SwarmBase is in open beta for the whole of 2026. Beekeepers and associations get full access at no cost while we build the platform alongside the people using it.
Get notified about swarms near you, choose the ones that suit your day, and build your record.
Run your swarm season with calm. Welcome members, dispatch collectors, and see every outcome in one place.
Running SwarmBase costs real money — hosting, mapping, email and SMS, plus the time to keep it working. For 2026 we're covering that ourselves so the beta can grow without friction.
Beyond the beta, we're considering two routes — and we may end up with a mix of both:
Add-ons for institutions that want extra capacity, integrations or support. Beekeepers and associations keep the core service free.
A pay-what-you-can model so beekeepers, associations and supporters of the craft can chip in if they’d like to.
Whatever we choose, we'll give plenty of notice, and we'll never charge retroactively for the beta.
During the 2026 beta — yes, completely. Beyond the beta we may introduce a paid tier for associations, run on donations, or a mix of both. We will give plenty of notice and never charge retroactively for the beta.
Not for the core service. Beekeepers and associations will always have a free way to use SwarmBase — the volunteers collecting swarms and the committees coordinating them are who this is built for. If we ever charge, it will be for optional extras or at an institutional level, never as a wall in front of running your season.
No quotas, no per-swarm fees, no member caps. We may rate-limit obvious abuse, but real associations and beekeepers will not hit a wall.
Use it, give us feedback, and tell your association. If you want to contribute financially, drop us a note via the contact form — we'll let you know once a donations route is live.
Free for the whole 2026 beta. Welcome members, dispatch collectors and see every outcome from one shared inbox.