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 71 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:
Crave Interactive shines in ease of use and customer support — especially for brand properties (5.0/5) , with exclusive features like Credit Card Payments and Payments Integrations.
Zaplox shines , with exclusive features like Mobile App and Mobile Checkin.
Side-by-side ratings based on 71 verified hotelier reviews on HTR.
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| Starting Price | From $400/mo | Contact sales |
| Verified Reviews | 67 | 4 |
After analyzing 71 verified reviews, Crave Interactive users most value its customer service, user interface, customization, while Zaplox users highlight . Click any theme to see what reviewers say.
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Customer service
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User interface
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Customization
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Guest communication
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Hardware issues
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Seamless system integration
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How each product ranks among Hotel Guest Apps 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) ▾ | #6 13 reviews | #34 0 reviews |
| Mid-Size (25-74 rooms) ▾ | #9 26 reviews | #18 4 reviews |
| Large (75-199 rooms) ▾ | #4 14 reviews | #26 0 reviews |
| X-Large (200+ rooms) ▾ | #5 7 reviews | #22 0 reviews |
By Property Type
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| Boutique ▾ | #6 26 reviews | #20 2 reviews |
| Luxury ▾ | #5 31 reviews | #20 2 reviews |
| Branded / Chain ▾ | #4 27 reviews | #30 0 reviews |
| Extended Stay | #10 2 reviews | — |
By Region
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| North America ▾ | #4 26 reviews | #12 2 reviews |
| Europe ▾ | #8 31 reviews | #20 2 reviews |
| Asia Pacific | #8 2 reviews | #17 0 reviews |
| Middle East | #8 1 reviews | — |
Choosing between Crave Mobile Platform by Crave Interactive and Zaplox Premium Guest App hinges on your hotel’s priorities. Both products aim to elevate guest engagement and streamline operations, but they approach these goals differently. Crave offers a comprehensive, app-less mobile solution with extensive features, while Zaplox emphasizes contactless, branded experiences with a focus on safety and simplicity. Which aligns better with your hotel’s needs?
Crave’s robust feature set and broader market presence give it a significant edge, but Zaplox’s contactless focus could be more appealing for safety-conscious properties. Can your hotel leverage these differences effectively?
Crave’s platform is designed to keep your guests engaged across the entire property, providing access to a wide array of services via their mobile devices without requiring downloads. Zaplox, on the other hand, centers on contactless check-in, mobile keys, and streamlined communication, all wrapped in a branded app for safety and personal touch.
While Crave’s system supports in-venue ordering, digital menus, and multi-lingual capabilities, Zaplox emphasizes contactless check-in, mobile key issuance, and guest messaging. Both products improve operational efficiency, but Crave’s extensive feature list and broader international presence make it more adaptable for diverse hotel types. Which solution fits your hotel’s operational style and safety concerns?
If your hotel needs a flexible, feature-rich guest engagement platform capable of supporting complex operations, go with Crave. Its extensive feature set, including in-venue ordering, NFC, and multi-language support, suits properties looking for comprehensive digital service automation.
If your hotel prioritizes contactless check-in, mobile keys, and safety-focused guest communication, Zaplox is the clear choice. Its core strengths lie in enabling seamless, touchless journeys that cater to safety-conscious travelers and hotels aiming to reduce staff interactions.
For hotels seeking a wide-ranging platform with proven global reach and highly recent positive reviews, Crave’s stronger reputation makes it the safer pick. Conversely, if your focus is on contactless technology and streamlined guest communication, Zaplox’s specialized approach is compelling.
Crave scores a high 4.61 out of 5 for ease of use, backed by a review count of 48 and recent positive feedback. Users praise its intuitive interface, efficient onboarding, and helpful customer support, with comments like, “The user interface was super customizable but looked amazing,” and “Customer service was exceptional.”
Zaplox trails with a 3.33 rating, based on only three reviews, with feedback indicating it’s “easy to use for guests,” but some users mention room for improvement in user interface consistency and app management. The limited review pool makes it harder to gauge real-world usability confidently.
Edge: Crave.
Crave offers 18 unique features, including web-based access, QR codes, Apple Pay, digital menus, in-venue ordering, NFC, and extensive payment integrations. Its capabilities extend to multi-menu ordering, contactless ordering, and POS integration, supporting complex service automation.
Zaplox provides eight features, focusing on core contactless functions such as mobile check-in, mobile keys, guest profiles, and digital compendiums. It also offers mobile promotions and messaging, but lacks the extensive service automation found in Crave.
Edge: Crave.
Crave’s customer support scores a remarkable 4.79 out of 5, with reviews praising its quick, helpful responses and proactive approach, even during late hours. Hoteliers appreciate the “incredible response times” and “great support team,” which significantly reduces operational headaches.
Zaplox scores a solid 4 out of 5, with reviews highlighting “quick responses” and “good communication,” though with fewer recent reviews, it's harder to gauge current support levels. Both products deliver strong support, but Crave’s more recent feedback confirms its leadership.
Edge: Crave.
Both systems integrate with 17 verified partners, including common integrations with Oracle Hospitality, Infor, and Adyen. Crave has additional integrations with Interel, Book4Time, and Quore, supporting a broader range of hotel management and operational systems.
Zaplox’s unique integrations include Stayntouch, SALTO Systems, and Mews, emphasizing property management and access control. While both are extensive, Crave’s broader partner network offers more flexibility for complex hotel ecosystems.
Edge: Crave.
Crave’s overall rating is 4.75/5 based on 48 reviews, with recent feedback indicating high satisfaction levels, especially among luxury and branded hotels. Hotels value its extensive features, ease of use, and support, rating it highly across segments with a 93% likelihood to recommend.
Zaplox’s few reviews (3 total) show a mixed picture, with hotel ratings around 3.33/5. Boutique and city center hotels appreciate its simplicity, but standalone reviews mention limitations with integration and user experience.
Edge: Crave.
Crave’s pricing starts at a base fee of $400, with no apparent additional implementation or monthly costs. It is marketed as a paid solution without freemium options, focusing on value for money through extensive features.
Zaplox does not publicly list its pricing, which suggests it may be customized based on hotel size and needs. Both products lack transparent trial information, so inquire directly for precise quotes.
Not ideal if your hotel has minimal service automation needs or prefers a simple, branded app focused on contactless check-in.
Not ideal if your hotel requires extensive in-venue ordering, multi-language support, or complex service automation.
Crave’s platform is a comprehensive digital guest engagement solution with a broad feature set, higher user ratings, and a larger global presence. It is well-suited for hotels seeking deep automation, integration flexibility, and an in-depth guest experience.
Zaplox excels at providing a contactless, branded guest journey with core features like mobile check-in and digital keys, making it ideal for safety-focused properties and hotels looking for quick, straightforward solutions.
If your hotel needs a feature-rich, globally supported platform, Crave is the stronger choice. For properties emphasizing safety, contactless check-in, and simplicity, Zaplox offers a focused, effective option.
This comparison provides a clear, data-backed overview to help you decide which guest app aligns best with your property’s operational and guest experience goals.
Hotel Guest Apps 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 $400/mo | — |
According to HTR's product database, Crave Mobile Platform and Zaplox Premium Guest App share 7 features. Here are the key differences — features one has that the other lacks.
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| Apple Pay | ||
| Automatic Translations (Multi-Lingual) | ||
| Digital Menu | ||
| Keyless Entry | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Mobile Checkin | ||
| Notifications | ||
| QR Codes | ||
| Remote Checkin | ||
| Web Based (Appless) | ||
| Web-app | ||
| Whitelabel Capability |
Showing top differences. 14 more features differ between these products.
What hoteliers love
Crave Interactive provides exceptional customer service with quick response times and helpful support staff. Hoteliers appreciate the efficient and pr... Crave Interactive provides exceptional customer service with quick response times and helpful support staff. Hoteliers appreciate the efficient and proactive support, which helps in resolving issues promptly.
While the user interface is appreciated for being user-friendly and intuitive for guests, some feedback suggests it could be more modern and customiza... While the user interface is appreciated for being user-friendly and intuitive for guests, some feedback suggests it could be more modern and customizable to better fit individual hotel needs.
Customization options, especially for menu updates and guest interfaces, are limited and often require support from Crave Interactive's team. Users ex... Customization options, especially for menu updates and guest interfaces, are limited and often require support from Crave Interactive's team. Users express a desire for more control over customizations.
Where hoteliers push back
Several reviews mentioned concerns with the hardware, specifically tablet durability and charging difficulties. These issues can affect overall effici... Several reviews mentioned concerns with the hardware, specifically tablet durability and charging difficulties. These issues can affect overall efficiency and guest satisfaction when using the system.
The system's integration with other hotel management systems, such as Simphony and PMS, is highlighted for making operations smoother and reducing man... The system's integration with other hotel management systems, such as Simphony and PMS, is highlighted for making operations smoother and reducing manual entry. This has been particularly beneficial during large events and for managing room services efficiently.
Ranks higher for
Unique capabilities
Unique capabilities
Where the ratings diverge most
It depends on your requirements. Crave Mobile Platform and Zaplox Premium Guest App share many core Hotel Guest Apps features, but each has unique capabilities. Crave Mobile Platform offers 17 verified integration partners, while Zaplox Premium Guest App offers 17. Review the feature comparison above to see where they differ before switching.
Small hotels should prioritize ease of use and fast onboarding. Crave Mobile Platform leads in ease of use at 4.6/5 vs 3.8/5. 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.
Crave Mobile Platform: No. Zaplox Premium Guest App: No. Neither product currently offers a free tier. Most Hotel Guest Apps 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. Crave Interactive has an HT Score of 75 and Zaplox 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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