# OpenKey vs The Elser Hotel

The clearest difference is rating: OpenKey at 4.7 against The Elser Hotel's 3.7. OpenKey also leads on ratings volume (3.1K vs 3). The Elser Hotel's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

OpenKey holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenKey has 3.1K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

OpenKey ships an update every 2 months, The Elser Hotel monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | OpenKey | The Elser Hotel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openkey/id990142776/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-elser-hotel-digital-guide/id6737407587/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.1K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 72.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 107 MB | 97 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [OPENKEY, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/990142775) | [The Elser Hotel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1776094332) |

## What reviewers say

### OpenKey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openkey/id990142776)

Unlock hotel rooms worldwide using your smartphone as a secure digital key. Access your room instantly, share keys with companions, and manage your stay with features like check-out details and hotel information.

**Highlights:** Instant room access, Digital key sharing, Contact hotel operations, View check-out details, Room number displayed, Explore hotel amenities, Request check-out

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless experience
- 🔑 Convenient keyless entry
- 💡 Sharing keys with others
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure access

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔍 Needs better instructions
- 🔋 Drains phone battery
- 🤔 Doesn't work consistently

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Fails to unlock doors sometimes
- Issues with updating and reinstalling

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch app integration
- Improved error handling and troubleshooting


### The Elser Hotel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-elser-hotel-digital-guide/id6737407587)

This digital concierge app enhances your hotel experience by offering mobile room access, service bookings, direct staff communication, and in-app food ordering. Manage your stay, review billing, and access exclusive offers for a personalized visit.

**Highlights:** Digital room key access, Book additional amenities, Direct chat with staff, In-app food and drink ordering, Manage billing and folio, Personalize your stay

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is OpenKey free?

OpenKey is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Elser Hotel free?

The Elser Hotel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, OpenKey or The Elser Hotel?

OpenKey is rated higher. OpenKey averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while The Elser Hotel averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do OpenKey or The Elser Hotel have ads?

Neither OpenKey nor The Elser Hotel shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, OpenKey or The Elser Hotel?

OpenKey ships an update every 2 months, and The Elser Hotel monthly. Most recently, OpenKey was updated on October 24, 2026 and The Elser Hotel on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*