Dear WuBookers, by now you know that a channel manager is one of the essential software tools for managing your property and guests effectively. There are several similar solutions on the market, but finding your way around and making the right choice may not be so easy. So let’s take a look at the 10 best channel managers for hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals.

What features should a channel manager have

A channel manager is a tool that allows you to manage external channels such as OTAs and other platforms, to control the distribution and sale of rooms automatically and with minimal errors.

To choose the channel manager that is right for your property, it is important to check some key features:

• synchronization of the various channels, which is essential to ensure that inventory and occupancy are always updated in real time across all your sales channels. For this reason, it is essential that the technology is based on APIs (application programming interfaces), which are more reliable and secure than iCal connections;
• the degree of automation: a good channel manager should automatically update rates and restrictions on all channels, but also allow you to schedule messages for guests without having to do it manually;
• integration with OTAs: the software must communicate with the main sales portals. In this sense, an additional guarantee is provided by any active partnerships with online agencies, which generally indicate a level of security, connection stability, and superior assistance.
• Integration with other management software, such as PMS, booking engines, and payment gateways, helps you organize and monitor all activities while also facilitating operations for guests.

In addition to these, there are non-operational aspects that are nevertheless relevant to the choice: cost and customer service. Channel managers often offer flexible or variable packages based on the volume and size of the property. In addition to assessing economic sustainability, we encourage you to pay attention to hidden costs and always opt for those with a clear and transparent price list.

Finally, customer service is also important: choosing a solution with a support team available allows you to work and deal with any technical issues with complete peace of mind.

The 10 best channel managers in our opinion

So, what are the best channel managers on the market today? Here we have compiled a list of those we recommend you consider and evaluate based on your specific needs and requirements.

1. Zak by WuBook

We can’t help but start with the Channel Manager by Zak, WuBook’s solution for hotels and B&Bs. This is advanced software equipped with all the essential features and more. It connects to more than 100 international OTAs and metasearch engines and is a premier partner of Booking.com, Airbnb, and Google.

Update times? Super fast, so you don’t have to worry about the risk of overbooking. Not only that, but as an additional control tool, it allows you to check the data sent to OTAs. Overlaps are detected by the system, which alerts you in case of double reservations.

Management is also simple, thanks to the user-friendly interface, and flexible: you can decide whether to apply the same prices across all channels or differentiate them according to customized rules that automatically update rates.

The calendar with two views, one dedicated to prices and availability only, and the other complete with restrictions, allows you to focus on what interests you without distractions or possible confusion.

And to further optimize operations, the mobile app allows you to close sales, change prices, or add reservations anywhere, anytime.

Comprehensive, easy to use, and efficient, Zak’s Channel Manager is perfect for both small and large properties because it ensures reliability and customer support that is always available.

2. Lodgify

Lodgify also allows centralized management of various channels, but with a more limited scope (it is connected to Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia Group, and Google Vacation Rentals) that can be expanded via iCal connection.

Ideal for tourist apartments, it offers the ability to synchronize calendars with reservation and guest details, total sales, calendar availability (up to 18 months), and rates.

Popular mainly in Spain, it is not yet widely used abroad.

3. Avaibook

Advertisements and reservations managed from a single platform: this is the promise of Avaibook, a channel manager popular in Italy and specialising in short-term rentals and holiday homes.

It is an official partner of well-known OTAs such as Booking.com, Airbnb, Rentalia, Google, Vrbo, HomeToGo, and Expedia, and guarantees secure payments thanks to the adoption of standard protocols. The interface is quite user-friendly but with little scope for customization, making it less flexible than other alternatives.

4. Avantio

Avantio is also among the best channel managers for hotels and is ideal for vacation rentals. In addition to the basic features, it offers advanced features for revenue and rate management, which can be modified for each channel. A solid connection and customer service are other pluses worth mentioning.

On the other hand, however, it is not available as an app and is often a bit more expensive than other similar solutions.

5. Octorate

Octorate also has all the essential features, such as a wide range of connected OTAs, fast synchronization, a good margin for customization, and guaranteed support every day in multiple languages. However, it requires a minimum number of units managed, and not all services are included in the starting price but can be added at an extra cost, which may be a concern for some.

6. Smoobu

Italian vacation home and small property owners also really like Smoobu, which is great for managing short-term rentals. Operations are simplified thanks to the unique and comprehensive platform, unified calendar, and the ability to change prices as you like. However, there are fewer options for those who need to manage larger or multiple properties, partly because there is no 24/7 customer service.

7. SiteMinder

If you are looking for the best channel manager for hotels and tourist properties, you have probably already heard of SiteMinder. Visibility on multiple platforms, flexibility, control, and monitoring are some of the advantages offered by this well-known software. Among the less favorable aspects, we note some obstacles in customizing reports and exporting the reservation calendar.

8. Kross Booking

Kross Booking has an app version and allows you to manage multiple properties with different accounts: an option that makes this channel manager suitable for apartments and vacation rentals. It also connects to the most important online portals, although some customers complain that synchronization and customer service are not always flawless.

9. Ericsoft

One of the first and longest-standing channel managers, at least on the Italian market, Ericsoft offers a long list of OTAs and platforms to connect to. Perhaps due to its longevity, the interface is showing its age and is not particularly fresh. The slightly higher than average price and lack of 24/7 customer care may raise some doubts.

10. Vertical Booking

Those who choose Vertical Booking can count on over 450 channels connected to a single control platform, real-time updates, customization of rates and availability, and advanced performance statistics. Again, however, the graphics could be a little outdated and the starting cost more expensive than others.

This is only a partial list of channel managers for hotels and hotel properties. To decide which one is best for you, we suggest you request a free demo and, when possible, a trial: you will be able to see all the features available and those that are really useful for your work. But the benefits, compared to manual management, will be immediate: take it from the experts!