Comparison

OpenKey vs Scout

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenKey

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
Read full description

Introducing the latest release of the OpenKey Guest mobile app! Access hotel rooms worldwide with a secure and convenient digital key directly on your smartphone. With the OpenKey app, you can enjoy the following features: - Instant Room Access: Easily unlock your guest room with a simple touch of a button. No more fumbling with keycards or waiting in line at the front desk. - Key Sharing: Share your digital key with up to 4 other guests, making it easier for your travel companions to access the room. - Contact Hotel: Contact the hotel operations team for any additional needs during your stay, like extra pillows or towels, potential reservation details, and questions that may arise. - Check-Out Details: View your check-out date and time on the mobile key, helping you stay organized and plan your departure effortlessly. - Room Number on Mobile Key: Say goodbye to the hassle of carrying a keycard jacket. Your room number is conveniently displayed on the mobile key, allowing for a streamlined and hassle-free experience. - Hotel Exploration: Discover hotel amenities, dining options, and other features through the app. Get a comprehensive overview of everything your hotel has to offer. - Check-Out Request: Send a check-out request directly from your mobile key screen. Simplify the check-out process and save valuable time.

About

Scout

This travel companion alerts you when your favorite businesses are nearby while you drive. Save your preferred chains, set your home base, and receive notifications without needing to search your phone. Plan trips to see favorites along your route or discover them at your destination.

Highlights
  • Favorite business alerts
  • Background location monitoring
  • Trip planner
  • Flying In mode
  • Privacy-focused data handling
  • Unlimited favorites with Premium
Read full description

Ever driven right past a Buc-ee's without knowing it was there? Or wished you knew there was a Saltgrass Steakhouse just off the highway? Scout is the travel companion that watches for your favorite businesses while you drive — so you never unknowingly pass one again. Simply save the businesses you love, set your home base, and hit the road. Scout runs quietly in the background and alerts you the moment one of your favorites is nearby. No searching. No checking your phone. Just a notification that says "Buc-ee's is 2 miles ahead." HOW IT WORKS 1.Set your Home of Record — the city or neighborhood you call home 2.Save your favorite business chains — restaurants, stores, gas stations, anything 3.Drive or Travel anywhere — Scout monitors your location in the background 4.Get notified when a favorite is within range while you travel YOUR FAVORITES, YOUR WAY Browse curated categories of popular travel chains or search for any business by name. See how far the nearest location is from wherever you are right now. TRIP PLANNING Before you leave, use Scout's Trip Planner to see every one of your favorites along your driving route. Flying somewhere? Use Flying In mode to discover your favorites near your destination city before you even land. PRIVACY FIRST Your favorites and home location never leave your device — they sync privately through your own iCloud account. Scout uses only anonymous data to power community features. No accounts required. No data sold. Ever. SCOUT PREMIUM Free users can save up to 5 favorites. Upgrade once to Scout Premium for unlimited favorites — no subscription, ever.

Screenshots

OpenKey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenKey at none against Scout's 1. OpenKey also leads on ratings volume (3.1K vs 2) and device support. Scout's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Scout sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenKey asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Scout holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenKey has 3.1K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
OpenKey versus Scout: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenKeyScout
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3.1K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings3.1K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPod — better—
Requires iOS14.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOPENKEY, INC.STEVEN WAYNE KAGEY

Bugs and requests

OpenKey

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Fails to unlock doors sometimes
  • Issues with updating and reinstalling

Requested features

2 requests
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • Improved error handling and troubleshooting

Scout

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

OpenKey

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Scout

One-time1
  • Scout Premium$2.99

Questions

Is OpenKey free?
OpenKey is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scout free?
Scout is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OpenKey or Scout?
Scout is rated higher. OpenKey averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3.1K ratings, while Scout averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

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