What is Smoobu compared to SiteMinder?
Smoobu is a property management solution specifically built for short-term and vacation rentals, while SiteMinder is the world’s leading hotel platform that unlocks the revenue potential of hotels.
Smoobu promises to centralise and synchronise all your tools, which in turn allows you to enhance your relationship with your guests. This is a tool built by hosts, for hosts, and is primarily targeted at those who offer short-term stays through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, rather than traditional hotels (although hotels still use the software).
But is it the ideal software for you? Or could SiteMinder offer an even better way to enhance your business?
In this guide, we’ll look at both the differences and the similarities of these two solutions, to understand which represents the best investment for your business.
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Smoobu reviews: Frequently asked questions and answers
Key features within the Smoobu software include the Smoobu channel manager, the Smoobu website builder, and the Smoobu PMS (property management system), but it doesn’t have its own payment processing solution, a mobile app for iOS devices, and connections to GDS (global distribution system) as of this writing. SiteMinder offers all these, as well as a metasearch management service, or handling your hotel ads on Google Hotel Finder.
Here are some commonly asked questions about Smoobu when comparing it with the world’s leading smart platform for hotels:
- Which platform offers broader, more reliable channel management? SiteMinder boasts of the world’s most extensive channel management, connecting to over 450 distribution channels, including top online travel agencies (OTAs like Booking.com, Airbnb, and more). On the other hand, Smoobu only offers 100+ OTA connections which may not be ideal for large-scale operations.
- What are Smoobu features when it comes to online payments? Smoobu primarily integrates with payment gateways like Strip and Paypal, while SiteMinder not only connects with them as well, along with major credit cards and other local payment processors, but it can also help facilitate a more seamless experience for both hoteliers and guests with a built-in solution called SiteMinder Pay.
- Which platform supports better integrations with other software? SiteMinder stands out as the better technology provider for integrating with existing systems, supporting over 500 PMS, GDS, wholesalers, RMS (revenue management system), CRS (central reservation system), and CRM (customer relationship management) tools, among others. Smoobu integrations only present around 50 partners on their website.
- How does Smoobu pricing compare with SiteMinder? Both platforms adhere to a subscription-based model, where as of this writing, Smoobu pricing starts at $66 monthly for 5 vacation rental units and SiteMinder costs around $85 for an independent property with 5 rooms. Understandably, there’s a premium to SiteMinder pricing since it adds more value to businesses, helping accommodations reach an average ROI of 63x.
- Which platform has stronger reputation in the hotel industry? As a market leader in hotel technology, SiteMinder has built a stronger reputation over the years. Trusted by over 44,500 properties across 150 countries, including major hotel groups like Hyatt and Best Western, the platform is mostly praised for its innovation and scalability. Meanwhile, Smoobu is well-regarded among vacation rental managers, particularly in Europe, but does not yet have the same level of global recognition as SiteMinder.
Elevate your property’s revenue success
Why compare Smoobu and SiteMinder?
At first glance, Smoobu and SiteMinder may appear like similar solutions. They are both hotel systems that integrate with a wealth of other tools. They both have channel management, website building and guest communication features. And they both put a focus on securing more direct bookings as an effective way to increase revenue.
However, which is best for your property? Let’s take a closer look.
Established in Berlin in 2014, Smoobu was a way for its founders – who were hosts themselves – to fix the inadequacies that they saw in other tools. It has since developed a niche in the host space, and enhances its offerings based on direct feedback from its users.
This niche focus can be a blessing and a curse. There isn’t a single Smoobu review on HotelTechReport, for example, so it can be difficult for new users to find social proof of the efficacy of the platform.
In stark contrast, SiteMinder is the world’s largest smart hotel platform. Social proof from current users is plentiful, and the platform’s size also means it can invest heavily in improving its offering. It is therefore loaded with market-leading functionality in terms of business intelligence and integrations.
Like Smoobu, SiteMinder is a growth- and efficiency-focused platform, and one that has plenty of receipts to back up its claims, from a market-leading number of integrations to the ability for any hotel to build an optimised and fully functional website in quick time.
Smoobu alternative: Comparison with SiteMinder
Both Smoobu and SiteMinder promise enhanced property management and growth, and are quite similar in a number of ways. But there are also quite a few differences in the two offerings. The most notable include:
Smoobu website builder
Smoobu’s website builder is designed with simplicity in mind. While the tool makes it easy to construct your own website, the results are equally simple – all users begin with the same template, adding and subtracting elements until they’re happy. The result is a fully functional site, albeit one that lacks personalisation and that some users may find uninspiring. Smoobu website examples can be found on the company’s site.
For those with the requisite skills and knowledge, the Smoobu WordPress plugin can bring Smoobu’s direct booking functionality to a non-Smoobu hotel website.
Offering deep direct booking functionality, and a range of stunning, hotel-specific templates, SiteMinder’s website builder matches the simplicity and functionality of the Smoobu tool, while also offering a far greater level of beauty and personalisation.
92% of users recommend SiteMinder’s website builder, and it ranks as one of the best tools on HotelTechReport with a 4.5 rating. It’s the obvious choice for any hotel who wants a capable direct booking website that is distinctly them.
Smoobu support
Whether you’re testing out a Smoobu demo or fully implementing the solution within your tech stack, you’ll want help from the experts. Based out of Germany, Smoobu’s support hours are limited to Monday-Friday, 9:30am-6pm Central European time (CET),which may be inconvenient, particularly for international users. The team offers support in seven different languages.
SiteMinder, on the other hand, offers truly global 24/7 support. Dedicated success teams are dotted around the world, ensuring that there’s always someone there to help you out, and these teams work in 20 different languages. The global brand is dedicated to offering users meaningful one-on-one support that ensures you get all that you can from the solution.
Smoobu login
While you’ll gain access to Smoobu Statistics as part of your Smoobu login, the reporting and insights are somewhat fragmented and limited. The only data that is captured and displayed is from Smoobu integrations.
SiteMinder’s advanced business intelligence tool, meanwhile, delivers streamlined insights. Comprehensive reporting shows exactly where bookings are coming from, and pricing trend information gives you a head start on competitors. The world’s leading smart platform for hotels offers a single portal to view all the most important reports, which you can also extract in PDF and CSV format, and analyse in Excel.
Smoobu channel manager
The Smoobu channel manager connects and syncs with major booking channels like Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com.
SiteMinder’s channel manager syncs with pretty much every booking channel you’ve heard of – and quite a few that you haven’t! Along with offering all the functionality of the Smoobu tool, the deep syncing capability of the world’s number one channel manager ensures you’re never locked out of your booking portals.
Smoobu integrations
SiteMinder integrates with over five times the number of OTAs and booking channels that Smoobu does. Smoobu has approximately 80 booking partners, while SiteMinder boasts over 450. No matter where you list your property, and no matter how niche that distribution channel might be, you’re more likely to be able to connect with it using the latter.
Reasons to choose SiteMinder over Smoobu
SiteMinder offers hosts and hotels all the major tools and features that Smoobu does, and then some. It also offers a compelling alternative in terms of Smoobu pricing, has an iOS app (the Smoobu app is Android-only), and has a passionate user base that offers a secondary, P2P level of support.
Some other reasons to choose SiteMinder include:
Increased hotel revenue
SiteMinder puts a focus on direct bookings, because when guests book direct, you keep the sky-high commission fees – often 15%-25% – charged by the big OTAs.
SiteMinder combines a powerful direct booking engine, real-time hotel payment processing tool and a user-friendly hotel website builder to help you maximise these bookings and dramatically increase your revenue. And unlike Smoobu, SiteMinder also has a dedicated metasearch feature – Demand Plus – which focuses on driving more direct bookings by putting your property up in lights online.
An all-in-one integrated platform
Between in-tool functionality and an unbeatable ability to integrate with the tools, apps and software you currently use, SiteMinder delivers all the functionality any property could ever need into a single, ultra-connected platform. With 1350+ total integrations, it can form the centrepiece of a modern hotel business’s tech stack.
A superior network
With the ability to connect with 450+ OTAs and booking channels, SiteMinder has market-leading distribution coverage that is over five times as extensive as that offered by Smoobu.
24/7 support
SiteMinder’s dedicated support team is always there to ensure every user enjoys success. 1:1 support is provided whenever you need it, wherever you are across the globe, in a language that you understand.
Advanced security and stability, with less than 1% downtime
From the security of PCI-DSS compliant payments to the stability of a tool with <1% downtime, SiteMinder is the safe and reliable option demanded by hotel businesses that never truly close.
Smoobu vs SiteMinder: Which one to use?
When comparing Smoobu and SiteMinder, the right choice all boils down to your property type and management needs. Smoobu may be a solid option for vacation rental managers because of its simpler features.
However, SiteMinder clearly stands out as the superior choice for hoteliers managing larger properties or multiple hotels. Designed to optimise operations at scale, it offers advanced reporting, pricing recommendations, and enterprise features that independent hotels and major chains need for long-term growth and streamlined management across all touchpoints.
In summary, while Smoobu may fit for small-scale vacation rentals, SiteMinder wins for larger, more complex business operations needing a powerful and globally recognised solution.