RoomCloud Alternatives: Best Channel Manager Options for Hotels in 2025

Are you tired of juggling OTAs, updating rates manually, and still losing revenue? You’re not alone. Many hoteliers started with RoomCloud to simplify distribution, but soon realized the costs, PMS connection issues, and limited flexibility don’t always work for small or mid-sized properties.

That’s why in 2025, more hoteliers are exploring RoomCloud alternatives—tools that are easier, more affordable, and better suited to real-world hotel operations. The hotel channel managers market is growing rapidly, valued at USD 500 Million in 2024 and projected to reach USD 1.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.5%.

This growth reflects the critical role these systems play in modern hotel operations.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top alternatives, share a side-by-side comparison, and give you practical best practices to maximize your channel manager.

1. Why Switch

Hoteliers often switch from RoomCloud for practical reasons. Here’s what they say versus what they really need:

  • “Feels expensive for my size.” → Transparent pricing that scales
  • “PMS link is a hassle.” → Smooth PMS integration
  • “Serviced apartments don’t fit.” → Flexible setup for hotels + apartments
  • “Support wait is long.” → Fast, hotel-focused help desk
  • “Reports don’t help.” → Clear revenue insights (ADR, RevPAR, channel mix)

These are the gaps alternatives aim to solve. Notably, over 70% of hotels are now actively deploying channel management systems to address these challenges and streamline distribution across online platforms.

2. Top Picks

1. AxisRooms

Best for: Independent hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments

Why hoteliers prefer AxisRooms:

  • Real-time OTA sync to prevent overbookings.
  • PMS/CRS/Booking Engine links for smooth daily operations.
  • Revenue-focused reports that highlight ADR, RevPAR, and OTA mix.
  • Certified with Expedia & Booking.com for reliable connectivity.
  • Transparent, tiered pricing—pay only for what you need.

Bottom line: AxisRooms feels built for hotel teams, not just software buyers.

2. Cloudbeds

Best for: Hotels wanting an all-in-one PMS + Channel Manager

Why choose it:

  • Unified platform—reservations, PMS, and channel manager in one dashboard.
  • Global channel reach (300+ OTAs).
  • Marketplace add-ons like payments and upselling.

Limitations: Higher price for small hotels; onboarding can take time.

Best fit if: You want everything under one roof with one vendor.

Case Study: A boutique hotel chain with 5 properties implemented Cloudbeds’ integrated solution and saw a 15% increase in direct bookings within three months by leveraging the platform’s unified approach to distribution and pricing.

3. SiteMinder

Best for: Medium to large hotels managing many OTAs

Why choose it:

  • 450+ OTA connections for global reach.
  • Advanced tools—bulk updates, restrictions, stop-sell.
  • Analytics for revenue and channel performance.

Limitations: Premium pricing, complex for small teams.

Best fit if: You want maximum OTA coverage and have a team to manage it.

4. Little Hotelier

Best for: Small hotels and B&Bs

Why choose it:

  • Simple setup with a booking engine included.
  • Affordable plans designed for small businesses.
  • User-friendly for front-desk staff.

Limitations: Limited scalability for multi-property groups.

Best fit if: You need a basic, budget-friendly solution.

5. Smoobu

Best for: Serviced apartments and vacation rentals

Why choose it:

  • Flat, transparent pricing.
  • Apartment-focused workflows (self-check-in, guest messaging).
  • Quick setup and easy calendar sync.

Limitations: Basic revenue reports, less suited for full-service hotels.

Best fit if: You run apartments first, hotels second.

6. Hostaway

Best for: Airbnb/Vrbo managers with some hotel units

Why choose it:

  • Automation tools for guest messages and tasks.
  • Strong rental OTA support.
  • Marketing add-ons for repeat bookings.

Limitations: Lacks deep hotel PMS features.

Best fit if: Most of your revenue is from short-term rentals.

7. RMS Cloud

Best for: Large resorts and campgrounds

Why choose it:

Limitations: Complex setup, higher cost.

Best fit if: You need enterprise-grade control.

3. Side-by-Side

Provider

Best For

Strength

Pricing

AxisRooms

Hotels & apts

PMS + OTA sync, revenue insights

Transparent, scalable

Cloudbeds

Boutique hotels

All-in-one PMS+CM+BE

Premium

SiteMinder

Medium/large hotels

Global OTA reach

Higher cost

Little Hotelier

Small hotels

Booking engine + ease

Affordable

Smoobu

Apartments/rentals

Flat pricing, simple setup

Transparent

Hostaway

Rentals

Airbnb/Vrbo automation

Moderate

RMS Cloud

Resorts

Enterprise PMS + CM

Premium

4. Best Practices

To get the most from any channel manager:

  • Maintain rate parity → keep prices consistent across OTAs. This is crucial as InnQuest reports 68% of hotels listing across 8-12 channels face rate-parity issues that can be prevented with proper channel management.
  • Use PMS integration → avoid manual updates and reduce errors. Studies show that implementing a channel manager can cut manual workload by up to 85%, freeing staff to focus on guest experience.
  • Track OTA performance → focus on channels that drive profitable bookings. With global occupancy rates hitting 72% in 2025 (8 percentage points higher than in 2019), understanding which channels deliver the best ROI is more important than ever.
  • Review reports regularly → fine-tune ADR, RevPAR, and occupancy. In 2025, the global average daily rate (ADR) reached $162.16—a 1.99% increase compared to the prior year—highlighting the importance of strategic pricing.
  • Train your team → make sure staff understand the tool. Despite the clear benefits, Hotel Tech Report indicates that only about 50% of hotels use a dedicated channel manager, suggesting a significant opportunity for those who properly implement and train on these systems.
  • Protect guest trust → accurate inventory = fewer disputes and better reviews.
  • Optimize for mobile → with mobile-first booking set to dominate with 75% market share by 2026, ensure your distribution strategy prioritizes the mobile experience.

5. Pricing View

  • RoomCloud: Custom, often heavy for small hotels
  • AxisRooms: Transparent, tiered for small/mid-sized hotels
  • Cloudbeds: Subscription, premium tier
  • Little Hotelier: Entry-level, affordable
  • Smoobu: Flat pricing for rentals

Tip: Always ask for a demo with your OTA list mapped before signing.

6. Buyer Checklist

Before choosing, confirm:

  • OTA list is supported
  • PMS/CRS/Booking Engine link is stable
  • Revenue tools show ADR, RevPAR, channel mix
  • Role-based access for staff
  • Support is 24/7 or local
  • Pricing is clear, with no hidden add-ons

Why Choose Axisrooms?

One feature that clearly beats RoomCloud, it’s AxisRooms’ real-time rate and inventory sync. Change a price or room count once, and it updates on every OTA in seconds. This keeps your listings clean, prevents double bookings, and stops price mismatches that hurt trust and revenue.

- One update, everywhere: Edit price or availability once; all OTAs get it right away.

- Fewer overbookings: Pooled inventory updates in real time to keep counts accurate.

- Price parity, kept simple: If a channel shows the wrong rate, AxisRooms pushes the correct one again.

- Covers all plans: BAR, member, or package rates stay linked—no missed updates.

- Clear alerts & logs: See what changed, when, and where—easy to track and fix.

With instant sync, you spend less time fixing mistakes and more time selling rooms—making AxisRooms the strongest RoomCloud alternative.

7. FAQs

Q1-Which RoomCloud alternative suits small hotels best?

A-AxisRooms or Little Hotelier are great choices for small hotels. They offer simple, affordable solutions with easy integration and user-friendly interfaces, making them ideal for smaller properties.

Q2-Do I really need PMS integration with the channel manager?

A-Yes, integrating your channel manager with your PMS ensures real-time updates, reduces manual errors, and streamlines your operations, saving time and preventing overbookings. Hotels that combine automation with dynamic pricing strategies often see 10-20% revenue growth according to Seekda.

Q3-What’s the best fit for serviced apartments?

A-AxisRooms and Smoobu both offer robust features tailored to serviced apartments, including flexible workflows and easy management of multiple unit types, making them ideal for this property type.

Q4-How should I compare pricing fairly?

A-To compare pricing fairly, request a demo where your exact OTA list and PMS flow are mapped out. This ensures you understand the total cost and avoid hidden fees or add-ons.

8. Conclusion

RoomCloud has helped hotels distribute widely, but 2025 demands more—tools that are simple, affordable, and tightly integrated with PMS.

If you’re looking to switch, AxisRooms should be your first choice. With real-time OTA sync, PMS integration, and revenue insights, it’s designed for hotel teams to run smoothly day-to-day. For an all-in-one setup, try Cloudbeds. For global OTA power, look at SiteMinder.

The hotel channel managers market is expected to reach USD 1.2 Billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 10.5%, highlighting the growing importance of these systems.

Hotels that leverage these technologies effectively are seeing significant operational benefits, with manual workload reductions of up to 85% and potential revenue growth of 10-20% when paired with dynamic pricing strategies.

Key takeaway: The right channel manager isn’t the one with the longest feature list—it’s the one that fits your hotel’s size, staff, and revenue goals.