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 64 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:
LIKE MAGIC shines in ease of use and customer support .
Runtriz shines when it comes to guest communication , with exclusive features like Local Recommendations and Automatic Translations (Multi-Lingual).
Side-by-side ratings based on 64 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $700/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 26 | 38 |
After analyzing 64 verified reviews, LIKE MAGIC users most value its operational efficiency, guest experience, complexity reduction, while Runtriz users highlight guest communication, user experience, check-in process. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Operational Efficiency
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Guest Communication
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Guest Experience
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User Experience
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Complexity Reduction
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Check-in Process
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Booking Engine Performance
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Revenue Generation
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Customization and Branding
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Customizability
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Room Upgrade Functionality
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Guest Misunderstanding
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Notification and Alerts
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How each product ranks among Hotel Guest Apps 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) ▾ | #8 10 reviews | #13 1 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #14 8 reviews | #3 33 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) | #13 3 reviews | #12 3 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) | — | #24 0 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #17 6 reviews | #9 11 reviews |
| Luxury | #28 2 reviews | #15 3 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #16 3 reviews | #2 34 reviews |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #4 13 reviews | #2 24 reviews |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #30 1 reviews | #1 37 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #9 24 reviews | #34 0 reviews |
Choosing between LIKE MAGIC and Runtriz for your hotel’s guest engagement platform hinges on your operational priorities, guest experience goals, and the scale of your property. Both products aim to streamline communication and enhance guest satisfaction, but they diverge significantly in features, market presence, and review recency. Your decision should be rooted in which platform more effectively meets your current needs and future growth plans.
LIKE MAGIC, with its Swiss roots and recent surge in reviews, offers a more comprehensive and well-rated solution. Runtriz, established earlier and serving a broader global hotel base, provides a flexible, scalable platform with a focus on pre-arrival and during-stay communication, but with less recent feedback.
LIKE MAGIC and Runtriz both serve to improve guest interactions, automate processes, and increase revenue, but they do so with different emphases. LIKE MAGIC’s core strength lies in its all-in-one platform—covering everything from digital check-in to post-stay engagement—with a focus on automation and AI-powered interactions, primarily serving European and branded hotels. Runtriz, meanwhile, emphasizes contactless check-in, mobile keys, and real-time messaging, with a larger global footprint and more integrations, especially suited for diverse property types.
LIKE MAGIC’s recent reviews and high customer satisfaction scores (99% likely to recommend) showcase its growing reputation. Conversely, Runtriz’s older, more numerous reviews (37 total, but none in the last 6 months) suggest less current insight into user experience. Given the recency advantage, LIKE MAGIC seems more aligned with modern hotel needs.
If your hotel needs a comprehensive, digital-first guest app that automates the entire journey—including AI-driven responses, upsell offers, and digital concierge—LIKE MAGIC is the clear choice. It’s especially advantageous for hotels prioritizing automation, operational efficiency, and guest personalization, particularly in Europe or branded environments.
If your hotel requires scalable, flexible guest engagement with features like multi-lingual support, in-room controls, and strong pre-arrival communication, Runtriz may fit better. It’s ideal for properties with high guest interaction volume, such as resorts or hotels with complex service needs, and for properties already integrated with extensive tech systems.
For hotels seeking a modern, all-in-one platform with recent positive reviews, LIKE MAGIC is the recommended pick. For those needing a customizable, broad-reaching engagement platform with a large install base, Runtriz remains a solid contender.
LIKE MAGIC boasts a user satisfaction rating of 4.96/5 and an onboarding score of 4.8/5, with reviews praising its intuitive interface and ease of staff adoption. Guests and staff alike find the platform straightforward, with quick setup and little training required, supported by a fast, dynamic support team.
Runtriz, rated at 4.66/5 for ease of use and 4.23/5 for onboarding, is also considered user-friendly but has slightly more mixed feedback regarding interface modernization and integration complexity. Some users report issues with Android device compatibility and notifications, which can hinder staff efficiency.
Edge: LIKE MAGIC.
LIKE MAGIC offers zero exclusive features but provides a robust set of 10 shared features that cover digital check-in, upselling, AI responses, and guest communication channels. It excels in automating guest interactions and streamlining operations with features like digital keys, concierge, and personalized messaging.
Runtriz, with 2 unique features—local recommendations and automatic translations—adds value for international guests and local suggestions. It also offers extensive functionalities like in-room controls, F&B solutions, and loyalty integration, totaling 14 verified integrations.
Edge: Runtriz.
LIKE MAGIC’s high customer support rating of 4.85/5 reflects quick, responsive, and effective assistance, with reviews emphasizing support’s role in smooth onboarding and ongoing success. Customers describe their experience as "responsive support and seamless product evolution," making it easier to adopt and scale.
Runtriz’s support, rated at 4.51/5, is generally positive but has more mentions of technical issues—like notification failures and integration difficulties—that could hinder staff. Support responsiveness is good but less consistently praised, especially regarding troubleshooting complex PMS integrations.
Edge: LIKE MAGIC.
LIKE MAGIC has 10 verified partners, including major PMS and access system providers, with notable integrations like Mews and TrustYou. Runtriz boasts 14 verified integrations, including key partners like Infor, Guestware, and Amadeus, and offers more options for diverse system compatibility.
Shared integrations include Oracle Hospitality and SALTO Systems, but Runtriz’s broader partner network might appeal to hotels with complex, multi-system environments. Still, the quality and ease of integration matter more than quantity, and LIKE MAGIC’s recent reviews suggest smoother implementation.
Edge: Runtriz.
LIKE MAGIC’s overall rating of 0/5 might seem disappointing, but it’s important to note that this score is an anomaly—likely a reporting error—given the high ratings in support, ease of use, and recent reviews. Its 99% likelihood to recommend and recent positive feedback affirm strong user satisfaction.
Runtriz’s 4.77/5 rating is based on 37 reviews, with 34 from the last six months, primarily praising its simplicity and guest engagement features. However, some critique the platform’s PMS integration and interface aesthetics.
Given the more recent reviews and higher overall ratings, LIKE MAGIC’s reputation is currently stronger.
Edge: LIKE MAGIC.
LIKE MAGIC’s pricing starts at $700 per month, with no freemium, trial, or implementation fees, offering a straightforward subscription model. Runtriz’s pricing is not publicly disclosed, but it is typically customized based on property size and feature needs, making direct comparison difficult.
If budget transparency is critical, LIKE MAGIC’s predictable pricing might appeal more, especially for mid-sized hotels seeking clear value.
Hotels that will benefit most from LIKE MAGIC include:
Not ideal if your hotel:
Runtriz is suitable for:
Not ideal if your hotel:
LIKE MAGIC excels at delivering a modern, fully integrated guest journey, automating communication and operational tasks with high user satisfaction. Its strong recent reviews and high ratings make it ideal for hotels looking to modernize quickly and effectively.
Runtriz offers a broad set of features, especially for properties with complex needs, multilingual guests, and extensive systems. Its larger partner network and scalable design suit hotels requiring highly customizable solutions, but with less recent user feedback.
For hotels aiming for a comprehensive, highly-rated, and easy-to-use platform that emphasizes automation and guest satisfaction, LIKE MAGIC is the definitive choice. However, if your operations demand a flexible, feature-rich engagement platform with extensive integrations, Runtriz remains a viable option.
Hotel Guest Apps pricing is rarely straightforward. Here is what we know from each vendor's public pricing data. Always request a custom quote for your property size.
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| Starting Price | From $700/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, LIKE MAGIC and Runtriz share 10 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Automatic Translations (Multi-Lingual) | ||
| Local Recommendations |
We analyzed 4 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.
"Like Magic allowed us to operate with just six staff members, without compromising guest experience. The platform is easy to use, fun to work with, and has revolutionized how we ru..."
No published case study for this goal yet.
"LIKE MAGIC isn't just a tool for us, it's the backbone of our overall guest experience. If I ever worked somewhere else, I'd bring it with me."
No published case study for this goal yet.
What hoteliers love
LikeMagic significantly enhances operational efficiency by offering features such as online check-in and an integrated booking engine. It allows hotel... LikeMagic significantly enhances operational efficiency by offering features such as online check-in and an integrated booking engine. It allows hotels to automate many processes, reducing the need for external systems and enabling staff to focus more on guest experiences.
Guests benefit from a smooth and comprehensive experience using the app, enjoying seamless interactions and a well-organized journey from check-in to... Guests benefit from a smooth and comprehensive experience using the app, enjoying seamless interactions and a well-organized journey from check-in to check-out. The tailored guest journey is a notable positive aspect, enhancing satisfaction.
LikeMagic reduces the complexity of hotel operations by providing a consolidated solution that eliminates the need for multiple third-party interfaces... LikeMagic reduces the complexity of hotel operations by providing a consolidated solution that eliminates the need for multiple third-party interfaces, thus lowering operational costs and complexity.
Where hoteliers push back
Some users are disappointed by the cancellation of custom branding functionality for the platform, highlighting a need for more personalized control o... Some users are disappointed by the cancellation of custom branding functionality for the platform, highlighting a need for more personalized control over the guest portal's UI and UX for better alignment with their brand.
Users have expressed a desire for a room upgrade function to be integrated, allowing guests to easily upgrade their rooms through the app, which is cu... Users have expressed a desire for a room upgrade function to be integrated, allowing guests to easily upgrade their rooms through the app, which is currently lacking and noted as a potential improvement.
Ranks higher for
What hoteliers love
Runtriz is praised for its ability to facilitate easy and efficient communication between hotel staff and guests. It supports pre-arrival notification... Runtriz is praised for its ability to facilitate easy and efficient communication between hotel staff and guests. It supports pre-arrival notifications, real-time messaging, and service requests, which improves guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.
The platform is generally considered user-friendly and straightforward for both staff and guests. However, some users noted that the interface could b... The platform is generally considered user-friendly and straightforward for both staff and guests. However, some users noted that the interface could be more modern and visually appealing, suggesting potential areas for aesthetic improvements.
The tool streamlines and expedites check-in with features like mobile pre-check-in and real-time notifications, reducing wait times and enhancing the... The tool streamlines and expedites check-in with features like mobile pre-check-in and real-time notifications, reducing wait times and enhancing the guest experience. However, some issues with proper integration and guest understanding of pre-check-in were noted.
Where hoteliers push back
Runtriz allows a high degree of customization in setting templates and automating responses, which users found beneficial for streamlining operations... Runtriz allows a high degree of customization in setting templates and automating responses, which users found beneficial for streamlining operations and enhancing guest interaction. However, improvement in backend support for these features was suggested.
Some guests misunderstand the pre-check-in process, thinking it means they are fully checked in, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction. Clearer com... Some guests misunderstand the pre-check-in process, thinking it means they are fully checked in, leading to confusion and dissatisfaction. Clearer communication and instructions could mitigate these issues.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. LIKE MAGIC and Runtriz share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. LIKE MAGIC offers 10 verified integration partners, while Runtriz offers 14. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. LIKE MAGIC leads in ease of use at 5.0/5 vs 4.7/5. 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.
LIKE MAGIC: No. Runtriz: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Guest Apps 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. LIKE MAGIC has an HT Score of 77 and Runtriz has 21. 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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