Is Free Hotel Management Software Really Worth It?

A hotel management software is a practical hospitality solution that allows hotels to manage and streamline their day-to-day operations and offer guests a frictionless experience.   

An end-to-end hotel management system allows hotels to effectively manage reservations, human resources, inventory, billing, etc., via a centralized platform.   

Moreover, with third-party app integration such as booking platforms, payment gateways, etc., hotels can further extend the capabilities of this solution.  

Let’s now learn about the usefulness of a free hotel management system.   

How Useful is the Free Hotel Management Software? 

As mentioned in the introduction, whenever you see the word free before anything on the internet, ask a lot of questions. Because more often than not, free stuff comes with hidden costs or compromised capabilities, features, or functionalities.   

For example, most of the free hotel management software vendors might charge hidden fees such as a booking fee, credit card processing fees, and higher charge rates, meaning the more bookings you get, the higher the charges are levied on you and your guests.   

On the other hand, reliable partners such as BOTSHOT work on different transparent subscription plans for hotels to effectively manage their budget whilst getting the best-in-class complete hotel management system.   

Furthermore, check if the advertisement says that you would get a free version of the system or platform with limited features and functionalities. And if you would have to pay to access the advanced (but literally the most basic) ones?   

You might have to pay the regular costs but get some premium features for free for a certain period. This also might be the case.   

So really ask and not assume. Always look for the * sign or ‘conditions apply’ whenever you see a free hotel management software written anywhere.   

The next question you have to ask yourself is - ‘If this free hotel management solution will be enough for my hotel’s requirements?   

Let’s see how this question can be further expanded in the next section.     

Is a Free Hotel Management System Good for Your Hotel?

Once you understand the product details, move on and ask yourself if the free hotel management software good fit for your hotel. Does it offer all the features and functionalities, or enough automation required to streamline day-to-day hotel operations and administrative tasks?  

For example, free software might lack a channel manager does not even offer integration with a third-party one, or does not offer bookings from some of the most popular OTAs (online travel agencies) or channels.   

This can potentially be the case with free stuff, and as a result, it will hamper the number of hotel bookings. Even more so if you have a hotel website or are present on OTAs, which is the case with most modern-day hotels.   

But one that offers a built-in channel manager or seamless integration with one, such as BOTSHOT’s all-in-one hotel management software, will certainly allow you to effectively manage, and increase your bookings and your booking revenue in no time. It is one top-rated software on the listing websites for not one but multiple reasons!  

Let’s look at some of the other potential shortcomings of a free hotel management system:   

Migration hurdles

Any hotel management software should be user-friendly. This ease of use includes seamless migration from legacy systems to contemporary hotel management software.   

Does the free hotel management system provider guarantee smooth migration? Will the free solution vendor put in so much effort for your hotel? We highly doubt it.   

Moreover, does the free plan include all the data migration or does it cover only a certain amount, and over and above it is chargeable? Will the migration be done in a short period or over a longer period?   

These are some of the hidden details of free hotel management software that lack clarity and are open to ambiguity.   

Whereas transparent hotel management solutions such as BOTSHOT ensure that the hotel seamlessly transitions from its legacy system to the new HMS for maximum benefit and ease of use. 

Free software might give slow performance

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. We all have heard this idiom, but with free hotel management software, you experience it.   

If a provider is offering you something you aren't being charged for, it will lack the quality, hence, the performance might be below average to poor.   

Free hotel management solutions are slow and clunky to use. With no charges to run the platform, the hotel usually has to click, hover a lot and also wait for longer times for the system to load or do even the bare minimum.   

This would cause delays, and frustrated hotel staff isn’t ever good news. So, just to save some bucks, you end up losing more.

Security risks

The hospitality industry is data-rich. Therefore, it is naturally a magnet for cyber attackers and hackers. And a data breach has more reputational damage than monetary losses.   

A vendor offering an entire hotel management software for free would certainly not be big on data security. Can you trust such a partner? Is your guest data secure in a free hotel management system? What happens if a company offering such popular technology for free shuts down? Where does the data go after that?

These are some very important questions to ask whenever you feel drawn to a free software offering advertisement or company.

On the other hand, secure software such as BOTSHOT leverages integrated payment gateways to ensure 100% guest data and personal information security.

This top-class software also makes use of anti-virus solutions, backs up data for any potential emergencies, and complies with GDPR and ISO 27001 regulations. Hotel and guest data security at all times!

Customer service and training support

Understanding and using a new technology that you would be relied upon for a long time for your work, can be hard.

Thus, training support and customer services are some of the most crucial services that a third-party vendor provides. However, these cannot be ensured with a free hotel management software vendor.

This is because since so many other services, no matter how basic, are coming for free, hotels do not have the luxury of a 24*7 customer service team. This concept just does not exist. And even if it does, the team might be highly responsive or unprofessional, considering their salaries earned from a free software service.

This would cause stress for you and the staff and will be reflected in service delays, bad reviews, operational goof-ups, lost booking opportunities, and a reduction in new and repeat business. More lost than gained.

Therefore, whenever you see the words free hotel management software, better contain your excitement and think about these drawbacks. 

BOTSHOT, however, offers 24*7 support from some of the most seasoned industry professionals, guiding you through each step and issue.

Now that we have learned if a free hotel management software brings hoteliers and staff any gifts, we should talk about the other important aspect of a hospitality business- the guests. 

What does a Free Hotel Management Software do for Guest Experience?

A Hotel PMS Software or hotel management software has an elevation of the guest experience as one of its many benefits. The same could not be said for a free hotel management system though.   

With a free solution, we highly doubt that the hotel staff can make time to cater to all the guests needs due to limited features and functionalities. This solution might take so much time in micromanagement of the software, that the staff will not be able to put complete focus on customer service.   

Moreover, the no-cost platform might lack digital solutions such as mobile check-in/out, POS integration, etc., the services that simplify and enhance the guest experience.   

Whereas solutions such as BOTSHOT’s complete hotel management software offer all the self-service features such as contactless check-in/out, POS System, secure payment gateways, etc., a present-day traveler/guest expects.

All good things come at a price, but some at an affordable one!

In the changing hospitality landscape, and ever-evolving guest expectations, managing a hotel is not an easy job. Thus, amidst all the struggle, a free hotel management system with no customization, data security, training, and maintenance is the last thing a hotelier would want.   

There are way better options available in the market that come at an affordable cost. Take BOTSHOT. It’s a cloud-based, one-stop, reliable, customizable, and scalable solution with 24*7 support and maintenance services.   

From an SEO-friendly website to revenue optimization and maximization to inventory management, dynamic pricing to POS tools, and much more, BOTSHOT offers it all at a cost that is significantly outweighed by the benefits.   

Its regular updates and upgrades, ongoing training sessions, and data security provisions make it one of the most trusted software out there.  

Not convinced? Schedule a free demo today and start your free 14-day trial. See for yourself!   

Save money but in a way that allows you to make more of it with the right software.