If you're running a campsite, glamping site, or holiday park in the UK, one of the first questions you'll ask when looking at booking software is: "How much is this going to cost me?" It's a fair question — and one that's surprisingly hard to get a straight answer to.
Most software providers bury their pricing behind "request a demo" forms. We think that's backwards. Here's an honest breakdown of what campsite management software actually costs in 2026, what drives the price up or down, and how to decide what's worth paying for.
The Main Pricing Models
Campsite software broadly falls into three pricing structures:
1. Monthly Subscription (Most Common)
You pay a fixed monthly fee based on the size of your site or the features you need. This is how most modern platforms work, including CampManager.
- Small sites (1-10 pitches/units): £30-£60/month
- Medium sites (10-50 pitches/units): £60-£150/month
- Large sites (50+ pitches/units): £150-£400/month
2. Commission-Based Pricing
Some platforms take a percentage of each booking instead of (or alongside) a monthly fee. This typically ranges from 1-3% of the booking value. It sounds cheap at first, but for a busy site doing £200,000+ in annual bookings, you're paying £2,000-£6,000 per year in commission alone.
3. One-Off License Fee
Older, on-premise systems charge a one-time fee (often £2,000-£10,000) plus annual maintenance. These are becoming rare and are generally not recommended for most operators.
Quick Comparison:
A 30-pitch campsite paying £80/month for subscription software spends £960/year. The same site paying 2% commission on £150,000 in bookings pays £3,000/year. Over 5 years, that's a difference of over £10,000.
What Affects the Price?
Number of Pitches or Units
Most platforms scale pricing by site size. A 10-pitch glamping site pays less than a 200-pitch holiday park. This makes sense — larger sites need more system resources and typically get more support.
Features Included
Basic plans usually cover online bookings and a calendar. As you move up, you get:
- Automated guest communications
- Payment processing
- Channel management (Airbnb, Booking.com sync)
- Reporting and analytics
- Guest review management
- Website builder or integration
Payment Processing Fees
Don't forget transaction fees. Most platforms use Stripe or similar processors, adding 1.4-2.9% + 20p per transaction. Some platforms bundle this into their pricing; others charge it separately. Always ask what the total cost per booking will be.
Setup and Onboarding
Some platforms charge a one-time setup fee (£200-£1,000) for data migration, training, and initial configuration. Others include this for free. If you're switching from another system, check whether migration support is included.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Contract lock-in: Annual contracts may offer discounts but limit flexibility. Check cancellation terms.
- Extra user fees: Some platforms charge per staff login. If you have seasonal staff, this adds up.
- SMS charges: Automated text messages to guests are often billed separately at 5-10p per message.
- Channel manager fees: Syncing with OTAs like Airbnb or Booking.com sometimes costs extra.
- Support tiers: Basic email support might be included, but phone or priority support often costs more.
What's Actually Worth Paying For?
Not every feature justifies its cost. Focus on the features that directly save you time or make you money:
High-Value Features:
- Online booking with instant confirmation — reduces phone/email admin by 60-80%
- Automated payment collection — eliminates chasing deposits and balances
- Guest communication automation — sends booking confirmations, directions, and reminders without manual effort
- Availability calendar — prevents double bookings and shows real-time availability on your website
How to Evaluate the True Cost
When comparing platforms, calculate the total annual cost including:
- Monthly subscription × 12
- Transaction/commission fees based on your expected booking volume
- Any add-on features you'll actually use
- Setup/migration fees (one-time)
Then weigh that against the time you'll save. If software saves you 10 hours per week of admin (a common figure), and your time is worth £15/hour, that's £7,800/year in recovered time. Most campsite software pays for itself several times over.
The Bottom Line
For most UK campsites and glamping sites, expect to pay £50-£150 per month for a capable booking and management platform. The cheapest option isn't always the best value — what matters is whether the software actually reduces your workload, prevents booking errors, and helps you earn more from your site.
Ask for a trial or demo before committing, check what's included at each price tier, and calculate the total cost of ownership rather than just the headline monthly price.
Ready to simplify your campsite operations?
Join campsite operators who've cut admin time by 75% and increased bookings with CampManager's all-in-one platform.
