Softstar vs. ThinkReservations PMS: Which Is Right for You?

Updated May 15, 2026  ·  395 verified reviews analyzed

TLDR

We analyzed 395 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:

Softstar shines .

ThinkReservations shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for brand properties (0.0/5) , with exclusive features like Payment processing and Housekeeping module.

See the full breakdown below ↓

How Does Softstar Compare to ThinkReservations PMS?

Side-by-side ratings based on 395 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.

HTScore
0
89
Likelihood to Recommend
0%
97%
Ease of Use
0.0/5
4.8/5
Customer Support
0.0/5
4.8/5
Value for Money
0.0/5
4.7/5
Starting Price Contact sales From $500/mo
Verified Reviews 0 395

What Are the Pros and Cons of Softstar vs ThinkReservations PMS?

After analyzing 395 verified reviews, Softstar users most value its , while ThinkReservations users highlight customer support, operational efficiency, data and reporting. Click any theme to see what reviewers say.

Softstar ThinkReservations ThinkReservations
Pros
+ Customer Support
+ Operational Efficiency
+ Data and Reporting
+ Integration with OTAs
Cons
Pricing and Fees
Security Features

Softstar vs ThinkReservations: Rankings by Hotel Segment

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 Softstar ThinkReservations ThinkReservations
Small (10-24 rooms) #4 145 reviews
Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) #9 25 reviews
Large (75-199 rooms) #6 3 reviews
X-Large (200+ rooms) #5 1 reviews

By Property Type

Segment Softstar ThinkReservations ThinkReservations
Boutique #7 100 reviews
Luxury #7 70 reviews
Branded / Chain #7 24 reviews
Extended Stay #11 8 reviews

By Region

Segment Softstar ThinkReservations ThinkReservations
North America #1 386 reviews
Europe #57 0 reviews
Asia Pacific #32 0 reviews
Middle East #32 0 reviews

The Decision

Choosing the right property management system (PMS) is crucial for your hotel's success. Softstar and ThinkReservations both aim to streamline operations, improve guest experiences, and boost revenue, but they serve very different hotel profiles and business needs. Your choice hinges on your property type, feature requirements, and how much support you need to grow.

Softstar offers a niche, less-reviewed solution with AI-driven property management, while ThinkReservations is a well-established platform favored for its extensive features and proven success in the market. Are you looking for a system with proven reliability and a large user base? Or a tailored AI-powered tool that might require more integration work?

Is Softstar or ThinkReservations Better for Hotels?

Both Softstar and ThinkReservations target property management but differ significantly in their approach and market focus. Softstar emphasizes automation, AI insights, and advanced property management capabilities primarily suited for rental properties and larger portfolios. ThinkReservations, by contrast, provides a comprehensive PMS with booking, channels, and guest communication tools, designed for small to mid-sized hotels and inns.

ThinkReservations holds the advantage in recent reviews, boasting 356 reviews with a 4.88/5 overall rating, and a recent surge in positive feedback in the last six months. Softstar has no reviews or ratings available, making it difficult to assess its current performance or user satisfaction. Given the volume and recency of ThinkReservations' feedback, it clearly has more proven success in the hotel industry.

Are you prioritizing a system proven by current user feedback? Or are you interested in exploring an AI-centric platform with a more limited market presence?

ThinkReservations vs Softstar: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a robust, fully-featured PMS with a proven track record, ThinkReservations is the clear choice. Its extensive feature set—including channel management, booking engine, automated messaging, and integrations—has been praised by a broad range of hotel types, especially inns and small hotels, for increasing operational efficiency and revenue through upselling.

Softstar might appeal if your property management involves advanced automation, tenant tracking, or AI-driven insights, but without reviews, it’s hard to verify its effectiveness or support network. If reliability, user satisfaction, and ease of use are your priorities, ThinkReservations' extensive positive reviews and high ratings make it the safer investment.

For most hoteliers looking to streamline operations quickly and with confidence, ThinkReservations offers a more proven, comprehensive solution. Is your goal to implement a system with verified success and ongoing support? Or are you exploring a specialized software that might still be in development or niche use?

Is Softstar or ThinkReservations Easier to Use?

ThinkReservations consistently earns top marks for ease of use, with a 4.82/5 rating and glowing reviews praising its intuitive interface, onboarding, and customer support. Reviewers describe it as "very easy to navigate" and "like adding another employee," highlighting its user-friendly design and accessible support team.

Softstar, on the other hand, lacks publicly available reviews or ratings, which makes assessing its usability challenging. Without user feedback, it’s difficult to gauge how quickly your team can adopt Softstar or how well it supports staff training.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Features: Softstar or ThinkReservations?

ThinkReservations offers 39 distinct features, including channel management, online check-in, guest communication, native email marketing, and revenue tracking tools. These features are designed to enhance daily operations, increase revenue opportunities, and simplify multi-channel distribution.

Softstar, by contrast, does not report any unique or additional features in the available data, focusing instead on AI-driven property management. Its strength appears to be in automation and analytics rather than breadth of features.

Given the extensive feature set and proven integrations, ThinkReservations provides a broader, more immediately usable toolkit for hotels seeking comprehensive management capabilities.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Softstar or ThinkReservations?

ThinkReservations consistently receives praise for its support, with a 4.82/5 rating and reviews emphasizing quick, knowledgeable assistance and excellent onboarding. Many users describe the support team as "accessible" and "helpful," which is critical during initial setup and ongoing operations.

Softstar has no available review data or ratings, making it impossible to assess its support quality. Launching a new system without verified support could pose risks, especially if issues arise during onboarding or peak seasons.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Has More Integrations: Softstar or ThinkReservations?

ThinkReservations boasts 16 verified integrations, including major OTAs like Airbnb, Expedia, and TripAdvisor, plus tools such as Sojern, TrustYou, and OpenKey. These integrations are well-documented and frequently praised, helping hotels expand distribution and streamline operations.

Softstar has no verified integrations reported, which could limit its ability to connect with other essential systems. For hotels relying on multiple online channels, this lack of connectivity might hinder overall efficiency.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Softstar or ThinkReservations?

Because Softstar has no reviews, we must rely on ThinkReservations’ 356 reviews, with a 4.88/5 rating, and recent positive feedback. Hoteliers across segments, especially inns and boutique hotels, report significant improvements in revenue, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency with ThinkReservations.

Softstar’s lack of reviews prevents any current user rating assessment. Based on available data, ThinkReservations is the preferred choice for hoteliers seeking validated satisfaction and proven performance.

Edge: ThinkReservations.

How Much Do Softstar and ThinkReservations Cost?

Softstar’s pricing is not publicly available, which suggests it might be customized or in a more niche phase. ThinkReservations charges a flat $500 monthly fee, with no additional implementation or per-room charges, making its costs predictable.

For hotels seeking transparent, upfront pricing, ThinkReservations offers clarity. The absence of pricing details for Softstar makes it difficult to evaluate value for money at this stage.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Softstar?

  • Hotels that require advanced automation, tenant or property management, or AI-driven insights.
  • Teams managing large rental portfolios or mixed-use properties.
  • Hotels looking for a system that emphasizes operational automation and data-driven decision-making.

Not ideal if:

  • You need a proven, fully-reviewed PMS with extensive hotel-specific features.
  • Your team prefers a system with a large user community and reliable support network.
  • You are seeking a plug-and-play solution with transparent pricing.

What Type of Hotel Should Use ThinkReservations?

  • Small to medium-sized hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, and boutique properties.
  • Hotels prioritizing booking management, guest communications, and revenue optimization.
  • Teams seeking an intuitive interface with extensive integrations and support.

Not ideal if:

  • You operate a large chain or resort that requires enterprise-level solutions.
  • You need a PMS with AI capabilities or niche automation features.
  • Your property heavily relies on custom, in-depth integrations outside of standard OTAs.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

The core difference between Softstar and ThinkReservations lies in their market focus and user validation. Softstar offers an AI-enhanced property management approach, but it lacks recent reviews or a proven track record in the hotel industry.

ThinkReservations, by contrast, is a mature, well-reviewed PMS that has helped hundreds of small to mid-sized hotels increase revenue and operational efficiency. Its extensive feature set, support, and integrations make it a clear choice for most hotels seeking a reliable management platform.

If your priority is stability, proven performance, and a system trusted by hundreds of hotels, go with ThinkReservations. Its recent reviews and high ratings back up its ability to meet your needs today.

Choose Softstar if you’re exploring AI-driven automation for large rental portfolios and are prepared to navigate less proven support and features, but be aware that its market presence and user feedback are currently limited.

How Much Do Softstar and ThinkReservations PMS Cost?

Property Management Systems 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.

Softstar ThinkReservations ThinkReservations
Starting Price From $500/mo

Which Features Does Softstar Have That ThinkReservations PMS Doesn't (and Vice Versa)?

According to HTR's product database, Softstar and ThinkReservations PMS share 0 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.

Feature Softstar ThinkReservations ThinkReservations
Booking Engine
Calendar view
Channel Manager
Custom rates
EPoS
Payment processing

Showing top differences. 27 more features differ between these products.

Real-World Results: Softstar vs ThinkReservations by Business Goal

We analyzed 8 verified case studies to compare what hotels actually achieve with each platform across four key business objectives.

Increase Revenue & Reduce Costs
Softstar

No published case study for this goal yet.

ThinkReservations Blue Tang Inn Mid-Size
+ Blue Tang Inn was able to significantly increase its bottom line after implementing ThinkReservations, with 52% year on year increase during Q1.
+ The property capitalized on upsell opportunities, offering a wide variety of activities (snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, fishing) as well as F&B packages. Upsell revenue increased 80% in Q1 2023 vs the previous year
+ Blue Tang Inn management was pleased to see the property booked more nights in Q1 2023, at a significant higher rate while the market maintained the previous year's numbers.

"I became aware of ThinkReservations at a trade show in the US, and I could see right away that it would help Blue Tang Inn streamline our operations, increase our booking and upsel..."

Kristin Fisher
Kristin Fisher
Sales and Marketing Director
Increase Operational Efficiency
Softstar

No published case study for this goal yet.

ThinkReservations Yara Palm Springs Small
+ 17.3% of revenue in 2024 came from items and packages, growing their revenue without additional capital investments.
+ Yara Palm Springs consistently has 62% of their bookings through their direct channels, saving thousands of dollars that would otherwise go to OTA commisions.
+ Yara Palm Springs has automated their guest journey and made it easy for guests to enjoy a personalized stay through technology, making it easier for the owners to operate their propertyremotely. "Living in another city from my hotel, working remotely on my hotel, being a mother, trying to have a social life...ThinkReservations makes it so I can still do all those things and be a hotel operator from wherever I am" said Kate.

"ThinkReservations Digital Registration has streamlined our check in process, making my job so much easier. Being able to ask guests for their ID and credit card ahead of time, agre..."

Improve Guest Experience
Softstar

No published case study for this goal yet.

ThinkReservations Inn on Main Small
+ Increased Repeat Guests - The inn has seen a notable rise in repeat bookings, including guests who have stayed over 20 times since implementing ThinkReservations.
+ Boosted Upsell Revenue - Upselling opportunities through the booking engine have resulted in a 15% increase in additional revenue from services like late check-ins and special packages.
+ Improved Efficiency - Administrative tasks have been reduced by 30%, allowing staff to dedicate more time to creating memorable guest experiences.

"We try to take care of all the needs of our guests so that they have an experience rather than just a stay"

Chris Kennedy
Chris Kennedy
Co-Owner

Softstar vs ThinkReservations: The Bottom Line

Softstar
0.0/5 from 0 reviews
0.0/5 ease of use 0.0/5 support 0 integrations
Visit Profile
ThinkReservations
ThinkReservations
4.9/5 from 395 reviews

What hoteliers love

Customer Support 89% positive

Though already noted as excellent by many, a few reviews express the desire for additional support on weekends to better handle urgent inquiries.

Operational Efficiency 86% positive

ThinkReservations aids in streamlining operations through digital registration, night audits, and easy management of booking and check-in processes, a... ThinkReservations aids in streamlining operations through digital registration, night audits, and easy management of booking and check-in processes, allowing staff to focus more on guest interactions.

Data and Reporting 75% positive

The system offers comprehensive data and reporting features, enabling hoteliers to make informed decisions on pricing, guest satisfaction, and strateg... The system offers comprehensive data and reporting features, enabling hoteliers to make informed decisions on pricing, guest satisfaction, and strategy planning.

Where hoteliers push back

Pricing and Fees 100% negative

Some reviews highlight issues with the pricing structure, including dissatisfaction with channel manager fees and the high price of features like Thin... Some reviews highlight issues with the pricing structure, including dissatisfaction with channel manager fees and the high price of features like ThinkMessenger.

Security Features 67% negative

Mandatory two-step authentication is a point of frustration for some users, who find it burdensome and wish for lower security settings.

Unique capabilities

Channel Manager EPoS Payment processing Booking Engine Calendar view
4.8/5 ease of use 4.8/5 support 16 integrations
Visit Profile

Where the ratings diverge most

Overall Rating ThinkReservations 4.9 vs 0.0 (+4.9)
Ease of Use ThinkReservations 4.8 vs 0.0 (+4.8)
Customer Support ThinkReservations 4.8 vs 0.0 (+4.8)
Value for Money ThinkReservations 4.7 vs 0.0 (+4.7)
Onboarding ThinkReservations 4.7 vs 0.0 (+4.7)

Frequently Asked Questions About Softstar vs ThinkReservations PMS

Can Softstar replace ThinkReservations PMS?

It depends on your requirements. Softstar and ThinkReservations PMS share many core Property Management Systems features, but each has unique capabilities. Softstar offers 0 verified integration partners, while ThinkReservations PMS offers 16. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.

Which is better for small or independent hotels?

Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. ThinkReservations PMS leads in ease of use at 4.8/5 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.

Do Softstar or ThinkReservations PMS offer a free plan?

Softstar: No. ThinkReservations PMS: 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.

How Does HTR Evaluate and Rank Softstar and ThinkReservations PMS?

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. Softstar has an HT Score of 0 and ThinkReservations has 89. 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 →

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