Preno vs. protel PMS (by Planet):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) is crucial for your hotel's operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and revenue growth. Preno by Preno and protel PMS by Planet are two prominent options, each promising to streamline your daily tasks and enhance your guest experience. While both aim to simplify hotel management, their features, user feedback, and integrations differ significantly, making your choice dependent on your hotel’s specific needs.

Preno is a cloud-native platform with a strong focus on usability and support, boasting a higher review count and more recent positive feedback. In contrast, protel PMS offers extensive functionality and broader integration options but has mixed recent reviews about customer support and system stability. Which system aligns better with your hotel’s scale and operational complexity?

Is Preno or protel PMS Better for Hotels?

Both Preno and protel PMS serve the core purpose of managing reservations, check-ins, and guest data. Preno emphasizes ease of use, quick onboarding, and responsive customer support, making it ideal for small to medium hotels seeking simplicity and reliability. protel, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive suite of features, including multi-currency, guest CRM, and advanced rate management, suited for larger or multi-property hotels requiring extensive customization.

The main divergence lies in their approach: Preno prioritizes user-friendly design and quick setup, while protel provides a flexible, scalable platform with a broader ecosystem of integrations. Given recent reviews, Preno’s high customer satisfaction and more recent positive feedback tip the scale. Are you looking for a straightforward solution or a highly customizable platform?

Preno vs protel PMS: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a simple, cloud-based PMS with excellent support, go with Preno. It’s especially suitable for boutique hotels, motels, and properties that value rapid deployment and minimal training. For hotels that require advanced features like multi-currency support, detailed revenue management, and extensive integrations, protel is the better fit, particularly for larger hotels or chains.

Boutique hotels or properties with limited technical staff should lean toward Preno’s intuitive interface, while complex properties needing tailored workflows and integrations should consider protel, despite its slower support response times. Your decision should reflect your operational complexity and growth plans.

Is Preno or protel PMS Easier to Use?

Preno scores a 4.78/5 for ease of use, with reviewers praising its intuitive interface, simple setup, and straightforward navigation. Hoteliers say it’s "brilliant," especially for those new to PMS technology, and highlight its quick onboarding process, supported by a highly rated support team.

Protel’s usability scores lower at 4.12/5, with many users mentioning that its interface can be complex and sometimes frustrating, especially when dealing with bugs or extensive customization. Recent reviews also point out support delays, which affect the overall user experience. Edge: Preno.

Which Has Better Features: Preno or protel PMS?

Preno offers 5 exclusive features, including automated night audits, a mobile app, channel management, and EPoS—covering essential hotel operations efficiently. Its integration with tools like Xero and channel managers simplifies financial and booking processes.

Protel boasts 21 features exclusive to it, such as multi-lingual support, guest CRM, gift vouchers, integrated ID scanners, shift planning, and payment requests. This extensive feature set caters to larger hotels needing detailed revenue and operational controls.

While protel's feature count is higher, Preno’s core functionalities are more than sufficient for small to medium properties. Edge: protel PMS.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Preno or protel PMS?

Preno’s customer support is highly rated at 4.8/5, with reviews emphasizing fast, friendly, and helpful assistance. Hoteliers frequently mention the support team’s responsiveness and their ease of communication, which often resolves issues quickly.

Protel’s support scores lower at 3.95/5, with reviews citing slow response times, delayed issue resolution, and frustrations over ongoing bugs. Some users describe the support experience as inconsistent and unprofessional, especially after Planet’s acquisition.

Edge: Preno.

Which Has More Integrations: Preno or protel PMS?

Preno integrates with 17 verified partners, including popular tools like Xero, SiteMinder, RevControl, and TrustYou. Its ecosystem is sufficient for most small to mid-sized hotels that rely on standard channel managers and financial tools.

Protel offers an extensive ecosystem with over 1,200 integrations, including major systems like Innspire, Lybra Tech, and NightsBridge. Its vast array of integrations supports complex multi-property operations and diverse tech stacks.

For most hoteliers, Preno’s ecosystem is adequate and easier to manage. Edge: protel PMS.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Preno or protel PMS?

Preno’s overall rating is 4.73/5 based on 144 reviews, with recent feedback reaffirming its ease of use and support quality. Hotels like boutique properties and motels, especially in regions like Australia, New Zealand, and North America, give it high marks, praising its simplicity and integration with accounting tools.

Protel’s rating stands at 4.11/5 from 105 reviews, with some praise for its extensive features but notable criticism about slow support and bugs. Larger hotels and resorts sometimes value the broad capabilities, but recent reviews are mixed.

Edge: Preno.

How Much Do Preno and protel PMS Cost?

Preno is priced at a flat $800 monthly fee, with no free tier or visible flexible pricing options. Its pricing suits small to medium hotels that prioritize support and ease over extensive customization.

Protel’s base price is $500 per month, but additional costs may arise from its broader features, integrations, and potential customization needs. It’s generally more expensive but offers more scalability.

Exact costs depend on your property’s size and required features—consult vendors for tailored quotes.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Preno?

• Hotels that prioritize simplicity and quick implementation, such as boutique hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and small resorts.
• Teams that want an intuitive, web-based interface with minimal training requirements.
• Properties needing basic integrations with accounting and channel management tools.
• Hotels with limited IT staff or those seeking to avoid complex customizations.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel has multiple locations requiring extensive multi-property management.
• You need advanced revenue management, multi-currency, or guest CRM features.
• Your operations involve complex automation or on-premise solutions.

What Type of Hotel Should Use protel?

• Hotels that require a highly customizable PMS capable of supporting complex workflows.
• Chains and resort properties with multiple locations and diverse operational needs.
• Hotels needing extensive integrations with over 1,200 third-party systems.
• Properties looking for a flexible platform that can support both cloud and on-premise deployments.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel prefers a straightforward, easy-to-use interface without extensive customization.
• You need quick onboarding and responsive support due to tight operational timelines.
• Your property is small, with limited technical staff or budget constraints.

protel PMS vs Preno: The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference between Preno and protel lies in simplicity versus complexity. Preno is a cloud-based solution designed for hotels seeking ease of use, fast onboarding, and dependable support, making it ideal for boutique hotels and independent properties.

Protel offers a highly flexible and feature-rich platform suited for large, multi-property, or complex hotels that need extensive integration and customization, despite some recent support concerns.

If your hotel values quick setup, responsive service, and a straightforward interface, Preno is the better choice. If your operations demand advanced features, deep integrations, and scalability, protel is worth the investment, provided you can manage its support challenges.

This comparison aims to clarify which PMS aligns with your hotel’s size, operational complexity, and growth ambitions. Consider your specific needs carefully—both systems can serve different hotel segments effectively but require different levels of management and support.