Crave Mobile Platform (acq by HCN) vs. Gustaffo Digital Guest Journey:
Lequel vous convient le mieux ?

The Decision

Choosing between Crave Mobile Platform by Crave Interactive and Gustaffo Digital Guest Journey depends on your hotel’s specific needs. Both aim to enhance guest engagement and streamline operations, but they approach these goals differently. Crave offers a feature-rich platform with a strong track record, while Gustaffo emphasizes simplifying the guest journey through digitalization. What core capabilities do you prioritize for your property?

Crave is the more established product with a large user base, more recent reviews, and a broader feature set. Gustaffo, however, has no recent reviews and fewer integrations, which may impact its suitability. Are you ready for a more proven solution or looking for a newer platform with potential?

Quick Verdict: Crave Mobile Platform or Gustaffo Digital Guest Journey — Which Is the Clearer Choice?

Crave Interactive stands out with a 4.75/5 overall rating based on 48 reviews, all within the last six months, indicating active user feedback and recent performance data. Gustaffo has no recent reviews or ratings and only one verified partner, making it hard to gauge current effectiveness or support quality.

If your priority is reliability, extensive features, and proven support, Crave is the obvious choice. Gustaffo might be suitable if you’re looking for a niche digital guest experience or early-stage platform, but limited data makes this riskier now.

Is Crave or Gustaffo Easier to Use?

Crave’s user interface earns a 4.61/5 rating, with most hoteliers praising its intuitiveness and straightforward setup. Reviewers mention that guests find it easy to navigate, and onboarding is rated 4.57/5, with high marks for staff adoption and support responsiveness.

Gustaffo, on the other hand, has no available usability ratings or reviews, which suggests a lack of recent user feedback on ease of use. Without recent insights, it's difficult to compare their user-friendliness effectively.

Edge: Crave.

Which Has Better Features: Crave or Gustaffo?

Crave offers 20 unique features, including web-based access, multi-lingual translations, mobile checkout, QR codes, contactless ordering, and integrations with POS and payment systems. These advanced functionalities enable a comprehensive guest experience, from digital menus to in-venue ordering and upselling.

Gustaffo provides only two features outside basic app download and guest profiles. While these may suit simple digital journeys, they lack the versatility and depth of Crave’s platform.

Edge: Crave.

Which Has Better Customer Support: Crave or Gustaffo?

Crave’s customer support is rated 4.79/5, with reviews highlighting quick, helpful responses and proactive service. Clients appreciate the responsiveness, especially during technical issues or menu updates, which are crucial for operational continuity.

Gustaffo has no recent review data on support quality, leaving its responsiveness and customer care unverified. Without recent feedback, Crave’s support remains the more dependable option.

Edge: Crave.

Which Has More Integrations: Crave or Gustaffo?

Crave integrates with 17 verified partners, including major PMS, POS, and management systems such as Oracle, Infor, and Kipsu. This broad network simplifies deployment across diverse hotel brands and tech stacks.

Gustaffo has only one verified integration—Stripe—limiting its compatibility and scalability. For hotels needing seamless system connections, Crave offers a clear advantage.

Edge: Crave.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: Crave or Gustaffo?

Crave’s high ratings (4.75/5 overall, 93% likelihood to recommend) come from 48 reviews, mostly recent, and span multiple hotel segments. Luxury and branded hotels especially praise its reliability, ease of use, and support.

Gustaffo has no available recent reviews or ratings, making it impossible to assess user satisfaction or segment-specific performance. Currently, Crave’s proven track record makes it the preferred choice.

Edge: Crave.

How Much Do Crave and Gustaffo Cost?

Crave’s pricing starts at $400, with no mention of ongoing fees, trial options, or implementation costs. Gustaffo’s pricing is listed at $500, also without details on additional charges or free trials.

Both products are similarly priced, but Crave’s lower starting price and transparent fee structure give it a slight edge for budget-conscious hotels.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Crave?

• Hotels that want a feature-rich guest engagement platform with extensive integrations.
• Properties seeking to improve operational efficiency with digital menus, contactless ordering, and upselling.
• Hotels that value a proven system with high support ratings.
• Hotels aiming for multi-lingual, web-based access for international guests.

Not ideal if you require a simple, minimal digital solution without many features or integrations.

What Type of Hotel Should Use Gustaffo?

• Hotels seeking a basic digital guest journey with core features like mobile check-in and keyless access.
• Properties wanting a straightforward app with guest profiles.
• Smaller hotels or boutique properties with minimal digital service needs.
• Hotels that prioritize quick deployment over extensive feature sets.

Not ideal if you need advanced features, multiple integrations, or proven support.

Crave vs Gustaffo: The Bottom Line for Hotels

Crave’s extensive feature set, proven support, and broad integrations make it the more dependable choice for most hotels. Its high ratings and recent reviews demonstrate ongoing value and satisfaction.

Gustaffo may appeal to properties seeking a simple, low-cost digital solution with a focus on basic guest journey components. However, its lack of recent reviews and limited features make it riskier for hotels that need reliable, scalable guest engagement tools.

If your hotel requires a robust, well-supported platform that adapts to various operational needs, Crave is the clear winner. For those with very limited digital requirements and a focus solely on simplified guest access, Gustaffo could suffice, but with caution.