8 Best Channel Managers for Hotels to Know in 2026

Today, hotels increasingly distribute their rates and availability across a diverse range of online channels to maximize visibility, occupancy, and revenue. These include: 

A hotel channel manager simplifies the multi-channel approach by synchronizing availability, rates, and inventory (ARI) – and, increasingly, other data such as content and policies – across all connected channels in real time, maintaining accuracy and reducing manual updates. 

However, when a channel manager is unreliable or lacks connectivity depth, hotel distribution can feel like an orchestra without a conductor, with channels passing data uncoordinated. The result is predictable: inaccurate information across platforms, mismatched prices, double bookings, frustrated guests, and a daily time-drain spent on manual admin.  

Now introduce a reliable, modern channel manager. Like a skilled conductor, data begins to run perfectly on tempo. Reservations flow smoothly, rates and availability stay accurate across channels, and hotel staff regain time to focus on guest experience.   

Choosing the right channel manager is, therefore, a critical decision for every hotel, but the selection process feels harder than ever. While many vendors focus their marketing on the number of connections they offer, the questions that matter most to hoteliers are about integration depth, synchronization reliability, booking performance and true cost per booking – not simply whether a connection exists. It’s about quality over quantity – hotels don’t need to activate 400+ channels if only three or four high-quality connections deliver over 90% of incremental occupancy with less operational burden. 

Take integration depth as one example of a key differentiator. While two channel managers may connect to the same OTA, one may only sync basic rates and availability with high commissions and syncing errors, whereas the other reliably synchronizes rich data – including ARI, policies, restrictions, guest messages and full content. 

Whether you’re managing a 10-room boutique hotel or a large multi-property portfolio, this guide is designed to cut through the noise and help you understand which software will truly fit your property’s size, tech stack, operational needs and performance targets. We evaluate the best hotel channel managers using a practical, operations-focused lens, including how much data is synchronized, real user feedback, pricing structures, and each solution’s best-fit use cases.  

Here are eight top hotel channel managers covered in this guide:  

eviivo’s Channel Manager, used by over 28,000 properties worldwide, is an advanced, cost-effective distribution solution built into eviivo Suite™ and designed for independent hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals and serviced accommodation of all sizes. Its automated, two-way synchronization of ARI, content, messaging, and policies to all major OTAs, GDSs and metasearch platforms – including Booking.com, Expedia, Amadeus, and Google – increases occupancy, prevents overbookings, and reduces manual workloads.  

Because eviivo’s channel manager is fully integrated into their all-in-one property management system, it seamlessly combines workflows with reservation management, booking engine, payments, reporting and unified guest messaging, reducing overall cost, admin time and reconciliation hassles. With all modules built into one platform, updates to eviivo Suite or to connected OTAs are applied automatically across the channel ecosystem, making it well suited to independent properties and hotel groups that want a powerful, scalable channel manager without the operational burden of fragmented third-party systems, repeated updates, or complex integrations. 

Unlike many hotel channel managers that only synchronize ARI, eviivo also distributes full AI-enhanced property content, allowing hotels to centrally manage:  

eviivo’s comprehensive end-to-end OTA connectivity removes the need to work across individual OTA extranets, enables staff to respond to guests promptly from a unified multi-channel inbox within the PMS, and helps independent hotels maintain consistent, accurate listings across every channel – preventing content discrepancies while improving guest trust and booking conversion.  

Awarded Hotel Channel Management Platform of the Year at TravelTech Breakthrough Awards in 2024, eviivo has a user-friendly interface designed to support quick, simple onboarding and portfolio migration. Connections to major OTAs are made through a one-click process, enabling properties to go live within hours, not weeks. Hotels can easily import existing listings, bookings and photos from platforms such as Booking.com and Expedia, as well as from legacy systems, significantly reducing setup time and operational disruption.  

Another key differentiator of eviivo’s Channel Manager is the level of control it gives hotels over how they work with OTAs. Rates, charges, restrictions and promotions can be managed by channel or in bulk, allowing properties to apply different pricing and policies across direct bookings and OTA channels rather than relying on a single, fixed setup. eviivo also automates payment handling and reconciliation across all booking sources, including deposits, balances, pre-authorizations and OTA virtual cards. Built-in financial tools reconcile OTA payouts, commissions and prepaid bookings clearly, reducing manual back-office work and improving financial accuracy.  

Rather than charging a percentage of booking value – a model common among channel managers – eviivo offers fixed monthly subscription pricing, with price-per-room decreasing as hotel capacity grows. When used with eviivo’s AI-powered guest messaging and automated payments, a flat usage fee of $0.50 applies per confirmed booking, delivering greater cost-savings at scale. For example, on a $1,000 reservation, a channel manager charging 1% per booking would take a $10 fee (excluding payment processor charges), while eviivo’s usage fee remains $0.50 – a 20 times lower amount. Further, because the channel manager and PMS are combined in a single platform, hotels also avoid separate software subscriptions, resulting in more predictable costs and higher gross margins as booking volumes grow. This makes eviivo ideal for financially astute hotel operators looking for powerful, cost-effective software. 

eviivo also provides advanced performance insights that help revenue managers and hotel owners optimize pricing and channel strategy:  

This allows hotels to evaluate channel effectiveness, identify trends and make informed adjustments.  

Uno Connect is a distribution platform by RateGain, offering a channel manager designed to help hotels increase their online visibility by connecting ARI and content to over 400 channels. From a single platform, revenue managers can manage and push ARI updates with one click, helping to speed up distribution management.  

Operating in 160+ countries, Uno Connect is compatible with more than 30 languages, making it an excellent choice for international brands seeking global reach. According to its website, RateGain is partnered with 33 of the world’s top 40 hotel groups, further underscoring its suitability for large, branded chains.  

Uno Connect also provides GDS connectivity, a booking engine, metasearch support, and content distribution. It offers dynamic pricing tools to help hotels boost revenue by automatically adjusting prices based on factors such as competitor rates and real-time demand. These features make RateGain particularly beneficial for hotels and chains that have dedicated revenue managers to take advantage of the available pricing intelligence functionalities.  

However, user reviews mention some challenges that hotels have encountered with Uno Connect, where the UI (user interface) can sometimes feel overwhelming and lacking in shortcuts. Hotels where staff are less tech-savvy or newer to revenue management software may prefer platforms with a simpler, more intuitive UI.  

SiteMinder is a globally established hotel channel management and distribution platform designed to help accommodation providers synchronize ARI across a wide network of OTAs, GDSs and metasearch channels. The platform is used by more than 40,000 properties worldwide and is commonly selected by global hotel chains seeking to centralize online distribution and reduce the operational risks associated with manual updates and overbookings.  

Operating in over 150 countries, SiteMinder enables hotels to increase their online reach and automate distribution across 650+ channels and booking platforms. This makes it a good solution for properties aiming to diversify their channel mix across multiple countries and gain broad visibility without overcomplicating distribution workflows.  

SiteMinder is commonly adopted as a standalone channel manager by hotels that already operate with an established PMS. Consequently, it is particularly known for its extensive integration ecosystem and long-standing role within multi-vendor hotel technology stacks. Bookings are delivered into the hotel’s connected management system, with availability automatically updated across all other channels.  

SiteMinder also offers performance metrics and pace insights to help revenue managers improve their sales strategy and reporting, with booking trends and real-time analytics available to inform distribution mix and rate plan strategy.  

However, at times user feedback suggests SiteMinder could be improved by enhancing reporting depth and data clarity. Hotels or owners seeking more robust reporting should make comparisons against channel managers with more advanced capabilities.   

RateTiger is a cloud-based hotel distribution and channel management platform offering real-time ARI synchronization across a broad network of OTAs, GDS platforms, metasearch engines, and other travel channels. Developed by eRevMax, a long-standing provider of online distribution solutions for the hospitality industry (with 612 million ARI processed annually) RateTiger is appreciated for its data accuracy and for providing hotels with precise control over their distribution strategy by combining granular rate management, centralized oversight, and real-time intelligence.  

RateTiger provides two-way XML connectivity with more than 400 demand partners and OTAs (including Booking.com and Expedia), enabling hotels to make updates from a single interface and push them in real time to all linked channels.  

With many integrations to major PMS and RMS systems offered, the platform supports the automated delivery of booking information from connected channels directly into a hotel’s property management system. This is highly beneficial for properties already running an established hotel management system, as RateTiger’s modular design enables the channel manager to be integrated into a custom tech-stack for automated reservation delivery, reducing manual entry and synchronization errors.  

In addition to its core channel management capabilities, RateTiger offers complementary tools such as its RateTiger Shopper module for competitive rate intelligence and parity monitoring. These features enable dedicated revenue management teams to benchmark competitor pricing and optimize distribution strategies for maximal occupancy. This makes RateTiger especially suited to revenue managers who handle complex, multi-market operations and require advanced control and competitive intelligence. For example, a revenue team overseeing 30+ hotels across the US and Canada could use RateTiger to gain real-time visibility into how competitors in both cross-border markets are pricing across channels, enabling faster, data-driven decisions. 

However, some hotels’ feedback suggests that RateTiger could benefit from improved upselling features and better integration between the booking engine and hotel websites (which currently relies on re-directing to a third-party app). Hotels aiming to provide a seamless guest experience may find platforms offering enhanced customization and more advanced booking engine options a better fit than RateTiger, especially if aiming to maximize booking conversions and revenue via upsells.  

STAAH is a hotel channel management platform focused on connecting properties to more than 1,000 OTAs and distribution partners worldwide. Its large network of third-party booking sites make it relevant to hotels prioritizing wide market exposure and international reach. STAAH is positioned as an intuitive tool for properties looking to automate online distribution and instantly synchronize ARI across multiple booking platforms from a unified dashboard.  

Over 12,000 properties in more than 90 countries currently use STAAH, with features like stop-sell controls and pooled inventory management available to assist with strategic rate and availability decisions across connected channels. With a flexible setup, the platform can work well for any size of hotel or chain.  

Beyond core channel management, STAAH provides a broader ecosystem of tools, including an integrated booking engine, a reputation management module (ReviewMinder), and its RateSTalk pricing intelligence tool. RateSTalk enables hotels to track competitor rates, monitor rate parity, and apply yield management strategies based on real-time market data. These tools support more agile pricing decisions and are particularly useful for properties with a dedicated revenue focus. (Note some of these tools may require an upgraded subscription or optional add-ons.)  

STAAH integrates with more than 2,000 hospitality technology products, including property management systems, revenue management systems, and other third-party applications. This modular design allows hotels to adopt individual components or expand into a more connected distribution and revenue optimization setup over time.  

One limitation noted in user reviews is that STAAH’s UI can lack user friendliness, particularly within the mobile app. Hotels that prioritize on-the-go management may benefit from a channel manager with a more user-friendly, purpose-built mobile app. 

Cloudbeds Channel Manager (formerly ‘MyAllocator’) is part of the broader Cloudbeds hospitality management suite, an all-in-one platform that combines property management, channel management, booking engine, and revenue optimization tools. The channel manager supports more than 300 distribution channels, including major OTAs and niche booking platforms, allowing hotels to tailor their channel mix to reach a broad audience.   

Used by thousands of hotels, hostels, B&Bs and alternative accommodations in more than 150 countries, Cloudbeds is positioned as a centralized solution for properties seeking operational simplicity via a unified operational ecosystem for core ARI updates across OTAs. Being integrated with its own PMS, changes to inventory or pricing are updated across the system and connected channels automatically without needing external connectors. This approach enables operators to coordinate front desk operations, distribution, and revenue strategies from a single dashboard – advantageous for independent accommodations with smaller teams.  

The platform is appreciated for its relatively fast onboarding and easy controls, which appeal to small and mid-sized accommodation providers (e.g. hostels) that value simplicity and staff onboarding efficiency.  

However, Cloudbeds’ OTA connectivity is primarily focused on synchronizing availability, rates and restrictions, not automating the distribution of richer content such as photos, detailed descriptions, or policies. As a result, hotels with smaller teams or owners managing multiple properties may still need to update individual OTA extranets manually to keep content aligned. For these use cases, channel managers that offer deeper, end-to-end OTA automation can reduce operational effort and improve consistency across channels.  

Little Hotelier’s Channel Manager is a cloud-based distribution solution built into Little Hotelier’s all-in-one property management system (PMS), designed specifically for small accommodation providers such as B&Bs, guesthouses, and independent inns. The platform integrates SiteMinder’s channel management with Little Hotelier’s front-desk operations, reservations, booking engine, payments and website tools, allowing owners to manage their business from a single, simple interface.  

Little Hotelier connects properties to more than 450 online booking channels worldwide, supporting real-time, two-way synchronization of availability, rates and reservations across major OTAs (such as Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb) as well as niche regional platforms. This broad connectivity helps small properties increase visibility and manage distribution without logging into multiple OTA extranets.  

The channel manager is tightly integrated with Little Hotelier’s PMS calendar, ensuring that bookings from any source are automatically reflected across all connected channels. This unified view reduces the risk of overbookings and manual errors, which is particularly valuable for owner-operated properties or teams with limited staff and no dedicated revenue or distribution roles.  

Little Hotelier’s emphasis on simple features and easy-to-use design make it best suited to small inns, B&Bs and guesthouses seeking straightforward OTA connectivity with basic automation that simplifies daily operations, such as updating availability across channels, rather than offering advanced distribution or content management capabilities.  

Some user reviews note that Little Hotelier’s reporting, analytics and accounting tools are relatively basic, with limited filtering and customization options for deeper revenue and performance analysis. While this can be sufficient for smaller operations, hotel groups or mid- to large-sized properties with more complex financial reporting and pricing control needs may find a more advanced PMS and distribution platform better suited to their operational requirements.   

RoomRaccoon Channel Manager is part of the RoomRaccoon all-in-one hospitality platform, combining a PMS, channel manager, booking engine, and payments in a single, cloud-based system. It is primarily designed for independent hotels, boutique properties, and B&Bs that value speed, simplicity, and ease of use over deep configuration or extensive customization.  

The channel manager connects to 200+ OTAs and distribution channels, including Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb and Vrbo, supporting real-time two-way synchronization of availability, rates and bookings. Updates are pushed across channels within five seconds, helping properties avoid overbookings and maintain pricing accuracy without frequent manual intervention.  

RoomRaccoon’s tightly integrated architecture means bookings from all channels flow directly into a central reservation calendar, removing the need for API middleware or third-party channel manager integrations. This streamlined setup is frequently cited by users as a key advantage for small teams without dedicated revenue or IT resources, allowing staff to manage distribution and daily front desk operations from one intuitive interface.  

The platform also includes pooled inventory, basic performance dashboards, and bundled payment processing – all offered under a subscription model with no per-booking commission on channel connections.  

While RoomRaccoon offers limited OTA content customization and fewer third-party integrations than more specialized platforms, it remains a practical option for properties seeking a straightforward, automation-focused system that prioritizes operational simplicity.  

Some user feedback indicates that RoomRaccoon’s reporting capabilities can feel limited for financial data and performance analysis. Reviews mention a lack of advanced report customization, filtering and drill-down by booking channel, as well as limited visibility into metrics such as pacing, discount code performance, and group booking breakdowns. Hotels and revenue managers that rely on detailed reports to inform pricing, marketing or financial decision-making may find channel managers with more advanced data reporting to be more suitable.    

When evaluating channel manager software, it’s important to understand how the role of a channel manager has evolved. Historically, channel managers focused primarily on two-way synchronization of availability, rates, and inventory (ARI) to prevent overbookings. While accurate ARI remains essential, it now represents the baseline, not the differentiator.  

In 2026, hotels must compete for visibility, conversion, and guest trust across OTAs that list thousands of competing properties. As a result, modern channel managers should be evaluated against a broader set of criteria that go beyond basic inventory updates.  

1. ARI accuracy and real-time reliability  

Two-way ARI synchronization is the foundation of any channel manager. Availability, rates and restrictions should update in real time across all connected channels to prevent overbookings, rate discrepancies and manual corrections.  

This synchronization is also critical for following one of the golden rules of effective distribution – providing all channels with the same terms and rates to ensure parity and keep the advantage with your own direct business, leaving distributors to use their own margin (not yours) to woo guests. 

Reliability at scale – particularly during peak demand periods or bulk updates – is critical for maintaining operational accuracy and avoiding downstream errors.  

2. Rich content control and cross-channel consistency  

Hotels should assess whether a channel manager synchronizes rich OTA content, not just ARI. Guests routinely compare listings across multiple OTAs and the hotel’s own website before booking. Discrepancies in room descriptions, photos, amenities or policies can undermine confidence and reduce conversion.  

Channel managers that act as a single system of record – keeping content aligned across all channels – help protect brand credibility and reduce booking friction.  

3. Guest communication and responsiveness  

Responsiveness directly affects booking conversion and guest satisfaction. Hotels should consider whether a channel manager supports centralized handling of booking inquiries, guest messages and reviews across channels.  

Platforms that enable teams to respond from one system (rather than switching between OTA extranets) help improve response times, reduce missed enquiries, and support stronger guest relationships.  

4. OTA merchandising and differentiation capabilities  

Not all content automation is equal. Hotels should evaluate whether a channel manager supports advanced OTA merchandising, such as:  

These capabilities influence how a property is displayed and filtered within OTA search results, meaningfully affecting visibility and conversion.  

5. Cost transparency and total cost of ownership  

Pricing should be evaluated based on total cost of ownership, not just headline fees. Channel managers may charge flat subscriptions, per-room fees, or percentage-based commissions tied to booking value. Percentage-based models scale with revenue and can become unpredictable over time, while modular subscriptions can increase costs as additional systems become required. Operational costs, such as staff time spent managing OTA extranets, reconciling payments, or correcting inconsistencies, should also be factored into the total cost of ownership  

6. Integration depth with core hotel systems  

Channel managers that operate as standalone tools often rely on multiple third-party integrations for PMS, payments and communications, increasing complexity and operational risk.  

Platforms that are natively integrated with the PMS allow hotels to manage distribution, content, payments and guest interactions from a single system – improving speed, accuracy and control while reducing workload.  

Different channel managers are suitable for different needs. Some prioritize large-scale global distribution or enterprise revenue management, while others focus on basic ARI updates or simple setup for small properties. The right choice depends on the operational challenges your hotel is trying to solve.  

For independent hotels, those challenges go beyond preventing overbookings. These properties rely heavily on OTAs, but often lack the time or resources to manage multiple extranets, keep disconnected systems in sync, or cope with manual content updates. To compete effectively, they need a channel manager that supports visibility, consistency and conversion – not just passive inventory synchronization.  

eviivo is designed specifically for this use case. Unlike channel managers that focus only on rates, availability and inventory, eviivo enables hotels to centrally manage full OTA content alongside ARI. Room descriptions, photos, amenities, extras, policies, taxes, advanced promotions, guest messages and reviews can all be managed from one system. This keeps OTA listings and the hotel’s own website fully aligned and reduces the discrepancies guests notice when comparing listings.  

eviivo allows independent hotels to manage distribution from a single, unified platform by combining full-content OTA connectivity with real-time ARI updates, centralized guest communications, and integrated payments and reporting. This reduces manual work, improves responsiveness, and supports richer controlled OTA merchandising, helping properties convert more bookings without increasing operational complexity.  

If your goal is to simplify OTA distribution and gain greater control over how your hotel is presented and booked online, book a free demo with eviivo. 

All information in this article is accurate at the time of publication and is based on publicly available sources and user feedback.