Here's the honest answer up front: Rezdy is the better choice if you're a large, established operator in Australia or New Zealand who runs complex multi-day operations and depends on the AU/NZ reseller network. Kong is the better choice for almost every Southeast Asian operator — particularly Malaysian operators, smaller operations under RM 100,000/month in bookings, and operators who don't want to absorb walk-in and WhatsApp booking fees that Rezdy charges per booking.
I spent five years at Rezdy in product marketing — I sold the platform, marketed it, and watched which features actually helped operators. I'm not neutral about this comparison, but I'll be honest about where Rezdy 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 Xendit option and local payment methods matter most, but the bigger arguments — free operator pricing, no walk-in or WhatsApp booking fees, post-merger reliability concerns — apply to Rezdy operators everywhere. Outside Malaysia, the payment processing advantage shrinks; everything else still holds.
TL;DR by operator type
Choose Rezdy if
- You run complex multi-day or multi-resource operations that simpler platforms can't model (multi-day expeditions, tiered group pricing, complex resource scheduling)
- You're based in Australia or New Zealand and the AU/NZ reseller marketplace is a real distribution channel for you
- You have budget and patience for a multi-week onboarding cycle with a dedicated success manager
- You're comfortable with a subscription-plus-percentage pricing model that scales up substantially with volume
Choose Kong if
- You want a free-for-operators pricing model that scales with revenue rather than a fixed monthly subscription
- You're in Southeast Asia and don't expect to get an assigned onboarding manager
- You need to be live and taking bookings within days, not months
- You take Malaysian payments — FPX, Touch 'n Go, GrabPay, ShopeePay, Boost, DuitNow QR (Rezdy on Stripe can't accept several of these)
- Your booking volume is under RM 100,000/month and you'd benefit from Kong's free pricing model
At a glance
| Feature | Rezdy | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | $49–$249/month across three tiers | Free for operators |
| Booking fee model | 3% per direct online booking, $0.70–$1 per agent/OTA booking, $0.70–$1 per offline/walk-in booking | 1.8% paid by guest on online direct bookings only; walk-ins and offline bookings free |
| Payment gateway choice | Stripe (default) | Stripe or Xendit (operator picks) |
| Touch 'n Go / ShopeePay / Boost / DuitNow QR | Not supported | Supported via Xendit |
| OTA distribution | Viator, GetYourGuide, Klook, and others (mature integrations) | GetYourGuide (recently shipped); Viator and additional OTAs in development |
| Reseller marketplace | 10+ year B2B network, AU/NZ-concentrated | Small, growing |
| Website builder | Free one-click website builder included on all plans | Included free, operator retains URL control |
| Mobile app | Yes, but operator complaints about it on G2/Capterra | Yes |
| Onboarding | Multi-week cycle with assigned onboarding manager (in supported markets); operator self-serve elsewhere | Under a day typical, self-serve with founder support |
| Support location / hours | Australia (UTC+10) — 2–3 hour gap from Malaysia, plus US/EMEA support | Malaysia (UTC+8) — founder-led on WhatsApp |
| G2 Product Direction score | 2.7 / 10 | New platform — no comparable score yet |
| Public operator rating | G2: 3.9/5 | Google Business Profile: 5/5 |
| Ownership | Combined entity with Checkfront and Regiondo since July 2023 | Independent |
| Headquartered | Sydney, Australia | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Track record | Founded 2011 — 15+ years in the category | New (founded 2025) |
| Built specifically for | Mid-large global tour operators, especially AU/NZ | Southeast Asian tour and activity operators |
Pricing verified June 2026. USD/MYR exchange rate of approximately 4.06 used for ringgit conversions throughout. See sections below for full details.
Pricing comparison
Rezdy's pricing model is a monthly subscription plus a percentage fee on every online booking, plus per-booking fees on offline and agent bookings. Kong's pricing model is free for operators with a 1.8% guest-paid booking fee on online direct bookings only. The right framing isn't "which sticker price is lower" — it's "what does each platform actually cost you at your specific booking volume and channel mix."
Rezdy's pricing (current as of June 2026)
| Plan | Subscription | Online direct booking fee | Agent/OTA booking fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation | $49/month (~RM 199) | 3% per booking | $1 per booking |
| Accelerate | $99/month (~RM 402) | 3% per booking | $0.85 per booking |
| Expansion | $249/month (~RM 1,011) | 3% per booking | $0.70 per booking |
Source: rezdy.com/pricing.
Important note on Rezdy's fee structure: Rezdy charges fees on every booking that flows through the platform, regardless of where it came from. Direct online bookings (taken through your own website) are charged the 3% percentage rate. Agent/OTA bookings (routed through Rezdy's channel manager from GetYourGuide, Klook, Viator, etc.) are charged the per-booking flat fee ($0.70–$1 depending on tier). Walk-ins, phone bookings, and WhatsApp bookings — which the operator manually enters into Rezdy — are also charged the per-booking flat fee. This matters because most Malaysian operators take a meaningful share of bookings through walk-ins and WhatsApp; on Rezdy, every one of those bookings entered into the system costs $0.70–$1. We accounted for this in the worked scenarios below.
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 |
No tiers, no monthly subscription, no setup fee, no contract, no booking caps.
One honest note on OTA bookings: Kong currently doesn't charge an additional booking fee on bookings that come through OTA integrations (the OTA takes its own commission, and Kong doesn't add to it). This is genuinely the current state of the product — Kong's leadership hasn't finalized a long-term OTA fee structure and may introduce one in future. For now, operators who use Kong's OTA integrations pay the OTA's commission and nothing additional to Kong.
For comparison, Rezdy charges 3% on direct online bookings (taken through your own website), a small per-booking fee ($0.70–$1) on agent/OTA bookings routed through Rezdy's channel manager, and the same per-booking fee on walk-ins, phone bookings, and WhatsApp bookings that the operator records in the system. So Rezdy is reasonably cost-efficient on OTA distribution — but it does charge for every booking entered into the platform, including the walk-ins that Kong handles entirely for free.
The 1.8% guest fee on Kong applies only to bookings that flow through Kong's online checkout. Walk-ins, phone bookings, and WhatsApp bookings handled through Kong cost nothing — no platform fee to the operator, no fee to the guest.
Worked scenarios at real operator volumes
These scenarios show the actual fee bases on each platform, not headline revenue. Walk-ins and phone bookings sit outside both platforms' fee scope. Online direct bookings flow through whichever platform the operator uses. OTA bookings have different treatments on each platform.
Scenario A: Small Malaysian operator, mostly local guests
A growing operator running a few small tours, RM 5,000/month in total revenue. Channel mix: 50% walk-in/WhatsApp (RM 2,500, ~25 bookings at average ~RM 100), 40% online direct (RM 2,000), 10% OTA — GetYourGuide (RM 500, ~1–2 bookings at average ~RM 300).
| Cost component | Rezdy (Foundation plan) | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | RM 199 | RM 0 |
| Fee on online direct (RM 2,000) | 3% × RM 2,000 = RM 60 (operator) | 1.8% × RM 2,000 = RM 36 (paid by guest) |
| Fee on GetYourGuide booking (~1–2 bookings) | ~$1 per booking × 2 ≈ RM 8 (operator) | RM 0 — Kong currently doesn't charge for OTA bookings |
| Fee on walk-in/WhatsApp bookings (~25 bookings) | $1 per booking × 25 ≈ RM 100 (operator) | RM 0 — Kong charges nothing on walk-ins or WhatsApp bookings |
| Total monthly cost to operator | RM 367 | RM 0 |
| Who pays | Operator | Guests pay RM 36 spread across online direct bookings |
Kong is decisively cheaper for the operator at this volume. The RM 367/month Rezdy cost doesn't move with whether bookings happen — it lands the same in a slow month as a busy one. And RM 367 is meaningful operating expense for a business at this scale. Note how much of Rezdy's cost comes from the walk-in/WhatsApp fees alone — RM 100/month just for entering bookings the operator generated themselves through their own customer relationships, with no platform marketing or distribution help from Rezdy.
Also worth noting: Rezdy's Stripe-only payment processing means this operator's guests cannot pay with Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Boost, or DuitNow QR — they're limited to FPX, GrabPay, and card payments. Kong's Xendit option supports the full local payment stack. For a Malaysian operator at this scale, that conversion difference likely matters more than the platform fee comparison.
Scenario B: Mid-size operator, diversified channels
An established operator running multiple tour products, RM 50,000/month in total revenue. Channel mix: 30% walk-in/in-person (RM 15,000, ~75 bookings at average RM 200), 45% online direct (RM 22,500), 25% OTA distribution — GetYourGuide and Viator combined (RM 12,500). Assuming RM 6,500 GetYourGuide (~30 bookings at average RM 217) + RM 6,000 Viator (~30 bookings at average RM 200):
| Cost component | Rezdy (Accelerate plan) | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | RM 402 | RM 0 |
| Fee on online direct (RM 22,500) | 3% × RM 22,500 = RM 675 (operator) | 1.8% × RM 22,500 = RM 405 (paid by guests) |
| Fee on GetYourGuide bookings (~30 bookings) | $0.85 per booking × 30 ≈ RM 103 (operator) | RM 0 — Kong currently doesn't charge for OTA bookings |
| Fee on Viator bookings (~30 bookings) | $0.85 per booking × 30 ≈ RM 103 (operator) | Not applicable — Kong doesn't yet have Viator integration |
| Fee on walk-in/WhatsApp bookings (~75 bookings) | $0.85 per booking × 75 ≈ RM 257 (operator) | RM 0 — Kong charges nothing on walk-ins or WhatsApp bookings |
| Total monthly cost to operator | RM 1,540 | RM 0 (on the bookings Kong can process) |
| Who pays | Operator | Guests pay RM 405 across online direct bookings |
At this volume the gap is substantial. Rezdy charges the operator RM 1,540/month from their own cash flow; Kong's operator cost is zero. About RM 257 of Rezdy's monthly cost comes purely from walk-in and WhatsApp bookings — fees on bookings the operator generated through their own customer relationships, with no platform help from Rezdy.
The Viator caveat matters: 12% of revenue (RM 6,000/month) currently can't flow through Kong because Kong's Viator integration isn't shipped. That operator would either route Viator through a separate Rezdy or Bokun account, or accept losing that channel until Kong's Viator integration ships.
The payment gateway difference also stacks: this operator's local FPX and e-wallet bookings flow through Stripe on Rezdy at 3% + RM 1 per transaction, vs. RM 1.20 flat per FPX transaction on Kong-with-Xendit. On hundreds of transactions per month, that's a meaningful additional cost gap on top of the platform fee comparison.
Scenario C: Large operator, complex multi-day operations
A larger operator running diverse tour products including multi-day expeditions, RM 150,000/month in total revenue. Channel mix: 15% walk-in/in-person (RM 22,500, ~100 bookings at average RM 225), 40% online direct (RM 60,000), 45% OTA — GetYourGuide, Klook, and Viator combined (RM 67,500). Assuming RM 25,000 Viator (~100 bookings at average RM 250) + RM 30,000 GetYourGuide (~120 bookings at average RM 250) + RM 12,500 Klook (~50 bookings at average RM 250):
| Cost component | Rezdy (Expansion plan) | Kong |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | RM 1,011 | RM 0 |
| Fee on online direct (RM 60,000) | 3% × RM 60,000 = RM 1,800 (operator) | 1.8% × RM 60,000 = RM 1,080 (paid by guests) |
| Fee on GetYourGuide bookings (~120) | $0.70 per booking × 120 ≈ RM 340 (operator) | RM 0 — Kong currently doesn't charge for OTA bookings |
| Fee on Klook bookings (~50) | $0.70 per booking × 50 ≈ RM 142 (operator) | Not applicable — Kong's Klook integration is in development |
| Fee on Viator bookings (~100) | $0.70 per booking × 100 ≈ RM 284 (operator) | Not applicable — Kong's Viator integration is in development |
| Fee on walk-in bookings (~100) | $0.70 per booking × 100 ≈ RM 284 (operator) | RM 0 — Kong charges nothing on walk-ins |
| Total monthly cost on platform fees | RM 3,861 | RM 0 (on the bookings Kong can process) |
| Who pays | Operator | Guests (on online direct bookings only) |
Here Rezdy's cost stacks significantly across multiple channels. Around RM 3,800/month flows to Rezdy from this operator — including nearly RM 290/month just from walk-ins entered into the system.
The practical question for this operator: 25% of revenue (RM 37,500/month) goes through Viator and Klook, both of which Kong can't yet route. The realistic options are:
- Stay on Rezdy if you need Viator and Klook on one platform today and the multi-day operational complexity Rezdy handles is genuinely required for your operation
- Move to Kong + maintain Rezdy or Bokun for Viator/Klook in parallel — Kong handles online direct, walk-ins, and GetYourGuide at zero platform-fee cost; Rezdy/Bokun handles the OTAs Kong can't yet
- Wait for Kong's OTA roadmap to ship if you can defer
This operator profile is the closest Rezdy comes to genuinely earning its cost — if the operation is complex enough that Rezdy's configurability is a real advantage, and if the AU/NZ reseller marketplace or specific multi-day workflows that Kong doesn't yet handle are part of the business.
Summary across the three scenarios
| Operator profile | Rezdy monthly platform fees | Kong monthly platform fees | Honest answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario A (small, mostly local, 50% walk-in) | RM 367 | RM 0 | Kong clearly cheaper |
| Scenario B (mid, mixed channels, 30% walk-in) | RM 1,540 | RM 0 | Kong clearly cheaper on platform fees, with caveat that Viator can't flow through Kong today |
| Scenario C (large, multi-day, 15% walk-in) | RM 3,861 | RM 0 on platform fees | Depends on Viator/Klook dependency and operational complexity; Kong cheaper but may not yet handle the operator's full workflow |
For most Malaysian operators, Kong is materially cheaper than Rezdy on platform fees. The case for Rezdy stays specific: complex multi-day operations, AU/NZ-based, willing to absorb a substantial subscription plus per-booking fee in exchange for configurability depth and a mature reseller marketplace.
The Southeast Asia fit problem
This is the most important strategic difference between the two platforms for the audience reading this page. Rezdy was built for tour operators globally but its operational center of gravity is Australia and New Zealand. That shows up in three concrete ways that matter for Malaysian operators specifically:
1. SEA operators rarely get an assigned onboarding manager.
Rezdy's onboarding model assumes a dedicated success manager walks new operators through configuration. In AU/NZ — and to some extent in the US and EMEA — this happens. In Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore), it largely doesn't. New SEA operators are expected to self-serve through what's genuinely one of the more complex setup experiences in the category.
Rezdy publicly promotes setup as "as easy as filling out a contact form," and in some markets that's defensible — the assigned onboarding manager handles the heavy lifting. But Capterra and G2 reviews consistently describe Rezdy as significantly more complex to set up than competitors, particularly for operators going through it without dedicated guidance. The platform is configurable enough that you can model any operation; the configuration choices are extensive enough that doing it alone takes real time and effort.
Kong's onboarding is the opposite philosophy: a smaller product surface, fewer configuration choices, founder-led WhatsApp support during Southeast Asian business hours, and most operators live within a day of signing up. Different product, different model — the trade-off is that Kong can't yet model the most complex multi-day operations Rezdy can. For operators whose operations are simpler than that ceiling, Kong's onboarding is the right approach.
2. The reseller marketplace is AU/NZ-concentrated.
Rezdy's B2B marketplace — connecting operators to resellers and travel agents — has been in operation for over a decade and is one of Rezdy's genuinely strong product areas. But the network's center of gravity is Australia and New Zealand. For a Malaysian operator, the marketplace network is thin: most resellers and travel agents your business would actually benefit from in Southeast Asia aren't on the platform.
The honest version: you can use Rezdy's marketplace tools to manage your own SEA reseller relationships once you've built them, but the marketplace itself isn't doing the work for you. It's a workflow tool, not a distribution channel.
3. Support hours and time-zone dynamics favor AU/NZ.
Rezdy is headquartered in Sydney (UTC+10), with additional support coverage in the US and EMEA. For Malaysian operators (UTC+8), the timezone gap is small — 2–3 hours from Sydney — but the support quality and responsiveness still favor the home market. Recent G2 and Capterra reviews from non-AU/NZ operators consistently cite long response times during peak season.
Kong is based in Kuala Lumpur. Founder-led support during Malaysian business hours via WhatsApp. Response times measured in minutes, not days. Different scale, different support model, different fit for the SEA market.
The post-merger reliability question
In July 2023, Rezdy merged with Checkfront and Regiondo to form a combined entity. The merger was significant for the category and changed Rezdy's organizational dynamics meaningfully. Public evidence suggests the post-merger period has been hard on the platform.
G2's published Product Direction score. Across G2 comparison pages, Rezdy's Product Direction score sits at 2.7 out of 10, vs Checkfront's 7.8. Product Direction reflects user confidence in where the platform is heading — and at 2.7, Rezdy's score is among the lower numbers in any G2 SaaS category. The operators using the platform are publicly signaling they've lost confidence in the platform's roadmap.
Public uptime data. Third-party monitoring services have tracked the reliability picture. StatusGator has been monitoring Rezdy since June 2024, and IsDown has documented 42 incidents since January 2025 — averaging 2.8 outages per month. For a platform whose core promise is "we'll always be there to take your bookings," this isn't great.
Capterra reviews on pricing and support. Multiple 2025 reviews from long-time Rezdy customers describe consecutive 20% and 25% annual price increases, support response times that have degraded since the merger, and reported pressure to move from older grandfathered plans to new (more expensive) ones. The specific phrase "bait-and-switch pricing" appears in operator reviews documenting these experiences.
What this means for an operator evaluating Rezdy today. The platform is functional — it still processes millions of bookings, the OTA integrations still work, and the underlying product remains capable. But operators considering Rezdy in 2026 are signing up to a platform whose customer base has visibly lost confidence in its roadmap, whose reliability has degraded measurably, and whose pricing has trended sharply upward post-merger. Those are observable facts from public sources, and they should weigh in the evaluation.
Kong is newer and smaller, with no comparable track record to compare against. We can't claim a better roadmap because we haven't yet had time to build one publicly. What we can claim: independence from a multi-platform merger that's currently consuming the larger entity's attention.
Where Rezdy honestly wins
| Rezdy's advantage | Why it matters | The honest detail |
|---|---|---|
| Configurability depth | Multi-day expeditions, complex group pricing, multiple resource types, almost any operational workflow | If your operation is genuinely complicated — say, a 7-day Borneo expedition with separate per-night accommodation, per-day activity inclusions, and tiered group sizing — Rezdy can model it. Kong (today) cannot. For most operators this depth is overkill; for some it's genuinely needed. |
| Mature OTA integrations | Viator, GetYourGuide, Klook, and others — refined over years | Kong recently shipped GetYourGuide and has Viator/Klook in development. Rezdy has years of integration depth and stability. If you need multiple OTAs shipped today, Rezdy genuinely offers that. |
| AU/NZ reseller marketplace | 10+ year B2B network connecting operators to resellers and travel agents in Australia and New Zealand | For AU/NZ-based operators or operators selling significantly into AU/NZ markets, this network is real distribution. For Malaysian operators it's thin. |
| Platform maturity and feature breadth | 15+ years operating, deep customizations available across every part of the workflow | If you've outgrown simpler platforms and need a comprehensive feature set you can configure into your specific operational reality, Rezdy is built for that. Kong (today) is built for a simpler ceiling. |
| Assigned onboarding manager (in supported markets) | Dedicated success manager walks new operators through configuration | In AU/NZ, US, and EMEA, this is real. In SEA (ex-Singapore), it generally isn't — operators self-serve through one of the more complex setup processes in the category. |
Where Kong honestly wins
Structural advantages
| Kong's advantage | Why it matters | The honest detail |
|---|---|---|
| Free pricing that scales with revenue | Zero operator cost when bookings are slow, small guest fee only when bookings happen | Rezdy's RM 199–RM 1,011/month subscription doesn't move with bookings. In low season or shock-prone periods (which are most tour operators' reality), Kong's variable model is structurally aligned with cash flow. |
| Walk-ins and WhatsApp bookings are free | Operators can record bookings they generated themselves (in person, on the phone, via WhatsApp) without paying any platform fee | Rezdy charges $0.70–$1 per offline/walk-in booking entered into the system. For most Malaysian operators where walk-ins and WhatsApp bookings are a meaningful share of total volume, this is real ongoing cost — particularly because these are bookings the platform didn't help generate. Kong charges nothing on these. |
| Currently no fee on OTA bookings | Bookings through Kong's GetYourGuide integration (and future OTAs) currently carry no additional Kong fee — only the OTA's own commission | Kong's leadership hasn't finalized a long-term OTA fee structure and may introduce one in future. Rezdy is also relatively cost-efficient on OTA bookings (its per-booking agent fee is $0.70–$1, not 3%), so this Kong advantage is narrower than it would be against a 3%-on-everything model — but Kong's RM 0 still beats Rezdy's per-booking fee. |
| Choice of payment gateway | Operators pick Stripe OR Xendit at setup based on their booking mix | Rezdy is Stripe-only. Kong's Xendit option unlocks FPX at RM 1.20 flat (vs Stripe's 3% + RM 1) and accepts Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Boost, and DuitNow QR — payment methods Stripe Malaysia doesn't support at all. |
| Built for Southeast Asian operators | Founder team based in Malaysia, product designed for local market dynamics, support during SEA business hours | Rezdy is built for global tour operators with AU/NZ as the operational center of gravity. Different ICP, different design assumptions, different support patterns. |
| Independent from merger-related distraction | Single platform, single team, single product roadmap | Rezdy is part of a three-platform combined entity (Rezdy + Checkfront + Regiondo) that's still integrating post-merger. Public evidence suggests this is consuming significant organizational attention. |
Experiential advantages
| Kong's advantage | Why it matters | The honest detail |
|---|---|---|
| Founder-led support in SEA timezone | WhatsApp access to founders, response times in minutes during Malaysian business hours | Rezdy support is centered in Sydney (UTC+10) with additional US/EMEA coverage. Recent reviews from non-AU/NZ operators cite long response times. Kong's bandwidth is smaller but its responsiveness in SEA hours is structurally better. |
| Website builder included with operator URL control | Operators get a hosted booking page they retain URL control of | Rezdy also includes a one-click website builder, so this isn't a presence/absence comparison. The differentiator is what kind of website each platform produces and how much URL control each gives — areas where Kong's structural independence from a multi-platform parent matters. |
| Setup measured in hours, not weeks | Most operators live and taking bookings within a day | Rezdy's setup is described in public Capterra and G2 reviews as significantly more complex than competitors. With an assigned onboarding manager (in supported markets) it's faster; without one (the SEA reality) it's measured in weeks. Kong's smaller product surface and founder-led WhatsApp support make setup dramatically faster. |
| Mobile app for daily operations | Today's bookings, capacity management, guest messaging, check-in | Both platforms have mobile apps. Recent G2 and Capterra reviews of Rezdy's app cite operator complaints; Kong's app is newer but built specifically for the SEA market. |
Payment processing — where the math gets striking
This section is the deepest cost difference between Rezdy and Kong for Malaysian operators specifically. It deserves its own treatment because the numbers are striking enough that they often change which platform wins on cost overall.
Rezdy uses Stripe for payment processing. Stripe is a genuinely excellent payment infrastructure company — reliable, brand-recognized at checkout, well-built for cross-border card transactions. For operators serving primarily international tourists paying with foreign cards, Stripe is a sensible default and the Stripe brand at checkout carries real trust signal.
But Stripe Malaysia has structural limitations. Its product only supports FPX, GrabPay, and card payments. Touch 'n Go (the country's most widely-used e-wallet), ShopeePay, Boost, DuitNow QR, and Malaysian BNPL are not available through Stripe's Malaysia offering. And Stripe Malaysia charges a flat 3% + RM 1 per transaction across every payment method — including FPX bank transfers that are structurally much cheaper to process than card payments. International cards add another 1.5% on top.
Kong supports both Stripe AND Xendit. Operators choose which gateway to use at setup based on their actual booking mix:
- Pick Stripe if: your bookings are mostly international tourists paying with foreign cards.
- Pick Xendit if: your bookings are mostly Malaysian guests, you want to accept Touch 'n Go / ShopeePay / Boost / DuitNow QR, and you want payment processing priced per method rather than card economics applied to everything.
Rezdy doesn't offer this choice. Rezdy operators are on Stripe regardless of their booking mix.
Payment method support comparison
| Payment method | Rezdy (Stripe Malaysia) | Kong (with Xendit option) |
|---|---|---|
| FPX (online banking) | Yes — 3% + RM 1 | Yes — RM 1.20 flat |
| 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.
The math at a single booking
| Booking amount | Payment method | Rezdy (Stripe) cost | Kong (Xendit) cost | Savings per booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RM 500 | FPX | RM 16 (3% + RM 1) | RM 1.20 flat | RM 14.80 |
| RM 1,000 | FPX | RM 31 (3% + RM 1) | RM 1.20 flat | RM 29.80 |
| RM 2,500 | FPX | RM 76 (3% + RM 1) | RM 1.20 flat | RM 74.80 |
| RM 500 | Touch 'n Go | Cannot be processed | RM 5–8.50 (1.0–1.7%) | Booking completed vs lost |
FPX is the single most popular online payment method in Malaysia. Per Bank Negara's 2024 Annual Report, FPX processes tens of millions of transactions annually and remains the most widely-used e-payment mode in the country.
The honest counter: if your guests are mostly Western tourists paying with international Visa or Mastercard from abroad, the Xendit cost advantage shrinks meaningfully. Kong with Stripe processes those bookings at the same rate Rezdy does — so Kong still works fine for international-tourist operators, you just don't get the extra payment-processing savings that Malaysian guest payments unlock. Many Kong operators serve heavily international audiences and run on Stripe successfully. The Xendit option is a bonus for operators with local booking volume; it's not a requirement for choosing Kong.
The honest decision tree
| Your situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small or mid-size Malaysian operator under RM 100,000/month | Kong | Free model saves real money at this scale, Xendit unlocks payment methods Rezdy can't accept, setup measured in hours rather than weeks |
| Operator with complex multi-day operations Rezdy can model but Kong cannot today | Rezdy | Configurability depth is genuine. If your operation requires multi-day, multi-resource, complex group pricing that Kong's simpler product doesn't yet handle, Rezdy is the right tool |
| AU/NZ-based operator with the reseller marketplace as a real distribution channel | Rezdy | The marketplace network has decade-plus depth in AU/NZ. For Malaysian or SEA operators it's thin |
| Need Viator or Klook working today | Rezdy | Kong has GetYourGuide live; Viator and Klook are in development. If those OTAs are essential immediately, Rezdy ships them today (or wait for Kong's roadmap) |
| Need GetYourGuide distribution working today | Kong edge on cost | Both platforms connect to GetYourGuide. Rezdy charges 3% on GetYourGuide bookings; Kong currently doesn't charge any OTA fee. For most operators starting with GetYourGuide, the cost difference favors Kong |
| Primarily international tourists paying with foreign cards | Either | Both platforms run on Stripe for international cards at similar rates. The payment processing comparison is roughly even for this booking mix. Decide based on operational complexity, support hours, or pricing model preference |
| No website yet | Either | Both platforms include a free website builder. The choice comes down to platform-level factors — pricing model, OTA needs, support hours, payment processing — rather than the website builder itself |
| Operator who values an assigned onboarding manager | Rezdy | In AU/NZ, US, EMEA — Rezdy assigns one. In SEA (ex-Singapore) — generally not. If white-glove onboarding matters and you're in a supported market, Rezdy delivers it |
| Concerned about post-merger reliability and roadmap | Kong | Public evidence (G2 Product Direction 2.7, 2.8 outages/month, 2025 Capterra reviews citing post-merger declines) suggests Rezdy's post-merger period is hard on the platform |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Rezdy cost in 2026?
Rezdy charges a monthly subscription across three tiers — Foundation at $49/month, Accelerate at $99/month, and Expansion at $249/month — plus 3% per direct online booking taken through your own website. Agent and OTA bookings (routed through Rezdy's channel manager from platforms like GetYourGuide, Klook, and Viator) are charged a smaller per-booking flat fee — between $0.70 and $1 each depending on tier. Walk-ins, phone bookings, and WhatsApp bookings that the operator records in Rezdy are charged the same per-booking flat fee ($0.70–$1). Pricing is verified from rezdy.com/pricing.
Is Kong cheaper than Rezdy?
For most Malaysian operators, yes — meaningfully so. Kong is free for operators with no monthly subscription, no setup fees, no walk-in fees, and currently no fees on OTA bookings. Rezdy charges $49–$249/month plus 3% on direct online bookings, with the lower per-booking flat fee ($0.70–$1) on agent/OTA bookings AND on walk-in/WhatsApp bookings the operator enters in the system. On platform fees alone, Kong is cheaper than Rezdy for every operator profile we've modeled — the gap is particularly large for operators who take meaningful walk-in or WhatsApp bookings, where Rezdy charges per-booking and Kong charges nothing. The exception remains: operators dependent on Viator or Klook today, since Kong hasn't shipped those integrations yet.
What happened with the Rezdy/Checkfront/Regiondo merger?
In July 2023, Rezdy merged with Checkfront and Regiondo to form a combined entity. The three platforms are still operationally distinct (different products, different teams), but they share parent-company leadership. Public evidence — including G2's Product Direction score of 2.7 for Rezdy and multiple 2025 Capterra reviews from long-time customers — suggests the post-merger period has been hard on the platforms.
Can Rezdy accept Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, or Boost?
No. Rezdy uses Stripe for payment processing in Malaysia, and Stripe Malaysia's product doesn't support Touch 'n Go, ShopeePay, Boost, DuitNow QR, or Malaysian BNPL. Kong lets operators pick between Stripe and Xendit; the Xendit option supports the full Malaysian payment method stack.
Does Kong have OTA distribution?
Yes, partially. Kong recently shipped GetYourGuide integration, which is the first major OTA Kong connects to. Viator, Klook, and additional OTAs are in development. Rezdy has a broader OTA portfolio (Viator, GetYourGuide, Klook, and others) refined over more than a decade. If your business depends on Viator or Klook specifically, Rezdy is the right choice today. If GetYourGuide is your primary OTA channel — or you don't yet rely heavily on OTAs — Kong is a genuine option now.
How long does Rezdy take to set up?
In supported markets (AU/NZ, US, EMEA), Rezdy assigns a dedicated onboarding manager who guides operators through configuration. Public reviews on G2 and Capterra describe the platform as significantly more complex to set up than competitors — particularly for operators going through it without dedicated guidance. In Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore), operators generally don't get an assigned onboarding manager and are expected to self-serve. Kong's setup is dramatically faster — most operators live and taking bookings within a day, with founder-led WhatsApp support during the setup process.
Why is Rezdy's G2 Product Direction score so low?
G2's Product Direction score measures user confidence in where a platform is heading. Rezdy's score of 2.7 out of 10 reflects the operator base's view of the platform's post-merger roadmap. The exact reasons vary across reviewers, but commonly cited themes include pricing increases, support response time declines, and perceived lack of meaningful new feature releases since the merger.
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 monthly subscription, no setup complexity, included digital waivers, no booking caps, and OTA integrations all apply regardless of where you're based. This comparison leans Malaysian because Kong's Xendit option unlocks materially cheaper local payment processing that operators outside Malaysia won't capture as directly — Kong on Stripe processes international card payments at roughly the same rates Rezdy on Stripe does. Outside Malaysia, the cost comparison still favors Kong on subscription, walk-in fees, and post-merger reliability concerns, just not as decisively on payment processing.
Can I switch from Rezdy to Kong?
Yes, operators do switch between platforms. Bookings already on Rezdy complete their lifecycle on Rezdy; new bookings go through Kong from the switch date; product data, pricing, and guest contact details can typically be exported from Rezdy and imported to Kong. Contact Kong's team via WhatsApp at +60 12-429 8159 to walk through the specifics.