Caravan park booking software pricing per month UK — what to expect

Typical monthly subscription prices for booking software in the UK vary widely depending on functionality and scale. Many vendors market entry plans from around £20–£40 per month for small hosts, with mid-tier plans commonly in the £50–£100 range and enterprise packages above £150 monthly. Those figures are broad estimates: features such as channel management, payment gateway integration, pitch maps, EHU support and multiple user logins are often reserved for higher tiers or charged as add-ons. Separately, some systems charge per-pitch licences which can push monthly costs substantially for larger parks. With a commission model, like HolsUK, you avoid a fixed monthly fee and instead pay a percentage on each booking, which you can convert to an expected monthly cost by applying your average monthly bookings. When comparing options, factor VAT where applicable, Stripe or card processing fees (typically charged by the payment provider), and any one-off setup or training fees that can make the first month appear more expensive.

Commission-only suits parks that prefer variable costs tied to occupancy, which is helpful for seasonal sites or operators trimming winter overhead. It aligns software costs with revenue: in quiet months you pay less, and when busy you pay more because revenue is higher. Conversely, flat monthly subscriptions can be cheaper for high-occupancy parks where fixed fees amortise over many bookings. Choose by modelling both: take a typical month’s bookings, multiply by average booking value and commission rates to estimate monthly spend on a commission plan; compare that to quoted monthly subscriptions plus any channel or per-pitch fees. Also consider non-financial factors — do you need pitch maps, integrated EHU billing or cleaner scheduling? Some subscription products bundle extra tools that reduce other costs. HolsUK’s commission-only approach eliminates per-pitch and platform subscription fees, but operators should still account for card processing charges (Stripe) and VAT handling when assessing total cost.

Some providers charge one-off setup, training or data-migration fees, especially for larger, bespoke sites. Watch for charges to import your rates, pitch map setup, or to connect advanced channel functionality. Also check whether support is tiered: email-only support may be included, while phone support or a dedicated account manager can be extra. HolsUK keeps setup straightforward and includes core features without a monthly fee; however, optional professional services such as customised pitch map creation or on-site training may carry a charge. Always ask vendors for a total cost of ownership, including the first 12 months of all fees (setup, monthly subscription or commission estimates, payment processing fees, VAT and any optional modules). Clear contracts should state any minimum term or notice periods so you’re not surprised by early exit costs.

Channel sync reduces manual workload and the risk of double bookings, but it can add to cost depending on the supplier. Some systems bundle channels into their core plan; others require a separate channel manager subscription, often billed monthly. If a provider charges per-channel or per-connection fees, those can be significant for parks listing on multiple sites like Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, Pitchup and Cool Camping. HolsUK includes channel sync as part of the platform without separate monthly channel charges; with channel sync included, your only channel-related cost is the commission on bookings or the channels’ own commission where applicable. When evaluating systems, tally any channel manager fees and check whether content, pricing and calendar updates propagate instantly, as slow syncs lead to more manual correction work and potential lost bookings.

Most booking platforms integrate with a third-party payment processor such as Stripe. HolsUK supports direct bookings with Stripe; Stripe’s fees are separate and charged per card transaction — typically a small percentage plus a fixed pence amount (check Stripe’s UK pricing for current rates). These processing fees apply regardless of whether your booking platform charges a subscription or takes commission, because they cover card authorisation and payout handling. Budget for Stripe fees when modelling monthly costs, and account for payout timing: Stripe typically transfers funds to your bank on a rolling schedule, but some processors or agreements have delays. Also consider refund and dispute handling costs, and whether the platform supports recurring or split payments for deposits and balance collections.

VAT treatment depends on the nature of the service and whether your business is VAT-registered. Booking platforms and marketplaces vary: some add VAT to their fees, others treat commissions as outside the scope depending on business structure. HolsUK’s commission structure and invoice will state VAT treatment clearly. Refunds follow standard procedures: if a guest cancels, the platform and Stripe handle payment reversal and your park’s refund policy determines amounts returned. Payouts for direct bookings flow through Stripe to your bank; HolsUK’s reporting reconciles those payouts with bookings and commission invoices so you can produce accurate monthly accounts. Always confirm how the provider timestamps transactions, how commissions are calculated on partial refunds, and whether you receive detailed transaction-level exports for your accountant to reconcile VAT and income.