Fresha vs GlossGenius
Which nail and beauty salon software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
Fresha wins on cost — it's effectively free for salons with mostly returning clients, with no monthly subscription. GlossGenius wins on brand and design — its client-facing booking pages are strikingly beautiful, it includes a physical card reader, and the Gold plan offers 0% platform processing. Solo beauty professionals often prefer GlossGenius's aesthetics and simplicity; budget-conscious owners prefer Fresha's zero-cost model.
At a Glance
| Fresha | GlossGenius | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | Free + 2.19% new client fee | $24–$48/mo |
| Best For | Cost-conscious salons with mostly returning clients | Solo beauty professionals wanting a beautiful branded experience |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fresha | GlossGenius |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Subscription | Free | $24–$48/mo |
| Built-in Card Reader | ||
| 0% Processing Option | Gold plan | |
| Consumer Marketplace | ||
| New Client Fee | 2.19% + $0.20 | None |
| Beautiful Booking Page Design | Good | Best-in-class |
| Custom Intake Forms | ||
| Marketing Automation | ||
| Inventory Management | Basic | |
| Multi-Staff Support | Limited | |
| Memberships | ||
| Mobile App |
Pricing Comparison
Fresha Pricing
- Unlimited staff
- All features
- Marketplace listing
- Inventory
- Memberships
- Only on first-time bookings from new clients
- Returning clients: always free
GlossGenius Pricing
- Booking
- POS + card reader included
- Client management
- Basic marketing
- Website
- Everything Standard
- 0% platform processing
- Advanced marketing
- Smart Pricing
- Custom forms & waivers
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose Fresha if...
- Most of your bookings are from returning clients — Fresha charges nothing on them
- You want zero monthly software costs to minimize overhead
- You want marketplace exposure to attract new clients passively
- You need memberships and multi-staff management for free
- You're a new salon owner building your business with limited capital
✅ Choose GlossGenius if...
- You want a visually stunning booking page that reflects your brand
- A physical card reader included with your subscription saves upfront costs
- 0% platform processing on the Gold plan saves money at higher transaction volumes
- Custom intake forms and consultation waivers are important for your services
- You want a platform built specifically for solo beauty professionals
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fresha or GlossGenius better for a first-time salon owner?
Fresha is slightly better for first-time owners due to zero monthly cost — when you're building your client base, reducing fixed expenses matters. GlossGenius is better for beauty professionals who already have a style brand or Instagram presence and want their booking page to reflect that aesthetic from day one.
Does GlossGenius have a consumer marketplace like Fresha?
No. GlossGenius does not have a consumer-facing marketplace where clients browse for nearby salons. Clients book through your GlossGenius booking link, website, or social media. Fresha has a consumer marketplace (app and website) where new clients can discover your business — an advantage for salons relying on local discovery.
Which has better marketing tools?
Both offer automated reminders, follow-up messages, and campaign tools. Fresha has more comprehensive marketing features (mass campaigns, automated rebooking series, promotions) at no extra cost. GlossGenius Gold has advanced marketing with Smart Pricing — automatic pricing adjustments during slow periods to fill gaps. Different strengths, similar capabilities overall.
Can Fresha support a 5-person nail salon team?
Yes. Fresha supports unlimited staff at no extra cost — all staff management, scheduling, and commission tracking are included free. This is a major advantage over platforms that charge per staff member. A 5-person team on Fresha pays $0/month in subscription fees, whereas GlossGenius isn't designed for multi-staff management.
Which processes payments more cheaply?
GlossGenius Gold ($48/mo) eliminates platform processing fees — you pay only card network interchange (typically 1.5–2%). Fresha charges 1.29–2.19% depending on card type. For a solo tech processing $8,000/month on GlossGenius Gold, annual savings versus standard processing could reach $1,500+. Fresha's processing is competitive but doesn't offer 0% platform fees.
The Verdict
Fresha wins for multi-staff salons and cost-conscious owners who want a completely free platform with marketplace discovery. Its zero-subscription model, unlimited staff, and memberships free make it exceptional value. GlossGenius wins for solo beauty professionals who want a beautiful, brand-focused platform with a built-in card reader and optional 0% processing. The aesthetic quality of GlossGenius's booking pages is unmatched in the industry.