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 82 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:
SmartHOTEL shines in ease of use and customer support , with exclusive features like Centralized user & role management and Unlimited Channels (no additional cost).
update247 shines , with exclusive features like Integrated Payment Processing and Booking Performance and Pace Reporting.
Side-by-side ratings based on 82 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $300/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 82 | 0 |
After analyzing 82 verified reviews, SmartHOTEL users most value its quick and effective support, user-friendly interface, automated booking and digital management, while update247 users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Quick and Effective Support
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User-Friendly Interface
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Automated Booking and Digital Management
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Room Rate Adjustments and Restrictions
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Update and Design Improvements
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Technical Issues and Overbookings
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How each product ranks among Channel Managers 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) ▾ | #14 24 reviews | — |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #11 29 reviews | — |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #11 7 reviews | — |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #8 5 reviews | — |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #12 32 reviews | — |
| Luxury ▾ | #16 18 reviews | — |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #10 21 reviews | — |
| Extended Stay ▾ | #15 5 reviews | — |
By Region
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| North America | #14 3 reviews | — |
| Europe ▾ | #8 73 reviews | — |
| Asia Pacific | #15 4 reviews | — |
Choosing a channel manager is critical to your hotel's online success, and with only one product boasting recent, substantial reviews, the decision becomes clearer. SmartHOTEL’s channel manager, with over 62 recent reviews and a high overall rating, stands out as the more reliable and well-supported choice. Update247, lacking recent feedback and with only a handful of verified reviews, offers limited insight into current performance. So, which platform aligns better with your needs today?
Both SmartHOTEL and update247 aim to connect your PMS with multiple distribution channels, eliminating manual updates and reducing overbookings. However, SmartHOTEL has a significantly larger presence across multiple regions and a higher review count, indicating broader adoption and ongoing customer satisfaction. Its active user base and recent reviews confirm it remains a trusted choice for hotels seeking streamlined distribution management. In contrast, update247 hasn't demonstrated recent engagement or extensive integration options, raising questions about its current reliability.
Do you prioritize a proven, well-reviewed platform with extensive regional reach? Or are you willing to explore a less tested alternative? The choice hinges on reliability and proven performance.
If your hotel needs a channel manager with a strong global presence, extensive integrations, and a track record of high customer satisfaction, go with SmartHOTEL. It’s well-suited for mid-sized to large hotels that require seamless, real-time distribution with minimal errors. Conversely, if your focus is on managing a small number of channels with simple needs and you’re comfortable with limited recent feedback, update247 could suffice, although it’s less proven and less comprehensive.
For hotels looking to maximize operational efficiency and reduce booking errors, SmartHOTEL’s extensive features and support make it the clear choice. Smaller properties or those testing advanced channel management might consider update247, but with caution.
SmartHOTEL scores a strong 4.43 out of 5 for ease of use, backed by positive reviews praising its user-friendly interface and quick onboarding. Users highlight its intuitive design, with many noting they can manage rates and availability effortlessly across multiple channels. In contrast, update247 has no recent reviews or ratings, leaving its ease of use unverified.
Edge: SmartHOTEL.
SmartHOTEL offers 12 core features, including centralized user management, multilingual support, and unlimited channels at no extra cost. It also provides custom features without additional charges, which many users find valuable. update247 has only 6 verified features, including an inventory grid, integrated payment processing, and reporting functions, but lacks some of the advanced options found in SmartHOTEL.
SmartHOTEL’s broader feature set and customization options give it an edge for hotels seeking comprehensive control. If features are your top priority, SmartHOTEL wins.
SmartHOTEL’s support scores an impressive 4.83 out of 5, with users frequently mentioning fast, knowledgeable, and accessible support staff. One reviewer specifically noted, “The customer support from Fiona Cooper is second to none,” emphasizing responsiveness and reliability. update247, with no recent reviews, cannot be accurately assessed but likely lacks the same level of support visibility.
Edge: SmartHOTEL.
SmartHOTEL boasts 38 verified partners, including major OTAs, GDS, and PMS systems, covering a wide range of global markets. It uniquely offers integrations with platforms like Paxxio, RevControl, Sirvoy, and others, facilitating extensive connectivity. update247 has only 3 verified partners, including RMS, PriceLabs, and Stripe, limiting its integration versatility.
SmartHOTEL’s extensive partner network provides your hotel with more flexibility and fewer connectivity concerns. Edge: SmartHOTEL.
SmartHOTEL’s overall rating of 4.63/5, based on 62 reviews, reflects strong satisfaction, especially among boutique, city-center, and independent hotels. Recent reviews consistently praise its reliability and ease of use, with an 89% likelihood to recommend. update247 has no recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to gauge current user sentiment.
Given the recency and volume of positive feedback, SmartHOTEL clearly holds the higher reputation among hoteliers today.
SmartHOTEL’s pricing starts at $300 per month, with no freemium or trial options noted. The pricing model is straightforward, but additional costs for setup or custom features are not specified. update247’s pricing isn’t publicly available, making direct comparison difficult, though it appears to have no trial or freemium options either.
SmartHOTEL’s transparent base price simplifies budgeting, while unclear pricing from update247 may pose challenges for cost planning.
SmartHOTEL’s robust features and proven support make it suitable for growth-oriented hotels that need dependable distribution management.
update247 might work for very small operations but lacks the proven track record for larger or more complex hotels.
SmartHOTEL stands out as the more established, feature-rich, and well-reviewed channel manager, especially for hotels seeking reliability and extensive support. Its large base of recent reviews, high ratings, and broad integrations confirm its ongoing value.
Choose SmartHOTEL if you need a trusted platform with proven performance, robust integrations, and top-tier support. For hotels with minimal needs or limited budgets, update247 may be considered, but with significant reservations about current performance and support quality.
In conclusion, your hotel’s success with channel management hinges on proven reliability and comprehensive features — and SmartHOTEL currently leads the pack.
Channel Managers 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 $300/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, SmartHOTEL (Channel Manager) and update247 Channel Manager share 9 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Booking Performance and Pace Reporting | ||
| Centralized user & role management | ||
| Integrated Payment Processing | ||
| Inventory grid | ||
| Multi-lingual | ||
| Unlimited Channels (no additional cost) |
What hoteliers love
The quick and effective support provided by the SmartHotels team is another key highlight. Users especially appreciate the quick resolution of issues... The quick and effective support provided by the SmartHotels team is another key highlight. Users especially appreciate the quick resolution of issues and the knowledgeable and friendly support staff.
A frequently mentioned benefit is the product's user-friendly interface and easy-to-navigate system. Both the extranet and the mobile application rece... A frequently mentioned benefit is the product's user-friendly interface and easy-to-navigate system. Both the extranet and the mobile application receive high marks for being straightforward and accessible, which simplifies the booking and management process.
The system's ability to automate bookings and manage everything digitally is repeatedly praised. This automation leads to fewer manual entries and err... The system's ability to automate bookings and manage everything digitally is repeatedly praised. This automation leads to fewer manual entries and errors, streamlining the workflow and enhancing operational efficiency.
Where hoteliers push back
A few users mention that the design of the online tool could be improved. Enhancements in design would align the visual appeal with the system's high... A few users mention that the design of the online tool could be improved. Enhancements in design would align the visual appeal with the system's high functionality, offering a better user experience.
Some critical reviews point out occasional technical issues like system overbookings and errors in the software. These issues can hinder smooth operat... Some critical reviews point out occasional technical issues like system overbookings and errors in the software. These issues can hinder smooth operations and require prompt resolution to maintain service quality.
Unique capabilities
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. SmartHOTEL (Channel Manager) and update247 Channel Manager share many core Channel Managers features, but each has unique capabilities. SmartHOTEL (Channel Manager) offers 38 verified integration partners, while update247 Channel Manager offers 3. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. SmartHOTEL (Channel Manager) leads in ease of use at 4.5/5 vs 0.0/5. 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.
SmartHOTEL (Channel Manager): No. update247 Channel Manager: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Channel Managers 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. SmartHOTEL has an HT Score of 18 and update247 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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