A booking service with no monthly subscription may still have a cost. That cost could be a fee on each transaction, an extra charge at student checkout or a paid feature you need later. The useful question is not whether a service calls itself free, but what you and your students actually pay.
Separate the different charges
- A subscription pays for access to the software.
- Card processing covers the payment service.
- A platform fee is any additional charge retained by the booking service.
- A student surcharge changes the price shown at checkout.
Ask for each part clearly. Do not assume that every transaction charge is a platform commission, or that a subscription removes payment processing costs.
Calculate it using your own numbers
Take a representative month of bookings and calculate the total charges. Include quieter months and any larger retreat or course payments. Compare annual costs as well as a single busy week. A percentage that looks small on one class can matter more on a high-value booking.
Check the student journey
Look at the final price, the payment options and any account requirements. Be clear with students about cancellation terms and what happens if you cancel. Your booking process should support the trust people already have in your teaching.
Understand when money reaches you
A successful card payment is not the same thing as a bank payout. Settlement follows the payment provider’s schedule and can be affected by verification, refunds or disputes. Avoid planning essential spending around an unverified promise of instant payout.
Sangha’s approach
Sangha does not retain a share of class or retreat sales as marketplace commission. Payment processing charges still apply. Teachers connect Stripe and need to complete the required details before taking cards. Check the current payment terms for the applicable charges and payout arrangements.
Sangha works in a web browser, so students do not need to download a separate app. Sign-in, waiver and payment steps still depend on the booking and teacher settings.
Keep the relationship clear
Choose a tool whose privacy terms you understand and whose checkout represents your business accurately. Read the predictable-pricing guide alongside this one.