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 53 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:
RUNNR.ai shines when it comes to automation of guest inquiries , with exclusive features like Broadcast Messaging and Pre-programmed Guest Notifications.
Sojern shines , with exclusive features like Mobile App.
Side-by-side ratings based on 53 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $400/mo | From $400/mo |
| Verified Reviews | 34 | 19 |
After analyzing 53 verified reviews, RUNNR.ai users most value its automation of guest inquiries, improvement in guest satisfaction, multichannel communication, while Sojern users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Automation of Guest Inquiries
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Improvement in Guest Satisfaction
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Multichannel Communication
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Cost Efficiency
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Integration with PMS/CRM
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Potential Technology Improvements
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Flexibility and Customization
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How each product ranks among Guest Messaging Software vendors for different property sizes, types, and regions — based on verified reviews from hoteliers in each segment.
By Hotel Size
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| Small (10-24 rooms) ▾ | #15 4 reviews | #13 6 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #14 17 reviews | #20 10 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #21 2 reviews | #19 2 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | #13 3 reviews | #18 1 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #14 15 reviews | #20 9 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #13 12 reviews | #22 5 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #19 7 reviews | #18 6 reviews |
| Extended Stay | #15 2 reviews | #24 1 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #27 0 reviews | #12 17 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #7 29 reviews | #21 1 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | — | #18 0 reviews |
| Middle East | — | #10 1 reviews |
Choosing between RUNNR.ai by RUNNR.ai and Sojern AI Smart Concierge hinges on your hotel's specific needs and priorities. Both aim to automate guest communication, but they differ significantly in features, global reach, and user feedback. Your team needs to evaluate which platform aligns best with your operational goals, guest experience standards, and integration capacity.
RUNNR.ai offers a robust feature set and more recent, numerous reviews, indicating a broader adoption and user satisfaction. Sojern, meanwhile, has a higher overall rating and a more limited regional presence. Which aligns better with your hotel’s scale and strategic goals?
Both platforms aim to enhance guest engagement through AI-driven messaging, but their scope and sophistication vary. RUNNR.ai combines automation with extensive features like workflows, upsell campaigns, and sentiment analysis, targeting hotels seeking a comprehensive guest communication system. Sojern focuses on simplifying guest interactions with AI chat, emphasizing reducing workload and responding swiftly, primarily serving North American hotels.
RUNNR.ai’s 31 reviews in the last six months, with an overall rating of 0/5, speak to recent user experience but suggest room for improvement or possible dissatisfaction. Sojern’s 17 reviews, with a 4.75/5 rating and recent feedback, indicate stronger, current user confidence, especially in North American markets.
Can a hotel prioritize a broad feature set with customizable workflows, or is rapid, reliable guest response more critical? The decision hinges on your operational complexity and regional focus.
If your hotel needs a highly customizable platform with extensive automation, campaign management, and integrations, go with RUNNR.ai. It’s better suited for hotels looking to automate repetitive tasks, manage multi-property portfolios, and boost sales through targeted upselling features. For example, hotels aiming to automate guest notifications, offer campaigns, and sentiment analysis will find RUNNR.ai’s 34 unique features compelling.
If your hotel operates primarily in North America and values a straightforward, highly-rated messaging system with excellent support, Sojern is the better choice. Its 33 verified integrations and consistent 4.75/5 reviews from North American hotels make it an attractive option for properties that want reliable communication without complex customization. Its simple interface suits hotels that prioritize ease of use over extensive features.
In summary, choose RUNNR.ai if you need a flexible, feature-rich system and are prepared to invest in setup complexity. Opt for Sojern if your focus is on proven performance, regional support, and straightforward guest messaging.
RUNNR.ai’s usability is rated 4.84/5, with reviews praising its intuitive interface and onboarding process. Users highlight its ability to automate 95% of inquiries, empowering staff without overwhelming them. However, some mention that the platform’s extensive features can initially seem overwhelming, requiring dedicated training.
Sojern scores 4.59/5, with reviews emphasizing its simplicity and ease of implementation. Customers appreciate its straightforward setup and clear communication channels, which have helped reduce staff training time. Support from the vendor is also highly rated, making it accessible for hotels without large IT teams.
Edge: RUNNR.ai.
RUNNR.ai offers a rich suite of 34 features, including broadcast messaging, automated workflows, upsell campaigns, ticketing, sentiment analysis, and multi-property management. These enable deep customization, automation, and personalization, making it suitable for hotels with complex operational needs.
Sojern provides only 2 unique features—Mobile App and Facebook Messenger Integration—compared to RUNNR.ai’s extensive toolkit. While simpler, these may limit advanced automation options but can still be effective for basic guest messaging.
Edge: RUNNR.ai.
RUNNR.ai boasts a support rating of 4.81/5, with recent reviews citing quick responses and helpful onboarding. Users appreciate the personalized attention, although the platform’s small team means support may be less immediate than larger vendors.
Sojern’s support rating is slightly higher at 4.88/5, with reviews highlighting excellent responsiveness and dedicated account management. Its larger team ensures consistent, prompt support, which is crucial for hotels relying heavily on guest engagement.
Edge: Sojern.
RUNNR.ai integrates with 17 verified partners, including major platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb, with additional connectivity in the pipeline. Its integrations are focused on hospitality-specific systems, supporting operational workflows.
Sojern offers 33 verified integrations, including many hospitality and marketing tools such as Profitroom, Mirai, and The Hotels Network. This broader ecosystem allows for more extensive data sharing and automation options.
Edge: Sojern.
RUNNR.ai’s reviews, all within recent months, give it a 0/5 rating, which suggests some dissatisfaction or issues despite a high NPS score of 9.68/10. Its 96% likelihood to recommend indicates strong potential but mixed experiences.
Sojern’s reviews, with a 4.75/5 rating from 17 recent reviews, paint a clearer picture of satisfaction, especially among North American hotels. Its high scores across support and ease of use reinforce its reputation.
Edge: Sojern.
Both platforms are priced at a base of $400/month, with no freemium, flat-rate, or per-room charges. The pricing model is straightforward, making budgeting predictable for hotels of various sizes.
There are no additional implementation fees or trial options, so your team should assess whether the features justify the monthly investment based on your operational needs.
Not ideal if...
Not ideal if...
Core Difference: RUNNR.ai is a feature-rich, automation-heavy platform aimed at hotels seeking comprehensive guest communication and operational automation. Sojern offers a simplified, reliable messaging solution with proven support, mainly suitable for North American hotels.
When to choose RUNNR.ai: If your hotel needs detailed automation, multi-property management, sentiment analysis, and campaign capabilities, RUNNR.ai’s 34 features make it a compelling choice. Its ability to integrate with a wide array of systems and manage complex workflows supports larger or more sophisticated operations.
When to choose Sojern: If your hotel values a straightforward, highly-rated guest messaging platform that reduces workload with minimal setup, Sojern’s support and simpler interface are ideal. Its regional dominance and high satisfaction ratings make it best for hotels prioritizing reliability over extensive customization.
Final recommendation: For hotels with complex automation needs, multi-channel campaigns, and a regional presence in multiple markets, RUNNR.ai’s extensive features and recent reviews make it the stronger option. Conversely, if your hotel operates mainly in North America and seeks a user-friendly, well-supported solution, Sojern’s high ratings and support edge should guide your choice.
According to HTR's product database, RUNNR.ai and Sojern AI Smart Concierge share 16 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Automated Workflows | ||
| Broadcast Messaging | ||
| Facebook Messenger Integration | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Offer Campaigns | ||
| Room Upgrades Campaigns | ||
| Tasks & Checklists | ||
| Upsell Fulfillment Tracking |
Showing top differences. 24 more features differ between these products.
What hoteliers love
RUNNR.ai automates the majority of guest inquiries, significantly reducing the workload on reception staff. The system provides instant, human-like re... RUNNR.ai automates the majority of guest inquiries, significantly reducing the workload on reception staff. The system provides instant, human-like responses, often without guests realizing they are interacting with AI, thereby enhancing both efficiency and guest experiences.
RUNNR.ai significantly improves guest satisfaction by enabling more efficient communication, allowing guests to receive quick responses and personal a... RUNNR.ai significantly improves guest satisfaction by enabling more efficient communication, allowing guests to receive quick responses and personal attention, which boosts their overall experience.
While RUNNR.ai supports WhatsApp and online platforms, suggestions include diversifying communication channels to include options like SMS, broadening... While RUNNR.ai supports WhatsApp and online platforms, suggestions include diversifying communication channels to include options like SMS, broadening reach especially in regions where WhatsApp is less common.
Where hoteliers push back
Users desire more seamless integration with Property Management Systems. While some progress has been made, expanding integration options would free u... Users desire more seamless integration with Property Management Systems. While some progress has been made, expanding integration options would free up additional staff time and improve system usability.
Users suggest enhancements such as Gmail integration, as well as more robust connectivity and communication options to further leverage the system's p... Users suggest enhancements such as Gmail integration, as well as more robust connectivity and communication options to further leverage the system's potential.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. RUNNR.ai and Sojern AI Smart Concierge share many core Guest Messaging Software features, but each has unique capabilities. RUNNR.ai offers 18 verified integration partners, while Sojern AI Smart Concierge offers 33. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. RUNNR.ai 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.
RUNNR.ai: No. Sojern AI Smart Concierge: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Guest Messaging Software 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. RUNNR.ai has an HT Score of 76 and Sojern has 0. 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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