverage
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| EPoS | ||
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Spa
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| Spa & Wellness Module |
We analyzed 8 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"I have not worked with a company that has such good customer service as Cloudbeds has. It's miles ahead."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"The biggest benefit of Cloudbeds' platform is its flexibility. I can access reporting online from anywhere. Everything is smoother with Cloudbeds."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"Cloudbeds is like if Apple made a property management system. The ease of use is super simple and straightforward for guests and our staff. It’s very intuitive and just makes sense..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Users consistently say Cloudbeds makes it easy to view, move, split, and update reservations from a single calendar, which speeds up front-desk work a... Users consistently say Cloudbeds makes it easy to view, move, split, and update reservations from a single calendar, which speeds up front-desk work and reduces errors. Many mention drag-and-drop changes, room moves, stay extensions, and a clear occupancy overview as major daily-operational benefits.
A major theme is that Cloudbeds is easy to learn and simple enough for small and medium properties with limited staff or technical expertise. Reviewer... A major theme is that Cloudbeds is easy to learn and simple enough for small and medium properties with limited staff or technical expertise. Reviewers repeatedly say the interface reduces training time and lets teams focus on guests rather than wrestling with the software.
Reporting is one of Cloudbeds’ most valued strengths because it helps teams review occupancy, revenue, cancellations, and business performance without... Reporting is one of Cloudbeds’ most valued strengths because it helps teams review occupancy, revenue, cancellations, and business performance without manual spreadsheets. At the same time, many users want faster downloads, better filtering, more customization, and more modern dashboard-style visuals.
Where hoteliers push back
Support is usually described as helpful and knowledgeable once reached, and many users praise the onboarding experience or training materials. The big... Support is usually described as helpful and knowledgeable once reached, and many users praise the onboarding experience or training materials. The biggest complaint is the lack of fast live phone help, with some reviewers saying chat queues, ticketing, or slow follow-up make urgent hotel issues harder to resolve.
Users like that Cloudbeds keeps payments, invoices, folios, receipts, and split bills in one place, which simplifies front-desk and finance work. Howe... Users like that Cloudbeds keeps payments, invoices, folios, receipts, and split bills in one place, which simplifies front-desk and finance work. However, some mention pay-by-link or gateway setup issues, local invoice/tax requirements, and the need for smoother payment workflows.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Reviewers consistently say Preno is easy for hotel teams to learn and operate, which reduces training time and day-to-day friction. This ease of use h... Reviewers consistently say Preno is easy for hotel teams to learn and operate, which reduces training time and day-to-day friction. This ease of use helps staff move faster across reservation, housekeeping, and billing tasks, supporting smoother operations with less manual effort.
Users highlight housekeeping as a strong operational fit, especially the ability to assign tasks and manage room-related workflows efficiently. Review... Users highlight housekeeping as a strong operational fit, especially the ability to assign tasks and manage room-related workflows efficiently. Reviewers say these functions are well designed and save time, helping hotels coordinate rooms more effectively and keep turnover moving.
Several reviews mention bills from different departments and the quality of reports for the finance team. This suggests Preno helps hotels consolidate... Several reviews mention bills from different departments and the quality of reports for the finance team. This suggests Preno helps hotels consolidate charges and improve financial visibility, reducing admin work and supporting better revenue tracking.
Where hoteliers push back
A reviewer notes that Preno could offer more payment options, such as handling early non-refundable payment differently from flexible pre-arrival paym... A reviewer notes that Preno could offer more payment options, such as handling early non-refundable payment differently from flexible pre-arrival payment. This points to a revenue and policy gap for hotels that need more nuanced payment rules to protect income and match booking conditions.
One review explicitly asks for paperless check-in support, showing this is a missing workflow for properties aiming to speed arrivals and reduce front... One review explicitly asks for paperless check-in support, showing this is a missing workflow for properties aiming to speed arrivals and reduce front-desk paperwork. Adding it could improve guest convenience and streamline check-in operations.
Ranks higher for
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Cloudbeds PMS and Preno share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Cloudbeds PMS offers 208 verified integration partners, while Preno offers 17. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Preno leads in ease of use at 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5. Look for transparent pricing and a trial or demo option. Filter reviews on each product page by property size to hear from hotels like yours.
Cloudbeds PMS: No. Preno: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Property Management Systems vendors offer demos or trials — request one from each to evaluate before committing.
The HT Score is a composite ranking that considers 4 criteria groups and over a dozen variables to help hoteliers objectively compare hotel technology products. Cloudbeds has an HT Score of 100 and Preno has 83. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
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| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
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How highly do users recommend this product? Ratings Score, Review Volume, Share of Voice, Review Depth, Review Recency, Success Stories ▾ The most heavily weighted factor. Analyzes average satisfaction ratings (likelihood to recommend, ease of use, support, ROI), total review count relative to category peers, review recency (at least 20 reviews in the trailing 6 months), and share of voice across unique hotel clients to detect selection bias. |
| Partner Ecosystem |
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How highly do tech partners recommend this company? Partner Recommendations, Integration Quantity, Integration Quality ▾ Evaluates partner recommendations as expert votes of confidence, the number of verified integrations, and ecosystem quality — the average HT Scores of integration partners. Products with higher-quality integration ecosystems are more likely to deliver a connected tech stack. |
| Customer Centricity |
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How customer-centric is this organization? Certified Support, Review Consistency, Profile Completeness ▾ Assesses whether the company has earned HTR Customer Support Certification, maintains consistent review collection over time (an indicator of feedback-driven culture), and keeps product profiles complete with capabilities, screenshots, pricing, and features. |
| Reach, Staying Power & Resources |
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How extensive is this company's reach and resourcing? Geographic Reach, Staying Power, Company Resources, Trending Score ▾ Measures global presence (countries and regions served), years in business as a stability proxy, team headcount as a resource proxy, and a trending score based on trailing-twelve-month buyer inquiries, reviews, partner recommendations, and press activity. |
Customer ratings and reviews are by far the most important factor in the HT Score algorithm. HTR does not accept payment for higher rankings. All reviews are verified — only hotel industry practitioners with confirmed affiliations can submit ratings. View full HT Score methodology →
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