Fresha Review
Free salon software with a catch — marketplace fees and payment processing costs.
Fresha is fresha is a smart choice for beauty businesses that want zero upfront costs and can benefit from marketplace client discovery. It scores 4/5 overall, with a 4.4/5 for ease of use and 4.1/5 for features. Visit Fresha's official site →
Fresha Overview
Fresha (formerly Shedul) offers a unique model in the salon and spa space: the core scheduling and business management software is completely free. Instead, Fresha makes money through payment processing fees and a marketplace commission on new clients. For businesses getting steady marketplace traffic, this can be a good deal. But the fees add up — 20% commission on new marketplace clients and 2.19% + $0.20 per card transaction. The platform itself is polished and feature-rich, covering booking, POS, inventory, and marketing.
Rating Breakdown
How Fresha scores across key categories
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Core software is genuinely free — no monthly subscription
- Modern, polished interface that's easy to learn
- Built-in marketplace brings new clients to your business
- Integrated point of sale with inventory management
- Automated notifications reduce no-shows effectively
- Supports multiple staff members and locations for free
Cons
- 20% commission on new clients from the Fresha marketplace
- Payment processing fees are higher than industry average
- Limited customization options for the booking page
- No phone support — email and chat only
- Vendor lock-in with Fresha's payment processor (no third-party options)
Key Features
Free Scheduling Platform
Unlimited appointments, staff members, and locations at no monthly cost — a genuinely free tier with no time limit.
Fresha Marketplace
Get discovered by local clients searching for beauty and wellness services through the Fresha consumer app and website.
Integrated Payments
Process card payments, store client payment methods, charge no-show fees, and manage tips all within the platform.
Inventory Management
Track product inventory, set low-stock alerts, and sell retail products alongside services through the built-in POS.
Automated Marketing
Send blast campaigns, birthday messages, and automated follow-ups to keep clients coming back regularly.
Fresha Pricing (2026)
Current pricing tiers and what's included
Free Plan
$0/mo
- Unlimited appointments
- Unlimited staff
- Calendar management
Marketplace
20% new client fee
- New client acquisition
- Marketplace listing
- Promotional tools
Payments
2.19% + $0.20
- Card processing
- Contactless payments
- Terminal hardware
Who Is Fresha For?
Best For
Beauty salons, barbershops, and spas that want a free scheduling solution and are willing to pay marketplace commission for new client acquisition.
Not Ideal For
Businesses that want full control over payment processing, companies with high transaction volumes where processing fees add up, or those needing advanced integrations beyond what Fresha offers.
Our Verdict
Fresha is a smart choice for beauty businesses that want zero upfront costs and can benefit from marketplace client discovery. The free model is genuine, and the platform is well-designed. Just understand the trade-off: you're paying through transaction fees and marketplace commissions instead of a monthly subscription. Do the math for your volume before committing.
Consider SchedulingKit as an Alternative
If Fresha's limitations — like 20% commission on new clients from the fresha marketplace — are deal-breakers for you, SchedulingKit offers a flexible scheduling platform with AI-powered booking, transparent pricing, and a generous free plan.
Related Resources
Explore more about Fresha and scheduling alternatives
Fresha FAQs
Common questions about Fresha
Is Fresha really free?
The scheduling software is genuinely free with no monthly fees. Fresha monetizes through payment processing fees (2.19% + $0.20 per transaction) and a 20% commission on new clients acquired through the Fresha marketplace.
How does Fresha make money?
Fresha charges payment processing fees on card transactions and takes a 20% commission on the first appointment of new clients who discover your business through their marketplace. Existing clients you bring cost nothing.
Can I use my own payment processor with Fresha?
No, Fresha requires you to use their integrated payment processing. You cannot connect Stripe, Square, or other third-party payment processors.
Is Fresha better than Vagaro?
Fresha has no monthly fee which is great for startups, but Vagaro offers more features and integrations at $30/month. For established businesses with high transaction volumes, Vagaro may be cheaper overall due to lower processing fees.
Looking for a Better Scheduling Solution?
Try SchedulingKit — AI-powered scheduling with a free plan forever