Safara vs. Simple Booking (Reservations System):
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Safara by Safara and Simple Booking by Simple Booking hinges on your hotel’s specific needs, operational scale, and growth ambitions. Both platforms aim to streamline bookings and enhance revenue, but they differ significantly in features, support, and regional presence. Safara, with its recent launch and focused approach, emphasizes direct integrations and guest experience, while Simple Booking offers a broader suite of functionalities built on an extensive partner network. Your decision should align with your hotel’s priorities—are you seeking a high-touch, modern booking platform or a versatile, integrated reservation system?

Is Safara or Simple Booking Better for Hotels?

Safara and Simple Booking both serve as booking engines designed to increase direct reservations. Safara’s platform emphasizes a seamless booking flow, non-room inventory integration, and mobile optimization, with a focus on direct demand generation. In contrast, Simple Booking offers a more extensive set of features, including metasearch integration, dynamic pricing, and a CRM, suited for hotels aiming for broad-channel management and marketing automation.

While Safara boasts a higher overall rating (77.18 vs. 69.73) and more recent reviews (none for Safara in the last six months but 2 new reviews for Simple Booking), Simple Booking’s larger review base and global reach give it a broader market presence. Does your hotel need a modern, guest-centric platform or a more feature-rich reservation management system?

Safara vs Simple Booking: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel prioritizes a straightforward, high-conversion booking experience with deep non-room integrations, go with Safara. Its user-friendly interface, high support scores, and strong focus on direct bookings make it ideal for boutique and luxury hotels seeking to boost direct demand.

If, however, your hotel needs a comprehensive platform that combines booking, marketing, and channel management, Simple Booking is your better fit. Its larger feature set (including metasearch, CRM, and extensive integrations) and global presence support properties of all sizes looking to scale and optimize across multiple channels.

In essence, choose Safara for guest experience and simplicity, and Simple Booking for versatility and channel breadth.

Is Safara or Simple Booking Easier to Use?

Safara scores 4.92/5 for ease of use, with reviews praising its intuitive, mobile-optimized interface and straightforward onboarding process. Users describe Safara as “very responsive and simple to implement,” with a seamless transition noted by many.

Simple Booking also maintains a high ease-of-use rating at 4.79/5, with reviewers highlighting its intuitive back-office and booking interface. Some users note that recent support challenges have made assistance less accessible, but overall, both platforms are praised for straightforward user experiences.

Edge: Safara.

Which Has Better Features: Safara or Simple Booking?

Safara offers core features like real-time availability, deep links, non-room inventory booking, and mobile optimization, totaling 36 shared features with Simple Booking. However, Simple Booking provides 8 additional unique features, including pre- and post-stay emails, gift vouchers, Tripadvisor bookings, Stripe, Paypal, and PayU integrations, expanding its marketing and payment capabilities.

While Safara’s focus remains on booking flow and guest engagement, Simple Booking’s broader feature set supports extensive revenue strategies and multi-channel management. For hotels seeking a feature-rich reservation system, Simple Booking has the edge.

Edge: Simple Booking.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Safara or Simple Booking?

Safara earns a perfect 5/5 support score, with reviews emphasizing its responsiveness and proactive team. Users describe Safara’s support as “exceptional,” especially during onboarding and integrations, reinforcing confidence in its service.

Simple Booking’s support, rated at 4.76/5, is also highly regarded but has some recent feedback indicating difficulty reaching assistance. While still good, its support consistency appears slightly below Safara’s.

Edge: Safara.

Which Has More Integrations: Safara or Simple Booking?

Simple Booking excels with 56 verified integrations, including major PMS, channel managers, and metasearch platforms like Trivago and TripAdvisor. Shared partners include Oracle Hospitality and The Hotels Network, with many unique integrations supporting extensive channel and payment options.

Safara offers 6 verified partners, including Stayntouch and Revinate, focusing more on streamlined, high-value integrations. If wide integration options are critical for your hotel’s tech ecosystem, Simple Booking has the advantage.

Edge: Simple Booking.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Safara or Simple Booking?

Safara’s recent reviews are scarce but highly positive, with a 100% likelihood to recommend and a perfect support score, indicating strong satisfaction among early adopters. Its high ratings from boutique and luxury hotels suggest a niche appeal.

Simple Booking, with more reviews (29), shows a slightly lower overall score (69), but its recent reviews remain positive, especially among larger, multi-property hotels. Given its broader user base, Simple Booking’s ratings reflect versatile performance.

Edge: Safara.

How Much Do Safara and Simple Booking Cost?

Safara’s base price is $800 per month, with no freemium or tiered plans, positioning it as a premium option. Simple Booking starts at $200 per month, with no free trial, offering a more budget-friendly approach for small to mid-sized hotels.

Pricing differences imply Safara is targeted at properties seeking a high-touch, bespoke solution, while Simple Booking offers affordability with extensive features, suitable for scalable growth.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Safara?

• Hotels that prioritize a seamless, guest-focused booking journey, especially boutique and luxury properties.
• Teams seeking a high level of support and responsive onboarding.
• Hotels aiming to boost direct bookings and non-room revenue.
• Hotels looking for a modern, mobile-optimized platform with deep non-room integrations.
• Properties that value branding customization and data analytics.

Not ideal if you need broad channel management or extensive third-party integrations without higher budget flexibility.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Simple Booking?

• Hotels and resorts requiring multi-channel distribution and integrated metasearch.
• Hotels wanting advanced marketing tools like automated emails and dynamic pricing.
• Properties aiming for a scalable system that supports integrations with numerous PMS and payment gateways.
• Hotels looking for flexible, customizable booking options and detailed analytics.
• Hospitality groups managing multiple properties across regions.

Not ideal if your focus is on a simple, guest-centric booking engine without extensive channel or marketing features.

Safara vs Simple Booking: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Safara offers a sleek, intuitive booking engine that emphasizes direct reservations, guest experience, and personalized integrations. Its high support ratings and recent reviews make it a reliable, modern choice for boutique hotels looking to grow direct demand.

Simple Booking provides a broader set of features, including robust channel management, marketing tools, and extensive integrations, making it suitable for hotels or groups seeking a comprehensive reservation and distribution system.

If your hotel values simplicity, personalized service, and a high likelihood of recommendation, Safara is the clear pick. Conversely, if you need extensive features, broad integrations, and a platform capable of supporting larger operations, Simple Booking is the better choice.