Both tools answer guest messages with AI, in any language, around the clock. Mr Sherlock is the cheaper, messaging-focused option and it does that job well. VALIRIS goes further: it sells extras through the AI to bring in revenue, gives you precise control over how the AI behaves, and gets smarter every time you handle something it could not. This is an honest look at where each one fits, including where Mr Sherlock wins.
The honest summary: if cost is the only thing that matters and you just want messages answered, Mr Sherlock is hard to beat on price. If you want the inbox handled and want the AI to sell extras, follow your rules, and improve over time, that is the gap VALIRIS fills, and it is the reason a higher price can still come out ahead.
Based on Mr Sherlock's public website in early 2026. Their feature set may have changed since, so check mrsherlock.ai for the latest.
| Feature | VALIRIS | Mr Sherlock |
|---|---|---|
| AI guest messaging, any language, 24/7 | Yes | Yes |
| Copilot draft mode and full autopilot | Yes | Yes |
| Approval workflow before sending | Yes, 3 modes | Binary only |
| Extras and add-on revenue through the AI | Yes | No |
| Per-property AI configuration | Yes | No |
| Knowledge base that learns from escalations | Yes, add it from the conversation | Static (upload only) |
| Analytics depth | Full: charts, property table, escalation patterns, CSV | Basic |
| Maintenance request forms | Yes | No |
| AI voice call handling | No | Yes |
| Listing optimisation and review responses | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | Coming soon (included with every plan) | Android app |
| PMS integrations | Lodgify (live), Guesty (live) | Beds24, Smily, Smoobu, Superhote |
| Pricing | Premium, volume-based from €149/mo (excl. VAT) | Budget, from ~€10/property/mo (excl. VAT) |
A guest asks about check-out. VALIRIS offers a paid late check-out, confirms it, and sends a payment link. Mr Sherlock answers the question and stops there. In February 2026, five properties brought in over £1,400 net from extras the AI sold on its own. No competitor in the French market does this.
Mr Sherlock gives you copilot or autopilot, and that is it. VALIRIS gives you three approval modes plus per-property control over persona, tone, what the AI can share, and what triggers an escalation. You decide how it behaves. It is not a black box.
When the AI escalates something, you handle it and add the answer to the knowledge base straight from the conversation. Next time, the AI handles it alone. Mr Sherlock's knowledge base is static: you load documents and that is the extent of it.
VALIRIS shows which questions keep coming up and which properties cause the most escalations, so you know exactly where to add a document or change a setting. Mr Sherlock reports time saved and response speed. Useful, but it stops at reporting.
No comparison page is worth reading if it pretends the other tool has no strengths. Here is where Mr Sherlock genuinely beats VALIRIS today.
Both numbers are true at the same time. The trick is to compare total return, not just the line on the invoice.
| Properties | Mr Sherlock / month | VALIRIS Pro / month (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | ~€50 (excl. VAT) | €329 |
| 10 | ~€100 (excl. VAT) | €479 |
| 25 | ~€220 (excl. VAT) | €859 |
| 50 | ~€380 (excl. VAT) | €1,259 |
Mr Sherlock figures are approximate and shown excl. VAT, based on their published rates in early 2026. VALIRIS Pro shown at regular price; waitlist members get 20% off for life. Check both sites for current pricing.
At 25 properties, VALIRIS Pro costs about €640 more per month than Mr Sherlock. Now count the revenue. One late check-out at €40, sold by the AI 20 times a month, is €800. Our conservative benchmark is €200+ per property per month in extras. On 25 properties that is well past the price difference, and you keep the rest.
Mr Sherlock saves you money on the subscription. VALIRIS can pay for its own subscription and then some. That is the whole argument in one line.
These two tools currently connect to different property management systems, so your PMS may make the decision for you. VALIRIS works with Lodgify (live) and Guesty (in setup), with more coming. Mr Sherlock works with Beds24, Smily, Smoobu and Superhote. If you run Lodgify, Mr Sherlock cannot connect to you. If you run Smoobu or Smily and not Lodgify or Guesty, Mr Sherlock is your option for now while VALIRIS adds integrations.
Both answer guest questions automatically in any language. The difference is scope. Mr Sherlock focuses on the inbox and adds voice calls, listing optimisation and review responses. VALIRIS is a full operations layer: it sells extras through the AI to generate revenue, gives you a three-mode approval workflow, lets you configure the AI per property, and learns from every escalation. VALIRIS is the premium, revenue-generating option. Mr Sherlock is the cheaper, messaging-focused one.
On subscription, yes, clearly. Mr Sherlock starts around €10 per property per month excl. VAT. VALIRIS Pro starts at €149 for the first property, then the per-property rate drops fast as you scale. The gap narrows once you count revenue: VALIRIS sells extras like late check-outs through the AI. In February 2026, five properties generated over £1,400 net from AI-sent payment links. Mr Sherlock has no extras feature.
Not right now. VALIRIS integrates with Lodgify (live) and Guesty (live). Mr Sherlock integrates with Beds24, Smily, Smoobu and Superhote. If you run Lodgify, only VALIRIS can connect. If you run one of Mr Sherlock's systems and not Lodgify or Guesty, Mr Sherlock is your option today while VALIRIS keeps adding integrations.
Both are built for France and handle French natively. Mr Sherlock is live, cheaper and French-first, which fits operators who mainly want the inbox cleared at the lowest cost. VALIRIS fits operators who want the AI to generate revenue, who want to control how it behaves per property, and who want analytics that point to where they can push automation higher.
Yes. Every plan includes a 14-day free trial, no credit card required. Before public launch you can also join the waitlist to lock in 20% off all rates for the lifetime of your subscription.
Comparing other tools too? See the full VALIRIS comparison against Hospitable, HostBuddy, SuperHote and Guesty.