Fresha vs Booksy
Which nail and beauty salon software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
Fresha is better for salons with an established repeat client base who want to minimize software costs — the zero-subscription model is genuinely free for return client bookings. Booksy is better for salons actively growing their client base, as its 35M+ consumer marketplace drives significantly more new client discovery than Fresha.
At a Glance
| Fresha | Booksy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | Free + 2.19% new client fee | $29.99–$79.99+/mo |
| Best For | Salons wanting zero subscription costs | Salons prioritizing marketplace client discovery |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fresha | Booksy |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription Fee | Free | $29.99–$79.99/mo |
| Online Booking | ||
| Consumer Marketplace | ||
| POS & Payments | ||
| Marketing Campaigns | ||
| No-Show Protection | ||
| Staff Payroll | ||
| Inventory Management | Basic | |
| Memberships & Packages | ||
| Multi-Location | ||
| New Client Fee | 2.19% + $0.20 | None |
| Free Trial | 14 days |
Pricing Comparison
Fresha Pricing
- Unlimited bookings
- POS & payments
- Client management
- Marketing automation
- Inventory tracking
- No monthly fee ever
- Only on first-ever booking from a new client
- All subsequent bookings from same client: FREE
- No hidden charges on return business
Booksy Pricing
- Unlimited bookings
- Calendar
- Client management
- Marketplace listing
- Everything in Boost
- No-show protection
- Advanced marketing
- Staff management
- Everything in Boost+
- Multi-location
- Advanced analytics
- Priority support
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose Fresha if...
- 70%+ of your bookings are from returning clients — Fresha charges nothing on repeat visits
- You want to eliminate all monthly software subscription costs
- You're a new salon owner managing startup expenses carefully
- You need all core features (booking, POS, marketing) without a monthly fee
- You want to try a full-featured platform with zero financial commitment
✅ Choose Booksy if...
- You're actively trying to grow your client base — Booksy's 35M+ marketplace is invaluable
- You're in a highly competitive market where client discovery matters
- You want strong no-show protection and deposit collection from day one
- You prefer a predictable fixed monthly cost over variable transaction fees
- Your salon is new and you need a large marketplace to get discovered
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fresha really completely free?
Yes — Fresha charges no monthly subscription fee ever. The only cost is a 2.19% + $0.20 fee on bookings from brand-new clients (first time they've booked with your business through Fresha). All subsequent bookings from those same clients are completely free. A salon with mostly returning clients can realistically pay $0–20/month in fees.
Which platform is bigger — Fresha or Booksy?
Booksy has 35+ million consumers in its marketplace across the US, UK, and Poland. Fresha is growing rapidly and has 100,000+ businesses but a smaller consumer-facing marketplace. For client discovery through the marketplace, Booksy currently has the larger consumer base, particularly in the US.
Does Fresha have no-show protection?
Yes. Fresha allows you to require credit card details at booking and charge no-show or late cancellation fees. This feature is available on all accounts at no extra cost. Booksy also has this feature, and both platforms handle it similarly.
Which has better reporting — Fresha or Booksy?
Fresha offers solid reporting on appointments, revenue, and staff performance at no extra cost. Booksy's reporting improves significantly on higher-tier plans. For most small salons, Fresha's free reporting covers the basics well. Booksy's advanced analytics are accessible only on Biz+ plans ($79.99+/mo).
Can I use both Fresha and Booksy at the same time?
Technically possible but not recommended — managing two booking systems creates double-booking risks and confuses clients. Most salon owners choose one primary platform. If you're testing both, disable online booking on one while evaluating the other.
The Verdict
Fresha wins on cost for salons with an established repeat client base. Zero subscription fees plus capable marketing and POS tools make it remarkably good value. A salon where 80% of bookings are from returning clients might pay $0–30/month total. Booksy wins for growth. Its 35M+ consumer marketplace is a real competitive advantage for salons in busy markets. The monthly fee ($29.99–79.99) is justified if Booksy drives even 3–5 new clients per month.