The math doesn't lie
Here's what a typical Guide earns on AlongSide versus what the plan costs — after AlongSide's platform fee.
Free plan
2-hr session at $75/hr
Session gross$150
AlongSide fee (9% fee)-$14
Plan cost$0
You keep$136
Guide Plus plan
2-hr session at $75/hr
Session gross$150
AlongSide fee (4.5% fee)-$7
Plan cost-$29
You keep$114
Guide Premium plan
3-hr session at $150/hr
Session gross$450
AlongSide fee (0% fee)-$0
Plan cost-$99
You keep$351
* Platform fees are deducted automatically. Plan subscribers pay reduced fees, which compound significantly at volume.
Common questions
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel from your Guide settings with one click. Your access continues until the end of the billing period. No questions asked.
What happens if I downgrade to Free?
Your bookings and reviews stay intact. You'll revert to standard placement and the 9% platform fee. You won't lose any data.
Is the yearly plan charged upfront?
Yes — one payment at the start of your year. You save roughly two months versus paying monthly, and you're covered for all 12 months.
What's the platform fee exactly?
AlongSide takes a percentage of each booking to operate the platform, handle payments, and run support. AlongSide charges 9% from each side of a completed session — a 9% service fee from the Member and a 9% platform fee from the Guide — and only when a session actually happens. A Guide subscription lowers the Guide half: Guide Plus drops it to 4.5%, Guide Premium waives it to 0%. The Member 9% never changes. The Guide fee comes out of the payout.
What are Suggested matches?
When a Member posts an Ask, AlongSide instantly suggests qualified Guides — matched on category, location, and rating. Guides see suggested Asks that fit their services. Quality always comes first: we only suggest Guides who genuinely match. Guide Plus and Guide Premium plans get priority and top placement within that qualified set — but placement never puts a paid Guide ahead of a better-qualified one.
Do I need a subscription to accept bookings?
No. The Free plan lets you accept bookings and earn, and you still appear in Suggested matches on merit. Subscriptions improve your visibility, reduce platform fees, and unlock power features — but they're never required.