Rezdy vs FareHarbor: Which booking system fits Australian operators?

Choosing a booking and reservation system is one of the most important decisions for an Australian tour or activity operator. Both Rezdy and FareHarbor are market-leading platforms used by thousands of operators worldwide, but they take different approaches to pricing, features, integrations and support. Below I compare the two across the areas that matter most to Australian operators (GST, accounting, payments, distribution, operations and cost), and finish with practical recommendations.

Quick summary

• Rezdy: Strong channel/connectivity focus, subscription plans, good for operators who want flexible integrations (Xero, Zapier, many resellers/OTAs) and prefer predictable monthly costs. Offers a free trial so you can test the flow. More "User Generated" - so be prepared to set it up yourself.

• FareHarbor: Enterprise-grade operations and a a site/widget experience, widely praised for customer support and conversion tools. Pricing is commission focused; recent changes to website plan charging were announced for 2025, so check current terms. Good choice for operators that want an all-in-one managed solution and strong OTA/reseller connections. User experience is more complex therefore 24/7 support is available and set up is done by Fareharbor.

Rezdy was built in Australia and designed for the local market from the outset. This shows in its very low commission structure, recognising that operators here are already paying up to 25–30% commissions in distribution. Given Australia’s maturity as a distribution-driven market, Rezdy’s connections into tourism distribution remain strong.

FareHarbor, by contrast, was founded in Hawaii and designed with the US market in mind. Its 6% commission on online bookings reflects the US context, where operators rely more heavily on direct and OTA channels, and where distribution is less developed than in Australia. With a large population and high brand awareness, US operators haven’t needed to lean on distribution in the same way. For Australian operators, however, passing FareHarbor’s 6% fee on to the consumer as a booking fee can make the direct channel the most expensive channel — potentially driving more bookings to distributors instead.

Recent changes at Rezdy are also worth noting. Following its merger with Checkfront and Regiondo, much of the Australian office was made redundant and key roles relocated to the US. With FareHarbor’s former founder now leading Rezdy, future direction may shift away from the specific needs of Australian operators. Since the merger, Rezdy has seen few new features or integrations, with the platform largely maintained rather than actively developed. There are industry rumours of a complete rebuild underway.

It’s also worth recognising that neither platform was “born of industry.” The founders of both Rezdy and FareHarbor did not come from a tourism operations background, and this is reflected in some of the workflows. Certain functions — such as rate loading or distributor management — aren’t always intuitive. While this may impact ease of use, both platforms face similar limitations in this regard.

Depending on the type of operator you are and the stage that you are at, there are key things to consider if comparing these platforms:

1. Ease of use – If you’re planning to be hands-on and comfortable using technology, Rezdy is often the simpler choice. Setup is straightforward, supported by a solid knowledge base and responsive help resources if needed.

2. Intuitiveness – FareHarbor is less intuitive to navigate, which is reflected in the level of support they provide. However, if you’re time-poor and prefer not to spend energy learning a new system beyond day-to-day functions, FareHarbor can be a good fit. It’s a powerful platform that the support team configures to your business from the outset, applying industry “best practices” so you can focus on running operations rather than setup.

Wrapping up

Both Rezdy and FareHarbor have their strengths, and their limitations. Rezdy was built with the Australian market in mind and remains a solid choice for operators who value predictable costs, strong distribution connections, and a platform that’s relatively straightforward to manage. FareHarbor, meanwhile, offers a powerful, highly supported solution that takes much of the setup burden off your hands, though at a commission model that doesn’t always suit the dynamics of the Australian market.

The right system really comes down to your business stage, how hands-on you want to be, and your distribution strategy. The most important step is to map your needs against what each platform does best.

Want to a checklist to follow in finding the best-fit for your business? Access the "Booking System Checklist for Australian Tour Operators (2025)" here.