Mews vs Cloudbeds: Two Ways to Build an All-in-One PMS
Two Platforms, Different Starting Points
Mews and Cloudbeds are the two best-funded independent PMS vendors serving hotels, and both sell an all-in-one platform with embedded payments. They arrived there from opposite directions: Mews from the boutique and lifestyle hotel segment in Europe, Cloudbeds from small independents and hostels worldwide.
At a Glance
| Aspect | Mews | Cloudbeds |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012, Prague | 2012, San Diego |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam | San Diego |
| Core segment | Boutique, lifestyle and group hotels, serviced apartments | Independent hotels, hostels, B&Bs, small vacation rental operators |
| Payments | Mews Payments, tightly integrated | Cloudbeds Payments, tightly integrated |
| Channel manager | Via marketplace partners | Built in |
| Booking engine | Built in | Built in |
| Marketplace | Mews Marketplace | Cloudbeds Marketplace |
| Pricing | Per room, plus payments volume | Tiered per property, plus payments volume |
Product Philosophy
Mews built its platform around automation of the front desk and the folio, with payments as the revenue engine. Its API is open and its marketplace is large, but the best experience assumes payments run through Mews.
Cloudbeds started from the bundle: PMS, channel manager and booking engine in one subscription for operators who do not want to assemble anything. It has since layered on payments, a marketplace and an analytics product.
Where Each Wins
Mews tends to win with operators who want deep automation, run multiple properties or brands, and are prepared to move payments in-house. Its European footprint and multi-property tooling are strengths.
Cloudbeds tends to win with smaller independents that want everything from one vendor, and with operators in markets where it has local presence, notably Latin America and Southeast Asia.
What to Compare Before Choosing
- The effective cost per room once payments volume is included, on your actual numbers
- Which integrations you depend on, and whether they are first-party or partner-built on each platform
- How each vendor handles multi-property reporting if you plan to grow
- Contract terms for leaving, including what happens to payment terminals and data exports