Optima PMS vs. RMS:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) is crucial for your hotel’s efficiency, guest experience, and revenue growth. With Optima PMS by Priority Software and RMS by RMS both vying for your attention, your decision hinges on understanding their core differences, strengths, and weaknesses. Both aim to streamline operations, but they approach this goal differently—one with an all-in-one platform, the other with a focus on automation and scalability.

Your hotel’s needs will determine the best fit: do you prioritize a broad, feature-rich system with global integration or a user-friendly platform with proven scalability? Let’s compare these two products to uncover which aligns better with your property.

Is Optima PMS by Priority Software or RMS Better for Hotels?

Optima PMS and RMS both serve to simplify hotel operations, but their core offerings reveal distinct priorities. Optima, built as an all-in-one solution, centralizes guest engagement, reservations, revenue management, and global connections in a single platform. RMS, meanwhile, emphasizes automation, real-time insights, and guest interaction tools that support rapid scaling.

Both systems aim to enhance operational efficiency, but RMS’s recent surge in reviews and higher overall ratings suggest it has gained more recent confidence from hoteliers. RMS’s focus on automation and guest experience makes it more attractive for properties seeking a modern, scalable system.

Do you need a comprehensive platform that covers every hotel management aspect in one place, or a flexible system that emphasizes automation and guest interaction? The choice depends on whether your focus is broad coverage or targeted efficiency.

RMS vs Optima PMS: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a highly scalable, feature-rich system with extensive integrations and a strong track record, RMS is the clear choice. Its over 290 recent reviews and a 4.56/5 overall rating point to widespread confidence, especially among mid-size and larger properties like resorts, motels, and boutique hotels.

Optima’s singular review count—just one—limits confidence, but it’s tailored more for resorts and complex desert hospitality sites requiring end-to-end management. RMS’s strength lies in dynamic reporting, trust accounting, integrated channel management, and a guest portal, making it ideal if you operate multiple properties or need advanced automation.

Conversely, if your hotel is a resort or a large property with complex needs and you value an all-in-one approach, Optima might appeal more, despite limited recent feedback. For most hoteliers seeking proven scalability, RMS is the safer, more tested pick.

Is RMS or Optima PMS Easier to Use?

RMS scores a 4.28/5 for ease of use, with many reviews praising its intuitive booking chart and straightforward management tools. Support feedback highlights helpful, friendly staff, with quick response times and a user-friendly interface appreciated by users who are often new to the system.

Optima’s ease of use is rated slightly higher at 4/5, but with significantly fewer reviews, it's harder to gauge widespread user satisfaction. The limited feedback indicates a potentially smoother onboarding process, though RMS’s recent reviews suggest the system’s core features are accessible and well-supported.

Edge: RMS.

Which Has Better Features: Optima PMS or RMS?

Optima offers 52 shared features with RMS, but it has only one feature exclusive to itself: Drag-n-Drop Tapechart, which enhances reservation management. RMS boasts 22 features unique to its platform, including guest CRM, multi-lingual and multi-currency support, booking engine, POS, guest messaging, and native email marketing.

RMS’s broader suite of specialized tools supports guest engagement, marketing, and multi-channel management. Its comprehensive feature set—especially in guest profiles and communication—makes it more adaptable for hotels focused on guest experience and automation.

Edge: RMS.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Optima PMS or RMS?

RMS’s customer support scores slightly higher at 4.48/5, with reviews emphasizing proactive, helpful support staff like Makiko and Tara. Users commend the quick responses, friendly service, and helpful troubleshooting, fostering confidence in its ongoing support.

Optima’s support rating is 4/5, but with only one recent review, it’s difficult to assess consistency. The review indicates enthusiasm for upcoming cloud developments, but RMS’s current support appears more robust based on recent feedback.

Edge: RMS.

Which Has More Integrations: Optima PMS or RMS?

RMS leads with 112 verified partners, including major OTAs and tech providers like TrustYou, SiteMinder, and Cendyn. Shared partners include STR and Revinate, with RMS specifically offering integrations like Criton, Sage, and HiJiffy, expanding its connectivity.

Optima has 40 verified partners, including Vertical Booking, TravelLine, and Onity, but its overall integration portfolio is smaller. For hotels relying on extensive third-party tools, RMS’s larger partner network offers more options.

Edge: RMS.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Optima PMS or RMS?

With over 290 recent reviews, RMS enjoys a 4.56/5 overall rating, with 86% of users likely to recommend it. Its reviews span a variety of hotel types, with many praising its automation, ease of use, and scalability, especially among boutique, motel, and independent properties.

Optima’s single review and a rating of 0/5 make it impossible to gauge user satisfaction. Given RMS’s strong recent review volume, it’s the clear favorite among hoteliers today.

Edge: RMS.

How Much Do Optima PMS and RMS Cost?

RMS charges a base price of $800 per month, with no free tier or trial information available. Pricing details for Optima are not publicly disclosed, but as part of Priority Software’s broader offering, it might involve customized quotes and implementation fees.

Given RMS’s transparent pricing model, hoteliers can better evaluate the ROI. The lack of clear pricing for Optima makes it harder to compare value directly.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Optima PMS?

• Hotels that operate complex resorts with multiple accommodation types and large group events.
• Teams seeking an all-in-one, centralized management system.
• Hotels aiming for a rich marketplace with global distribution, including GDS and OTA connectivity.
• Resorts or boutique properties that benefit from deep integration across guest engagement, reservations, and revenue management.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel prioritizes rapid scalability with automation.
• You need extensive third-party integrations beyond what Optima offers.
• Your focus is on a system with abundant recent reviews and proven support.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RMS?

• Hotels seeking scalable, feature-rich PMS with extensive automation.
• Properties that prioritize guest engagement, marketing, and real-time insights.
• Hotels with multiple properties or complex operations like RV parks and extended stays.
• Hotels that value a large partner network and proven support structure.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel is small, with minimal automation needs.
• You prefer a system with a lower upfront cost or no clear pricing.
• You operate in regions where RMS’s presence is limited.

RMS vs Optima PMS: The Bottom Line for Hotels

RMS’s overall capabilities, recent review volume, and higher ratings make it the recommended choice for most hoteliers today. Its suite of automation tools, extensive integrations, and proven support support hotels looking to scale and innovate.

Optima PMS by Priority Software caters well to resorts and properties with complex, integrated management needs. However, its limited recent reviews and fewer features make it a less versatile option for the broader hotel market.

If your hotel values a system with proven scalability and extensive partner integrations, RMS is the safer, more confident choice. Optima remains a solid option for large, complex resorts that need an all-in-one solution, but it lacks the recent support confidence RMS offers.

In summary, for most properties seeking dependable, modern PMS capabilities, RMS is the clear winner. Optima may suit specialized resorts, but the evidence favors RMS’s widespread adoption and recent positive feedback.