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Powerful booking software for independent accommodation businesses, with features covering everything you need to take control and grow your bookings.
At freetobook, we believe that technology should empower people and businesses, not restrict them.
With freetobook you manage every aspect of your guest bookings from one place.
Switch to freetobook More direct bookings - More time - More Support - More Control
Reviews 192
Sarah Glass
Feb 27,2025I have been with Free to Book for over two years, and honestly, if it were not for the time-consuming setup process required to integrate different online travel agencies etc., I would have left within months of joining. After repeatedly coming off the telephone feeling gas lit when I have explained the problems I have encountered with their system, I decided to run some of their emails through Chat GPT, to see if I was misgauging their tone etc. The AI’s assessment when asked, "How would you analyse the tone in these messages? Drumroll: “Lack of empathy and transactional.” No joke. Many reviews highlight how friendly the staff are when you call. While they may have a pleasant tone, this does not translate into genuine customer support. They provide answers to questions in the narrowest sense, often overlooking the bigger picture of how their system integrates with OTA software their customers rely on. If something goes wrong, don’t expect empathy. One of the most frustrating issues I’ve encountered is when Free to Book updates their system, not all parts of the website reflect these updates. This matters, as customers can unknowingly overwrite existing rates and settings, leading to costly mistakes which F2B will take zero responsibility for. Step-by-step guides fail to include warnings about overrides which may unintentionally arise in one area to another. In other words, you the customer, who did not create the code for the system, are meant to intuitively know how it all links together. If we are all so well-versed in system coding etc. why would we need the assistance of a channel manager?! Their app is clumsy, poorly built, so the fall back is the website. This often needs to be reloaded several times, especially on the diary tab when trying to message guests. The “Click to Reply” function is a joke—it takes you to an email login and then a verification link, instead of simply replying and guests just get around the unnecessary extra steps by using the OTA messaging. So, why bother paying out for the F2B messaging service? F2B are completely unreachable by phone at the weekend (when most guests make reservations). During the week, they routinely close their phone lines for training—without a pre-recorded message to inform customers. You waste time repeatedly calling, unaware that it’s pointless only to be told when you do get through, "We don't take calls when we are doing training" - Is this genuine customer service? Apologise. Here's an idea: Update your website with your opening times, leave a messaging service for customers so that they know what is going on. Don't take people's time for granted. Just basically act like you care. The phrase, "Tail wagging the dog" = F2B They also misled customers when it suited them. I was very reluctant to sign up for Google Rental Vacations but was assured that if I didn’t receive a booking within a year, I could get a refund for the annual subscription. When the year passed with zero bookings, I contacted them—only to be told that no such conversation ever took place because they had no record of it. This all ties into a larger issue: their approach is purely transactional. Imagine going to a doctor, explaining your symptoms and what you think the cause is, and getting told, “No, you don't have that.” Months later, the issue worsens, and you find out it was something different all along. When you return to the doctor, they say, “Well, you didn’t specifically ask about that.” That’s how Free to Book operates day-in-day-out. You seek expert advice about making their system work effectively, but instead of proactively advising you, they provide the bare minimum—then later blame you for not asking the exact right question. This is especially absurd given that their core purpose is to simplify booking system integrations. Yet when integration problems arise, they act as if it’s not their responsibility. The final proof of their cold, transactional approach? When I called to close my account, they didn’t even ask why. No concern, no attempt to understand my frustrations—just a robotic “Can I have your property ID please?” If a company truly cared about customer service, the first response would be, “We’re sorry to hear that. Can you tell us what went wrong?” Instead, their indifference only confirmed that leaving was the right choice. If you’re considering Free to Book, be warned: while they may be friendly on the phone, their actual support is frustratingly transactional and lacking in empathy. When things go wrong—and they will—don’t expect them to step up. Other companies for a similar fee provide a better service. So go find them : )
BANTERsaurus RANDUMZZ
Feb 24,2025I have been using freetobook for 5 years and suddenly out of nowhere they have increased the cost of there product by 50%, they have also made it a subscription service. THINK BEFORE USING THEM AS YOUR CONTRACT IS NOT SECURE! HUGE PRICE INCREASES.
Tony Bates
Feb 22,2025We have always felt very supported by Angela and the team and they have made life a lot easier when running a small hotel.
Paul Lord Bootle Newton
Feb 19,2025Rubbish! I was directed here and wrote a review that I want to withdraw, but it just keeps saying the booking doesn't exist! Where is my sodding review? How these idiots got 5 stars off anyone I'll never know!
Denise
Nov 25,2024Freetobook is really easy to use. The option to pay for add ons means you can customise their services for your individual business needs. We used Freetobook for our 6 bedroom B&B for the 6 years we owned it and would recommend it 100%. We paid for Stripe and Messaging as we found it the simplest way to keep everything in one place. The friendly and responsive support and great customer service we received from the whole team was excellent and always appreciated.
Iain Sibbald
Nov 10,2024What do you expect when something is sort of free lol it beat my expectations although some of the page set outs and labels are clumsy. The log in button in the front page is grey and small and usually 92% covered by junk labels. The most annoying thing is waiting for a week for money to be paid by stripe when our own card machine gives us the money in two days! Other than that it works but be prepared to be charged for every useful function.
Kerry
Sep 26,2024I use Freetobook to manage my three holiday cottages and have done so from the beginning. I would not use any other platform now - it is simple to use, efficient, user friendly, great help there if its needed. There are paid add on's if you need any extras but so far, I am just fine with the free version. No hesitation in recommending - great service.
Noreen Muldowney
Aug 22,2024excellent additional features on offer and excellent customer service
Rachel Halley
Aug 22,2024I’ve been using Free to book for my holiday cottage business for several years now and can highly recommend them. The platform is user friendly and the team are always super helpful if I have any questions.
Tom Donagher
Aug 14,2024As a tiny 5 bedroom B&B have used each new free to book module as they became available over past 14 years. We love the professional presentation and simple management tools it provides our digital on line presence. I always felt once you made the decision to trade on line with potential customers across the globe you need every tool available to trade against the big players, starting with a secure website incorporating your digital availability, of course next was a digital Diary, a channel manager , an online payment system, then came room price Genie ensuring while remaining competitive within your market place you maximised your revenue per activity daily in the local market place. As GDPR took hold and limits access to data a break through came with API communication via free to book messenger delivering your professional messages to your mutual Guests via the OTA platform if necessary, open communication and automated information flow ensuring all reservations run smooth. Now that reviews are less popular as every one is asked to review every experience every day most opt to review none, the development of reputation suite again allows professional communication with past guests automatically even follow up communication seeking additional reviews if the first was good. I am truly amazed that we can avail of all the add on modules and room price genie and access to all this technology for around £15 a week, ensuring, managed availability, an electronic diary, many reports, professionalism in guest communication, efficient time management through automation of communication, maximising revenue through continual marketplace assessment and pricing accordingly, and maintaining digital footprint through automatic interaction with past guests seeking great reviews, All I can say is congratulations Team free to Book I love every module and look forward to many more in years ahead that ensure we keep pace with major market players as minnows of the industry punching I feel way above our weight Thank you to every Free to book team player for the technology and of course a special thankyou to the customer service team that facilitates non technology hosts to learn and maximize the system benefits. Tom Donagher Avlon House B&B Carlow Ireland R93 NT26
Nikos Argyros
Jul 11,2024We've been working with FreeToBook for 9 years at Mathraki Resort in Corfu, Greece, managing our 30 units. As a family business, we appreciate their continuous service improvements and their always-helpful, smiling team. They support family businesses, offer exceptional availability, focus on direct bookings, and ensure no overbookings. Their numerous training videos, affordable prices, and superb value for money make them stand out. The fresh, responsive booking engine is designed to keep guests engaged. Just do it already; your only regret will be not doing it sooner! FreeToBook is user-friendly, reliable, and a game-changer for any hotelier.
L Reed
Jun 21,2024We have been using Freetobook as our channel manager for over 10 years and we are thrilled with the service they provide and their innovative software. By taking advantage of the regular updates / add-ons, and implimenting their hints and tips, we have turned Glangwili Mansion Luxury B&B around so that we now enjoy 86% Direct Bookings compared to relying on OTAs! Keep up the good work Freetobook - you are doing a great job! Linda & George Reid Glangwili Mansion Luxury B&B
Gerard Heelan
Jun 06,2024Personally we would like to thank everyone at FTB for offering such a brilliant range of options to date for accommodation providers. The control it allows us to manage our booking system is superb – especially with the extra optionals available - it has allowed us to move to a completely different and successful business model . Also being able to channel each room individually – gives 100 % control on how we wish to market ourselves and have zero double booking scenarios. The retention of data – and being able to pull up repeat clients when we receive telephone enquiries . Whilst Messenger – provides the ultimate in customer service in keeping the guest informed at all points of the booking process from start to finish – and also with pre-populated templates for the majority of questions we receive allows for instant response. One way we use messenger is that when we are ready for incoming guests – although we state Check In From 4pm - on all our prior messaging and website - when we are ready – we ping to daily arrivals – Your Room is now ready for Check In as and when we can. Lots of guests really appreciate that including the AA Inspector. Messenger again allows you to bring your business to a much higher level of customer service. Wish we had joined up with FTB earlier. Whilst all the team at FTB are professional & friendly - and they create a very personal environment when interacting - you feel as if part of a family orientated approach. Thank you again to all at FTB Gerard & Maggi Heelan Roseleigh Guest House Buxton
Ian Besford
May 07,2024We ran a Guest House for 3 years and Freetobook were our Channel Manager. In the entire time we used them, they were absolutely fantastic. Any question/query we asked was quickly answered. We weren’t dealing with an “outsourced” customer service department, so everything was clear. It truly felt like a “partnership” rather than a service provider we used. When we sold our business, Freetobook made the transfer over to the new owners simple. All the other service providers we were using made the transition unbelievably difficult both for ourselves and the new owners. In our opinion you will never find a better Channel Manager than Freetobook. Awesome!
Sue Grundy
Apr 20,2024I have recently joined Freetobook after taking over a guest house . They were brilliant and supportive with the change over . There’s a lot to take in but now I know what I’m doing it’s brilliant so easy to navigate. Any questions you ring and they talk you through. Brilliant👍
Keith Robinson
Apr 17,2024Excellent support. Always someone available on phone or online with quick response.
Borland
Apr 10,2024Always quick to help, the new booking pages look FANTASTIC and are so much easier for customers to use. A great team, and a really easy to set up and use site.
M Macgregor
Mar 22,2024Fantastic Company, completely hassle free and great customer service
Mr Ian Garner
Mar 08,2024I’ve been using freetobook for my bed and breakfast, and I can’t sing their praises enough. Let me share my experience: Helpful Team: The freetobook team is nothing short of amazing. Heather, in particular, deserves a standing ovation. When we made the switch from our previous provider (after 10 years!), I was apprehensive. But Heather made the transition seamless. She was there every step of the way, ensuring we got up and running smoothly. Her care and attention were unparalleled. Inspiring Creative Software: The software itself is a breath of fresh air. It’s intuitive, user-friendly, and packed with functionality. Unlike our previous provider, freetobook offers features that genuinely enhance our guest experience. Personally, I’m a big fan of the messaging function—it streamlines communication beautifully. Regret? Not Joining Sooner!: My only regret? Not joining freetobook sooner! Seriously, if you’re in the hospitality business, this is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Thank you, freetobook, for making my life easier and my guests happier. Keep up the fantastic work!
Loch Broom Glamping Pods Moira
Feb 28,2025My call was answered quickly, Sandra was able to help with all my questions and helped me navigate through a couple of issues and sorted. Great friendly service.