Checkfront Review for Fishing Charters
Quick Verdict
7.4 / 10Pros
- Built-in digital waivers with custom templates per trip type
- No fees on offline/walk-up/phone bookings
- Strong resource management that prevents double-booking of boats and captains
Cons
- Complex initial setup that is not intuitive to configure
- Post-merger pricing increases (previously either subscription OR booking fee, now both)
- Limited customer support hours, not 24/7
Full Review
Checkfront is a mature booking platform headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, that has served the tours and activities industry for over a decade. In 2023, Checkfront merged with Rezdy and Regiondo under common ownership, but it continues to operate as an independent product with its own development roadmap and customer base. With 292 reviews on Capterra at a 4.5 out of 5 rating, Checkfront has a proven track record, though recent changes following the merger have introduced some pricing concerns for existing and prospective customers.
Checkfront's standout features for charter operators include built-in digital waivers with custom templates for each trip type, no fees on offline bookings (phone and walk-up sales), and strong resource management that prevents double-booking of boats, captains, and equipment. The platform's charter fishing page demonstrates awareness of the segment, highlighting captain assignment capabilities, buffer times between trips for turnaround, and dock check-in workflows. Four modern React-based booking widgets provide flexible embedding options for operator websites.
Pricing underwent a significant change following the merger. Previously, Checkfront offered operators a choice between a subscription-only model or a per-booking fee model. Post-merger, the pricing combines both: operators now pay $99 per month plus 3% on every online booking. Walk-up and phone bookings remain free of transaction fees, which is a genuine advantage for operators who take many bookings in person at the dock. The combined cost structure, however, represents a price increase for operators who previously paid only one or the other.
The platform's weaknesses center on usability and missing modern features. Initial setup is widely described as complex and unintuitive, and operators should expect a learning curve before the system is fully configured. The backend admin interface feels dated compared to newer competitors like TripWorks and Peek Pro. Notably absent are dynamic pricing capabilities, a point-of-sale system, and abandoned cart recovery, all features that several competitors include as standard. Reporting functionality is limited in customization and depth, which can frustrate operators trying to extract specific business insights.
On the integration front, Checkfront connects to over 50 third-party services including WordPress, Squarespace, Salesforce, Xero, QuickBooks, and Zapier. Distribution channel connections are included at no extra cost. Multi-language and multi-currency support make the platform viable for international operations. Multiple payment methods including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and iDEAL are supported, along with deposit collection and Buy Now/Pay Later options.
Checkfront is a decent general booking platform with some features that translate well to charter fishing operations, particularly its built-in waivers and resource management. However, it is not fishing-specific and treats charters the same as any other bookable activity. Combined with the post-merger price increase and complex setup process, Checkfront is a harder recommendation for charter captains who need specialized tools like per-seat ticketing, fleet management, and automated client communication designed specifically for the fishing charter industry.
Features
- ✓Multiple booking types (all-day, nightly, timeslot, flextime)
- ✓Real-time availability with capacity management
- ✓Resource management for boats, captains, equipment
- ✓Seasonal pricing rules
- ✓Built-in digital waivers and custom document builder
- ✓QR code ticketing with mobile scanning
- ✓Daily manifest reports
- ✓Automated email and SMS notifications
- ✓Multiple payment methods
- ✓Deposit and Buy Now/Pay Later
- ✓In-person payment terminals
- ✓4 React-based booking widgets
- ✓Reseller accounts
- ✓Distribution channel connections (Google Things to Do and others)
- ✓CMS integrations (WordPress, Squarespace, Joomla, Drupal)
- ✓CRM integrations (Salesforce, Zoho)
- ✓Zapier integration
- ✓iCal feed sync
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 7.4 |
| Fishing Fit | 6.5 |
| Ease of Use | 7.0 |
| Integrations | 8.0 |
| Value | 7.0 |
| Support | 7.5 |
Scores are based on our editorial methodology. Fishing Fit is weighted most heavily for charter-specific platforms.
Pricing
Summary: $99/month + 3% on online bookings (no fee on offline)
Commission Model: $99/month subscription plus 3% per online booking. No charge on phone/walk-up bookings. Operators can absorb or pass the 3%.
Prices subject to change. Visit Checkfront's website for the most current pricing information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Checkfront cost for a fishing charter operation?
Checkfront charges $99 per month plus a 3% fee on every online booking. Phone and walk-up bookings incur no transaction fees. The pricing changed following a merger with Rezdy and Regiondo, combining what were previously separate subscription-only or per-booking-fee options into a single combined model.
Does Checkfront include built-in digital waivers?
Yes. Checkfront includes built-in digital waivers with custom templates that can be configured per trip type. This is a genuine advantage over competitors like FareHarbor and Rezdy that require separate third-party waiver integrations.
Is Checkfront easy to set up for charter operators?
Initial setup is widely described as complex and unintuitive. Operators should expect a learning curve before the system is fully configured. The backend admin interface also feels dated compared to newer competitors like TripWorks and Peek Pro.
Does Checkfront offer dynamic pricing or abandoned cart recovery?
No. Checkfront does not include dynamic pricing capabilities, a point-of-sale system, or abandoned cart recovery. These are features that several competitors include as standard. Checkfront does offer seasonal pricing rules, but lacks the automated demand-based pricing that some operators need.
Alternatives to Checkfront
If Checkfront is not the right fit, here are other platforms worth considering for your charter operation.
- GoFish:A booking platform built exclusively for fishing charters.
- WaveRez:Booking software built specifically for the watersport and tour boat industry.
- FareHarbor:A general-purpose booking platform with broad distribution reach.