- Visby for Hotels
- Best hotel guest apps
Best hotel guest apps
Best hotel guest apps in 2026: an honest comparison
For independent and boutique hotels that want a branded guest app live this week with nothing for guests to download, start with Visby for Hotels (free to start). For larger hotels and groups that want online check-in with ID checks, mobile keys and multi-channel messaging, look at Duve and Canary Technologies. For a guest CRM with automated messaging, Bookboost. For chains that want native apps, STAY.
We make Visby, so weigh our pick accordingly. Each entry below links to the vendor’s own site.
At a glance
| Guest app | Best for | How guests open it | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visby for Hotels | independent hotels that want to start free | Lobby QR or link opens in the phone browser. No download. | Free to start (Visby takes a small share of sales), or a flat monthly plan with no commission |
| Duve | check-in, messaging and upsells from one link | Web app from a link. No download. | From $120 a month (published minimums); Enterprise by quote |
| Canary Technologies | larger hotels and groups | In the browser. No app download. | Quote only |
| Bookboost | guest CRM and automated messaging | Web guest app add-on. No download. | Per room per month by module; minimum €399 (US$465) a month |
| LIKE MAGIC | contactless stays with digital keys | No app download required. | From €350 a month (Core) or €400 a month (Platform) |
| MyStay | self-service check-in and kiosks | No app needed. | From €2 per room per month; exact price by quote |
| STAY | chains that want native apps | Web app from a QR code, native iOS and Android app, or embedded. | Not published |
| Akia | AI guest messaging by text | Link by text or chat. No download. | Quote only |
| SiteMinder Guest Engagement (formerly GuestJoy) | Best if you already use SiteMinder | No app download. | Not published; an add-on to SiteMinder plans |
The guest apps, one by one
Visby for Hotels
Best for independent hotels that want to start freeA branded guest app guests open from a lobby QR or link. Requests and chat in one inbox, bookable extras paid by card, AI answers, a local guide, and optional online check-in.
- Guests open it
- Lobby QR or link opens in the phone browser. No download.
- Pricing
- Free to start (Visby takes a small share of sales), or a flat monthly plan with no commission
- Stands out for
- Self-serve and live in minutes, with no PMS needed to start.
Duve
Best for check-in, messaging and upsells from one linkA guest experience platform covering online check-in with ID and payment, a branded guest app, one inbox for WhatsApp, SMS, email and OTA messages, upsells, mobile keys and AI auto-replies.
- Guests open it
- Web app from a link. No download.
- Pricing
- From $120 a month (published minimums); Enterprise by quote
- Stands out for
- Covers the stay from check-in to checkout, including mobile keys.
Canary Technologies
Best for larger hotels and groupsAn all-in-one guest experience platform: mobile, tablet and kiosk check-in, mobile keys, upsells, messaging, ordering, tipping, payments and AI for voice and chat.
- Guests open it
- In the browser. No app download.
- Pricing
- Quote only
- Stands out for
- Front-desk depth: kiosks, authorizations and AI that answers calls.
Bookboost
Best for guest CRM and automated messagingA guest data platform with automated journeys, a shared inbox, broadcasts and an AI agent. The no-download Guest App is an add-on.
- Guests open it
- Web guest app add-on. No download.
- Pricing
- Per room per month by module; minimum €399 (US$465) a month
- Stands out for
- Guest data and marketing broadcasts alongside the guest app.
LIKE MAGIC
Best for contactless stays with digital keysA guest journey with online registration, upsells, digital keys, payments and multichannel messaging with AI.
- Guests open it
- No app download required.
- Pricing
- From €350 a month (Core) or €400 a month (Platform)
- Stands out for
- Registration, keys and payments in one contactless journey.
MyStay
Best for self-service check-in and kiosksPre-check-in, check-in and checkout, an upsell catalogue, kiosk and QR, with PMS, lock and payment integrations.
- Guests open it
- No app needed.
- Pricing
- From €2 per room per month; exact price by quote
- Stands out for
- Runs anything from a staffed front desk to a fully self-service property.
STAY
Best for chains that want native appsA guest experience platform for hotel chains: bookings, food and drink ordering, requests, concierge chat, upselling, an AI concierge and a destination guide.
- Guests open it
- Web app from a QR code, native iOS and Android app, or embedded.
- Pricing
- Not published
- Stands out for
- Web, native and embedded apps from one platform.
Akia
Best for AI guest messaging by textAI messaging and AI voice, with browser mini-apps for check-in with ID checks, upsells, in-room dining, tipping, guidebooks and keyless entry.
- Guests open it
- Link by text or chat. No download.
- Pricing
- Quote only
- Stands out for
- AI that handles texts and phone calls, including payment.
SiteMinder Guest Engagement (formerly GuestJoy)
Best if you already use SiteMinderPre- and post-stay emails, upsells, one inbox for email, SMS, WhatsApp, Booking.com and Airbnb, online check-in with ID and e-signature, a QR guest directory and review surveys.
- Guests open it
- No app download.
- Pricing
- Not published; an add-on to SiteMinder plans
- Stands out for
- Sits inside SiteMinder, next to its channel manager.
How to choose
- Do guests have to download it? A web app opened from a QR or link reaches more guests on a short stay.
- Can you go live without your PMS? Some tools need an integration project before the first guest sees anything.
- Can guests pay in it? Upsells only earn money if guests can book and pay in the same place.
- Who answers guests? Look for one inbox for the team, with AI handling the routine questions.
- How is it priced? Monthly by room count, a share of sales, or both. Ask for the all-in number.
More detail: what a guest app costs.
Questions hotels ask
Straight answers. For anything else, book a 30-minute demo or email hello@visbytravel.com.
What is the best hotel guest app?
It depends on the hotel. For independent and boutique hotels that want to start free with nothing for guests to download, Visby for Hotels. For larger properties that want online check-in with ID checks and mobile keys, Duve or Canary Technologies. For a guest CRM with automated messaging, Bookboost. For chains that want native apps, STAY.
What does a hotel guest app do?
It gives guests one place on their phone for the stay: hotel information, requests and chat with the front desk, booking extras like spa, dining and late checkout, and often online check-in. The hotel team answers from a shared inbox.
Do hotel guest apps need a download?
Not anymore. Most current guest apps run in the phone browser and open from a QR code or a link. Native app downloads are now usually optional.
Which guest app is free to start?
Visby for Hotels has a plan with no upfront or monthly fee: Visby earns a small share of what guests buy through the app. There is also a flat monthly plan with no commission.