Crave Mobile Platform (acq by HCN) vs. Gastfreund:
Lequel vous convient le mieux ?

The Decision

Choosing the right guest app platform can significantly impact your hotel's operations, guest satisfaction, and revenue. Crave Mobile Platform by Crave Interactive and Gastfreund | Hotelcore are two prominent options, each designed to enhance guest engagement but with different strengths. Crave's platform is more mature, with a broader feature set and a stronger global presence, while Gastfreund focuses on modular solutions that streamline guest communication and information. Which one aligns better with your hotel’s needs?

Is Crave Interactive or Gastfreund | Hotelcore Better for Hotels?

Both platforms aim to improve guest experience through digital engagement, but they approach this goal differently. Crave offers a comprehensive, app-less mobile platform with extensive features for food ordering, contactless payments, and in-venue services, making it suitable for hotels seeking robust service automation. Gastfreund emphasizes delivering tailored digital guest directories, info channels, and communication tools to create personalized guest journeys, primarily focusing on information delivery and operational efficiency.

Crave's platform boasts a higher overall rating (4.75/5) backed by more recent and numerous reviews (48 reviews in the last six months), indicating stronger current user satisfaction. Gastfreund’s score is lower at 0/5, with only 11 reviews, though it benefits from more recent feedback (2 reviews in the last six months). Given this, Crave's platform demonstrates a more established presence and proven performance, making it a more reliable choice for many hotels.

Are you looking for a feature-rich, integrated guest engagement system or a flexible information delivery platform? The decision hinges on your hotel's specific operational priorities.

Crave Interactive vs Gastfreund | Hotelcore: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a comprehensive, scalable mobile guest engagement platform with capabilities like contactless ordering, payments, and in-venue services, Crave is the clear choice. Its extensive feature set (16 exclusive features including QR codes, Apple Pay, NFC, and POS integration) suits properties aiming for a high level of automation and guest interaction.

Conversely, if your focus is on providing a tailored digital guest directory, easy-to-use communication tools, and reducing front desk inquiries—especially in vacation rentals, resorts, or boutique properties—Gastfreund's modular solutions (including a digital guest app and info channels) might be more appropriate. However, its lower review count and overall ratings should be considered.

If seamless, broad-feature coverage is your priority, choose Crave. For targeted, guest-centric information delivery, Gastfreund is a decent alternative.

Is Crave Interactive or Gastfreund | Hotelcore Easier to Use?

Crave’s platform scores higher for ease of use, with a 4.61/5 rating, and its onboarding process receives positive feedback for being efficient and well-structured. Reviewers highlight that the user interface is intuitive for both staff and guests, with many praising the proactive customer service team.

Gastfreund’s platform scores 4.27/5 for usability, with users appreciating its modern interface and straightforward operation, though some note it requires more familiarization. Support and onboarding are rated slightly lower but remain competent.

Edge: Crave Interactive.

Which Has Better Features: Crave Interactive or Gastfreund | Hotelcore?

Crave offers a broader array of exclusive features—16 in total—including web-based access, QR codes, Apple Pay, digital menus, in-venue ordering, contactless payments, NFC, and POS integration—making it highly versatile. Gastfreund’s platform provides core features like digital guest directories and info channels, with only 2 unique features (app download and mobile check-in).

Crave's extensive feature set supports diverse automation needs and revenue opportunities, while Gastfreund excels at delivering essential guest information and communication. For a hotel seeking a feature-rich, all-encompassing system, Crave is the clear winner.

Edge: Crave Interactive.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Crave Interactive or Gastfreund | Hotelcore?

Crave’s customer support is highly rated at 4.79/5, with reviewers emphasizing quick response times and proactive help, often citing responses within minutes during urgent issues. Guests praise Crave’s support team for being professional, helpful, and accessible 24/7.

Gastfreund’s support scores 4.27/5, with users describing the team as friendly and efficient, but some reviews mention room for quicker responses during peak times. While support is solid, Crave’s ratings suggest a slight edge in responsiveness and reliability.

Edge: Crave Interactive.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Crave Interactive or Gastfreund | Hotelcore?

Crave’s overall rating of 4.75/5 is reinforced by 48 reviews, with recent feedback emphasizing ease of use, support, and feature richness. Hoteliers across various segments—especially branded and city center hotels—appreciate its reliability and extensive capabilities.

Gastfreund’s lower ratings (0/5 from 11 reviews) limit its comparative value, with some users noting that the platform's performance and features don’t meet expectations. Due to the volume and recency of reviews, Crave’s rating is a more trustworthy indicator of current hotel satisfaction.

Edge: Crave Interactive.

How Much Do Crave Interactive and Gastfreund | Hotelcore Cost?

Both platforms are priced at a base fee of $400, with no mention of additional implementation fees, monthly per-room charges, or freemium options. Pricing appears straightforward, but additional costs—such as hardware or custom integrations—may vary based on your hotel’s specific setup.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Crave Interactive?

• Hotels that want a full-service, app-less mobile platform capable of handling in-venue ordering, contactless payments, and extensive service automation.
• Properties aiming to generate incremental revenue through upselling, in-app payments, and targeted marketing.
• Hotels seeking comprehensive guest engagement tools integrated with their existing systems.
• Large resorts, city hotels, or branded properties with the resources to implement and manage advanced features.

Not ideal if your hotel prefers a simple digital directory without extensive automation or if you operate primarily in niche segments with minimal tech integration needs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Gastfreund | Hotelcore?

• Vacation rentals, boutique hotels, resorts, or properties that prioritize delivering tailored guest information and communication.
• Hotels seeking to reduce front desk inquiries with digital directories and push notifications.
• Properties with a focus on personalization and guest experience, especially in regions where mobile engagement is prevalent.
• Hotels that value ease of setup, fast deployment, and a flexible, modular system.

Not ideal if you require advanced automation features like contactless ordering, in-venue payment systems, or extensive integrations beyond basic guest communication.

Crave Interactive vs Gastfreund | Hotelcore: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Crave’s platform delivers a broad suite of features with proven, high-quality support, making it suitable for hotels that want a comprehensive, automated guest engagement solution. Its extensive integrations and feature set support larger properties and brands aiming for maximum automation and revenue growth.

Gastfreund’s focus on digital guest directories and communication tools benefits smaller, boutique, or resort hotels that prioritize personalized guest experiences and operational efficiency. However, its lower ratings and limited features suggest it may not scale well for larger, tech-forward properties.

In summary, choose Crave if your goal is a feature-rich, globally proven guest app platform with extensive automation. Opt for Gastfreund if you need a simple, effective solution for delivering information and communicating with guests, especially in boutique or leisure-oriented properties.