How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- The price range is enormous: Guesty Lite starts at $9 per listing per month (vendor-published), while SiteMinder, Mews and Cloudbeds are quote-only and priced for serious volume.
- Small properties (5-30 rooms) should start with Little Hotelier (priced by room count, 30-day trial, month-to-month); it is the SMB product from the SiteMinder family.
- Short-term-rental managers choose between Guesty (published Lite pricing, scales to 1,000-plus units) and Hostaway (quote-based, widest STR integration ecosystem).
- Watch the fee layer: Little Hotelier's Basics plan adds a 1% booking fee, and several vendors charge setup or onboarding fees outside the subscription.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Cloudbeds | Independent and boutique hotels expanding distribution | See website (custom quote) | No (demo available) |
 SiteMinder | Hotels and chains needing maximum distribution worldwide | See website (custom quote) | No (demo available) |
 Little Hotelier | Small properties with roughly 5-30 rooms | See website (priced by room count) | Free trial (30 days, full product access) |
 Hotelogix | Budget-conscious independent hotels and small groups | See website (custom quote) | Free trial (reported on software directories) |
 Mews | Boutique, city-center and hostel properties plus growing portfolios | See website (custom quote) | No (demo available) |
 Guesty | Professional short-term-rental managers scaling past ~10 listings | $9/listing/month (Lite) | Free trial (14 days, Lite only) |
 Hostaway | Portfolio operators managing 10-100-plus listings | See website (custom quote) | No (demo only) |
 RoomRaccoon | Independent hotels, B&Bs and boutique properties under ~50 rooms | See website (custom quote) | No (demo available) |
 STAAH | Independent hotels and small groups wanting a dedicated channel manager | See website (custom quote) | Free trial (reported on software directories) |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best channel manager software
Guesty's pricing page starts at $9 per listing per month. An enterprise channel manager contract can run five figures a year. Both products do the same core job: keep rates and availability in sync across every channel you sell on, so a booking on one site never creates a double booking on another. These nine tools cover the best channel management software for hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals, compared on pricing transparency, channel depth and what the subscription actually includes.
#1
Cloudbeds
Best for: Independent and boutique hotels expanding distribution
Visit cloudbeds.com
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo (demo available)
Cloudbeds is the distribution maximalist: more than 300 channel connections in one system, covering PMS, booking engine and channel management together. For independent and boutique hotels of 10 to 75 rooms that want to expand across OTAs without stitching tools together, the breadth is the pitch. Unlimited users, 24/7 phone, email and chat support, and a large integration marketplace round it out.
The pricing is quote-based and scales with property size, so the entry number depends on the quote. Scope it to the modules needed: the channel manager entry point and the full suite are different purchases, and the full platform implementation takes real onboarding effort. Integrations include Stripe, revenue tools and hundreds of marketplace apps. Buy it for distribution breadth; if the property only sells on three channels, simpler tools cost less.
What we like- More than 300 OTA and channel connections, the widest in class
- An all-in-one with PMS, booking engine and channel manager
- 24/7 global support
Watch out for- Pricing scales with property size and the full suite gets expensive
- Implementing the whole platform takes real onboarding effort
#2
SiteMinder
Best for: Hotels and chains needing maximum distribution worldwide
Visit siteminder.com
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo (demo available)
SiteMinder is the incumbent, and incumbency has advantages. The largest global channel network, real-time two-way sync, and a track record with chains and independents alike. Booking analytics and pace reporting are strong, integrations span 100-plus PMS and revenue systems, and support runs 24/7. When a hotel needs to be everywhere at once, this is the default enterprise answer.
It is priced like one. Quotes are property-size based and positioned at the premium end; smaller properties are explicitly better served by Little Hotelier, the company's SMB product. Unlimited channels come at no extra cost, which matters at scale. Setup and channel mapping need onboarding support. If the property is large enough to justify the price, the reliability is proven. If it is a 12-room inn, start with the small-property tools below.
What we like- The largest global channel network with real-time two-way sync
- Proven at scale for chains and independents
- Strong booking analytics and pace reporting
Watch out for- Premium pricing puts it out of reach for the smallest properties
- Setup and channel mapping take onboarding support
Starting priceSee website (priced by room count)
Free planFree trial (30 days, full product access)
Little Hotelier is the small-property answer from the SiteMinder family, and the commercial terms show it. Pricing is set by room count (enter the room number on the pricing page for the quote), billing is month-to-month with no contract, and self-onboarding plans carry no setup fees. The 30-day trial includes full product access. One system covers front desk, channel management, direct bookings and payments, with 100-plus OTA connections including Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb.
The fee to model is the 1 percent booking fee on the Basics plan, confirmed on the vendor's own pricing page. At $300,000 in annual direct bookings, that is $3,000 a year on top of the subscription, so compare against flat-fee alternatives at real revenue. Phone support and metasearch sit on higher tiers. For B&Bs, inns and motels that want enterprise-grade distribution without enterprise cost, it is the most straightforward buy here.
What we like- Built specifically for small properties with 1-2 day self-serve onboarding
- Month-to-month billing with no lock-in and no setup fees on self-onboard plans
- PMS, booking engine and channel manager in one system
Watch out for- The Basics plan adds a 1% booking fee that grows with revenue
- Phone support and metasearch are gated to higher tiers
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planFree trial (reported on software directories)
Hotelogix is the budget all-in-one. A full cloud PMS feature set, channel management, booking engine and POS at a price point aimed at independent hotels and small groups, particularly in APAC. Support is 24/7 with a live rep, and multi-property management is included. For properties that need the whole front-desk stack at the lowest price, it covers the bases.
Get the quote in writing before planning anything. The vendor publishes no rate card, and third-party figures vary too widely to trust. The interface shows its age next to Mews or Cloudbeds. Integrations include SiteMinder, Stripe, QuickBooks Online, Xero and 100-plus OTAs. Buy it for value and round-the-clock support; skip it if the team needs a modern interface to adopt the tool.
What we like- An affordable all-in-one cloud PMS with channel management, booking engine and POS
- 24/7 live support
- Multi-property management
Watch out for- Public pricing is opaque, which complicates budgeting
- The interface feels dated next to newer cloud PMS tools
#5
Mews
Best for: Boutique, city-center and hostel properties plus growing portfolios
Visit mews.com
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo (demo available)
Mews is the modern PMS that happens to manage channels brilliantly. Cloud-native, automation-first, with the deepest integration marketplace in hospitality tech: 336-plus verified partners, an open API, and guest-experience tooling (contactless check-in, upsells) that boutique properties actually use. For city-center hotels, hostels and growing portfolios that want a future-proof platform, the ecosystem is the reason to choose it.
The price floor is the filter. Quote-based and positioned at the premium end, it is an investment that needs real volume to justify; small standalone properties should look elsewhere. Some niche modules depend on integrations rather than native features. Support is global and 24/7 with dedicated onboarding. Buy it as a platform decision, not a channel-manager purchase: the PMS is the product, and distribution rides along.
What we like- A cloud-native modern PMS with the strongest automation in class
- More than 336 verified integrations via an open marketplace and API
- Excellent guest-experience tooling with contactless check-in and upsells
Watch out for- Premium pricing makes it overkill for small standalone properties
- Some niche modules (like spa) rely on integrations
#6
Guesty
Best for: Professional short-term-rental managers scaling past ~10 listings
Visit guesty.com
Starting price$9/listing/month (Lite)
Free planFree trial (14 days, Lite only)
Guesty is the short-term-rental specialist, and the pricing shows it. Lite starts at $9 per listing per month with a 14-day trial: channel manager, multi-calendar, unified inbox and direct booking website on one platform, with no migration needed to move up to Pro later. The vendor confirms no booking fees on the direct booking engine and no percentage fees on reservations. Pro adds 60-plus channels, revenue management, an owner portal and 24/7 support; Enterprise serves 200-plus listings.
The published Lite price is a different product from Pro. Pro and Enterprise are quote-only, with onboarding fees reported, so budget for the sales process and confirm every fee in writing. Add-ons (PriceOptimizer, Damage Protection, LocksManager, GuestyPay) are optional across plans. For hosts with a few listings, Lite is the cheapest credible entry on this list. For managers scaling hard, Pro is the platform bet.
What we like- Scales to 1,000-plus unit portfolios with enterprise-grade operations
- A 150-plus app marketplace and strong API
- Every plan includes the channel manager with real-time sync to Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com
Watch out for- Lite is feature-limited versus Pro
- Pro and Enterprise pricing is opaque until you talk to sales, with onboarding fees reported
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo (demo only)
Hostaway wins on connectivity. More than 300 marketplace integrations and 26-plus direct channel APIs give portfolio operators the widest ecosystem in short-term rentals, with strong automation and very low reported double-booking rates. For 10 to 100-plus listings, the operational depth (multi-calendar, owner portal, team permissions) is the pitch.
Confirm the total cost in writing before signing. Pricing is quote-only (third-party reports cite roughly $20 to $40 per listing per month, dropping with portfolio size), setup fees are reported at $100 to $500, and a percentage fee on direct bookings has surprised buyers who did not ask. Annual billing is the steered default. Integrations span Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, Expedia, Google, Stripe and dynamic-pricing tools. Buy it for the ecosystem; verify the fee schedule first.
What we like- More than 300 marketplace integrations, the widest ecosystem in short-term rentals
- Strong automation with very low reported double-booking rates
- Highly rated by users
Watch out for- Quote-only pricing with setup fees reported at $100 to $500
- A percentage fee on direct bookings has surprised some buyers
#8
RoomRaccoon
Best for: Independent hotels, B&Bs and boutique properties under ~50 rooms
Visit roomraccoon.com
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo (demo available)
RoomRaccoon is the simple all-in-one for independents. One login covers front desk, distribution and direct bookings, with minimal training and quick onboarding. User satisfaction scores are among the highest in the category for ease of use. Integrations span 88 verified partners including Booking.com, Expedia, Stripe and Sage, with email, phone and chat support.
The fit is narrow by design. Chains and complex operations will outgrow it; it is built for independents under about 50 rooms. The subscription is annual with no monthly option, so there is more commitment than Little Hotelier's month-to-month. The vendor does not publish a rate card, so get the quote tied to room count. For a small property that wants one system without a learning curve, it is the friendliest option here.
What we like- An all-in-one PMS, channel manager and booking engine purpose-built for independents
- Very high user satisfaction for ease of use
- Quick onboarding
Watch out for- Geared to small hotels, so multi-property depth is limited
- An annual subscription with no monthly option
#9
STAAH
Best for: Independent hotels and small groups wanting a dedicated channel manager
Visit staah.com
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planFree trial (reported on software directories)
STAAH is the focused channel manager without the PMS bloat. More than 200 OTA and GDS integrations with real-time rate and inventory sync, in a product that does distribution and nothing else. For independent hotels and small groups that already have a PMS they like, that focus is the appeal: no paying for a front desk system twice. Support is strong in APAC with business-hours plus 24/7 live coverage.
Pricing is regional and quote-based, so confirm the local rate directly rather than trusting listings. The feature set is leaner than the all-in-one suites by design. Integrations include major OTAs plus Stripe, PayPal and upsell tools. Buy it when the PMS is settled and distribution is the gap; buy an all-in-one when the whole stack needs replacing.
What we like- More than 200 OTA and GDS integrations with real-time sync
- A simple, focused channel manager without PMS bloat
- Strong presence and support in APAC
Watch out for- Regional pricing varies, so quotes differ by market
- A leaner feature set than all-in-one suites
Channel manager vs. PMS vs. all-in-one: what are you actually buying
These are three different products, and the marketing blurs them. A channel manager (STAAH, SiteMinder's core product) syncs rates and availability across OTAs. A PMS (Mews, the front-desk side of Cloudbeds) runs reservations, check-in, housekeeping and folios. An all-in-one (Little Hotelier, RoomRaccoon, Hotelogix, Guesty) bundles both plus a booking engine.
Buy the piece you are missing. A hotel with a PMS it likes needs STAAH or a standalone channel manager, not another front desk. A B&B on spreadsheets needs the all-in-one. A growing portfolio needs to decide whether the PMS or the distribution is the platform decision, because Mews and Guesty sell opposite answers. The most expensive mistake here is buying a second PMS when the problem was distribution.
The booking-fee math nobody puts on the pricing page
Subscriptions are only part of the bill. Little Hotelier's Basics plan adds 1 percent of gross booking value: at $300,000 in annual bookings, that is $3,000 a year on top of the subscription, confirmed on the vendor's own pricing page. OTA commissions (typically 15 to 18 percent on Booking.com and Expedia) dwarf every software fee on this list, which is why direct booking tools matter more than shaving the subscription.
Ask every vendor three questions before signing. Is there a booking fee, and on what base? Are there setup or onboarding fees? (Hostaway, Guesty Pro and several others charge them.) Is there a percentage on direct bookings? Get the answers in writing with the quote. The vendors with nothing to hide (Guesty publishes "no booking fees on the direct booking engine") say so upfront.
Frequently asked questions
How much does channel manager software cost?
It ranges from $9 per listing per month (Guesty Lite) to quote-only enterprise contracts. Small-property tools are priced by room count (Little Hotelier) or flat subscription (RoomRaccoon, Hotelogix). Mid-market and enterprise (Cloudbeds, SiteMinder, Mews, Hostaway) are custom quotes, typically hundreds to thousands per month. Add setup fees and booking fees on top.
Do I need a channel manager, or will a PMS be enough?
If you sell on more than two or three OTAs, you need a channel manager: manual rate and availability updates across channels cause double bookings. Many PMS products bundle one (Little Hotelier, RoomRaccoon, Cloudbeds, Mews). If the PMS you like lacks distribution depth, add a standalone manager like STAAH or SiteMinder.
What is the difference between a channel manager and an OTA?
An OTA (Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb) is a marketplace that sells your rooms and takes a commission. A channel manager is your software: it pushes your rates and availability out to all the OTAs at once and pulls reservations back in. You need both; the channel manager is what keeps them from contradicting each other.
How long does setup and channel mapping take?
Little Hotelier: self-serve in under an hour, or guided onboarding. Guesty Lite and RoomRaccoon: days. Cloudbeds, SiteMinder and Mews: one to several weeks with onboarding support. Enterprise rollouts run longer. Channel mapping (matching your room types to each OTA's) is the slow part everywhere; have your room and rate data ready before kickoff.
Can a small B&B afford channel management?
Yes. Little Hotelier is built for 5 to 30 room properties with month-to-month billing and a 30-day trial; RoomRaccoon and Hotelogix target the same segment. Model the booking fee (Little Hotelier's 1 percent on Basics) against your revenue. Below about five rooms selling on one or two channels, manual management may still be fine.
How we chose
We started with the searches buyers actually run: channel manager software, best channel management software and hotel channel manager. For each candidate we opened the vendor's own pricing page, checked plan names and prices against public reviews on G2 and Capterra and practitioner discussion on Reddit, and compared channel depth, pricing transparency and property-size fit. Where the vendor publishes no prices we wrote "See website" rather than repeating estimates as facts. The shortlist mixes hotel and short-term-rental tools, because independent hotels and vacation-rental managers solve the same distribution problem with different software.
Sources we checked (11)
- https://www.cloudbeds.com/pricing/
- https://www.siteminder.com/pricing/
- https://www.littlehotelier.com/pricing/
- https://www.hotelogix.com/pricing/
- https://www.mews.com/pricing/
- https://www.guesty.com/pricing/
- https://www.hostaway.com/pricing/
- https://www.roomraccoon.com/pricing/
- https://www.staah.com/pricing/
- https://www.g2.com/categories/channel-management
- https://www.capterra.com/hotel-management-software/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.