Quick Answer
FareHarbor does not charge operators a monthly or setup fee. Instead, FareHarbor uses a consumer-funded model: it charges your customers a 6% credit card processing fee on every booking. Operators pay nothing upfront, but every customer sees a 6% surcharge added at checkout.
TicketingHub charges operators a flat 3% fee per online booking with no monthly fees, no setup fees, and no customer-facing booking fee. Operators can choose whether to absorb the fee or pass it on.
What Does FareHarbor Actually Cost?
FareHarbor does not publish a public pricing page. However, based on information from operators who have used both platforms, here is how FareHarbor's fee structure works:
| Fee Type | FareHarbor | TicketingHub |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
| Setup fee | $0 | $0 |
| Per-booking fee (operator) | $0 | 3% of transaction |
| Customer-facing booking fee | ~6% | Optional (set by operator) |
| OTA booking fee | ~2%/month reported | $0 (currently) |
| POS / in-person bookings | Not disclosed | $0 |
| Long-term contract | Yes (reported) | No |
How FareHarbor's "Free" Model Works in Practice
FareHarbor markets itself as free to operators, which is technically accurate — FareHarbor doesn't send you a monthly invoice. Instead, the company collects a credit card fee from your customers at the point of booking.
This model has a real impact on conversion. Because the fee appears as a surcharge at checkout, customers see a price higher than what you advertised. Several operators who moved to TicketingHub reported that FareHarbor's customer-facing fee created cart abandonment and checkout confusion. One operator summed it up: "Some people think FareHarbor is free — I had a client who told me that. When I said we charged 3%, he said that was expensive." The perception gap is a real sales challenge.
FareHarbor vs TicketingHub: Real Cost on a $100 Booking
Here is what each platform actually costs on a $100 tour booking:
With FareHarbor
- Your customer pays: $106 (your $100 + 6% fee)
- Your revenue: $100
- Customer experience: Surprise surcharge at checkout
With TicketingHub (operator absorbs fee)
- Your customer pays: $100
- Your revenue: $97 (TicketingHub takes 3%)
- Customer experience: Clean, transparent checkout
With TicketingHub (operator passes on fee)
- Add a 3% booking fee in your TicketingHub settings
- Your customer pays: $103
- Your revenue: $100
- You keep the difference if you set a higher fee
Operators migrating from FareHarbor often kept their 6% booking fee and charged it through TicketingHub — meaning they pocketed the difference between what they charged (6%) and what TicketingHub billed them (3%).
Does FareHarbor Charge for OTA Bookings?
Yes. According to operators who have used FareHarbor, the platform charges approximately 2% per month on OTA bookings — bookings from Viator, GetYourGuide, and similar platforms. This is separate from the 6% customer-facing fee and is charged directly to the operator.
TicketingHub currently does not charge for OTA bookings, though this may change as OTA booking volumes increase across the platform.
Why Operators Switch From FareHarbor to TicketingHub
The most commonly cited reasons operators move platforms:
- Fee transparency — operators want a clean checkout without customer-visible surcharges
- OTA fee increases — FareHarbor's 2% OTA charge adds up for operators with high OTA volume
- No contract — TicketingHub has zero lock-in; no setup fee, no cancellation penalty
- Pricing simplicity — 3% is a single, predictable number with no surprises
- Support quality — TicketingHub offers 24/7 support via chat and email, with direct founder access
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does FareHarbor cost per month?
FareHarbor has no monthly fee. The cost is built into a consumer-funded booking fee of approximately 6% charged to your customers at checkout.
Does FareHarbor charge the operator or the customer?
FareHarbor charges the customer, not the operator. A ~6% credit card processing fee is added to the booking price your customers see at checkout. Operators do not receive a direct invoice from FareHarbor for these fees.
Is FareHarbor free for tour operators?
FareHarbor is free in terms of direct operator invoicing. However, the 6% fee your customers pay at checkout effectively transfers cost to your conversion rate and customer relationships. Additionally, FareHarbor reportedly charges operators approximately 2% per month on OTA-sourced bookings.
What is TicketingHub's fee compared to FareHarbor?
TicketingHub charges operators 3% on online bookings processed through Stripe, PayPal, or WorldPay. There are no setup fees, monthly fees, or customer-facing surcharges unless the operator chooses to add one. TicketingHub does not currently charge for OTA bookings or point-of-sale transactions.
Can I pass TicketingHub's fee on to my customers?
Yes. TicketingHub allows operators to add any booking fee they choose in the settings. Operators who previously used FareHarbor and were accustomed to charging a 6% fee have kept that fee in TicketingHub — pocketing the difference between the 6% they charge and the 3% TicketingHub bills.
Does FareHarbor require a contract?
FareHarbor is reported by multiple operators to require a contract commitment. TicketingHub has no long-term contract, no setup fee, and no lock-in period.
Which booking platform is cheaper — FareHarbor or TicketingHub?
For operators who want the lowest total cost of ownership, TicketingHub's 3% operator-side fee is typically cheaper than FareHarbor's 6% consumer fee — both in absolute dollar terms and in customer experience terms. Operators with high-value bookings ($500+) save significantly per transaction.
What happens to TicketingHub's fee when a customer refunds?
TicketingHub refunds its 3% fee when an operator issues a customer refund. You only pay when you earn.
