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FareHarbor is one of the best-known booking systems for tours and activities. Its “free for operators” pricing is attractive, but the fees land on your customers. Below we explain how FareHarbor pricing works and compare the best FareHarbor alternatives.
How FareHarbor pricing works
- No monthly subscription for operators.
- A booking fee of roughly 6–8% is added to each booking and shown to customers at checkout, depending on your agreement.
- Card processing is separate, around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction in the US.
- Rates are negotiated. Larger operators may get lower fees, so get your rate in writing.
- FareHarbor is owned by Booking Holdings (the parent of Booking.com).
Fee figures are third-party estimates published in 2026. Confirm current terms with FareHarbor.
What a 7% customer fee means in practice
On a $60 tour, guests see roughly $4.20 added at checkout. Across 200 bookings a month that’s about $840 your customers pay on top of your price. That can make you look more expensive than a competitor who absorbs a flat software fee.
Why tour operators look for FareHarbor alternatives
- They want transparent pricing with no surcharge shown to guests
- They want predictable flat monthly costs instead of per-booking fees
- They need a free plan to start, or are a solo guide with lower volume
- They want to keep full control of customer data and branding
Best FareHarbor alternatives
1. Appointy: best for commission-free bookings
Appointy charges a flat monthly price (free plan, paid plans from $19.99/mo billed annually) with no per-booking commission and no surcharge on your guests. It covers group bookings, deposits via Stripe, PayPal or Square, automated reminders, intake forms, guide logins, and Reserve with Google so travelers can book from Google Search and Maps.
2. Peek Pro
No monthly fee, but a commission of around 6% per booking plus payment processing. Good for activity businesses that want a guided setup.
3. Rezdy
Strong OTA and reseller distribution. Free tier with a ~3% booking fee; paid tiers from $99/mo with a lower fee.
4. Checkfront
Monthly subscription from about $99 plus a booking fee. Handy if you mix tours with rentals and need built-in waivers.
5. TrekkSoft
From around €49/month plus booking and payment fees, with a bundled website. Popular with European operators.
| Monthly fee | Per-booking fee | Who pays the fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appointy | $0 – $79.99 (annual) | None | n/a |
| FareHarbor | $0 | ~6–8% | Customer |
| Peek Pro | $0 | ~6% | Operator |
| Rezdy | $0 / $99+ | ~3% / ~1.9% | Operator |
| Checkfront | ~$99+ | ~3% | Operator |
FAQ
Is FareHarbor free for tour operators?
There is no monthly subscription, but FareHarbor adds a booking fee (roughly 6–8%) that customers pay at checkout, and operators still pay card processing.
What is the cheapest alternative to FareHarbor?
Appointy has a free-forever plan and flat paid plans from $19.99/month (billed annually) with no booking commission, so it is usually the cheapest option once you take more than a few bookings a month.
Can I switch from FareHarbor without losing bookings?
Yes. Export your upcoming bookings and customer list first, set up your tours in the new system, then move your website Book Now buttons. Appointy offers free setup assistance and data migration.