Sojern AI Smart Concierge vs. Viqal Virtual Concierge:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Both Sojern AI Smart Concierge and Viqal Virtual Concierge aim to streamline guest communication, but they serve different needs and have distinct strengths. Sojern offers a broad suite of features backed by a strong market presence and extensive reviews, while Viqal is a newer entrant with a narrower focus on WhatsApp automation. Your choice hinges on whether your hotel prioritizes advanced features and proven support or a simple, messaging-centric solution.

If your hotel needs comprehensive guest engagement with high reliability, Sojern’s deeper feature set and stronger reputation make it the more dependable choice. Conversely, if your primary goal is automating WhatsApp interactions with minimal complexity, Viqal might suit your needs, though it lacks the breadth and recent review backing of Sojern. Which aligns better with your operational goals?

Is Sojern AI Smart Concierge or Viqal Virtual Concierge Better for Hotels?

Sojern’s AI Smart Concierge tackles a major pain point: managing high-volume guest interactions efficiently. It reduces front desk workload by over 50%, boosts response times by 30%, and offers a suite of 18 features, including chatbots, SMS, Facebook Messenger, and analytics. It’s built for hotels seeking a versatile, AI-powered guest messaging platform capable of handling diverse communication channels and complex guest needs.

Viqal, on the other hand, focuses solely on automating WhatsApp guest interactions. It streamlines messaging from booking to post-stay, managing inquiries, requests, and upsells without manual effort. Its feature count is limited to the core WhatsApp automation, making it suitable for hotels with straightforward messaging needs that want to free staff from repetitive tasks.

Given the extensive features, high user ratings, and recent reviews, Sojern is better suited for hotels wanting a comprehensive, reliable guest messaging system. Viqal’s narrow focus makes it less versatile but potentially easier to implement for specific WhatsApp automation tasks. Which kind of solution do you need?

Sojern vs Viqal: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If you need a guest messaging system that can handle multiple channels, analyze data, and adapt to complex workflows, go with Sojern. It’s especially suited for hotels operating in North America and targeting luxury, boutique, or branded markets, with over 17 reviews and a 4.75/5 rating.

If your hotel primarily relies on WhatsApp for guest communication and you want a straightforward automation tool, Viqal might suffice. However, with zero recent reviews and only a handful of integrations, it’s less proven in the market. For hotels seeking reliability and a broader feature set, Sojern is the clear choice.

Is Sojern or Viqal Easier to Use?

Sojern’s ease of use is rated 4.59/5, with onboarding rated 4.81/5 and high support scores at 4.88/5. Reviewers praise its straightforward platform, with Baskar noting it’s “very straightforward” and ideal for learning. The platform’s extensive features are well-organized, and customer support is highly responsive.

Viqal, lacking recent reviews and a detailed user feedback profile, appears simpler by design—focused on WhatsApp automation. Its minimalistic feature set suggests a less complex interface, but the absence of user ratings or detailed onboarding feedback makes it difficult to assess ease definitively.

Edge: Sojern.

Which Has Better Features: Sojern or Viqal?

Sojern boasts 18 features exclusive to its platform, including chatbot booking, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger integrations, automated replies, guest history, SMS messaging, analytics dashboards, and live translations. It also offers an open API, secured data protection, and website live chat, providing a comprehensive guest engagement toolkit.

Viqal, with zero unique features reported, focuses solely on WhatsApp automation—managing messaging, requests, and upsells on that channel. Its lack of additional communication channels or analytics tools makes it less versatile.

Edge: Sojern.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Sojern or Viqal?

Sojern’s customer support is rated 4.88/5, with reviews highlighting its attentive, responsive team and excellent onboarding process—Baskar called it “very good at accommodating all requests.” The platform’s support scores underscore its commitment to customer success.

Viqal provides no recent reviews or detailed support ratings, making it difficult to evaluate. Its small team (5 employees) suggests limited support capabilities, which might not meet the needs of hotels requiring ongoing assistance.

Edge: Sojern.

Which Has More Integrations: Sojern or Viqal?

Sojern integrates with 33 verified partners, including major PMS and booking platforms like Mews and Oracle Hospitality, plus specialized tools like Profitroom and The Hotels Network. Its broad partner network enables seamless integration into diverse hotel tech stacks.

Viqal connects with only 4 verified partners, including SabeeApp and PYLON, and shares just two with Sojern. Its narrower integration scope limits adaptability for hotels with complex systems or multiple platforms.

Edge: Sojern.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Sojern or Viqal?

Sojern has a substantial review count (17) with an overall rating of 4.75/5. Recent reviews praise its customizable features, efficiency, and support, especially among boutique and branded hotels. The high likelihood to recommend (96%) confirms its strong market reputation.

Viqal has no recent reviews or high-profile hotel ratings, making it impossible to gauge hotel satisfaction. Its lack of feedback suggests it’s not yet widely adopted or proven in the hospitality sector.

Edge: Sojern.

How Much Do Sojern and Viqal Cost?

Both products are priced at a base rate of $400 per month, with no free tier, implementation fees, or trial options reported. Their straightforward pricing models make costs predictable, but lack of detailed ROI data means you should evaluate potential value carefully.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Sojern?

• Hotels seeking a comprehensive guest messaging platform across multiple channels.
• Hotels that operate in North America, especially luxury, boutique, or branded properties.
• Hotels looking for a solution with proven support and a strong review history.
• Teams aiming to reduce front desk workload while increasing responsiveness.
• Hotels requiring detailed analytics and integrations with major partners.

Not ideal if your hotel prefers a minimal, single-channel messaging tool or operates outside North America.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Viqal?

• Hotels focused primarily on WhatsApp communication, especially in Europe, Middle East, or Oceania.
• Teams seeking a simple, automated messaging solution for booking, requests, and post-stay follow-ups.
• Hotels with limited operational complexity or those just starting to digitize guest interactions.
• Properties that prioritize ease of setup over extensive features.

Not ideal if your hotel needs multi-channel engagement, detailed analytics, or proven support.

Sojern vs Viqal: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Sojern’s AI Smart Concierge delivers a full-featured, multi-channel guest messaging platform with a proven track record, extensive integrations, and excellent support. Its feature set and recent reviews make it the clear choice for hotels seeking a reliable, scalable solution capable of handling complex guest interactions.

Viqal offers a focused, WhatsApp-based automation tool that’s simple and cost-effective but lacks the breadth and recent endorsement of Sojern. It may suit small or straightforward operations but falls short for hotels aiming for a comprehensive guest engagement strategy.

Choose Sojern if you want a flexible, well-supported platform with proven results. Opt for Viqal if your operations are primarily WhatsApp-centric and you prefer a lightweight, single-channel automation.