Head-to-Head Comparison

Fresha vs Treatwell: Which Is Better for UK Salons?

Both are marketplace booking apps built to bring you new clients — for a fee. Here's exactly how their commissions, marketplace exposure, and data policies compare in 2026.

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

The Quick Answer

Fresha has no subscription fee but takes 20% commission on a new client's first visit. Treatwell can charge up to 35% commission on new clients, adds a subscription fee, and takes a further 2% on some repeat bookings. For salons bringing in several new clients a month, Fresha is usually the cheaper of the two — but both are still marketplaces that put competing salons in front of your clients. Neither is designed to hand you full ownership of your booking page or client list.

Fresha vs Treatwell: Side by Side

Commission structure, subscription costs, and marketplace exposure.

FactorFreshaTreatwell
New Client Commission20% of first booking valueUp to 35% of first booking value
Repeat Client FeesNone via direct link2% on bookings made through the Treatwell app
Subscription / Listing FeeNone for basic marketplace listingMonthly subscription required to be listed
Payment Processing2.19% + 20pTreatwell's own processing rates
Competitor Ads on Your PageYes, marketplace shows nearby salonsYes, marketplace shows nearby salons
Data ExportLimited client data accessNotoriously difficult to export
Can Sync with Existing SoftwareN/A — is the booking systemYes, via Treatwell Connect

Disclaimer: Competitor pricing, features, and commission terms are based on public information as of June 2026 and may have changed. Fresha and Treatwell are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Slotivo is not affiliated with either company.

Where Fresha Wins

  • No subscription fee — you only pay when a marketplace booking converts
  • Lower headline commission rate (20% vs up to 35%)
  • Large, well-known consumer marketplace app
  • Lower risk for brand-new salons with no existing client list

Where Treatwell Wins

  • Strong marketplace traffic in some UK cities, particularly for spa and beauty treatments
  • Treatwell Connect lets you keep your existing software and still get marketplace listing
  • Established review and ratings system that some clients trust

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresha or Treatwell cheaper?

It depends on your new-client volume. Fresha has no subscription fee but takes 20% commission on a new client's first booking. Treatwell can take up to 35% on new clients, plus a subscription fee on top, plus a 2% fee on some repeat bookings made through its app. For a salon acquiring several new clients a month, Treatwell's stacked fees usually work out more expensive.

Does Treatwell take commission like Fresha?

Yes, both operate as marketplaces and take a cut for referring new clients. Treatwell's headline commission rate is higher than Fresha's, and unlike Fresha, Treatwell also charges a subscription fee to be listed, plus an ongoing 2% fee on repeat client bookings placed through the app.

Can I use Fresha and Treatwell at the same time?

Some salons run Fresha as their day-to-day booking system while also listing on Treatwell's marketplace through Treatwell Connect, a sync tool that mirrors your calendar without forcing you to migrate. It can work, but you take on two sets of marketplace fees and two systems to keep in sync. See our full breakdown on Fresha vs Treatwell Connect.

Which one owns my client data?

Neither is designed for you to fully own the relationship — both are marketplaces first. Fresha restricts some client data access, and Treatwell has a reputation among salon owners for making data exports notoriously difficult if you decide to leave. If data ownership matters to you, an independent booking system is the only way to guarantee it.

Which is better for a brand-new salon with no client list?

Fresha's zero-subscription model is usually the lower-risk starting point since you only pay when a marketplace booking actually happens. Treatwell can bring in more marketplace traffic in some UK cities, but you're paying for that exposure through a subscription whether or not it converts.

The Option Neither One Mentions

Both Are Marketplaces. Slotivo Isn't.

Fresha and Treatwell both need to show your clients other salons to make their marketplace work — that's the business model. Slotivo is a flat-rate booking system with no public marketplace: your booking page is yours, your client list is yours, and you keep 100% of what you charge.

0%
Commission, ever
£0-5
Flat monthly fee
Zero
Competitor ads on your page

Ready to Keep 100% of Your Earnings?

Free forever for 1-2 staff. No commission, no marketplace, no competitor ads on your booking page.

Get Started Free

No credit card required.