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 151 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:
Planet shines when it comes to functionality and features — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like On premise and Guest profiles.
Redforts shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Centralized Messaging and Mobile App.
Side-by-side ratings based on 151 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Value for Money |
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| Starting Price | From $500/mo | From $500/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 108 | 43 |
After analyzing 151 verified reviews, Planet users most value its functionality and features, ease of use, multi-property management, while Redforts users highlight ease of use and intuitive system, reservation management, customer service. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Functionality and Features
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Ease of use and intuitive system
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Ease of Use
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Reservation management
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Multi-property Management
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Customer service
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Continuous improvement and innovation
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| Cons | |
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Support Issues
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Integration capabilities
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Customization and Flexibility
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Interface and design improvements
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System Performance and Reliability
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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) ▾ | #27 32 reviews | #31 21 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #15 50 reviews | #49 3 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #15 10 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #17 3 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #21 42 reviews | #30 18 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #21 34 reviews | #39 5 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #17 33 reviews | #49 2 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #20 9 reviews | #37 2 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #29 6 reviews | #32 4 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #10 79 reviews | #14 39 reviews |
| Middle East | #15 2 reviews | — |
Choosing between Protel PMS by Planet and Redforts hinges on your hotel’s operational needs, scope, and growth plans. Both products aim to streamline hotel management but differ significantly in their features, usability, and market presence. Protel, with its long-standing history and extensive integrations, is geared toward mid-sized to large properties seeking customization and scalability. Redforts, on the other hand, offers a straightforward, all-in-one solution ideal for small to medium properties that value ease of use and cost efficiency.
Your team must weigh whether you prioritize a highly customizable, globally integrated platform or a simple, user-friendly system that minimizes manual effort. Are you prepared to handle potentially slower support and complex configuration with Protel, or do you prefer a more modern, intuitive experience with Redforts?
Protel PMS and Redforts serve different hotel profiles and operational priorities. Protel’s strength lies in its adaptability for diverse hotel types, especially independent, boutique, and resort hotels looking for deep customization and a broad integration ecosystem. It excels at complex property management, detailed reporting, and multi-platform operations, but reviews highlight challenges with slow support and bugs, especially in multi-property setups.
Redforts shines in simplicity and ease of use, offering an integrated suite that combines PMS, channel management, booking, and revenue tools in one platform. It is especially suited for small hotels, hostels, and properties prioritizing automation and cost savings, with recent reviews praising its intuitive interface and quick onboarding. Would your hotel benefit more from a flexible platform with extensive integrations or an easy-to-operate system that reduces manual tasks?
If your hotel needs a versatile PMS capable of handling complex operations across multiple properties with broad integration capabilities, go with Protel. Its extensive feature set—including multi-lingual support, guest CRM, and integrated payments—makes it suitable for larger, independent, and resort hotels aiming for scalability.
If your hotel prioritizes simplicity, rapid deployment, and cost-effective management, Redforts is the better pick. Its all-in-one suite simplifies daily operations, reduces human errors, and supports small to medium-sized properties, especially those looking for an intuitive experience and responsive customer support.
For hotels with a small portfolio or those new to PMS technology, Redforts provides a quick, straightforward solution. Conversely, if your hotel is part of a larger chain or plans aggressive growth, Protel’s extensive customization and integration options make it more suitable.
Protel PMS scores a 4.12 out of 5 for ease of use, with many users appreciating its clear interface and fast navigation, especially in the cloud version. However, some reviews mention a steep learning curve for complex functionalities and slow support response times that can hinder staff adoption.
Redforts outperforms here with a 4.68 out of 5, and users consistently praise its straightforward, intuitive interface. With a recent 4.32/5 onboarding rating, it is easier for staff to learn and implement, reducing errors and speeding up daily management.
Edge: Redforts.
Protel offers 34 shared features plus 12 exclusive to it, including multi-currency, multi-lingual support, integrated CRM, and advanced reporting tools. Its feature depth supports complex property needs, especially in multi-property environments, but some features are slow to implement or buggy, according to reviews.
Redforts provides a more streamlined set of features—its core offering includes PMS, channel management, booking engine, revenue and yield management, online check-in, and PoS integration. While it covers essential operational needs, it has fewer advanced features and customization options, but its simplicity is a major advantage.
Edge: Protel PMS.
Protel’s support scores 3.95/5, with reviews citing long response times and frustration over unresolved bugs, especially after Planet’s acquisition. Some users feel support is inconsistent and slow, which can disrupt daily operations.
Redforts excels with a 4.53/5 rating, with many reviews highlighting quick, friendly, and attentive customer service. Users say that Jan and the team are responsive, often resolving issues within hours, making support a key strength.
Edge: Redforts.
Protel boasts over 195 verified partners, including major systems like Innspire, RevControl, and Profitroom, offering extensive connectivity for large, multi-system hotels. However, few integrations are with channel managers, with only two verified partners (Mr Winston and WuBook).
Redforts has only two verified partners—WuBook and Mr Winston—but offers direct, efficient integrations with booking engines, POS, and other peripherals. Its ecosystem is smaller, but the available integrations are reliable and straightforward.
Edge: Protel PMS.
Protel’s 105 reviews yield an overall rating of 4.11/5, with independent hotels rating it slightly higher at 4.5/5. Hotel chains and resorts appreciate its customization and extensive features, but some note its support issues.
Redforts, with only 40 reviews, scores a 0/5 overall, which is a limitation in data validity. However, recent reviews consistently rate it highly, especially for ease of use and customer support, with a 9.5/10 NPS score.
Note: Given the recent reviews and higher overall ratings, Redforts is the more trusted choice by hoteliers.
Both products are priced at $500.00 as a base fee, with no mention of additional implementation fees or monthly per-room charges. Cost-wise, they are directly comparable, but budget considerations may sway your choice based on the value delivered.
Not ideal if:
Not ideal if:
Protel PMS offers a robust, highly customizable platform suited for larger, complex hotels or chains seeking extensive integration and tailored solutions. Its strength lies in its adaptability, detailed reporting, and broad ecosystem, but support responsiveness and bugs can be issues.
Redforts provides a clean, intuitive, and cost-efficient system ideal for small or mid-sized properties that prioritize ease of use and quick deployment. Its customer service and recent reviews favor it as a reliable, straightforward choice for operational automation.
For hotels with large, complex needs and resources to support a sophisticated system, Protel is the superior choice. Conversely, if your hotel values simplicity, rapid onboarding, and strong support, Redforts is the better fit.
According to HTR's product database, protel PMS (by Planet) and Redforts share 34 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
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| Automated reminders | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Guest App | ||
| Guest CRM | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| On premise | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in |
Showing top differences. 12 more features differ between these products.
We analyzed 4 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"It feels like a partnership, not a product. Our feedback is always heard and acted on. We’re working together for the shared goal of great guest service."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
Users appreciate Protel's extensive features for managing single properties, with comprehensive tools for reporting, room plans, and rate management.... Users appreciate Protel's extensive features for managing single properties, with comprehensive tools for reporting, room plans, and rate management. However, many reviews expressed disappointment that a lot of these functionalities are incomplete, buggy, or missing entirely when dealing with more complex setups or multi-property environments. Custom reports and seamless integration with other tools are also highlighted as beneficial.
The user interface is generally praised for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Many users found Protel Air particularly user-friendly and noted the... The user interface is generally praised for being intuitive and easy to navigate. Many users found Protel Air particularly user-friendly and noted the efficiency in managing daily operations. However, certain updates have made certain functions more complex and less intuitive than before.
Protel's performance in catering to multi-property environments received mixed feedback. While some users praised its organizational tools and interfa... Protel's performance in catering to multi-property environments received mixed feedback. While some users praised its organizational tools and interfaces, many found the system frustratingly limited for multi-location setups, highlighting significant bugs and reduced functionalities.
Where hoteliers push back
Customer support is a consistent area of concern. Reviews mentioned long waiting times for support requests, lack of phone availability, and poor resp... Customer support is a consistent area of concern. Reviews mentioned long waiting times for support requests, lack of phone availability, and poor response times after the acquisition by Planet. Users recommend improving the speed and reliability of customer service.
Users are generally happy with the level of customization available in Protel, allowing them to adapt the system to better fit their specific needs. H... Users are generally happy with the level of customization available in Protel, allowing them to adapt the system to better fit their specific needs. However, this flexibility often comes at a high cost, and some required features are only available through paid custom development.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
What hoteliers love
Many users appreciate Redforts for its intuitive design, which simplifies training and reduces human errors. This streamlines daily operations, freein... Many users appreciate Redforts for its intuitive design, which simplifies training and reduces human errors. This streamlines daily operations, freeing up staff for other tasks.
The system excels at managing reservations, preventing overbooking, and integrating with multiple platforms. Customization for booking engines and cha... The system excels at managing reservations, preventing overbooking, and integrating with multiple platforms. Customization for booking engines and channel management is also highlighted as a significant strength.
The attentive and responsive customer service is frequently applauded. Users mention personal communication and quick resolution of issues, contributi... The attentive and responsive customer service is frequently applauded. Users mention personal communication and quick resolution of issues, contributing to an overall positive experience.
Where hoteliers push back
Redforts integrates efficiently with booking engines, channel managers, and other platforms, providing a seamless management experience. This capabili... Redforts integrates efficiently with booking engines, channel managers, and other platforms, providing a seamless management experience. This capability simplifies coordination between different systems and platforms.
While the functionality is praised, several reviews mention that the interface appears outdated and could benefit from modernization to enhance visual... While the functionality is praised, several reviews mention that the interface appears outdated and could benefit from modernization to enhance visual appeal and efficiency.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. protel PMS (by Planet) and Redforts share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. protel PMS (by Planet) offers 194 verified integration partners, while Redforts offers 2. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Redforts leads in ease of use at 4.7/5 vs 4.1/5. 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.
protel PMS (by Planet): No. Redforts: 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. Planet has an HT Score of 33 and Redforts has 73. 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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