Here's the honest answer up front: Checkfront is a solid platform that's served tour operators well for over a decade — but the post-2023 merger period has been bumpy. Operators on legacy plans are getting price increase notices. Capterra reviews from 2024–2025 specifically call out reliability issues attributed to "a massive merger and investment" overwhelming the company. The platform still works, the support team is still helpful, but the operator experience has changed.
Kong is free for operators, has no subscription, no setup fees, and currently no fees on OTA bookings. Checkfront charges $99/month plus 3% on online bookings. For most Malaysian tour operators we work with, the subscription alone is hard to justify — RM 400/month adds up to RM 4,800/year before a single booking happens. The 3% on top is comparable to what other platforms charge, but the combination of subscription + per-booking fee is meaningfully more expensive than Kong's free-for-operators model.
I spent six years at Rezdy, Checkfront, and Regiondo before co-founding Kong. I'm not neutral about this comparison, but I'll be honest about where Checkfront genuinely wins — anything less would be useless to you as a buyer.
For operators outside Malaysia: Kong serves operators globally. This comparison leans Malaysian where Kong's local payment options (Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, FPX, etc.) matter most, but the bigger arguments — the subscription cost, the merger-period concerns, the legacy plan pricing complaints — apply to Checkfront operators everywhere. Outside Malaysia, the Xendit-specific payment processing advantage shrinks; everything else still holds.
TL;DR by operator type
Choose Checkfront if
- Your operation is mid-to-large with consistent booking volume that justifies the RM 400/month subscription
- You specifically value Checkfront's mature platform and 10+ years of operator workflow refinement
- You're already a Checkfront operator on a legacy plan you're happy with (and the price hasn't increased yet)
- You need their existing OTA and reseller integrations today
- You're comfortable with a platform currently going through merger-period changes
Choose Kong if
- You're a small or growing Malaysian operator where RM 400/month is meaningful operating expense
- You want a platform you can try without committing to a subscription
- You take Malaysian payment methods (Touch 'n Go, FPX, ShopeePay, Boost, DuitNow QR, GrabPay)
- You want an independent platform not going through a multi-product post-merger integration period
- You'd rather have your guests pay a small 1.8% fee than absorb a 3% fee yourself plus a monthly subscription
At a glance
| Feature | Checkfront | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | $99/month (RM 402) | Free for operators |
| Online booking fee | 3% per online booking (operator chooses to absorb or pass to guest) | 1.8% paid by guest on online direct bookings only |
| OTA / agent booking fee | None — integrations with OTAs and 20k+ resellers at no additional fee | Currently no Kong fee on OTA bookings |
| Walk-in / offline booking fee | None — 0% on offline bookings | Free — no fee to operator or guest |
| Payment gateways | Stripe, Square, PayPal, "Checkfront Payments" (powered by Stripe) | Stripe OR Xendit (operator picks) |
| Touch 'n Go / ShopeePay / Boost / DuitNow QR | Not supported | Supported via Xendit |
| Digital waivers | Built-in (included) | Included free |
| OTA distribution | Broad — established integrations with major OTAs and 20k+ resellers | GetYourGuide live; Viator and more in development |
| Mobile app | Yes (iOS and Android) | Yes |
| Support | Email and ticket-based; described as responsive in reviews | Founder-led WhatsApp in Malaysian business hours |
| Public operator rating | Capterra 4.4/5; G2 Product Direction 7.8/10 | Google Business Profile: 5/5 |
| Track record | Founded 2010; merged with Rezdy and Regiondo in July 2023 | New (founded 2025) |
| Ownership | Combined entity with Rezdy and Regiondo since July 2023 | Independent |
| Built specifically for | Tour operators, activity providers, and rental businesses globally | Southeast Asian tour and activity operators |
Pricing verified June 2026 from checkfront.com/pricing. USD/MYR exchange rate of approximately 4.06 used for ringgit conversions throughout.
The merger-period question
In July 2023, Checkfront merged with Rezdy and Regiondo into a combined entity. The merger is the single most important context for understanding Checkfront in 2026, and it deserves an honest look.
What's still good about Checkfront after the merger:
- The platform still works for the operators it was built for. Mid-to-large operators with consistent volume continue to run successful operations on it.
- The G2 Product Direction score (operator confidence in the roadmap) sits at 7.8/10 — meaningfully better than Rezdy's 2.7/10 under the same parent. Checkfront operators are more confident in where their platform is heading than Rezdy operators are.
- Capterra reviews from 2024–2025 still mention "responsive support" and "good value for the right operator size" as recurring themes.
- The 0% fee on walk-in and offline bookings is genuinely operator-friendly — a real cost advantage over Rezdy (which charges $0.70–$1 per offline booking under the same parent company).
What's changed for the worse since the merger:
Multiple recent Capterra reviews (verified by Checkfront's own responses) document significant price increases on legacy plans:
There's no way those price increases are justified — the booking software is still exactly the same as 7 years ago with just minor upgrades.— Capterra review, October 28, 2025
Checkfront's official response confirms the pattern: "We've had to adjust some legacy plan pricing due to increased operational costs and economic conditions. These changes help us continue improving Checkfront's reliability, security, and features for all customers."
Another widely cited 2024 review describes a more serious operator experience:
Checkfront has just been through a massive merger and investment and I can only speculate that the changes have completely overwhelmed the company and quality has dropped off a cliff. One staff member alluded to this and hoped things might start to improve in "a few months". Right now my advice to anyone considering Checkfront would be to run far away.— Capterra review
The honest read: Checkfront isn't broken, but it's a platform in a merger-period transition. Some operators are getting price increase notices on legacy plans. Some are reporting feature regressions or bug fixes that take longer than expected. Some are reporting that support quality has shifted. Other operators on the platform are still happy. Whether the transition continues to affect your day-to-day depends on factors outside your control — corporate priorities, integration timelines, post-merger strategic decisions.
For operators making a multi-year platform commitment in 2026, this is worth weighing. You're not just choosing today's Checkfront — you're choosing whatever Checkfront becomes as the merger integration continues.
Pricing comparison
Checkfront's pricing (current as of June 2026)
Checkfront moved to a single-plan structure in 2024:
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | $99/month (RM 402) |
| Online direct booking fee | 3% per online booking (operator chooses to absorb or pass to guest) |
| Walk-in / phone / offline bookings | 0% — no fee |
| OTA / agent bookings via channel manager | 0% — no fee |
| Payment processing | Operator pays the gateway's rates (Stripe Malaysia: 3% + RM 1) |
Source: checkfront.com/pricing, verified June 2026.
Important note on legacy plans: Operators who signed up before the merger may still be on legacy plans with different pricing. Checkfront has been migrating legacy plan customers to the new single-plan structure, with documented price increases — verified through Capterra reviews and Checkfront's own responses. If you're a current Checkfront operator on a legacy plan, your pricing may change before your next renewal.
Note on regional pricing: Per Checkfront's own documentation, pricing varies by region and currency. The $99/month figure is the standard US rate. Operators in some markets pay more.
Kong's pricing
| Channel | Operator fee | Booking fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online direct (Kong-hosted website, embedded widget) | Free | 1.8% paid by guest at checkout |
| OTA bookings (GetYourGuide today, more in development) | Free | Currently no Kong fee — see note below |
| Walk-ins, phone bookings, WhatsApp bookings | Free | Free — no fee to operator or guest |
| Digital waivers | Free | Included as built-in feature |
| Website builder | Free | Included as built-in feature |
No tiers, no monthly subscription, no setup fee, no contract, no booking caps.
On OTA bookings: Kong currently doesn't charge an additional booking fee on bookings that come through OTA integrations. Kong's leadership hasn't finalized a long-term OTA fee structure and may introduce one in future. For now, operators using Kong's OTA integrations pay the OTA's commission and nothing additional to Kong.
The 1.8% guest fee applies only to bookings that flow through Kong's online checkout. It does not apply to walk-ins, phone bookings, or anything handled outside Kong's online flow.
Worked scenarios at real operator volumes
Scenario A: Small Malaysian operator
A growing operator running a few small tours, RM 5,000/month in revenue. Channel mix: 50% walk-in/WhatsApp (RM 2,500, ~25 bookings), 40% online direct (RM 2,000, ~10 bookings), 10% OTA (RM 500, ~2 bookings).
| Cost component | Checkfront | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | RM 402 | RM 0 |
| Fee on online direct (RM 2,000) | 3% × RM 2,000 = RM 60 (operator chooses to absorb or pass) | 1.8% × RM 2,000 = RM 36 (paid by guests) |
| Fee on OTA bookings (RM 500) | RM 0 — no fee | RM 0 — no fee |
| Fee on walk-in/WhatsApp (RM 2,500) | RM 0 — no fee | RM 0 — no fee |
| Total monthly operator cost | RM 462 (if operator absorbs the 3%) or RM 402 (if passed to guest) | RM 0 |
| What guests pay | Either RM 0 or RM 60 in fees (operator's choice) | RM 36 spread across online direct bookings |
At this volume, Checkfront's subscription is the dominant cost. RM 402/month flows out of the business regardless of how slow or busy the month is. Kong has no subscription at all — the only fees are the 1.8% on online direct bookings (paid by guests), and even that's smaller than Checkfront's 3% guest-pass option.
Worth flagging: Checkfront's flexibility (operator absorbs vs guest pays) is genuinely useful. Some operators specifically want this control — and Checkfront delivers it. Kong's 1.8% is always guest-paid; operators don't have an absorb-or-pass toggle.
Scenario B: Mid-size operator, diversified channels
An established operator running RM 50,000/month in revenue. Channel mix: 30% walk-in (RM 15,000, ~75 bookings), 45% online direct (RM 22,500, ~75 bookings), 25% OTA (RM 12,500, ~50 bookings).
| Cost component | Checkfront | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | RM 402 | RM 0 |
| Fee on online direct (RM 22,500) | 3% × RM 22,500 = RM 675 (operator or guest, operator's choice) | 1.8% × RM 22,500 = RM 405 (paid by guests) |
| Fee on OTA bookings (RM 12,500) | RM 0 — no fee | RM 0 — no fee |
| Fee on walk-ins (RM 15,000) | RM 0 — no fee | RM 0 — no fee |
| Total monthly operator cost | RM 1,077 (if operator absorbs the 3%) or RM 402 (if passed to guest) | RM 0 |
| What guests pay | Either RM 0 or RM 675 (operator's choice) | RM 405 |
At this volume, the comparison gets more interesting. If the operator passes Checkfront's 3% to guests, the operator pays "only" RM 402/month — but guests see a 3% fee at checkout (versus Kong's 1.8%). If the operator absorbs the 3% to keep checkout prices clean, the operator pays RM 1,077/month — versus RM 0 on Kong.
Either way, Kong is cheaper for the operator. The trade-off is the 1.8% guest fee that's always present on Kong (always there, can't toggle off) versus Checkfront's "you decide who pays" flexibility.
Scenario C: Larger operator, more volume
An operator running RM 150,000/month, ~600 bookings/month. Channel mix: 15% walk-in (RM 22,500), 40% online direct (RM 60,000), 45% OTA (RM 67,500).
| Cost component | Checkfront | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | RM 402 | RM 0 |
| Fee on online direct (RM 60,000) | 3% × RM 60,000 = RM 1,800 (operator or guest, operator's choice) | 1.8% × RM 60,000 = RM 1,080 (paid by guests) |
| Fee on OTA bookings (RM 67,500) | RM 0 — no fee | RM 0 on GetYourGuide. Some OTAs not yet on Kong |
| Fee on walk-ins (RM 22,500) | RM 0 — no fee | RM 0 — no fee |
| Total monthly operator cost | RM 2,202 (if operator absorbs the 3%) or RM 402 (if passed to guest) | RM 0 (on the bookings Kong can process) |
| What guests pay | Either RM 0 or RM 1,800 (operator's choice) | RM 1,080 |
At this scale, Checkfront's RM 402/month subscription is genuinely small relative to revenue (about 0.27%). If the operator passes the 3% online fee to guests, total Checkfront cost to the operator stays at RM 402/month — that's a reasonable operating expense at RM 150,000/month revenue.
But guests see a 3% fee at checkout. In markets where customers expect inclusive pricing (most of Asia, much of Europe), this creates cart abandonment risk. Kong's 1.8% is smaller and harder to notice.
The OTA caveat matters at this scale: Kong's GetYourGuide is live, but Viator, Klook, and others are still in development. For operators with significant OTA dependency on platforms Kong can't yet route, Checkfront's broader OTA portfolio is a real today-advantage.
Summary across the three scenarios
| Operator profile | Checkfront monthly cost (operator) | Kong monthly cost (operator) | Honest answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario A (small, RM 5K/mo) | RM 402–462 | RM 0 | Kong decisively — RM 400+/month subscription is meaningful at this scale |
| Scenario B (mid, RM 50K/mo) | RM 402–1,077 | RM 0 | Kong clearly cheaper on operator cost |
| Scenario C (large, RM 150K/mo) | RM 402–2,202 | RM 0 | Kong cheaper, with caveat that OTA portfolio differs |
Kong is cheaper than Checkfront on operator cost at every scale. The smaller you are, the more the RM 402/month subscription matters. The larger you are, the more Checkfront's mature OTA integrations and platform stability matter — and the more you might genuinely prefer Checkfront's "you decide who pays the fee" flexibility.
Where Checkfront honestly wins
| Checkfront's advantage | Why it matters | The honest detail |
|---|---|---|
| Free OTA and walk-in bookings | No per-booking fee on agent bookings, OTA bookings, or walk-ins — only on online direct | This is genuinely operator-friendly, particularly compared to Rezdy (under the same parent) which charges $0.70–$1 per offline booking. Checkfront's "subscription + 3% online only" is a cleaner structure. |
| You choose who pays the 3% online fee | Operators can absorb the cost themselves or pass it to guests at checkout. Toggleable in settings | Kong's 1.8% is always guest-paid — there's no absorb option. Some operators specifically want this flexibility, and Checkfront delivers it cleanly. |
| Mature platform with established integrations | Founded 2010 — 15+ years of operator workflow refinement. 50+ integrations with travel tools, accounting systems, and OTAs | Kong is new (founded 2025). Operators who weight platform maturity heavily are choosing Checkfront honestly. |
| Better G2 Product Direction score than its sister product Rezdy | G2 Product Direction 7.8/10 (vs Rezdy's 2.7) — operators are more confident in Checkfront's roadmap than Rezdy's under the same parent | This isn't perfect (the 7.8 is still post-merger and below the platform's pre-merger ratings), but it suggests Checkfront operators see a healthier near-term direction than Rezdy operators do. |
| Broader OTA distribution today | Established connections to Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, major OTAs, and 20k+ resellers | Kong's GetYourGuide is live; Viator and other OTAs are in development. For Viator-dependent or multi-OTA operators, Checkfront's portfolio today is broader. |
| Strong Capterra rating with 318+ reviews | 4.4/5 stars; 81% of cost-and-value reviews are positive | Kong's GBP rating is 5/5 but on a smaller (and different) review base. Checkfront's track record is more established and the review pattern is well-understood. |
| Mobile apps for both iOS and Android | Native mobile apps for managing bookings, customers, and on-site check-ins | Kong also has a mobile app, but Checkfront's apps have more years of development behind them. |
| Established support team with responsive reputation | Multiple Capterra reviews specifically call out support responsiveness as a strength | Kong's founder-led WhatsApp model is faster within SEA business hours but isn't 24/7. Different models — for operators in non-SEA timezones, Checkfront's distributed support may be more accessible. |
Where Kong honestly wins
Structural advantages
| Kong's advantage | Why it matters | The honest detail |
|---|---|---|
| Free pricing — no subscription | Zero operator cost when bookings are slow; small guest fee only when bookings happen | Checkfront's RM 402/month subscription doesn't move with bookings. In low season or shock-prone periods, Kong's variable model is structurally aligned with cash flow. |
| Choice of payment gateway with Xendit option | Operators pick Stripe OR Xendit; Xendit accepts the full Malaysian payment method stack | Checkfront supports Stripe, Square, PayPal, and Checkfront Payments (powered by Stripe). None of these accept Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Boost, or DuitNow QR — the payment methods most Malaysian guests prefer. |
| Independent platform — not part of post-merger integration | Single product, single team, single product roadmap | Checkfront is part of a three-platform combined entity (Checkfront + Rezdy + Regiondo) still integrating post-2023 merger. Multiple 2024–2025 Capterra reviews specifically attribute reliability issues to the merger period. |
| No commitment, no contract | Sign up, take bookings, leave whenever | Checkfront uses month-to-month with no long-term contract — but the $99/month commitment is real money that flows regardless of usage. Kong is genuinely free. |
| 1.8% guest fee versus 3% guest fee (if passed) | If Checkfront's 3% is passed to guests, Kong's 1.8% is meaningfully smaller and creates less checkout friction | A RM 500 booking with Checkfront's pass-on shows guests a RM 15 fee at checkout; Kong shows RM 9. The 6-ringgit difference matters more in markets where inclusive pricing is the norm. |
| Built for Southeast Asian operators | Founder team based in Malaysia, product designed for local market dynamics | Checkfront is built for global tour operators with no SEA-specific focus. Different ICP, different design assumptions. |
Experiential advantages
| Kong's advantage | Why it matters | The honest detail |
|---|---|---|
| Founder-led support on WhatsApp in SEA timezone | WhatsApp access to founders, response times in minutes during Malaysian business hours | Checkfront's support is genuinely responsive but distributed across timezones and ticket-based rather than WhatsApp. Different models — Kong's is faster for SEA operators with operational questions. |
| Stable single-product company | Kong's strategic direction is set by founders and operators we talk to daily, not by post-merger integration committees | Checkfront's roadmap is set by the combined entity. Some product decisions will favor integration across all three platforms (Checkfront + Rezdy + Regiondo) rather than what's best for Checkfront alone. |
| No price increase risk from legacy plan migration | Kong's pricing is what it says it is, ongoing | Some Checkfront operators on legacy plans are receiving price increase notices as the merged entity moves customers to the new single-plan structure. Kong has no legacy plans to migrate. |
Payment processing — the Malaysian payment gateway problem
This is a deep cost and conversion difference between Checkfront and Kong for Malaysian operators specifically.
Checkfront integrates with Stripe, Square, PayPal, and "Checkfront Payments" (which is Checkfront's own payment processor wrapper, powered by Stripe). For Malaysian operators, this means all payment processing flows through Stripe or Stripe-equivalent infrastructure. Stripe Malaysia charges 3% + RM 1 per transaction across all methods, and doesn't support Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Boost, DuitNow QR, or Malaysian BNPL.
Kong supports both Stripe AND Xendit. Operators choose which gateway to use when they sign up. Through Xendit, Kong accepts the full range of Malaysian payment methods that Checkfront (via Stripe) can't process at all.
Payment method support comparison
| Payment method | Checkfront (Stripe Malaysia) | Kong (with Xendit option) |
|---|---|---|
| FPX (online banking) | Yes — 3% + RM 1 | Yes — RM 1.20 flat per transaction |
| Local credit card | Yes — 3% + RM 1 | Yes — 2.00% |
| Local debit card | Yes — 3% + RM 1 | Yes — 1.20% |
| GrabPay | Yes — 3% + RM 1 | Yes — ~1.0%–1.7% |
| Touch 'n Go | Not supported | Yes |
| ShopeePay | Not supported | Yes |
| Boost | Not supported | Yes |
| DuitNow QR | Not supported | Yes |
| Malaysian BNPL | Not supported | Yes |
| International cards | Yes — 3% + RM 1 + 1.5% surcharge | Yes (varies by method) |
Source: Xendit Malaysia pricing, Stripe Malaysia published rates, Checkfront's payment provider documentation.
The conversion implication: A Malaysian guest landing on a Checkfront checkout page who wants to pay with Touch 'n Go (the largest e-wallet in Malaysia) cannot complete the booking. They either fall back to card payment (which they may not have set up for online use), abandon the booking, or look for an alternative provider that accepts their preferred payment method. This isn't a cost concern — it's a "did the booking happen at all" concern.
For Malaysian tour operators with meaningful local guest volume, the payment method support gap is more significant than the fee difference.
The honest decision tree
| Your situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small Malaysian operator (under RM 50K/month) | Kong | RM 400+/month subscription is meaningful operating expense at this scale; Kong is free |
| Mid-to-large operator who specifically values pricing flexibility (absorb vs pass to guest) | Checkfront | Checkfront's toggle is a real feature Kong doesn't offer |
| Operator with significant Malaysian local payment volume | Kong | Checkfront can't accept Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Boost, or DuitNow QR; Kong can via Xendit |
| Operator already on a Checkfront legacy plan, happy with current pricing | Checkfront | If you're getting good value, don't move. But watch for the price increase notice — they're coming for legacy plan customers |
| Operator who just received a Checkfront price increase notice | Worth comparing | Many legacy-plan operators are evaluating alternatives after the increases. This is a reasonable trigger to revisit your platform choice |
| Operator dependent on multiple OTA channels today (Viator, Klook, multiple resellers) | Checkfront | Checkfront's OTA portfolio is broader today; Kong's is still in development |
| Operator who wants to try without committing | Kong | No subscription, no contract, no commitment. Sign up, try, leave if it doesn't fit |
| Operator who weights mature platform and established workflows heavily | Checkfront | 15+ years of operator workflow refinement; Kong is new |
| Operator concerned about being on a platform in a merger transition | Kong | Kong is independent; Checkfront is part of a three-platform combined entity still integrating post-2023 |
| Operator who wants founder-led WhatsApp support in Malaysian timezone | Kong | Checkfront's support is responsive but distributed; Kong's is faster within SEA business hours |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Checkfront cost in 2026?
Checkfront's current pricing is one simple plan: $99/month subscription (about RM 402) plus 3% on online bookings. The 3% fee can be absorbed by the operator or passed to guests at checkout — operator's choice. Walk-in bookings, phone bookings, and OTA bookings have no additional fee. Pricing is verified from checkfront.com/pricing. Operators on legacy plans (signed up before the single-plan structure) may have different pricing, with many receiving price increase notices as Checkfront migrates customers to the new structure.
Is Kong cheaper than Checkfront?
Yes — meaningfully, especially for smaller operators. Checkfront charges $99/month (RM 402) regardless of how many bookings you take, plus 3% on online bookings. Kong has no subscription and only a 1.8% fee that guests pay at checkout. Even if Checkfront's 3% is passed entirely to guests, the operator still pays RM 402/month for the subscription. Across the three operator profiles we modeled, Kong's monthly operator cost was zero in every case; Checkfront's was RM 402–2,202.
What's the deal with Checkfront's price increases?
Checkfront merged with Rezdy and Regiondo in July 2023, and since then operators on legacy plans have been migrated to the new single-plan structure. Multiple 2024–2025 Capterra reviews specifically call out price increases that operators describe as significant and unjustified, with one reviewer noting price increases on a plan they'd had for seven years. Checkfront's official responses confirm: "We've had to adjust some legacy plan pricing due to increased operational costs and economic conditions." If you're a current Checkfront operator on a legacy plan, your pricing may change before your next renewal. New operators sign up directly into the current single-plan structure.
Does Checkfront support Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, or Boost?
No. Checkfront integrates with Stripe, Square, PayPal, and "Checkfront Payments" (which is powered by Stripe) — none of which support Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Boost, DuitNow QR, or Malaysian BNPL in their Malaysian configurations. Kong's Xendit option accepts all of these Malaysian payment methods.
Is Checkfront still good after the merger with Rezdy?
The honest answer is "mostly yes, with caveats." Checkfront still works, the support team is still responsive in most reports, and the G2 Product Direction score is 7.8/10 — meaningfully better than Rezdy's 2.7 under the same parent. But multiple Capterra reviews from 2024–2025 describe reliability issues attributed to the merger period, and legacy plan customers are receiving price increase notices. For operators making a multi-year commitment, the merger integration is still an active variable.
Why does Checkfront charge a subscription when other platforms don't?
Checkfront's pricing model is genuinely a different category from FareHarbor (no subscription, 6% guest fee) or Kong (no subscription, 1.8% guest fee). The subscription model is older — Checkfront predates the "free for operators" wave by years — and Checkfront has held to it through the merger. The trade-off: with a subscription, the per-booking fee is lower (3% vs 6%) and the platform earns money even from operators who don't drive much volume through it. Whether that fits your operation depends on your booking volume.
Can I use Kong if I'm not based in Malaysia?
Yes. Kong serves tour and activity operators globally — our current focus is Malaysia, but operators across Southeast Asia and beyond are on the platform. The free operator pricing, no walk-in fees, no setup complexity, included digital waivers, included website builder, no booking caps, and OTA integrations all apply regardless of where you're based. This comparison leans Malaysian in some places (the Xendit-specific payment math, the local payment method support), but the bigger arguments — the subscription cost, the merger-period concerns, the legacy plan price increases — apply to Checkfront operators everywhere. Outside Malaysia, the Xendit cost advantage shrinks, but everything else still holds.
Can I switch from Checkfront to Kong?
Yes, operators do switch between platforms. Bookings already on Checkfront complete their lifecycle there; new bookings flow through Kong from the switch date. Product data, pricing, and guest contact details can typically be exported from Checkfront and imported to Kong. The main switching consideration is your existing customer-facing booking widget — if you have it embedded on a WordPress site, you'll need to swap the embed code. Contact Kong's team via WhatsApp at +60 12-429 8159 to walk through the specifics.