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ToolPool.Garden vs Patio
Patio and ToolPool.Garden both help people borrow stuff, but they're set up pretty differently. Patio works best for a tool library or rental business running a shared collection, and ToolPool.Garden works best when members are lending each other their own stuff. Here's how they compare, so you can pick the one that fits your group.
The short version
If you're running a library of things or a rental shop and want reservations, payments and events in one place, Patio is a strong pick. ToolPool.Garden is better for a group of people who all want to pitch in and lend each other their own stuff.
Side by side
| Question | ToolPool.Garden | Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Groups of people lending each other their own stuff. | Tool libraries, libraries of things, makerspaces and rental businesses. |
| Where the stuff lives | Wherever it already is, like your garage or your hall closet. | With your library or business, listed in your catalog. You can snap a photo and Patio builds the listing for you. |
| Who can borrow | People in your pool. You see who's asking and decide whether to lend. | Members, based on the membership tiers and borrowing rules you set up. |
| Pickup and return | You and the borrower work it out in the chat, whenever you're both around. | Members can reserve online, or you can keep it walk-ins only. |
| Late returns | You sort it out with the borrower in the chat. | Automated reminders go out to help items come back on time. |
| Deposits and payments | Joining a pool is free. If you want a deposit for something, you and the borrower agree on it. | You can set deposits and conditions, and payments go through Stripe with a transaction fee on each one. |
| Getting set up | You sign up and start your pool. | You can import by CSV, or the Patio team will import your catalog and members. They say most libraries are running in under an hour. |
| What you pay | Your first month is free, and so is any month your pool is up to 20 members and 250 listings. After that it's a flat $4.99 a month for the whole pool. | Free is $0 for up to 50 items with a 6% transaction fee. Basic is $49 a month for 500 items at 3%, Scale is $119 for 2,500 items at 2%, and Pro is $199 for 10,000 items at 1%. Stripe fees are extra, and every plan has every feature. |
When Patio is the better pick
If you run a library of things or a rental business and take payments, Patio has a lot built in. It can also run repair events with registrations and payments, and it'll embed your catalog right in a WordPress site.
It's a good fit if you want your library listed alongside other libraries in their network, so new members can find you.
When ToolPool.Garden fits better
ToolPool.Garden is better for a group of people who all want to pitch in. Nobody has to run a shared collection or take payments, since everybody's stuff stays at their house.
In a pool, the drill stays in your garage until somebody asks for it. You see who's asking, and your name stays off the listing until you decide to reveal yourself. Pickup gets worked out in the chat.
People can also list supplies, offer a skill they'd teach, or post a request for something nobody's listed yet.
Questions people ask
Is ToolPool.Garden a good Patio alternative?
Yep, if your members are lending each other their own stuff. If you're running a library or rental shop that takes payments, Patio is probably the better fit.
Is Patio free?
Yep, for up to 50 items. The free plan takes a 6% transaction fee on payments, plus Stripe fees.
Does ToolPool.Garden take a cut of anything?
Nope. A pool pays the flat monthly price and that's it.
Is ToolPool.Garden free?
Yes! It's free for your first month and any month your pool stays at 20 members and 250 listings or fewer. After that it's $4.99 a month for the whole pool.