Pickleball Gear

Best pickleball court reservation software in 2024

picture of Brandon Mackie
Brandon Mackie

Published on: Aug 16, 2024

Pickleheads co-founder Max Ade celebrates after a pickleball game

Are you looking for a solution to help manage pickleball court reservations at your facility? When your players can easily book courts, you improve player satisfaction and increase court utilization, which means more profits for your business.

If you're ready to say goodbye to manual phone bookings, walk-ins, human error, paper, whiteboards, and stretched staff, the platforms in this list are the best options for you.

I picked three choices for reservation software as they're all great and offer different things for different needs. I also included complementary software if you don't need a booking system but do want to offer video technology to players at your courts. Read on to find out which one is best for your club.

Best court reservation software at a glance

Booking software

PodPlay logo

PodPlay

You can tell PodPlay was built for pickleball players—it's full of exciting features like video replays, livestream, digital scoreboards, and player chat.

Read my deep dive

Booking software

CourtReserve

CourtReserve lets you manage reservations across your whole club at competitive pricing. It's DUPR-integrated and comes with a 30-day free trial.

Booking software

Playbypoint

Playbypoint is a top choice for streamlining your pickleball reservations. You get 24/7 support, seamless payments, and integration with PlaySight video tech.

Complementary video software

PlaySight

Turn your facility into a SmartCourt with PlaySight's high-tech solutions. Your players will enjoy video replays, live streaming, and development tools.

The best court reservation software in 2024

The Pickleheads team and I have experience using all of this software as players and we're only recommending them because we rate each of them highly. Which one works best for you will depend on your own unique needs, so I recommend booking a demo of each one. Let's dive into the picks.

Booking software

PodPlay

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PodPlay is packed with great features for players and managers alike.

Sign up if:

  • You want to offer video replays (with your branding):

    not only is this fun for your customers, but the videos are branded with your logo—great advertising when they're shared online.

  • You'd like to add other specialized features:

    with digital scoreboards, player chat, DUPR integration, and live streaming, you can offer players a range of top features.

  • You don't have many courts:

    pricing for PodPlay starts at $30 per court, so it's affordable even if you just want to open up a single pickleball court for reservations.

Pass if:

  • You don't need a lot of add-on features:

    if you just want court reservation software, you can go for the basic plans, or check out CourtReserve instead.

  • You only want video software:

    if this is all you need at your club, check out PlaySight.

  • You want a free 30-day trial:

    while PodPlay lets you book a demo, CourtReserve offers a free 30-day trial of their software.

PodPlay

PodPlay

Features Available

Court reservations, event and tournament management, coach connect, branded video replays, digital scoreboard, door access, 24/7 remote security, social/chat and matchmaker, live stream, branded mobile app, DUPR integration, app for Android and Apple

Price

$30-350 per court per month

Free Trial

Yes, you can book a demo for your facility

If you want a court reservation system for your pickleball club with lots of features (a branded mobile app, branded video replays, door access), PodPlay is worth checking out. You can also choose more basic plans as it's very customizable.
I used PodPlay weekly for over a year to book at my local Picklemall (which recently closed down). I always found it easy to discover and book everything from an hour-long court reservation to a 6-week DUPR ladder league.
This software was created by pickleball players. The booking system is easy and intuitive to use. It helps you stay in control of your facility with way less hassle, so your players can book/cancel reservations, find coaches, and more in seconds. It'll help you run your courts and events so much more efficiently.
While you can set up and collect payments for things like round robins, you won't be able to manage the on-court experience through the app (build the draw, collect scores, and crown a winner). However, Pickleheads just released the most comprehensive Round Robin tool on the market with six formats, and it's free to use!

Try the Pickleheads Round Robin tool

Events like round robins can be one of the biggest revenue drivers for your club (and pay for the reservation software alone). So, I'd keep that in mind when exploring other tools and platforms to work alongside your booking system.

Features

PodPlay's video replay feature is my favorite. If you add this, you'll get cameras at your courts. I love it and so do fellow players. If you hit an amazing shot, you can hit the "Replay" button on the app and you'll be emailed a copy of the replay. You can then share your favorite moments online.
Club owners love it too because the videos are branded, so it's free advertising for your facility. PodPlay even sends emails automatically to players with a few highlights, enticing them to buy the rest of their clips from that session. I often paid the $15 for my highlights when I knew I had good games that day.
Players can see digital scoreboards across multiple courts and scores are integrated with the DUPR rating system. They can also find a coach at your facility through the app. You can also manage your whole facility through the app for scheduling open plays, tournaments, clinics, and private events.

Reviews

PodPlay users love watching their games back with the video replay feature, even making highlight and blooper reels. Club owners like the seamlessly updated interface and the organization it brings to their business. Check out more testimonials to see what people think of PodPlay.

Pricing

You'll have to contact PodPlay for a demo to get detailed pricing but generally, their monthly fees range from $30 to $350 per court. It all depends on what tier you choose.
The initial term is 12 months and you can cancel with 90 days' notice.
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My verdict
PodPlay is a great choice for court reservation software—especially if you want to excite your customers with bonus features like video replay and a digital scoreboard. These are not just gimmicks either. This is a well-designed and modern app created by pickleball players, with flexible pricing plans to suit your needs.

Today’s best deal

PodPlay logo
Booking software

CourtReserve

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A top platform specializing in multi-sport court reservations and club management.

Sign up if:

  • You have a hybrid pickleball/tennis facility:

    CourtReserve makes it easy to manage your multi-sports facility, and you get your own branded page too.

  • You want a cheaper software option:

    CourtReserve is generally more affordable than PodPlay and PlayBySight, with its top Enterprise tier costing $549 a month.

  • You want to try it for free first:

    CourtReserve gives you a free 30-day trial before you pay.

Pass if:

  • You want to offer video replays:

    the other software on this list feature video replay functions so players can watch and share their matches (this is coming to CourtReserve in late 2024).

  • You want 24/7 support:

    CourtReserve's support team is really responsive but Playbypoint offers 24/7 customer service with a live chat feature.

  • You just want to manage one court:

    check out PodPlay's pricing which starts at $30 per court.

Features Available

User interface, reserve courts and lessons, manage events and leagues, manage instructor schedules, organized play, player matchmaker, DUPR integration, door access (with RemoteLock integration), branded mobile app, app for Android and Apple, video integration with SaveMyPlay (coming in late 2024).

Price

$99-549 a month

Free Trial

You can book a demo for up to 30 days

If you want the longest-running software solution that can manage your whole facility—especially if you offer other sports like tennis—CourtReserve is one of my top recommendations. Users can easily reserve courts, ball machines, meeting rooms, and anything else you want them to be able to book.
I use CourtReserve whenever I visit my parents in South Carolina and always find the booking experience easy and foolproof. We play at the Litchfield Pickleball and I like that they get their own branded CourtReserve page for booking.
You can try it for free for 30 days. Their customer service is highly rated and they're known for being super responsive. They constantly update their app based on user feedback too.

Features

Extra features include training calls, support sessions, and a dedicated account executive during your free trial. Your users can make payments through the app seamlessly, which you can then review and keep track of.
Social features like the "Player Matchmaker" help your users find other players, just like the "Find a Player" feature on Pickleheads.
You can also control access to your facility, letting players unlock doors using CourtReserve Access Control which is integrated with RemoteLock software.
CourtReserve has a handy calendar view that the other apps don't have, making it easy for players to see availability when booking.

Reviews

CourtReserve has great reviews from pickleball club owners, managers, and players. According to their testimonials, the app is easy to use for both staff and users, is regularly updated and improved, and really helps you to organize your club and courts.
I can confirm the booking process is relatively straightforward and feature-rich. I had to request access, sign a waiver, and pay via card all before booking. These are all valuable features for club owners.

Pricing

Plans range from $99-549 a month depending on your needs. Check out CourtReserve's pricing page for a breakdown of what's included in each package. If you're a seasonal club, you can get a heavily discounted rate during off-season months.
Contracts work on a monthly basis and you can cancel anytime. Don't forget there's a free 30-day trial too.
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My verdict
If you have a mixed tennis/pickleball facility, CourtReserve is a top choice for you. It's designed to help players book easily and to help club owners manage their whole facility, with a portal that includes your own branding. They offer lots of bonus enticements like a free trial and flexible pricing plans. They're super responsive, helping you throughout the onboarding process and while you're a member.

Today’s best deal

Booking software

Playbypoint

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A simple system with great customer service.

Sign up if:

  • You have a multi-sport facility:

    organize your tennis, pickleball, padel, swim classes, yoga, tennis academies, and multi-sport facilities.

  • You want 24/7 support:

    you'll get support around the clock, including via Live Chat.

  • You already have PlaySight video solutions:

    you can integrate PlaySight with Playbypoint so your customers can use both.

Pass if:

  • You just want a scheduling tool:

    the free-to-use Pickleheads scheduling tool lets you auto-send invites, collect sign-ups, and create small group chats for each game.

  • You want a 30-day free trial:

    while you can book a demo for Playbypoint, CourtReserve offers a 30-day trial for free.

  • You only need video tech:

    if you don't need a court reservation system, check out PlaySight's SmartCourt video solutions.

Features Available

Integrated with PlaySight video solutions, live chat, branded website and app, display ads and announcements, mobile app for anyone, pro lesson bookings, DUPR integration, live court status, messaging between you and your customer, dedicated support member 24/7 (on Advanced Plan), app for Android and Apple

Price

$99.99-399.99 a month

Free Trial

You can book a demo for your facility

Playbypoint offers you a modern and seamless court reservation platform and their customer service is excellent with 24/7 availability and live chat. I use Playbypoint when I visit my brother in West Hollywood, CA, and book courts at nearby Plummer Park. The platform is clean, modern, and intuitive to use.
They've also partnered with PlaySight to offer branded video solutions to your customers, as well as DUPR integration. Plus, if you have a shop at your facility, you can set it up through the Playbypoint app.

Features

Manage your courts (and other facilities outside of pickleball), lessons, and shop sales all through the Playbypoint app or website. The system is highly customizable to your needs and you'll get support from your dedicated 24/7 support member (available only on the Advanced plans).
Players can link their DUPR rating to their Playbypoint account. If you have PlaySight's video solutions set up at your courts, you can integrate it with the Playbypoint app too.

Reviews

According to testimonials of Playbypoint, users like the customer service, ease of use, and the pricing. They like that Playbypoint is constantly evolving, integrating with other software like DUPR ratings and PlaySight video. Little touches like the "Live Status" of courts (which shows if they're open or not) go a long way too.
I personally like how you can add players to your reservation and split the cost with them. This saves having to Venmo or pay cash later.

Pricing

There are four plans: Starter, Starter+, Advanced, and Premium+. The prices begin at $99.99 a month and can go into the $600-1,000 range depending on your needs. You can cancel with 30 days' notice.
Thankfully, you can book a demo for your facility to test out the software and get more detailed information.
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My verdict
Playbypoint is another great option if you want to manage your pickleball or multi-sports facility. Club owners and managers claim it's made their business run much more efficiently, while I can confirm it's easy to use on the player side. It suits anyone who doesn't need a ton of features, and who wants to be more flexible and customizable. It offers an online shop platform and integrations like DUPR and PlaySight.

Today’s best deal

Complementary video software

PlaySight

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State-of-the-art video hookups for your players.

Sign up if:

  • You only want video for your facility:

    if you don't need to manage court reservations but you do want to offer players high-tech video features, go straight to PlaySight.

  • Your players want AI highlights, replays, live streams, and analytics:

    whether to share highlights on social media, rewatch/analyze their games, or tag and share online, PlaySight is the leading technology for this.

  • You want multiple camera angles per court:

    benefit from multiple cameras for additional angles, enriching the player’s, viewer’s, and coach’s experience.

Pass if:

  • You only want facility management tools:

    CourtReserve focuses on organizing your club, without video add-ons.

  • You want video plus court reservations:

    luckily for you, PlaySight is integrated with Playbypoint, so you can get the best of both worlds.

  • Video quality is not a priority:

    if you just want a basic single-camera solution, you can find many cheap cameras on Amazon or other online stores.

Features Available

Live streaming, instant replay/VAR Light, tag videos for sharing, branded video, multiple cameras, pickleball-specific camera angles, automated production follows play in motion, player development tools (analytics, analysis, and insights), fixed camera solution or portable camera solution, integrate your digital scoreboard, app for Android and Apple

Price

Multiple options, from Portable (no installation costs) to Multi-Angle Camera Option (over $1,000 per camera)

Free Trial

You can demo the software if you contact PlaySight

While PlaySight is not a court reservation software, I still want to include it because many players nowadays are looking for modern video solutions at their courts. I personally can't help buying my clips anytime I play at a PlaySight or PodPlay-enabled court.
This one is for any facility that doesn't need a booking app but wants to offer replays, live streaming, and more. PlaySight sets everything up for you, and your players then use the PlaySight app to access all the features.

Features

PlaySight specializes in video solutions for sports. You'll get the most high-tech features in the industry, like video that can be live-streamed, showing multiple synced angles of the same play.
The instant replay feature lets players review close calls immediately, just like VAR, to settle any disputes during play. Players and coaches can watch their whole games back, and tag and share highlights (or bloopers!) for online use.
PlaySight offers branded video capabilities, so you can add your club’s logo and custom graphics to videos and highlights. They also let you embed a scorebug in the video. This means users can share content featuring the score and club brand, which boosts social media engagement and brand awareness.
Player development tools let your customers analyze and view analytics to help their game too. Coaches can even add commentary to videos for their students.

Reviews

Pickleball facility owners and managers rate PlaySight highly as it allows them to offer great features to their users, giving them a competitive edge over other facilities.
PlaySight is often praised for delivering best-in-practice video solutions to your courts. They combine new tech with the pickleball experience to make it fun, competitive, and instructional for your players.
I've played many epic games at my local Pickleball Kingdom courts and am always thankful I can grab the clips with their PlaySight integration.

Pricing

There are four main pricing options:
  • Portable: more for tournaments/mobility, with no installation costs
  • Low Cost Camera Option: about $250 per camera
  • High-End Camera Option: about $1,000 per camera
  • Multi-Angle Camera Option: highest-priced package
You can schedule a demo to try out the software for free.
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My verdict
Adding PlaySight's SmartCourt tech to your courts will help you draw in more pickleball players and book more court time. This is the platform you want if you don't need a court reservation system but want to offer your users high-tech video replays, live streaming, and analytical tools. The auto-generated branded videos and AI highlights also help you boost your social media presence. If you only want a video partner, you won't find a better one for your facility than PlaySight.

Today’s best deal

How to choose the best pickleball court reservation software

Every facility is unique, so I've made sure to include a variety of software options on my list. So, whatever your specific needs, you should find something here to suit you.

The only way to know which one works best for you is by doing a demo. I recommend getting in touch with all of them, trying them out, and then deciding.

Benefits of using pickleball court reservation software

With pickleball's huge increase in popularity, managing courts is getting harder. Some facilities struggle with overcrowded, overbooked courts. Relying on manual booking systems means you need more staff to figure out a good system for reservations.

This is why a software solution can make everything more efficient, giving visibility and control back to the players themselves. They can see what's available and decide for themselves when to book a court.

It also makes it easier for you and removes human error like double bookings, which lead to upset customers.

Limitations of pickleball court reservation software

That said, there are still limitations to reservation software. For example:

  • They're not built for players.
  • Not all of them offer round robins.
  • They don't always have a mobile app.
  • Many don't offer a social/community component.

So, even with reservation software, you may need complementary tools. We've created our own tools to help you, and they're all 100% free. See the full list of Pickleheads app features:

Pickleheads round robin tool
Pickleheads Round Robin tool

Bottom line

Our team has experience working with all of these software companies and the bottom line is—they're all great. I wouldn't recommend them otherwise. It's simply a case of deciding what you need—just reservation software, the full package with all the add-ons, or just video solutions for your courts.

Here's a recap of my choices:

I hope you find the ideal fit for your facility and that it takes your business to the next level. I highly recommend trying each one out, so you feel confident when it's decision time. Luckily, you can do free trials and demos for all of them.

FAQs

About the author
Brandon Mackie
Brandon is an avid writer and co-founder of Pickleheads™. Once a competitive tennis player, Brandon can now be found these days honing his dinks on pickleball courts near Phoenix, Arizona.
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