Fresha vs Square Appointments
Which nail and beauty salon software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
Both Fresha and Square Appointments offer free plans for solo operators, but they serve different needs. Fresha is a purpose-built salon platform with stronger marketing and inventory tools. Square Appointments wins if you're already using Square for POS, payroll, or other business tools — the ecosystem integration is seamless.
At a Glance
| Fresha | Square Appointments | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | Free + 2.19% new client fee | Free (solo) / $29–$69/mo (teams) |
| Best For | Salons wanting zero subscription and solid marketing tools | Businesses already in the Square ecosystem |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fresha | Square Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | ||
| Online Booking | ||
| POS & Payments | ||
| Marketing Campaigns | Basic | |
| Inventory Management | ||
| Staff Management | ||
| Consumer Marketplace | ||
| Memberships | Add-on | |
| Payroll Integration | Square Payroll add-on | |
| Instagram/Google Booking | ||
| Salon-Specific Features | Excellent | Good |
| Third-Party Integrations | Limited | Extensive |
Pricing Comparison
Fresha Pricing
- Unlimited bookings & staff
- POS
- Marketing
- Inventory
- Client management
- Only on brand-new first-time client bookings
- Free for all returning clients
Square Appointments Pricing
- 1 location, 1 staff
- Online booking
- Basic calendar
- Square POS integration
- Multiple staff scheduling
- Resource booking
- Advanced reports
- Custom availability
- Everything in Plus
- Unlimited staff
- Advanced analytics
- Priority support
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose Fresha if...
- You want a platform purpose-built for salons with better salon-specific features
- You want consumer marketplace exposure to attract new clients
- You have mostly returning clients and want to minimize software costs
- You want stronger salon-specific marketing automation
- You don't need deep integration with accounting or payroll software
✅ Choose Square Appointments if...
- You already use Square for POS, payroll, or inventory — integration is seamless
- You want access to Square's extensive third-party app integrations
- You want a platform backed by a large public company (Square/Block Inc.)
- You need hardware (card readers, iPad stands) — Square hardware is best-in-class
- You need Square Capital for business loans based on your Square processing history
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Fresha and Square Appointments both truly free?
Both offer free plans. Fresha's free plan covers unlimited staff and all features — you only pay 2.19% + $0.20 on new client bookings. Square Appointments is free for a single provider; teams need the Plus plan at $29/mo per location. For a solo operator, both are effectively free options.
Which has better salon-specific features?
Fresha is purpose-built for salons and spas, so it has stronger salon-specific tools: color-coded service types, client consultation forms, patch test tracking, and a dedicated salon consumer marketplace. Square Appointments is a general appointment booking tool that works for salons but isn't optimized specifically for beauty businesses.
Does Square Appointments work for nail salons?
Yes, Square Appointments works fine for nail salons — particularly those already using Square's hardware and POS. The booking system is solid, supports multiple staff, and integrates with Square's payment ecosystem. However, it lacks the salon marketplace and some beauty-specific features that Fresha offers.
Which has better payment processing rates?
Square Appointments: 2.6% + $0.10 (card present) or 3.5% + $0.15 (card not present). Fresha: 1.29%–2.19% + $0.20 depending on card type. For card-present transactions, Fresha's rates are typically lower than Square's. Both have no monthly fee for processing beyond the platform costs.
Can I use Fresha if I already have a Square POS setup?
You can use Fresha for booking and client management while continuing to use Square hardware for in-person payments, but the systems won't integrate natively. You'd manage two separate systems. Most salon owners using Square hardware find it easier to stay within the Square ecosystem rather than split between Fresha and Square.
The Verdict
Fresha wins for salons that want a purpose-built, feature-rich salon platform at zero monthly cost, with marketplace exposure for new client discovery. Square Appointments wins for salons already embedded in the Square ecosystem. The seamless integration with Square POS, Square Payroll, and Square Marketing makes it the logical choice if you're already a Square user.