Vagaro vs Fresha
Which nail and beauty salon software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
Vagaro is the better choice for established salons with multiple staff who need payroll processing, robust reporting, and access to a large consumer booking marketplace. Fresha wins for budget-conscious owners who want zero monthly subscription fees — you only pay a 2.19% + $0.20 fee on new client bookings, making it effectively free for repeat-client-heavy salons.
At a Glance
| Vagaro | Fresha | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $30–$90/mo | Free + 2.19% new client fee |
| Best For | Multi-staff salons needing payroll & marketplace | Cost-conscious owners wanting zero subscription |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vagaro | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| Online Booking | ||
| POS & Payments | ||
| Client Management | ||
| Marketing & Email Campaigns | ||
| Inventory Management | ||
| Staff Payroll | ||
| Consumer Marketplace | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Loyalty Programs | ||
| Memberships & Packages | ||
| HIPAA Compliance | ||
| Multi-Location Support | ||
| Custom Reporting | Basic | |
| Monthly Subscription Fee | $30–$90/mo | Free |
Pricing Comparison
Vagaro Pricing
- Online booking
- Calendar management
- Client database
- Basic POS
- SMS reminders
- Everything in 1-staff
- Multi-staff scheduling
- Staff performance reports
- Inventory management
- Everything in smaller plans
- Advanced payroll
- Commission tracking
- Detailed analytics
- Priority support
Fresha Pricing
- Unlimited appointments
- POS & payments
- Client management
- Marketing tools
- Inventory tracking
- Free for existing clients
- Only charged on first-time client bookings
- No fee for returning clients
- No monthly subscription ever
- Includes all features
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose Vagaro if...
- You have 3+ staff and need payroll processing built into your software
- You want access to Vagaro's large consumer marketplace to attract new clients
- You need detailed commission tracking and staff performance reporting
- You process retail inventory and need advanced stock management
- You want a mature, established platform (founded 2009) with 24/7 support
✅ Choose Fresha if...
- You want zero monthly subscription fees and pay only on new client acquisition
- Most of your clients are regulars — Fresha charges nothing on return visits
- You're a new salon owner managing startup costs carefully
- You want access to Fresha's growing consumer marketplace for discovery
- You need all core features (booking, POS, marketing) without a monthly bill
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vagaro or Fresha better for a nail salon?
For a nail salon with 2+ staff, Vagaro offers better payroll tracking, commission management, and a larger consumer marketplace. For a solo nail tech or small salon focused on keeping costs low, Fresha's zero-subscription model is hard to beat — especially if your clientele is mostly regulars (no transaction fees on return clients).
How does Fresha make money if it's free?
Fresha charges a 2.19% + $0.20 fee on every booking from a new client — someone who has never booked with your business through Fresha before. Once a client becomes a regular, all subsequent bookings are free. Fresha also earns from payment processing fees (typically 1.29%–2.19% depending on card type).
Which has better marketing tools — Vagaro or Fresha?
Both offer email campaigns, SMS reminders, and automated marketing. Vagaro has more advanced marketing automation, loyalty programs, and a larger built-in marketplace. Fresha's marketing tools are solid for a free platform and include blast campaigns, automated rebooking reminders, and online promotions.
Can I migrate from Fresha to Vagaro?
Yes. Both platforms support client data export. You can export your client list, appointment history, and notes from Fresha and import into Vagaro. Vagaro's onboarding team can assist with the migration. Expect to spend 2–4 hours on the transition depending on data volume.
Which is easier to set up — Vagaro or Fresha?
Both are beginner-friendly with guided onboarding. Fresha is slightly easier to get started since there's no payment setup required to begin (you activate payments when ready). Vagaro has more features to configure upfront but offers better onboarding resources including live webinars and a dedicated success team.
The Verdict
Vagaro is the better all-in-one solution for multi-staff salons that need payroll, advanced reporting, and marketplace visibility. If you have 3+ service providers and want a comprehensive business management platform, Vagaro at $50–90/mo delivers strong ROI. Fresha wins on value for solo operators and small salons with a loyal client base. The zero-subscription model can save $360–1,080/year compared to Vagaro, which is significant for a new or small business. If 80%+ of your bookings are returning clients, Fresha's transaction fees become nearly zero.