Head-to-Head Comparison

Fresha vs Booksy: Which Is Better for UK Salons?

Both combine booking software with marketplace discovery. Compare the subscription, acquisition fees and payment processing against how your salon actually gets bookings.

There's a third option neither mentions —0% commission with Slotivo ↓

The Quick Answer

Both platforms charge a subscription. Booksy lists £40/month plus £5 per additional user, excluding VAT, with standard marketplace bookings included and an optional Boost acquisition fee. Fresha publishes Independent and Team subscriptions plus separate marketplace and payment fees. Request the current UK rates and compare your own booking mix.

Fresha vs Booksy: Side by Side

Separate the predictable subscription from usage-based costs.

FactorFreshaBooksy
Monthly SubscriptionPaid Independent or Team plan; check current UK quote£40/month for one user, excluding VAT
Per-Staff CostTeam plan charged per bookable team member+£5 per additional user/month, excluding VAT
New Client Commission20% on qualifying new marketplace clients; minimum fee appliesStandard bookings included; optional Boost: 30%, £5 minimum, plus VAT
Payment ProcessingVaries by market and payment methodVaries by payment method
Marketplace ExposureYes, consumer appYes, consumer app
Best ForBusinesses that value its marketplace and management toolsBusinesses that value included standard marketplace bookings

Sources checked 21 September 2026: Booksy UK pricing and Fresha pricing. Fresha displays region-specific rates; confirm the UK quote. Booksy figures exclude VAT. Optional tools and processing are additional. Fresha and Booksy are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Slotivo is not affiliated with either company.

When to consider Fresha

  • You want its marketplace discovery alongside booking software
  • Its retail, inventory and package tools fit your workflow
  • You have checked the full subscription, acquisition and payment costs

When to consider Booksy

  • You want standard marketplace bookings included without enabling Boost
  • You prefer a base subscription plus a published additional-user fee
  • You can evaluate optional Boost separately from your core software cost

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresha or Booksy cheaper?

Both have paid subscriptions. Compare your team size, payment volume and qualifying marketplace clients, then add optional tools and VAT. Check each provider’s current UK quote rather than comparing subscription prices alone.

Does Booksy take commission like Fresha?

Booksy includes standard marketplace bookings. Optional Boost promotion charges for qualifying first visits. Fresha charges an acquisition fee for qualifying new clients discovered through its marketplace; returning clients are not charged that fee.

Which has lower fees for a team of 5 staff?

Booksy’s published subscription is £60/month for five users before VAT, payments or optional Boost. Compare this with a current Fresha Team quote for five bookable staff and your expected acquisition and processing costs.

Do both list my salon next to competitors?

Yes. Both Fresha and Booksy operate consumer-facing marketplace apps where your salon appears alongside other local salons, and both can surface competing businesses to people browsing your area.

The Option Neither One Mentions

No Commission. No Per-Staff Fees.

Slotivo is free for 1–2 staff, then £10/month with unlimited staff included. There is no Slotivo booking commission. Standard Stripe fees apply to online card payments. Compare the workflow as well as the cost.

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