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 165 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 Guest profiles and Guest CRM.
Semper shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Tablet/Kiosk Check-in and Centralized Messaging.
Side-by-side ratings based on 165 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
| HTScore |
|
|
| Likelihood to Recommend |
|
|
| Ease of Use |
|
|
| Customer Support |
|
|
| Value for Money |
|
|
| Starting Price | From $500/mo | From $600/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 108 | 57 |
After analyzing 165 verified reviews, Planet users most value its functionality and features, ease of use, multi-property management, while Semper users highlight support team, user-friendly, training and ease of learning. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Pros | |
|
+
Functionality and Features
▾
|
+
Support team
▾
|
|
+
Ease of Use
▾
|
+
User-friendly
▾
|
|
+
Multi-property Management
▾
|
+
Training and ease of learning
▾
|
|
+
Integration with POS and booking systems
▾
|
|
| Cons | |
|
−
Support Issues
▾
|
−
Customization and additional features
▾
|
|
−
Customization and Flexibility
▾
|
−
Reporting and accounting
▾
|
|
−
System Performance and Reliability
▾
|
−
Latency and system performance
▾
|
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 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #27 32 reviews | #20 35 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #15 50 reviews | #35 10 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #15 10 reviews | #40 1 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #17 3 reviews | — |
By Property Type
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Boutique ▾ | #21 42 reviews | #27 21 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #21 34 reviews | #18 33 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #17 33 reviews | #39 4 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #20 9 reviews | #34 3 reviews |
By Region
| Segment |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| North America ▾ | #29 6 reviews | #64 0 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #10 79 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | — | #34 1 reviews |
| Middle East | #15 2 reviews | — |
Choosing between Protél PMS by Planet and Semper hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, budget, and operational complexity. Protél offers extensive integration capabilities and a robust feature set, but recent reviews highlight issues with customer support and system bugs. Semper emphasizes ease of use, automation, and support, with more recent positive feedback and higher user ratings. Which product aligns better with your hotel’s priorities?
Protél PMS, with its 105 reviews and a solid 4.11/5 overall rating, is a longstanding hotel management system renowned for its broad integration ecosystem and customizable modules. In contrast, Semper boasts only 51 reviews but outperforms in customer support (4.88/5) and ease of use (4.55/5), making it a more approachable choice for daily operations. Protél’s complexity and slower support responses stand in contrast to Semper’s streamlined, guest-centric approach.
Both products aim to streamline hotel operations—from booking to check-out—but Protél’s extensive feature set and global presence serve mainly larger, multi-property, or technologically advanced hotels. Semper, with its focus on automation and user-friendliness, is better suited for smaller hotels and properties prioritizing quick onboarding and responsive support. Do you need a system built for complex operations or one that simplifies daily tasks?
If your hotel needs a customizable, highly integrated PMS capable of managing multiple properties and complex workflows, Protél is the better pick. It’s especially suitable for hotels seeking extensive third-party integrations, detailed reporting, and a flexible platform—though it may require more IT support and patience with support response times.
If your hotel values simplicity, rapid onboarding, and a system with strong support for routine tasks, Semper is the superior choice. It excels in automating check-in/out, offers built-in POS, and provides a more intuitive user experience—ideal for boutique hotels or properties with limited IT resources.
For large hotels or groups with complex needs, Protél’s advanced features outweigh its support challenges. Conversely, if your property prioritizes ease of operation and fast support, Semper is a safer investment.
Protél’s interface scores 4.12/5, with users appreciating its intuitive navigation and detailed reports, especially in single-property setups. However, reviews mention that its complexity can be overwhelming for new staff or smaller hotels, and support response times can delay issue resolution.
Semper, rated 4.55/5 for ease of use, receives praise for its straightforward workflows, quick training, and responsive customer service. Users highlight how staff can adopt the system rapidly, with consistent positive feedback on onboarding and ongoing support.
Edge: Semper.
Protél offers 37 shared features plus 9 exclusive to it, including multi-lingual support, guest profiles, integrated CRS, and automation tools like rules-based room assignments. Its extensive customization options enable tailored workflows, but some features are limited or require paid custom development.
Semper provides a broader feature set with 57 unique features, including automated night audits, online check-in/out, guest messaging, POS integration, and revenue management modules. Its comprehensive automation and real-time reporting facilitate daily management and revenue optimization.
Edge: Semper.
Protél’s customer support scores 3.95/5, with reviews citing slow response times, especially post-Planet acquisition, and frustration over unresolved bugs. Many users describe support as inconsistent and sometimes unprofessional, which hampers daily operations.
Semper’s support is rated 4.88/5, with reviews emphasizing prompt, friendly, and competent assistance. Users like Bea and Zizipho for their professionalism and patience, often noting that support resolves issues swiftly and effectively.
Edge: Semper.
Protél boasts over 195 verified partners, including major OTAs, channel managers, and revenue systems, offering high flexibility for diverse tech stacks. Its 1,200+ integrations make it ideal for hotels that need extensive third-party connections.
Semper, with only 11 verified partners, offers fewer integrations, primarily focusing on core functionalities like booking, POS, and accounting. While sufficient for many, hotels needing broad connectivity may find Protél’s ecosystem more advantageous.
Edge: Protél.
Protél’s 105 reviews and 4.11/5 rating are influenced by a mix of property types, with independent hotels rating it 4.5/5. Larger hotels and resorts appreciate its extensive features, but support concerns dampen overall satisfaction.
Semper, with 51 reviews and a 4.51/5 rating, is favored by boutique and smaller hotels, especially those valuing support and ease of operation. Recent reviews highlight how Semper’s support and automation features lead to higher satisfaction.
Edge: Semper.
Protél’s base price is $500 per month, with no free tier or trial period. Its pricing structure generally targets larger hotels or groups capable of investing in comprehensive systems.
Semper costs $600 per month, also without a free trial, but many users consider its ROI higher due to ease of use and faster setup. Both are premium solutions, but Semper’s slightly higher price may reflect its more modern, streamlined approach.
Not ideal if you prefer quick onboarding, straightforward daily management, or limited IT resources.
Not ideal if you require highly customizable or multi-property management capabilities.
Protél PMS from Planet is a comprehensive, highly customizable system suited for large, complex hotels needing extensive integrations and flexible workflows. Its rich feature set and global reach make it a strong choice for established properties with dedicated IT support; however, support issues and system bugs can hinder day-to-day operations.
Semper, with its focus on simplicity, automation, and support, appeals most to small and boutique hotels that want quick onboarding and reliable assistance. Its modern interface, broad automation features, and positive recent reviews position it as the more reliable choice for properties prioritizing ease of use and support.
If your hotel’s operations are complex or multi-property, Protél’s extensive ecosystem and customization make it the better fit. For properties emphasizing guest experience, streamlined daily management, and support, Semper delivers a more satisfying user experience—especially given its higher recent ratings and support scores.
According to HTR's product database, protel PMS (by Planet) and Semper share 37 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Automated night audit | ||
| Automated reminders | ||
| Centralized Messaging | ||
| Channel Manager | ||
| Guest CRM | ||
| Guest profiles | ||
| Integrated CRS | ||
| Mobile Device Notes & Tasks (Voice-to-Text) | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Online Check-in | ||
| Tablet/Kiosk Check-in |
Showing top differences. 54 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
The Semper support team receives high praise for their responsiveness, knowledge, and willingness to assist. Users appreciate the swift resolution of... The Semper support team receives high praise for their responsiveness, knowledge, and willingness to assist. Users appreciate the swift resolution of issues and the team's professional and friendly demeanor. Specific mentions of team members like Bea, Zizipho, and Melani highlight exceptional customer service.
Many reviewers commend Semper for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, which makes it accessible even for new employees with minimal training.... Many reviewers commend Semper for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, which makes it accessible even for new employees with minimal training. Features like the straightforward calendar layout, easy navigation, and simplified workflows contribute to its overall user-friendliness. However, some mention that while the system is user-friendly, its visual design appears outdated.
Training and ease of learning Semper are positively mentioned. Users find the system's tutorial and onboarding support helpful, and appreciate how qui... Training and ease of learning Semper are positively mentioned. Users find the system's tutorial and onboarding support helpful, and appreciate how quickly new staff can pick up the system due to its simplicity. Some reviews suggest more training opportunities would be beneficial.
Where hoteliers push back
Users appreciate the additional features offered by Semper, such as open table functions, various stock take options, and the ability to upload guest... Users appreciate the additional features offered by Semper, such as open table functions, various stock take options, and the ability to upload guest photos. Customization requests include more specific categories for reports, the ability to create unique reports, and further development of certain features such as color coding and user allocation for error resolution.
Semper's comprehensive reporting and accounting features are highlighted as valuable tools for hotel management. Customized reports help in stock cont... Semper's comprehensive reporting and accounting features are highlighted as valuable tools for hotel management. Customized reports help in stock control, budgeting, and financial oversight. Users find the automated responses and multiple report options beneficial for business operations. Suggestions for improvement include more categories for customized reports and refinement of Excel outputs.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. protel PMS (by Planet) and Semper share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. protel PMS (by Planet) offers 194 verified integration partners, while Semper offers 11. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Semper leads in ease of use at 4.5/5 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. Semper: 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 Semper has 22. Here is how the score is calculated.
| Criteria Group | Weight | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Ratings & Reviews |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 →
Product recommendations advisor