Understanding Booking Software Fees: The True Cost Breakdown
Every booking platform has a different fee structure, and the marketing pages don't make comparisons easy. Let's do the math that matters: what you actually pay at different booking volumes.
All numbers below are based on publicly available pricing as of early 2026.
The Five Pricing Models
| Platform | Monthly Fee | Per-Booking Fee | Model Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| FareHarbor | None | ~6% + payment processing | Pure percentage |
| Peek Pro | None | 6-8% (includes processing) | Pure percentage |
| Rezdy | $49-249/mo | 1.9-3% per booking | Hybrid |
| Bokun | $49-499/mo | 1-1.5% per booking | Hybrid |
| Checkfront | $49+/mo | ~3% per booking | Hybrid |
| Guidewinds | $39-199/mo | None | Pure flat |
Payment Processing Is Always Extra
Real Math at Different Volumes
Let's assume an average trip price of $500 and calculate total monthly platform costs (including payment processing where applicable).
20 Trips per Month ($10,000 revenue)
| Platform | Platform Fees | Processing Fees | Total Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FareHarbor | $600 | $296 | $896 |
| Peek Pro (7%) | $700 (incl. processing) | — | $700 |
| Rezdy Accelerate | $99 + $200 | $296 | $595 |
| Bokun Plus | $149 + $125 | $296 | $570 |
| Checkfront | $49 + $300 | $296 | $645 |
| Guidewinds Starter | $39 | $296 | $335 |
At 20 trips/month, flat pricing is already the cheapest option. The savings are modest but real.
50 Trips per Month ($25,000 revenue)
| Platform | Platform Fees | Processing Fees | Total Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FareHarbor | $1,500 | $740 | $2,240 |
| Peek Pro (7%) | $1,750 (incl. processing) | — | $1,750 |
| Rezdy Accelerate | $99 + $500 | $740 | $1,339 |
| Bokun Plus | $149 + $313 | $740 | $1,202 |
| Checkfront | $49 + $750 | $740 | $1,539 |
| Guidewinds Pro | $89 | $740 | $829 |
At 50 trips/month, the gap widens significantly. Percentage-based platforms cost 2-3x more.
100 Trips per Month ($50,000 revenue)
| Platform | Platform Fees | Processing Fees | Total Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FareHarbor | $3,000 | $1,480 | $4,480 |
| Peek Pro (7%) | $3,500 (incl. processing) | — | $3,500 |
| Rezdy Accelerate | $249 + $1,000 | $1,480 | $2,729 |
| Bokun Plus | $499 + $625 | $1,480 | $2,604 |
| Checkfront | $49 + $1,500 | $1,480 | $3,029 |
| Guidewinds Pro | $89 | $1,480 | $1,569 |
At high volume, percentage-based pricing costs thousands more per month.
The Break-Even Points
When does flat pricing beat percentage pricing? It depends on your volume and average trip price.
The Math Is Simple
Examples:
- $500 average trip, $39/mo flat: Breaks even at just 2 trips/month vs 6% platforms
- $800 average trip, $89/mo flat: Breaks even at 2 trips/month vs 6% platforms
- $300 average trip, $39/mo flat: Breaks even at 3 trips/month vs 6% platforms
If you're running more than a handful of trips per month, flat pricing almost always wins.
When Percentage Pricing Makes Sense
Flat pricing isn't better for everyone. Percentage-based platforms make sense when:
- You're just starting out and doing fewer than 5 trips/month
- Your volume is highly seasonal (1-2 months busy, rest quiet)
- You need OTA distribution that some percentage platforms bundle in
- You want zero fixed costs during off-season months
The trade-off: you pay more during busy months when you can afford it, but less during slow months.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Beyond the headline fees, watch for:
- Setup fees — some platforms charge $500+ for onboarding
- Premium feature tiers — basic plans may lack features you need
- API/integration fees — connecting to other tools
- Cancellation fees — some charge to process refunds
- Contract lock-in — annual contracts with early termination penalties
The Bottom Line
There's no universally "cheapest" platform — it depends on your volume, trip prices, and feature needs. But the math is clear:
- Low volume (< 10 trips/mo): Percentage platforms have lower total cost
- Medium volume (10-50 trips/mo): Flat or hybrid pricing usually wins
- High volume (50+ trips/mo): Flat pricing saves thousands annually
Do the math for your specific situation before choosing. And remember: the cheapest platform that doesn't have the features you need isn't actually saving you money.
Want to calculate your specific savings? Check out our savings calculator to compare costs at your exact volume.