Better Bookings vs Fresha - Which Is Right for Your Business?

Pricing model

Fresha does not charge a monthly subscription for scheduling. That part is genuinely free. But there are two costs that add up quickly. First, Fresha charges 20% commission on every new client who books through their marketplace. If a client finds you by searching Fresha's app or website and books their first appointment, Fresha takes 20% of the service price. On a £60 appointment, that is £12 to Fresha. If 10 new clients book through the marketplace in a month, you are paying £120 in commissions. Second, Fresha charges payment processing fees on every card transaction, including for existing clients who pay online. These fees are standard (around 2.6% + 20p), but they apply to all transactions, not just marketplace-sourced ones. Better Bookings charges a flat £20/month for solo operators or £40/month for teams up to 10. Zero commission on any booking, regardless of how the client found you. The payment processing fees are Stripe's standard rates (1.4% + 20p for UK cards), which are lower than what Fresha charges. For a salon doing 200 bookings a month with an average service price of £45, the maths is clear. If even 15% of your bookings come through Fresha's marketplace, you are paying more in commission than you would on a flat £40/month subscription. And if you generate most of your clients through Instagram, Google Business Profile, and word of mouth, you are paying Fresha for a marketplace benefit you do not use.

The marketplace trade-off

Fresha operates a two-sided marketplace, similar to Deliveroo or Uber. Clients search for services in their area and see multiple businesses listed side by side. This can drive new clients to your business, which is the value proposition. But there are trade-offs you should understand. Your listing appears alongside your competitors. A client searching for 'hair salon in Clapham' sees your business next to five others. If someone has a lower price, more reviews, or a more appealing photo, they book there instead of with you. You have limited control over how your business is presented, and the marketplace's algorithms determine where you appear in search results. With a platform like Better Bookings, you get your own booking page with your own URL. When you share it on Instagram, Google, or WhatsApp, the client lands on YOUR page only. No competitors, no marketplace distractions, no algorithm deciding your visibility. You control the entire booking experience.

Features comparison

On core features, both platforms are capable. Online booking, calendar management, client records, and payment processing work well on both. The differences emerge in the details. Better Bookings includes deposits, no-show fee charging, automated reminders, waitlists, gift cards, loyalty stamp programs, marketing automations, reviews, QR check-in, team scheduling, and report exports in every plan. There is no feature gating based on your subscription tier. Fresha includes many of these features too, but some require their paid plans or add-ons. Marketing features, advanced reporting, and certain automation tools may not be available on the free tier. It is worth checking exactly which features you need and whether they are included or require an upgrade.

White-label and branding

Fresha's booking pages carry Fresha's branding. Clients download the Fresha app, not yours. With Better Bookings, your booking page is yours - your URL, your brand, no platform branding visible to clients. For businesses that care about brand identity, this is a significant differentiator.

Who should choose which

Fresha works well for brand-new businesses with zero marketing budget who need marketplace exposure to get started. Better Bookings is better for established businesses that generate their own clients and want predictable costs, full branding control, and no per-booking commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresha really free?

Fresha is free for booking management, but charges 20% commission on new marketplace clients and payment processing fees on all card transactions. The total cost depends on your booking volume and how many clients come through their marketplace.

Can I switch from Fresha to Better Bookings?

Yes. Export your client list from Fresha, import it into Better Bookings, and share your new booking link. Most businesses switch in under a day.