Cloud PMS vs On-Premise PMS: Which Is the best choice for your holiday business?

September 07, 2025

As a holiday park operator, you know how important it is to stay on top of reservations, guest communication, administration and more. Your focus should be on creating happy guests, not worrying about updates, migrations or outages in your booking system.

That is where a reliable Property Management System (PMS) comes in. It keeps your operations running smoothly, reduces errors and saves you time. But should you choose a traditional on-premise system installed locally, or a modern cloud-based PMS?

At ParcVu powered by Booking Experts, we believe your PMS should just work. No complicated installations, no downtime, no outdated versions. Always the latest features, automatically. In this article, we will explore the key differences.

Cloud PMS offers freedom and flexibility

A cloud PMS runs entirely online. You can log in from your laptop, tablet or smartphone wherever you are. There is no need for software installations, server maintenance or manual updates, everything happens automatically.

Imagine you are working from home in the morning. You open your dashboard and instantly see the latest bookings, occupancy and payments. Meanwhile, a colleague at the park processes a last-minute booking and you see it in real time. Smooth, seamless and without delay.

Cloud systems also grow with your business. Expanding to a new park or adding more units is straightforward. You simply scale up without extra hardware or complex IT setup. Connections with booking platforms, payment providers and accounting software are quick to establish. Everything works together without needing to be an IT expert.

On-premise PMS gives maximum control but requires more responsibility

An on-premise PMS runs on your own server or computer. For some operators, this feels familiar. You are in control. You decide where your data is stored, when updates happen and how the system is configured.

This can be useful if you have very specific requirements or operate in an area with unreliable internet, as offline systems provide peace of mind.

However, that control comes with responsibility. You need to manage installation, backups and security yourself. Updates must be carried out manually, and remote access is rarely straightforward. In practice, this means more technical effort, higher risk of downtime and less flexibility.

Which option is right for your business?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on how your business operates, your future plans and how much time you want to save on maintenance. Consider these questions:

Do you work across multiple locations or want the flexibility to log in from home or on the go?
Do you or your team have the technical expertise and time to manage updates, backups and security?
Do you want easy integrations with other tools, such as accounting software or booking platforms?
Is your internet connection reliable enough for a cloud solution?
Do you value flexibility and ease of use, or prioritise customisation and control?
Do you want your team to be able to start using the system immediately with minimal training?

If flexibility, ease of use and scalability are your priorities, a cloud PMS like Booking Experts is the obvious choice. If you operate in a remote location or require a high degree of customisation, an on-premise PMS might suit you better.