Unified Inbox by Bookboost vs. Viqal Virtual Concierge:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between Unified Inbox by Bookboost and Viqal Virtual Concierge hinges on your hotel’s communication needs. Both aim to streamline guest interactions, but they approach this goal differently. Bookboost centralizes all messaging channels into one dashboard, making multi-channel management straightforward, while Viqal automates WhatsApp guest communication specifically. Which solution aligns better with your operation’s complexity and guest engagement strategy?

Your team needs to decide whether a comprehensive multi-channel platform or a specialized WhatsApp automation tool will address your current priorities. Do you want an all-in-one communication hub or a dedicated WhatsApp automation system? Let’s explore how these two products compare across key areas.

Is Unified Inbox by Bookboost or Viqal Better for Hotels?

Both platforms target guest communication efficiency but diverge significantly in scope and capabilities. Bookboost offers a unified inbox that consolidates messaging from SMS, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and other channels into one interface, giving your team a complete view of guest interactions. Viqal, on the other hand, focusses exclusively on automating WhatsApp conversations, handling inquiries, requests, and upsells through AI-driven automation.

Bookboost’s broader channel integration makes it suitable for hotels managing diverse communication streams, especially those with multiple guest touchpoints. Viqal’s specialization in WhatsApp automation appeals to properties seeking to optimize a single, high-volume messaging app. Do you prioritize multi-channel management or deep WhatsApp automation?

Bookboost vs Viqal: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a centralized, multi-channel guest messaging solution, go with Bookboost. Its robust features—such as a unified inbox, extensive integrations, and multi-property management—serve larger operations or those with complex communication workflows. For properties that rely heavily on WhatsApp as their primary guest communication channel and want to automate this interaction, Viqal offers a focused, cost-effective alternative.

For hotels with multiple channels and a desire for holistic management, Bookboost’s detailed features and larger user base make it the clear choice. Conversely, if your main goal is to automate WhatsApp conversations with minimal setup and you operate primarily through this app, Viqal is more suitable.

Is Unified Inbox by Bookboost or Viqal Easier to Use?

Bookboost’s UI is rated 4.73 out of 5, with many users praising its intuitive dashboard and ease of managing multiple channels from a single interface. The onboarding process, rated similarly, is designed to be straightforward, with dedicated support helping teams get up to speed quickly. Its visual design emphasizes simplicity, reducing the learning curve for staff.

Viqal’s interface and usability details are not well-documented, and it has no publicly available reviews or ratings. Given its narrow focus on WhatsApp automation, it likely offers a streamlined experience for that specific use case, but without broader user feedback, it's hard to compare directly.

Edge: Bookboost.

Which Has Better Features: Bookboost or Viqal?

Bookboost boasts over 57 exclusive features, including multi-channel messaging (SMS, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp), automation workflows, guest history, analytics dashboards, photo sharing, chatbots, and integrations with third-party tools like Mews and FLEXIPASS. It also offers advanced functionalities such as custom fields, digital check-ins, and personalized guest journey automation.

Viqal’s feature set appears limited to WhatsApp automation, with no detailed feature list or integrations provided. It focuses on automating guest questions, requests, and upsells on WhatsApp exclusively.

Edge: Bookboost.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Bookboost or Viqal?

Bookboost’s support team is rated 4.8 out of 5, with reviews emphasizing their responsiveness, proactive assistance, and helpful onboarding. Users commend the team for continuous improvements and quick responses to feature requests, making the setup and ongoing use smooth.

Viqal has no available review data or support ratings, making it difficult to assess user satisfaction. Its small size (5 employees) suggests limited support capacity, which could impact responsiveness, especially as hotel needs grow.

Edge: Bookboost.

Which Has More Integrations: Bookboost or Viqal?

Bookboost offers 35 verified partners, including major PMS and booking engine integrations like Oracle Hospitality, Mews, and RoomRaccoon. Its open API allows further customization, and shared integrations with platforms like Oracle Hospitality and Mews highlight its adaptability across different systems.

Viqal has only 4 verified integrations, with partners including SabeeApp and PYLON, mainly focused on WhatsApp automation. Its limited integrations suggest less flexibility for larger, multi-system hotel setups.

Edge: Bookboost.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Bookboost or Viqal?

Bookboost has amassed 162 reviews in the last six months, with a high overall rating of 4.98 out of 5. Its recent reviews emphasize ease of use, excellent support, and positive impacts on guest satisfaction, with an NPS score of 9.59/10. Hotel segments like independent, branded, and boutique hotels all rate it near perfect.

Viqal has no reviews or ratings available, making it impossible to determine user satisfaction. Its lack of public feedback indicates less market presence and trust at this stage.

Edge: Bookboost.

How Much Do Bookboost and Viqal Cost?

Bookboost costs $400 per month with no freemium or trial options. There are no implementation fees, and its pricing reflects its extensive feature set and support.

Viqal is priced at $200 per month, also without a free tier or trial, making it a more budget-friendly choice for hotels focusing solely on WhatsApp automation. Its lower price point may appeal to smaller properties or those with limited communication needs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Bookboost?

• Hotels that require a comprehensive communication platform across multiple channels.
• Teams managing multiple properties needing centralized messaging and automation.
• Hotels focused on enhancing guest engagement with personalized, automated campaigns.
• Properties with larger operational teams that can harness advanced features like analytics and integrations.
• Hotels aiming to improve operational efficiency and guest satisfaction simultaneously.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel only communicates via WhatsApp and prefers a simple, single-channel solution.
• You have a very limited budget or minimal guest messaging needs.
• Your team prefers a very lightweight, minimal setup without extensive features.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Viqal?

• Hotels predominantly relying on WhatsApp for guest communication.
• Small properties or boutique hotels seeking a cost-effective automation tool.
• Teams wanting to automate routine guest inquiries and requests without managing multiple channels.
• Hotels with a high volume of WhatsApp messages they wish to handle efficiently.

Not ideal if:

• Your hotel needs a multi-channel inbox or broader communication management.
• You require detailed guest profiles or analytics.
• You want deep integrations with PMS or booking platforms.

The Bottom Line for Hotels

Bookboost stands out as the more complete solution, with a robust feature set, high user ratings, and extensive integrations. It’s ideal for mid-to-large hotels that need a centralized, multi-channel guest communication platform capable of automation, personalization, and operational oversight.

Viqal appeals to smaller hotels or properties heavily reliant on WhatsApp, offering a straightforward, lower-cost automation tool. Its narrow focus means it’s less suitable for complex, multi-channel communication strategies.

If your hotel values comprehensive management and high user confidence, choose Bookboost. If simplicity and WhatsApp automation suit your current needs, Viqal could be adequate, but with limited support or feedback to date, it’s less proven.

In conclusion, for most hotels looking to enhance guest communication across various channels with proven support and extensive features, Bookboost is the stronger choice. For specialized WhatsApp automation with a tighter budget and simpler scope, Viqal may suffice, but it’s a less validated solution at this stage.