SchedulingKit vs Fresha
A comparison published by SchedulingKit. Compare documented features, plan requirements and the workflows you need.
Key Takeaways
- SchedulingKit: Optional Business AI receptionist add-on answers inbound calls, checks availability and creates bookings
- Fresha: Appointment scheduling with paid Independent/Team subscriptions
- No single overall winner is established; choose by the workflow and plan you need.
- SchedulingKit: Beauty and service businesses wanting AI features without commission fees
- Fresha: Salons needing salon operations and marketplace exposure within the applicable paid plan
Quick Overview
SchedulingKit
SchedulingKit Free includes one member, one event type, one calendar and 50 bookings/month. Standard adds payments and client management; Pro adds team distribution. AI chat is an optional Standard+ add-on and telephone reception a Business add-on; processor and usage charges apply. It is a booking platform, not a complete salon POS or inventory system, and does not guarantee conversion of every lead.
Pros
- Optional Business AI receptionist add-on answers inbound calls, checks availability and creates bookings
- No SchedulingKit marketplace acquisition commission on direct bookings; provider fees separate
- Optional Standard+ AI chatbot add-on answers website questions, checks availability and creates bookings
- Standard+ client management: AI CRM gives smart insights on every client. AI features require the appropriate paid add-on.
- Published paid pricing per seat: Standard $12, Pro $20, Business $36/month; AI add-ons extra
Cons
- No beauty-specific consumer marketplace
- Doesn't include POS hardware or product inventory
Fresha
Fresha, formerly Shedul, provides salon/spa scheduling, client management, POS and inventory with a consumer marketplace. Current plans have subscription charges, marketplace new-client acquisition fees, processing and optional add-ons; it is not generally free business software.
Pros
- Appointment scheduling with paid Independent/Team subscriptions
- Large consumer marketplace for salon discovery
- Integrated POS and product inventory
- Per-business or per-bookable-team-member subscription model
- Built specifically for beauty industry workflows
Cons
- Published USD marketplace schedule lists 20% once per qualifying new client, minimum $6; regional schedules differ. Returning clients and direct links are exempt; verify current account attribution and fee terms
- Payment processing and communication usage have separate rates and allowances
- AI Concierge is a separate paid calls-and-messages add-on; region and usage terms apply
- Marketplace discovery is shared with other listed businesses; evaluate channel fit
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | SchedulingKit | Fresha | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Receptionist | Optional paid AI chat (Standard+) and telephone reception (Business); plan and usage charges apply | AI Concierge answers calls and Client Connect messages; separate subscription and usage allowances | Depends on your workflow |
| Software Cost | Free; Standard $12, Pro $20, Business $36 per seat/month (monthly billing); AI add-ons extra | Published USD schedule: Independent $19.95/month; Team $14.95/bookable member/month; Enterprise custom. Confirm local currency, tax and account terms; extras apply | Depends on your workflow |
| Commission Fees | No direct-booking marketplace acquisition commission; processor fees separate | Published USD marketplace schedule lists 20% once per qualifying new client, minimum $6; regional schedules differ. Returning clients and direct links are exempt; verify current account attribution and fee terms | SchedulingKit |
| Beauty Marketplace | Not included | Large discovery marketplace | Fresha |
| POS & Inventory | Payment collection; payment collection requires Standard or higher and provider configuration | Full POS with product sales | Fresha |
| Chatbot Builder | Optional paid AI chat (Standard+) and telephone reception (Business); plan and usage charges apply | AI Concierge replies to Client Connect messages and calls; a standalone website chatbot builder is a separate capability to verify | Depends on your workflow |
| True Cost of Ownership | Free; Standard $12, Pro $20, Business $36 per seat/month (monthly billing); AI add-ons extra | Variable, commissions + fees | Depends on your workflow |
Compare the required plan, seats and optional AI charges, then test your calendar and payment workflow before replacing existing booking links. A lower base subscription does not establish a lower total cost for every business.
Our Verdict
Compare salon-specific operations and marketplace discovery with SchedulingKit's direct booking and paid add-ons. Both vendors now offer phone AI, so lack of AI is not a valid reason by itself to switch. Calculate total subscriptions, seats, acquisition commissions, payment fees and AI usage before concluding which costs less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fresha really free?
Published USD schedule: Independent $19.95/month; Team $14.95/bookable member/month; Enterprise custom. Confirm local currency, tax and account terms; extras apply. Published USD marketplace schedule lists 20% once per qualifying new client, minimum $6; regional schedules differ. Returning clients and direct links are exempt; verify current account attribution and fee terms. Payment processing and optional extras add to total cost; this is not a generally free subscription.
Does SchedulingKit charge commissions?
SchedulingKit Free includes one member, one event type, one calendar and 50 bookings/month. Standard adds payments and client management; Pro adds team distribution. AI chat is an optional Standard+ add-on and telephone reception a Business add-on; processor and usage charges apply. Direct booking has no consumer-marketplace acquisition commission; it is not an all-inclusive flat price.
Can SchedulingKit work for a hair salon?
SchedulingKit Free includes one member, one event type, one calendar and 50 bookings/month. Standard adds payments and client management; Pro adds team distribution. AI chat is an optional Standard+ add-on and telephone reception a Business add-on; processor and usage charges apply. Fresha offers salon operations and AI Concierge too. SchedulingKit does not supply native salon POS hardware or inventory.
Does Fresha have an AI receptionist?
Yes. Fresha AI Concierge handles calls and Client Connect messages using service and client context. Published USD pricing lists $99.95/location/month with 200 minutes and 500 messages; extra usage is $0.60/minute and $0.04/message. Confirm local pricing and access. SchedulingKit phone reception is an optional Business add-on with usage allowances.
Further Reading
More About Fresha
Looking for a Fresha alternative?
Explore SchedulingKit solutions built for your business:
Evaluate AI bookings with no SchedulingKit marketplace acquisition commission on direct bookings; provider and AI usage charges apply.
Try the Free booking plan within its limits and compare paid features before switching.
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When this isn't for you
This is not for you if you're committed to your current platform and have deep custom integrations. SchedulingKit comparison content helps decision-makers actively evaluating alternatives. Skip if you're not in the market for a switch.