Comparison
MyRetreatDesk vs Retreat Guru
Retreat Guru is two things: a curated marketplace that takes a 14% commission on the retreat price, paid by the guest as a deposit, and retreat management software for centers, with pricing not published. MyRetreatDesk is for organizers who sell to their own audience and want deposits, installments and rooms handled in one place without a commission.
Facts about Retreat Guru checked on from its own website (sources below).
The short version
Retreat Guru's marketplace suits organizers who want a curated audience and accept a 14% commission on those bookings. Its management software is aimed at retreat centers, with pricing that isn't published. MyRetreatDesk suits organizers who fill retreats from their own audience and want deposits, installments and rooms handled in one place at published prices.
Side by side
| Feature | MyRetreatDesk | Retreat Guru |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Booking and payment software | A curated marketplace, plus retreat management software for centers |
| Price | Starter free · Venue $97/mo (+ $297 setup) · Pro $199/mo | Marketplace free to list; software pricing not published |
| Commission | 1.5% on Starter and Venue (passed to the guest by default), 0% on Pro. No commission. | 14% of the total retreat price on marketplace bookings; also invoiced for participants booked off-platform |
| How guests pay | Deposit and installments through your account | Marketplace: 14% deposit to Retreat Guru; you collect the rest yourself (Stripe, PayPal, Wise…) |
| Payment plans | Deposit + up to 12 monthly installments, charged automatically | Not stated |
| Rooms | Room-by-room and bed-by-bed, with room types and shared rooms | Software: program, venue and room bookings together |
| Who it's for | Independent teachers, organizers and venues | Retreat leaders and centers; marketplace applications are reviewed |
| Finding new guests | Your own booking page and widget; a small public retreat directory, not a marketplace | Curated marketplace audience |
Which should you choose?
Retreat Guru is the better choice if…
- You want to be found by guests browsing a curated retreat marketplace.
- You run a retreat center and want software made for programs, rentals and lodging at a venue.
MyRetreatDesk is the better choice if…
- You fill retreats from your own audience and don't want to pay 14% on those guests.
- You want the balance collected automatically in installments, not by sending your own payment links.
- You want published prices and to start free.
What a year costs
| Plan | Small2 retreats × 8 guests × $900 | Medium3 retreats × 12 guests × $1,500 | Large4 retreats × 18 guests × $2,500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retreat Guru marketplace commission (14%) | $2,016 | $7,560 | $25,200 |
| MyRetreatDesk Starter (1.5% booking fee, paid by guests by default) | $216 | $810 | $2,700 |
| MyRetreatDesk Pro ($199/month, 0% fee) | $2,388 | $2,388 | $2,388 |
The marketplace row assumes every booking comes through Retreat Guru's marketplace at 14%. Its retreat management software pricing isn't published, so it isn't shown. Card processing isn't included.
How a marketplace booking works
On Retreat Guru's marketplace, the guest pays 14% of the total retreat price as a deposit when booking; that deposit is Retreat Guru's commission. After you approve the registration, you collect the rest yourself, outside the platform, for example by Stripe, PayPal or Wise. Retreat Guru refunds the 14% if you decline the guest or the guest cancels through its change or cancel request. Hosts are also invoiced the 14% fee for marketplace participants booked outside the platform.
On MyRetreatDesk the deposit and every installment go to your own account and the balance is charged automatically, so there's nothing to collect by hand.
Who each one is built for
- Retreat Guru marketplace: retreat leaders, teachers and centers accepted through an application; curated categories from yoga and meditation to breathwork.
- Retreat Guru software: retreat centers managing programs, rentals, rooms and payments together.
- MyRetreatDesk: independent teachers and organizers, venues running their own programs, and teacher-training schools, from a free plan up.
Moving from Retreat Guru to MyRetreatDesk
- Create your retreat from the template and set up rooms, prices, deposits and your payment schedule.
- Connect your own Stripe or PayPal account so payments go straight to you.
- Add a booking link to your website, newsletter and social profiles; on Pro, embed the booking widget.
- Keep existing bookings where they are until those retreats run; take new bookings on MyRetreatDesk.
- Ask new guests how they found you, so you can see which channel brings whom.
Questions
How much commission does Retreat Guru take?
Retreat Guru's host sign-up page and policies state a 14% commission on the total price of the retreat, which the guest pays as a deposit when booking.
How much does Retreat Guru's software cost?
We could not find published pricing for Retreat Guru's retreat management software on its site as of the date on this page.
Sources
- Retreat Guru host sign-up
- Retreat Guru marketplace FAQ
- Retreat Guru host policies
- Retreat Guru management software
Prices and features change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll correct it. Product names belong to their owners; no endorsement implied.
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