2025 Best Channel Managers Shortlist

This comprehensive guide and list of channel managers for hotels features details of the top programs available on HotelMinder:

  1. Sirvoy — Best integrated channel manager for budget accommodations
  2. Cloudbeds — Best channel manager for small and medium hotels as part of a suite
  3. SiteMinder — Best for being the most connected and established standalone solution
  4. Hostaway — Best channel manager for short-term and vacation rental
  5. SabeeApp — Best for reliability for small and medium hotels
  6. Cubilis — Best to manage all your channels on one dashboard
  7. HotelRunner — Best for connecting all your sales channels on one single platform
  8. RateTiger — Best unified channel manager for medium and big hotels
  9. Noovy — Best bundled channel manager for hotels on a budget
  10. BookLogic — Best for competitive rates management

Does Your Hotel Need a Channel Manager Software?

Are you struggling to keep track of your hotel's inventory, availability, and bookings? A hotel channel manager could be the answer you're looking for. This software automates these tasks, saving you time and ensuring your rooms are always up-to-date across all your booking channels.

A hotel channel manager allows you to manage multiple online booking platforms from one central system, reducing the risk of overbooking and improving the guest experience. To find the best channel manager software for your hotel, check out our list of top channel managers. These systems can streamline your operations and help you maximize your revenue potential.

But before we get into it, let’s discuss what a Channel Manager is:

What is a Channel Manager?

Channel management software is a vital tool for hoteliers and property managers, enabling them to effectively manage their room inventory across a wide range of online distribution channels. These channels include Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb, as well as Global Distribution Systems (GDS) such as Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport.

By using channel management software, hoteliers can update their room availability and rates in real time across all connected channels. This automation helps to reduce the risk of overbooking and ensures that rooms are always priced correctly, maximizing revenue potential.

Furthermore, channel management software provides valuable insights and reporting capabilities, allowing hoteliers to track performance across different channels and make informed decisions to optimize their distribution strategy. Overall, channel management software is an indispensable tool for any hotelier looking to efficiently manage their online distribution channels and maximize their revenue.

Why do You Need a Channel Manager at your Hotel?

If you manage a small hotel or a few apartments, a channel manager may not seem essential. However, for those overseeing multiple rooms and properties, it's a crucial tool. Regardless of your property's size, if you're open for business and not using a channel manager, you're missing out!

Channel manager system automates the process of updating room availability and rates across various online booking platforms. By connecting your hotel to multiple OTAs and GDS, a channel manager expands your reach and increases your chances of attracting guests from around the world. This automation not only saves you time but also reduces the risk of errors that can occur with manual updates.

Moreover, a channel manager provides valuable insights into your distribution strategy. It allows you to track the performance of different channels, analyze booking patterns, and adjust your strategy accordingly. This data-driven approach can help you optimize your revenue management strategy and improve your overall profitability.

In addition to improving your distribution strategy, a channel manager can also enhance the guest experience. By ensuring that your room availability is always up-to-date, you can avoid overbookings and provide a seamless booking experience for your guests. This, in turn, can lead to higher guest satisfaction and increased repeat bookings.

A hotel channel manager is not just a tool for managing your online distribution channels; it's a key component of your overall hotel management strategy. By investing in a channel manager, you can streamline your operations, increase your revenue, and provide a better experience for your guests.

What are the Channel Manager Software Features you Need?

When choosing a channel manager software for your hotel, it's essential to look for specific features that can enhance your operations and maximize your revenue potential. The best channel manager should offer comprehensive functionality to manage bookings, rates, and availability in real time, aligning with your sales strategy to drive bookings and revenue.

Integration capability is a critical aspect to consider when evaluating channel managers. Ensure that the software seamlessly integrates with your existing tech stack, including your property management system (PMS) and booking engine. This integration will streamline your operations and minimize manual work, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Automatic connectivity with various distribution channels is another key feature to look for in a channel manager. The software should automatically update availability and rates across all connected channels, eliminating the risk of overbookings and ensuring accurate pricing for guests.

Additionally, consider the reporting and analytics capabilities of the channel manager. Look for software that provides detailed insights into your distribution performance, booking trends, and revenue generation. These insights can help you make informed decisions to optimize your distribution strategy and maximize your revenue potential.

Look for hotel channel manager system that offers comprehensive features, seamless integration, automatic connectivity with distribution channels, and robust reporting capabilities. By selecting the right channel manager, you can streamline your operations, increase your revenue, and provide a better experience for your guests.

Channel Manager Software Features
The Channel Manager Software distributes room rates and availability to connected booking platforms

How to Choose a Channel Manager for Your Hotel?

When selecting the best channel manager for your hotel, several factors should guide your decision-making process. Understanding these considerations can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your hotel's specific needs and goals.

Firstly, consider the size of your hotel and the volume of bookings you receive daily. A larger hotel with high booking traffic may require a more robust and powerful channel manager to handle the workload efficiently. In contrast, smaller establishments with fewer rooms may find that a simpler, more affordable solution meets their needs.

Budget is another critical factor to consider. While some channel managers offer advanced features and reliability, they may come at a higher cost. However, many channel managers offer flexible pricing plans tailored to suit the requirements of small, mid-size, and large hotels, making it easier to find a solution that fits your budget. For a price breakdown, check out: How Much Does it Cost to Use a Channel Manager?

Integration capabilities are also essential. Ensure that the channel manager you choose integrates seamlessly with your existing property management system (PMS) and booking engine. This integration will help streamline your operations and minimize manual work, improving efficiency and guest satisfaction.

Lastly, consider your specific needs and expectations. Do you require a channel manager with advanced rate and room setup options? Are you comfortable setting up the system yourself, or do you need 24/7 phone support? Is reliability and instant updates a top priority for your hotel?

By considering these factors and conducting thorough research, you can choose the best channel manager for your hotel that meets your needs and helps you achieve your business goals. For more tips on choosing the right channel manager, check out our article: 7 Questions to Ask Vendors When Choosing a Hotel Channel Manager.

Standalone Versus Bundled Channel Manager

The role of the Channel Manager in the hotel tech stack has evolved significantly over the years. Previously, Channel Managers were standalone software that often operated independently from the Hotel Property Management System (PMS).

However, this began to change in the 2010s. PMS systems started to integrate with Channel Managers, allowing them to control rates, availability, and restrictions through an API. This integration led to the development of PMS solutions that included a built-in Channel Manager, offering a more seamless and integrated approach to managing hotel inventory.

Best Bundled and Standalone Channel Manager Software

The best standalone channel manager software solutions are designed to cater to hotels of all sizes, offering flexibility and compatibility with other applications. Whether you run a small bed and breakfast, a mid-size hotel, or a large resort, standalone channel managers provide the functionality you need to manage your inventory effectively.

The best-bundled hotel channel manager software is designed to be purchased and used alongside another product, such as a Property Management System (PMS). These integrated solutions offer seamless connectivity between the channel manager and the PMS, providing a comprehensive solution for managing hotel inventory and bookings.

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An easy to setup and feature full all-in-one solution designed for small to medium sized properties everywhere, like hotels, b&bs, hostels and campsites.

Sirvoy is a hospitality software provider that offers a comprehensive, cloud based suite of applications including a Property Management System, Booking Engine and Channel Manager.

Its affordable price tag means that it's accessible to smaller or newer businesses that need to dream big on a small budget and scales with them as they grow, be it: hotels, motels, hostels, B&Bs, lodges & guest houses.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — Sign up for a free trial now: get 50% discount on your first 3 months
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Cloudbeds is the leading platform redefining the concept of PMS for the hospitality industry, serving tens of thousands of properties in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Built from the ground up to be masterfully unified and scalable, the award-winning Cloudbeds Platform brings together built-in and integrated solutions that modernize hotel operations, distribution, guest experience, and data & analytics.

Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has been named a top PMS, Hotel Management System and Channel Manager (2021-2024) by Hotel Tech Report, World's Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider (2022) by World Travel Awards, and recognized in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 in 2023.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — Sign up for a demo and receive $250 of free credit
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SiteMinder is probably the world's most powerful hotel Channel Manager. It can connect your hotel to 450+ distribution channels and integrate with 350+ leading property management systems (PMSs) and 100+ Hotel Tech Marketplace Applications (RMS, Upsell, CRM, etc).

SiteMinder eliminates the time spent manually updating each of your channel extranets and produces detailed reports, allowing you to better understand the performance of your channels and identify booking trends.

You can see the status of all your channels through one, single dashboard and connect to the hotel industry's most powerful global distribution systems (GDS) via their ‘GD' chain code.

As well as Booking.com and Expedia.com, here are some other channels which you can connect to through SiteMinder: Ctrip, Hotelbeds, AirBnB, TripAdvisor … plus 300 more!SiteMinder is also offering connections to many PMS, RMS, Booking Engines, and many other hospitality specific solutions.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — 50% off your first 6 months and 50% off set up fees
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Hostaway is an all-in-one vacation rental software for professional property managers who want to get more bookings with less hassle. Hostaway helps you get more out of your business while spending less time with tedious manual tasks.

Hostaway has become a market leader in marketing, sales, management, reporting, and communication for vacation rental property managers.

Hostaway has one of the largest marketplaces in the industry and deep integrations with Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, Booking.com, and more.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — Sign up for a demo and get 50% off the setup fee!
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SabeeApp is an all-in-one cloud hotel management software tailored for independent hotels and other small accommodation like vacation rentals and B&B's. It offers 4 main core modules:
- a PMS
- a Channel Manager
- an Internet Booking engine
- a Payment Gateway

All core parts are seamlessly integrated together so data is synchronized and connected at all times.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — Sign up for a trial now to get 50% discount on your first 3 months
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Cubilis Channel Manager is the engine that drives your online distribution and is an indispensable tool to maximise the online visibility of your hotel, B&B or holiday home.

It gives you access to 200+ online booking channels, ranging from major players like Booking.com and Airbnb to smaller local channels. The central dashboard makes it easy to manage your prices and availabilities on your own website and on all channels. Changes are implemented instantly, thereby avoiding double bookings!

• Greater online visibility without overbookings
• Efficient rate management on all connected channels
• Instant synchronisation of prices and availability
• More direct bookings, less commission
• Secure online payments on your website
• Detailed reporting for evaluation

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — 50% discount on professional onboarding costs
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HotelRunner helps hotels maximize online visibility, reach more customers globally, boost occupancy rates and increase revenues – all online, in one single application.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — Sign up for your Demo here to get a 50$ credit
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RateTiger by eRevMax is considered a leader in Hotel Channel Manager, Rate Shopping, CRS, Booking Engine, GDS Distribution, Metasearch management and Website Design solutions to independent boutique properties as well as small, mid-size and large hotel chains and resorts worldwide.

RateTiger connects to over 450 distribution and technology partners worldwide. It has deep two-way integration with distribution channel partners including Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, Airbnb, Google, HRS, Hotelbeds, among various others. It also offers connection to leading PMS, RMS, CRS, Booking Engine and other hotel technology systems for a seamless online distribution experience.

Data security and privacy is a key aspect for RateTiger, hence the company is ISO and PCI certified as well as GDPR compliant. It provides 24x7 multilingual support to hotels globally to assist in revenue generation objectives.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — 14-days Free trial, Free set-up & 30% discount on annual subscription
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Bookingplanner offers an affordable all-in-one solution for your hotel, B&B or holiday home to achieve more bookings with less administration.

The Bookingplanner All-in-one package consists of a reliable Channel Manager, a Booking Engine designed for maximum conversion and a user-friendly Property Management System. 

• Greater online visibility 
• More direct bookings, less commission 
• Simplified front desk tasks 
• Detailed reports for evaluation 
 
With the help of Bookingplanner, you get access to all major booking sites like Booking.com and Airbnb, but also to smaller local players. Handle all your reservations and communication in a wink thanks to the synchronisation feature.
With Bookingplanner All-in-one, you can save hours of time every week and provide a smooth and excellent guest experience. 

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — 50% discount on professional onboarding costs
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An affordable all-in-one solution for independent hotels, from property management to channel management and from booking engine to payment collection.

We believe in a power-shift from big platforms to independent hotels. From high-commission bookings to direct bookings and from bad guest experiences to unforgettable memories.

Our mission is to empower hoteliers around the world to run their hotels better, by offering easier and smarter ways to operate, distribute and price their hotels. Give them back control, boost direct bookings and create unique guest experiences.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER — No setup fee; a saving of 295€
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Best Channel Managers for Hostels

Hostel-specific Channel Managers offer features beyond managing bookings and cancellations. They cater to dormitory management, optimizing bed assignments and pricing. Dynamic pricing tools help adjust rates based on demand. Seamless connectivity with various channels ensures synchronized availability and rates. These systems also aid in guest management, tracking preferences and enhancing the overall experience. Detailed reporting and analytics provide insights for informed decision-making, improving operations and profitability.

By leveraging these features, hostels can effectively manage their operations, increase bookings, and provide a seamless guest experience. With the ability to streamline dormitory management, adjust pricing dynamically, and connect seamlessly with distribution channels, hostels can optimize their revenue and offer a personalized experience to guests. Additionally, detailed reporting and analytics empower hostels to make data-driven decisions that improve efficiency and enhance guest satisfaction.

Best Channel Managers for Short Terms & Vacation Rentals

When managing short-term rentals, using a Channel Manager can streamline operations and expand your reach beyond platforms like Airbnb. Whether you're overseeing a single villa or a portfolio of properties, a Channel Manager can significantly boost your sales and reduce operational costs.

The rise of short-term rentals in recent years has transformed the hospitality industry, offering travelers worldwide a unique accommodation option. This shift has also led to the development of specialized apps and platforms tailored to the needs of vacation rental management companies.

If you manage a few short-term rental properties, consider using specialized Short Term Rental software to streamline your operations. These tools are designed to meet the unique needs of vacation rental managers, offering features that can help you manage your properties more efficiently. Take a look at this specialized Short Term Rental software.

HotelMinder, it is about:

  • Optimizing occupancy, revenue or ADR
  • Upgrading your software stack
  • Solving distribution or/and tech issues
  • Improving their hotel online presence

Talk to us today

HotelMinder, it is about:

  • Upgrading your software stack
  • Optimizing occupancy, revenue or ADR
  • Solving distribution or/and tech issues
  • Improving their hotel online presence

Talk to us today

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Channel Manager?

A Channel Manager is a software tool that enables hotels to manage their inventory across multiple distribution channels, including Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Global Distribution Systems (GDS), and other third-party agents. It automates the process of updating availability, rates, and restrictions in real time, ensuring that hotel rooms are efficiently marketed and booked.

Why is a Channel Manager Important for Hotels?

A Channel Manager is essential for hotels to efficiently manage their inventory and maximize their online presence. By automating the distribution process, a Channel Manager helps prevent overbookings, increases revenue through improved room occupancy, and enhances the overall guest experience.

What are the Key Features to Look for in a Channel Manager?

Important features to consider when choosing a Channel Manager include real-time inventory management, seamless integration with existing hotel management systems, connectivity with various distribution channels, and robust reporting and analytics capabilities. Other features such as dynamic pricing, guest management tools, and support for different room types are also important considerations.

How Does a Channel Manager Benefit a Hotel?

A Channel Manager benefits a hotel by streamlining the distribution process, reducing the risk of overbookings, increasing room occupancy and revenue, and improving operational efficiency. It also provides valuable insights into booking trends and guest preferences, enabling hotels to make informed decisions to optimize their revenue strategy.

What Factors Should Be Considered When Choosing a Channel Manager?

When choosing a Channel Manager, factors to consider include the size and complexity of the hotel operation, budget constraints, existing technology infrastructure, and specific needs and expectations. Integration capabilities, support for different room types, and scalability are also important factors to evaluate.

Are Channel Managers Suitable for Small Hotels or Properties?

Yes, Channel Managers are suitable for small hotels or properties, especially those with limited resources and manpower. A Channel Manager can help small hotels increase their online visibility, manage their inventory more efficiently, and compete effectively with larger properties.

What is the Difference between Standalone and Bundled Channel Managers?

Standalone Channel Managers are independent software solutions that can be used on their own, while bundled Channel Managers are part of a larger software suite that includes other tools such as a Property Management System (PMS). Standalone Channel Managers offer more flexibility and can integrate with a variety of third-party systems, while bundled solutions offer a more integrated approach but may have limitations in terms of integration options.

Can Channel Managers Integrate with Other Hotel Management Tools?

Yes, Channel Managers can integrate with other hotel management tools, such as PMS, Revenue Management Systems (RMS), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Integration allows for seamless data sharing between systems, improving operational efficiency and enhancing the guest experience.

How do Channel Managers Impact Direct Bookings?

Channel Managers can impact direct bookings positively by increasing a hotel's online visibility through various distribution channels. By listing their inventory on multiple OTAs, hotels can attract a broader range of guests and potentially increase direct bookings through the "Billboard Effect," where guests discover a hotel on an OTA and then book directly through the hotel's website.

Browse the list of the best standalone Channel Manager software or the list of the best bundled Channel Manager software for your hotel.

HotelMinder
HotelMinder
Article written by HotelMinder

We help busy hoteliers find, setup and run the right applications and services to manage business according to their needs, budget, technical and human resources requirements.

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