Indian hotels are rethinking how they manage distribution. As OTAs grow stronger, guest booking behaviour shifts, and operational pressure increases, many hoteliers are exploring IDS Next alternatives in India that offer better control over OTA management and direct bookings.
Legacy systems were built for a simpler time. Today, hotels need faster updates, clearer visibility, and tools that reduce manual effort — not add to it. This is where modern OTA and direct booking tools are changing how hotels operate.
In this guide, we break down why hotels look beyond IDS Next, the challenges Indian hoteliers face, how modern distribution platforms compare to traditional systems, and the best IDS Next alternatives in India to consider in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Control Over Chaos: As hotels manage multiple OTAs and booking channels, centralised systems help reduce errors, avoid overbookings, and keep distribution organised.
- Balance Over Dependence: With direct bookings and OTA bookings contributing almost equally to hotel revenues, hotels now need tools that manage both channels together, not in silos.
- Automation Over Manual Effort: Manual rate and inventory updates no longer scale, pushing hotels to adopt real-time channel managers that save time and reduce operational stress.
- Margin Protection Over Visibility Alone: OTAs drive demand, but high commission costs encourage hotels to invest in channel management and booking engines that support higher-margin direct reservations.
- Modern Platforms Over Legacy Systems: Traditional hotel systems struggle with speed and integration, while modern distribution platforms offer real-time updates, better visibility, and easier scalability.
Why Hotels in India Are Exploring IDS Next Alternatives
For many Indian hotels — especially independent and mid-sized properties — OTAs remain a major source of bookings. Industry insights consistently show that smaller hotels depend heavily on OTAs like Booking.com for visibility and reservations, making distribution accuracy critical.
At the same time, hotels are under pressure to:
- Reduce overbookings and rate mismatches
- Control OTA commissions
- Improve direct bookings through their own websites
- Manage multiple platforms with limited staff
Traditional setups often require manual updates or delayed syncing across channels. As booking volumes grow, these gaps become harder to manage — prompting hoteliers to explore IDS Next alternatives that are faster, simpler, and more connected.
Key Challenges Faced by Indian Hoteliers Today
Before choosing the right tool, it’s important to understand the real challenges hotels face on the ground:
- Heavy dependence on OTAs for bookings and visibility
- Manual rate and inventory updates across platforms
- High OTA commissions are impacting margins
- Limited technical teams and training bandwidth
- Difficulty balancing OTA bookings with direct bookings
- Legacy systems that don’t integrate smoothly
These challenges aren’t about scale — they’re about efficiency and control.
What Indian Hotels Expect from OTA & Direct Booking Tools in 2026
Distribution today isn’t about choosing between OTAs and direct bookings — it’s about managing both together.
According to recent distribution reports, direct online bookings and OTA bookings account for 21% of total hotel bookings, highlighting the need for tools that easily support both channels.
Hotels now look for:
- Real-time OTA inventory and rate sync
- A reliable web booking engine for direct sales
- Easy integration with existing PMS
- Clear reporting on channel performance
- Faster onboarding and day-to-day usability
Traditional Hotel Systems vs Modern Distribution Platforms
To understand why hotels are moving away from legacy setups, the difference becomes clear when compared side by side.
This shift explains why many hotels actively seek modern IDS Next alternatives in India.
Top IDS Next Alternatives in India
Below are some widely used alternatives that Indian hotels consider when upgrading their distribution setup.
1. AxisRooms
AxisRooms is a hotel distribution and revenue platform designed for hotels that rely heavily on OTAs while actively growing direct bookings. It helps hotels centralise channel management, pricing, and booking performance in one place.
Key Features:
- Real-time channel manager to sync rates and availability across OTAs
- Integrated web booking engine to drive direct bookings
- Revenue management system for better rate control and pricing decisions
- Detailed analytics and reporting for channel and revenue performance
- Easy PMS integrations, including Hotelogix
Best For: Mid-sized hotels, chains, and properties with complex OTA distribution and a strong focus on revenue optimisation.
2. RateGain
RateGain is known for its data-driven approach to pricing and distribution. It helps hotels monitor market trends, competitor rates, and OTA performance using advanced analytics.
Key Features:
- Rate intelligence and competitor benchmarking
- Strong OTA connectivity and distribution insights
- Market demand and pricing analytics
- Performance dashboards for revenue teams
Best For: Hotels that want deeper pricing intelligence and revenue-focused decision-making.
3. SiteMinder
SiteMinder is a global channel manager with wide OTA coverage. It helps hotels maintain rate parity and visibility across domestic and international booking platforms.
Key Features:
- Extensive OTA network and channel connectivity
- Centralised rate and inventory management
- Basic direct booking engine support
- Reliable global distribution infrastructure
Best For: Hotels targeting international OTA exposure and global distribution reach.
4. STAAH
STAAH offers channel management and booking engine solutions with a simple interface and dependable OTA integrations. It’s widely used by independent hotels and regional chains.
Key Features:
- Real-time OTA channel management
- Integrated booking engine for direct bookings
- Rate and inventory control from one dashboard
- Simple setup and user-friendly interface
Best For: Independent hotels and small chains looking for straightforward OTA management.
5. eZee Distribution
eZee Distribution provides a cost-effective solution that combines channel management with direct booking tools. It focuses on helping hotels maintain OTA accuracy while supporting website bookings.
Key Features:
- Channel manager for OTA rate and inventory sync
- Built-in booking engine for direct reservations
- Integration with eZee PMS and other systems
- Budget-friendly setup for growing hotels
Best For: Budget and mid-market hotels looking for essential distribution tools at a lower cost.
Comparison Table: IDS Next vs Modern Alternatives
Why AxisRooms Makes Sense for OTA & Direct Booking Management
While OTAs help hotels stay visible, they also come at a cost. Industry estimates show that OTA commissions often range from 12% to 28%, which can put steady pressure on margins. This is why many hotels actively invest in tools that help balance OTA reach with higher-margin direct reservations.
AxisRooms addresses this need by giving hotels tighter control over distribution, pricing, and bookings—without adding operational complexity. It’s built for hotels that want to manage OTAs efficiently while strengthening their direct booking strategy.
- OTA Integrations: Connects with leading OTAs to keep rates and availability updated in real time, reducing overbookings and pricing errors
- Channel Manager: Centralised channel manager that allows hotels to manage inventory and rates across multiple platforms from one dashboard
- Web Booking Engine: Integrated booking engine that helps convert website visitors into direct bookings, lowering dependency on OTAs
- PMS Integrations: Direct PMS integrations ensure booking, availability, and pricing data stay aligned across systems
- Payment Gateways: Supports secure payment gateways, making online reservations and direct payments smoother for guests
- Revenue Management Service: Helps hotels make smarter pricing decisions using demand trends, booking patterns, and performance data
Together, these capabilities help hotels reduce manual effort, protect margins, and maintain better control over both OTA and direct booking channels.
FAQs
Q1-What are the best IDS Next alternatives in India?
A-AxisRooms, RateGain, SiteMinder, STAAH, and eZee Distribution are commonly considered IDS Next alternatives in India.
Q2-Is IDS Next suitable for OTA management?
A-IDS Next is primarily PMS-led and may require additional tools for strong, real-time OTA management.
Q3-Which tool is best for managing OTAs and direct bookings together?
A-Platforms like AxisRooms are designed to manage OTAs and direct bookings from a single, connected setup.
Q4-Can AxisRooms work with my existing PMS?
A-Yes, AxisRooms integrates with popular PMS platforms, including Hotelogix.
Q5-Why do hotels need a channel manager today?
A-A channel manager keeps rates and availability synced across OTAs, preventing overbookings and saving time.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing an IDS Next alternative. The right solution depends on how your hotel manages OTAs, direct bookings, and daily operations — and how much visibility and control you need across channels.
As distribution becomes more complex, hotels that move to modern, connected platforms gain better accuracy, fewer errors, and stronger revenue control. AxisRooms helps hotels manage OTAs efficiently, strengthen direct bookings, and make smarter pricing decisions without adding operational complexity.
Ready to take control of your distribution strategy? Book a demo today and see how AxisRooms can support your hotel’s growth in 2026.