Fresha has earned its reputation as one of the most popular booking platforms in the beauty and wellness industry. Its combination of free core software, built-in payment processing, and marketplace visibility has attracted over 130,000 businesses worldwide. For many salons, it’s a compelling first choice.
But as your business evolves, you might discover that Fresha’s approach doesn’t align perfectly with your specific needs. Perhaps the 20% commission on new marketplace clients is eating into your growth margins. Maybe you want deeper integration with your existing WordPress website. Or you might prefer a different balance between marketplace visibility and brand control.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll explore dedicated alternatives that excel in specific areas, whether you’re looking to:
- Integrate booking directly into your WordPress website with full control over customization and branding
- Leverage AI-powered automation and specialized enterprise tools for multi-location chains
- Scale your growing team with transparent, predictable pricing and no marketplace commissions
- Combine salon services with fitness classes in a platform built for multi-modality wellness
- Present clients with a premium, beautifully designed booking experience
- Start with a genuinely free booking solution backed by an established ecosystem
- Access modern features like dynamic pricing and AI marketing tools at an affordable price
Some businesses might use these tools alongside Fresha for specific capabilities, while others might replace it entirely. This isn’t about finding a “better” platform; it’s about finding the right fit for your specific situation as your business grows. Let’s dive in.
The Best Fresha Alternatives |
||
|---|---|---|
 |
Starts at: €89/year
Capterra Score: 4.2 |
Salon Booking SystemBest Alternative for WordPress Users Who Want Full Control and Zero Commissions We chose Salon Booking System because it offers deep WordPress integration, extensive customization through 40+ add-ons and a REST API, and a commission-free pricing model that gives salon owners complete control over their booking experience and client data. |
 |
Starts at: Custom pricing
G2 Score: 4.5 Capterra Score: 4.5 |
ZenotiBest Alternative for Enterprise Multi-Location Chains We chose Zenoti because its AI-first platform architecture and centralized management dashboard were purpose-built for salon and spa chains that need to coordinate operations, staff, and reporting across multiple locations. |
 |
Starts at: $23.99
G2 Score: 4.6 Capterra Score: 4.7 |
VagaroBest Alternative for Growing Teams Who Want Predictable Pricing We chose Vagaro because its flat monthly fee structure and zero marketplace commissions make it ideal for medium-sized salons scaling their teams without unpredictable costs eating into margins. |
 |
Starts at: $99/mo
G2 Score: 3.6 Capterra Score: 4.0 |
MindbodyBest Alternative for Multi-Modality Wellness Businesses We chose Mindbody because it uniquely supports both appointment-based salon services and class-based fitness scheduling in one platform, making it ideal for hybrid wellness businesses. |
 |
Starts at: $24/mo
G2 Score: 4.4 Capterra Score: 4.8 |
GlossGeniusBest Alternative for Independent Professionals Who Prioritize Premium Design We chose GlossGenius because its award-winning visual design and mobile-first approach creates a booking experience that matches the aesthetic standards of high-end beauty professionals. |
 |
Starts at: $0/mo
G2 Score: N/A Capterra Score: 4.5 |
Square AppointmentsBest Alternative for Solopreneurs Who Want a Free, Full-Featured System We chose Square Appointments because its genuinely robust free tier includes unlimited appointments, automated reminders, and integrated payment processing, all backed by Square’s established ecosystem. |
 |
Starts at: $19.99/mo
G2 Score: 4.3 Capterra Score: 4.8 |
GoldieBest Alternative for Modern, Mobile-First Solopreneurs We chose Goldie because it combines innovative features like dynamic pricing, integrated Buy Now Pay Later, and AI-powered social media tools in an intuitive mobile-first package designed for independent beauty professionals. |
What is Fresha?
Fresha is a cloud-based booking and business management platform designed for beauty and wellness businesses, including salons, barbershops, spas, and wellness centers. The platform has grown to serve over 130,000 businesses globally, positioning itself as an all-in-one solution that combines appointment scheduling with payment processing, marketing tools, and client management.
Its key features include:
- Free core booking software for solo operators: The base platform costs nothing for individual professionals, with revenue generated through payment processing fees and marketplace commissions. Team plans may require subscriptions depending on your region.
- Built-in payment processing: Integrated card payments with the option to require deposits or full prepayment
- Marketplace visibility: Exposure to potential new clients searching for services in your area
- Client management: Customer profiles, booking history, and automated reminders
- Marketing tools: Basic email and SMS campaigns, promotions, and gift cards
- Team management: Staff scheduling, commission tracking, and performance insights
Source: Fresha
Fresha’s appeal lies in its accessibility: businesses can get started without upfront software costs, and the marketplace provides a built-in client acquisition channel. The platform handles the technical complexity, allowing salon owners to focus on their craft.
However, Fresha’s model includes trade-offs that become more significant depending on your priorities. The 20% commission charged on new clients acquired through the marketplace can impact margins for businesses actively seeking growth through that channel. And for salons already invested in WordPress websites or preferring self-hosted solutions, Fresha’s standalone SaaS nature represents a different approach than native integration.
That’s why we’ve focused on alternatives that take different approaches in their areas of specialty.
How We Curated Our List of Fresha Alternatives
After researching Fresha and the broader salon software market, we identified that businesses often seek alternatives when they have specific preferences around:
- Full control over their booking experience and branding: The ability to customize every aspect of how clients interact with their booking system, particularly through self-hosted solutions
- Zero commission fees on client acquisition: Predictable costs that don’t scale with success in attracting new clients
- AI-first enterprise automation: Advanced artificial intelligence features for call handling, marketing, and analytics
- Deep integration with fitness verticals: Platforms built from the ground up for wellness businesses combining multiple service modalities
- Premium visual design: A booking experience that matches high-end brand positioning
- A genuinely free starting point: Robust features without monthly subscription costs
- Modern features like AI marketing and dynamic pricing: Next-generation tools for independent professionals
Each platform on this list takes a distinct approach in one of these specific areas. Some readers might use these tools to complement Fresha, while others might replace it entirely based on their specific requirements.
| ❗DISCLAIMER: We aren’t covering every salon booking platform on the market. Our focus is on highlighting alternatives that take different approaches from Fresha’s model. The goal is to help you find tools that match your particular needs. |
|---|
1. Salon Booking System — Best Alternative for WordPress Users Who Want Full Control and Zero Commissions
Salon Booking System is a comprehensive appointment scheduling plugin for WordPress designed specifically for service-based businesses including hair salons, barbershops, spas, and wellness centers. Created in 2016 by Dimitri Grassi, a WordPress web designer who believed the platform could handle more ambitious projects, it has grown steadily over nearly a decade in the market. The vendor reports nearly 10,000 premium installations, while WordPress.org shows over 3,000 active installations of the free version. This longevity, with many customers staying for 5-7+ years, demonstrates the kind of trust that comes from consistent development and responsive support.
Unlike cloud-based platforms like Fresha, Salon Booking System integrates directly into your existing WordPress website, giving you complete control over the booking experience, client data, and branding. Its key features include:
- Native WordPress integration: Manage everything from your WordPress dashboard with seamless shortcode embedding
- Multiple service and assistant booking: Unlike many booking plugins that limit customers to selecting one service per booking, clients can book multiple services and even multiple staff members in a single session which is ideal for appointments combining haircut, color, and treatment
- Advanced booking rules: Multiple availability rules, resource-based booking, and sophisticated scheduling algorithms
- Annual subscription pricing: Flat yearly fees with no per-booking or per-client charges
- REST API access: Full developer capabilities for custom applications and integrations
- 40+ official add-ons: Extend functionality with Multi-Shops, WooCommerce checkout, Service Packages, and more
- Staff mobile web app: Team members can manage their schedules from any device
- Google Calendar sync: Two-way synchronization keeps all schedules aligned
- Custom development services: Request specific features tailored to your business needs which is accessible even for smaller salons making a few hundred reservations per month
Source: Salon Booking System
For small to medium salons (typically 1-10 employees) that have built their online presence on WordPress and want to maintain complete ownership of their booking system, client relationships, and data, Salon Booking System provides a level of control and personalized support that larger platforms approach differently.
Why Choose Salon Booking System Over Fresha
Salon Booking System takes a fundamentally different approach from Fresha’s marketplace model, which may better suit certain business needs:
WordPress Integration: Your Booking System, Your Website, Your Brand
While Fresha operates as a separate platform that either directs clients away from your website or embeds as a widget, Salon Booking System becomes part of your WordPress site. The booking form lives on your pages, styled to match your design, with no third-party branding competing for attention.
Using simple shortcodes, you can display the booking form, staff calendars, service lists, or customer account areas anywhere on your site. The [salon/] shortcode creates the main booking page, [salon_booking_calendar] displays appointments organized by assistant, and [salon_booking_my_account] gives clients a personal dashboard for managing their bookings.
Source: Salon Booking System
This native integration means your SEO efforts, blog content, and booking system work together as a unified experience. Clients stay on your website throughout most of the booking process (though payment processing may involve external gateways depending on your configuration), maintaining the brand consistency that’s essential for premium positioning.
⚡ Salon Booking System in Action: A client discovers your salon through a blog post about hair care tips on your WordPress site. Interested, they click the “Book Now” button. Instead of being redirected to a third-party platform with different branding, they see a booking form that matches your website’s design exactly. They select a haircut, add a color treatment, and include a conditioning service which is an all in one booking. They choose their preferred stylist, pick a time slot, and complete the booking. Their information stays in your WordPress database, ready for you to nurture the relationship on your terms.
Annual Subscription Pricing: Pay for the Software, Keep Your Revenue
Fresha‘s 20% commission on marketplace-acquired new clients might seem reasonable initially, but the math changes as you grow. A salon booking £5,000 worth of services from marketplace-acquired clients would pay £1,000 in commissions to Fresha.
Salon Booking System operates on straightforward annual subscription pricing:
- Basic Branded: €89/year for single-site use with all PRO features
- Business: €139/year for two sites with 40+ add-ons and multi-location management
- Agency Pass: €299/year for up to 10 sites with white-label options
- Unlimited Pass: €499/year for unlimited installations
Every booking you receive, whether from existing clients or new ones who find you through Google, your marketing efforts, or word of mouth, belongs entirely to you. The flat annual fee means your costs remain predictable regardless of how many clients you serve.
⚡ Salon Booking System in Action: You invest in local SEO and social media marketing to attract new clients. A prospect finds your salon through Google, visits your website, and books a £200 color treatment. With Fresha’s marketplace, if that client had found you through their platform, you’d pay £40 in commission. With Salon Booking System, your €89/year subscription covers unlimited bookings from unlimited clients. The more successful your marketing becomes, the better your return on investment.
Deep Customization: Rules and Logic That Match Your Business
Salon Booking System offers three booking calculation modes (Basic, Advanced, and High End) that accommodate different operational complexities. The Advanced mode handles multiple services with varying durations, while High End mode considers execution order when multiple staff members perform services in a single booking session.
Source: Salon Booking System
The resource-based booking capability is particularly valuable for spas and medspas. You can define resources like “Massage Room 1,” “Laser Equipment,” or “Pedicure Station” with specific capacities. When a client books a service linked to a resource, the system performs a three-tiered availability check: first the resource, then the service, and finally the staff member.
Source: Salon Booking System
You can create:
- Multiple availability rules for complex schedules (note: overlapping rules may require careful configuration to avoid conflicts)
- Holiday rules for closures and special events
- Booking offsets for buffer time between appointments
- Assistant-specific rules that override general availability
This level of configurability means the booking system adapts to your operations, not the other way around.
A Partnership Approach: More Than Just a Plugin Provider
One aspect that sets Salon Booking System apart from larger WordPress booking plugins is its relationship-focused approach. With a smaller, dedicated customer base rather than tens of thousands of users, the team can offer something larger competitors cannot: genuine partnership.
This manifests in several practical ways. Support is highly responsive because you’re not just another ticket in a queue. Custom development services are accessible even for smaller salons making a few hundred reservations per month. If you need a specific feature that would benefit your business, you can request it directly, and if it’s valuable to the broader customer base, it often gets integrated into the core plugin.
Many features in the current version originated as custom solutions for specific client needs before being refined and released to everyone. This customer-driven development means the platform evolves based on real salon operations, not theoretical use cases.
Developer-Friendly Architecture: Build What You Need
For businesses with unique requirements or development resources, Salon Booking System’s REST API opens possibilities that closed platforms cannot offer. The API enables:
- Retrieving and inspecting booking details programmatically
- Searching for availability across services and staff
- Creating, updating, and canceling bookings from external applications
- Building custom mobile apps with your booking system as the backend
Source: Swagger Hub
The Zapier integration extends connectivity to thousands of applications, enabling automated workflows like creating a Google Meet session for each new booking.
⚡ Salon Booking System in Action: Your salon group wants a custom-branded mobile app that connects to your booking system. Using the REST API, your developer builds an iOS and Android app that pulls real-time availability, allows clients to book appointments, and sends push notifications for reminders. With the white-label options available on Agency and Unlimited plans, your app can display your branding exclusively, depending on your implementation.
Data Ownership: Your Clients, Your Database
With Salon Booking System, core client and booking data lives in your WordPress database on your hosting server. You maintain significant control over this information, from how it’s stored to how it’s used for marketing.
The system includes data export capabilities for reservations (CSV format) and integrates with standard WordPress tools for user data management. It’s worth noting that certain features like SMS notifications, payment gateways, and integrations like Zapier may transmit some data to external services, so review your specific configuration for complete data flow understanding.
Source: Salon Booking System
This ownership extends to compliance considerations. Because you control the hosting environment, you can implement security measures and data handling practices appropriate for your jurisdiction and client base.
NOTE: We also evaluated other WordPress booking plugins including Amelia and Bookly. Comparing WordPress booking plugins is inherently complex because each platform has evolved based on its specific customer base’s needs, developing different strengths along the way. Amelia offers a clean interface with strong WooCommerce integration, while Bookly provides simplicity for basic scheduling. Salon Booking System has developed particular depth in areas that matter for salons specifically: resource-based booking for equipment-dependent services, multiple service and assistant selection in a single booking, and advanced availability rules. Perhaps equally important for smaller salons, the team’s ability to offer responsive support and accessible custom development, which larger plugins with tens of thousands of users cannot prioritize in the same way, makes it worth considering if you value a partnership approach alongside the technical features.
Salon Booking System Pricing
Salon Booking System operates on an annual subscription model with a free edition available on WordPress.org for basic needs. The license provides access to support and updates for 365 days and remains functional even after expiration (though updates and support stop).
Basic Branded Plan: €89/year
- Single website installation
- All PRO features including online payments, staff mobile app, and REST API
- Monday to Friday email support
Business Plan: €139/year
- Two website installations
- Everything in Basic plus 40+ add-ons
- Multi-location management capabilities
Agency Pass: €299/year
- Up to 10 website installations
- All add-ons included with white-label option
- Non-refundable
Unlimited Pass: €499/year
- Unlimited website installations
- Ideal for web agencies and white-label projects
- Non-refundable
A 15-day free trial is available for the Basic and Business plans to evaluate the full feature set before committing.
Who Should Use Salon Booking System?
Choose Salon Booking System if:
- Your salon already has a WordPress website and you want to integrate booking directly into it rather than sending clients to a third-party platform. The native integration preserves your branding and keeps the client journey within your domain.
- You’re a small to medium salon (1-10 employees) handling hundreds of reservations monthly who values personalized support and the ability to influence product development over mass-market solutions.
- You prefer flat annual pricing over commission-based models. The annual subscription model means your 100th new client costs the same as your first, making your marketing investments more profitable as you grow.
- You need advanced customization for complex scheduling scenarios, resource-dependent services, multi-service bookings, or unique business rules that generic booking platforms can’t accommodate.
- You value a partnership approach where you can request custom features, receive responsive support, and work with a team small enough to know your business rather than treating you as one of thousands.
- You prioritize data ownership and want client information stored in your own database under your control rather than in a third-party platform.
Salon Booking System may not be the right fit if you’re seeking built-in marketplace client acquisition (Fresha excels here), if you don’t have a WordPress website, or if you need enterprise-scale features for 50+ locations (consider Zenoti instead).
Ready to take control of your salon’s booking experience? Start your 15-day free trial of Salon Booking System and discover how WordPress-native booking can transform your client relationships.
2. Zenoti — Best Alternative for Enterprise Multi-Location Chains
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based software platform purpose-built for beauty, wellness, and fitness industries serving over 30,000 businesses across more than 50 countries. Founded in 2010 by brothers who previously ran their own salon and spa chain and found existing software inadequate, Zenoti has achieved unicorn status with a $1.5 billion valuation. The platform provides an all-in-one solution specifically designed to handle the operational complexities that emerge when managing multiple locations.
Why Choose Zenoti Over Fresha for Multi-Location Operations
Zenoti stands out in several ways that matter significantly for businesses operating multiple locations:
- True Multi-Location Architecture
Zenoti was specifically designed for chain operations. A single dashboard provides unified oversight of all locations with centralized guest profiles, cross-location booking capabilities, and consolidated reporting. Enterprise-tier features include franchise support, cross-center redemption with auto-settlement, global loyalty program management, and multi-location inventory pooling.
- AI-First Platform Philosophy
Zenoti has made AI its strategic differentiator with an “AI First” approach. The Zeenie AI assistant allows natural language queries for data access. The AI Receptionist handles calls, books appointments, and manages customer inquiries. Smart Marketing uses predictive analytics to identify slow periods and automatically sends targeted promotions. Zenoti won the 2025 Industry Disruptor Award at Sibec Americas for its AI-driven innovations.
- Enterprise-Grade Analytics
The platform includes 400+ pre-built reports covering financial, operational, inventory, marketing, employee, and guest data. More importantly, it provides predictive analytics including customer churn probability, appointment sales forecasts, and staff hours forecasts. Reports can be customized, saved as views, and scheduled for automatic delivery.
Source: Zenoti
🏅 NOTE: We also evaluated Mindbody and Boulevard for the enterprise segment. While Mindbody has extensive third-party integrations and Boulevard offers a polished experience favored by luxury salons, Zenoti offers a comprehensive AI-first approach combined with multi-location architecture for chains specifically needing centralized management across multiple locations.
Zenoti Pricing
Zenoti offers tiered pricing that varies by business type (Salon & Spa, Barbershop, Medspa, Fitness):
- Growth Plan: Custom pricing, , includes branded online booking, automated waitlists, dynamic pricing, memberships, gift cards, Zeenie AI Copilot, 400+ reports, and 24×7 support
- Hypergrowth Plan: Custom pricing, adds AI Voice Receptionist, AI Reputation Manager, integrated phone with AI insights, custom mobile app, and API access
- Complete Plan: Custom enterprise pricing, adds franchise support, cross-center redemption, global loyalty management, and dedicated success team
Who Should Use Zenoti?
Choose Zenoti if:
- You operate 3+ locations and need genuine centralized control with cross-location client profiles and unified reporting
- You want AI automation to reduce staffing burdens through automated call handling, smart waitlists, and predictive marketing
- You’re willing to invest in a premium platform with the learning curve that comprehensive enterprise features require
Get started with Zenoti today.
3. Vagaro — Best Alternative for Growing Teams Who Want Predictable Pricing
Vagaro is a comprehensive cloud-based business management platform designed for beauty, wellness, and fitness industries that provides an alternative to Fresha’s commission-based marketplace model. Founded in 2009 and valued at $1 billion following its 2021 funding round, Vagaro functions as both a SaaS business management tool and an online marketplace, offering visibility benefits without marketplace commission fees.
Why Choose Vagaro Over Fresha for Growing Teams
Vagaro stands out in several significant ways:
- Transparent, Predictable Pricing
Fresha’s 20% commission on marketplace-acquired new clients can become costly as you grow. Vagaro charges a straightforward £20/month base fee for a single calendar, with £10 added for each additional team member (up to seven, after which additional calendars are free). Critically, Vagaro does not charge any commission on marketplace bookings. A 10-person salon pays approximately £90/month total regardless of how many clients come through the marketplace.
- Comprehensive All-in-One Features
Vagaro includes inventory management with automated low-stock alerts, employee management with tiered commission structures, payroll processing (via add-on), email marketing with 1,000 free emails monthly, Daily Deals promotions, and the MySite website builder. This consolidates what might otherwise require four or five separate subscriptions.
Source: Vagaro
- Strong Integration Ecosystem
Vagaro connects with QuickBooks, Xero, Google Calendar, Gusto for payroll, and offers API access for custom integrations. Social media integrations enable booking buttons directly on Facebook and Instagram profiles.
🏅 NOTE: We also evaluated Boulevard and Mangomint. While Boulevard excels at providing a premium experience for upscale salons and Mangomint offers a modern, developer-friendly approach, Vagaro offers strong value for teams scaling from 5-20+ staff who need extensive functionality without enterprise-level pricing.
Vagaro Pricing
- Base Subscription: £20/month for one calendar with all core features
- Additional Calendars: £10/month per additional user (up to seven, then free)
- Payment Processing: 1.15% + £0.20 for card-present, 1.40% + £0.25 for keyed transactions
Optional add-ons include Branded App (£50 one-time setup + £50/month), MySite website builder (£15/month), and automated text marketing (starting at £15/month for 250 SMS).
Who Should Use Vagaro?
Choose Vagaro if:
- You’re a medium-sized salon team (5-20+ staff) seeking predictable costs without commission structures that penalize growth
- You need an all-in-one platform to consolidate scheduling, inventory, email marketing, and payroll
- Your business relies on existing accounting or marketing tools and needs robust third-party integrations
See how Vagaro can streamline your business.
4. Mindbody — Best Alternative for Multi-Modality Wellness Businesses
Mindbody is a comprehensive cloud-based business management platform serving over 40,000 businesses across fitness, beauty, and integrative health sectors simultaneously. The company traces its origins to 1998 (as HardBody SoftWare) and became MINDBODY in 2001. Where some platforms focus primarily on salon appointment booking, Mindbody was built to accommodate the complexities of class-based scheduling, membership management, and multi-service wellness offerings.
Why Choose Mindbody Over Fresha for Multi-Modality Wellness
Mindbody stands out for businesses operating across multiple wellness verticals:
- Native Class-Based Scheduling
Mindbody natively handles group capacity management, waitlist automation with “First to Claim” SMS notifications, instructor assignment and substitution workflows, and room/resource scheduling. For businesses offering both one-on-one salon appointments and group fitness classes, this unified management provides deep capability in the fitness vertical.
- ClassPass Integration
Through its 2021 acquisition of ClassPass, Mindbody provides direct access to millions of ClassPass members actively seeking wellness services. Promotional tools and dynamic pricing help fill last-minute class openings.
- Video-on-Demand and Livestreaming
Mindbody supports virtual sessions and on-demand content distribution, enabling membership tiers that include digital access and livestreamed classes. For hybrid wellness businesses, this digital capability represents an additional revenue channel.
Source: Mindbody
🏅 NOTE: We also evaluated WellnessLiving and Vagaro. While WellnessLiving offers competitive class scheduling and Vagaro provides an affordable all-in-one solution, Mindbody offers comprehensive multi-modality support for businesses genuinely operating across fitness, beauty, and wellness verticals simultaneously.
Mindbody Pricing
- Starter Plan: $99/month per location with core management tools and marketplace listing
- Accelerate Plan: Custom pricing with advanced analytics and room management
- Ultimate Plan: Custom pricing with automated marketing and lead management
Add-ons include Branded Mobile App and Messenger[ai] chatbot at additional cost. API access includes free sandbox use and the first 1,000+ calls per cycle; fees apply beyond those limits.
Who Should Use Mindbody?
Choose Mindbody if:
- Your business genuinely operates across multiple wellness modalities (yoga studio with beauty services, spa with fitness classes)
- Class-based revenue is central to your business model, not an occasional offering
- You want marketplace discovery through Mindbody’s 2.8 million active users and ClassPass integration
Unlock your salon’s potential with Mindbody.
5. GlossGenius — Best Alternative for Independent Professionals Who Prioritize Premium Design
GlossGenius is a mobile-first business management platform purpose-built for beauty professionals who refuse to compromise on aesthetics. Founded by a former Goldman Sachs analyst who taught herself to code while working as a freelance makeup artist (the company appeared in Techstars NYC’s 2015 cohort and launched its product around 2016), the platform serves over 70,000 businesses with a $510 million valuation. Note: GlossGenius is currently US-only.
Why Choose GlossGenius Over Fresha for Premium Design
GlossGenius distinguishes itself through several philosophical differences:
- Design-First Philosophy
While Fresha prioritizes marketplace functionality, GlossGenius was built with visual elegance as a core requirement. Customizable booking websites with professional themes, curated color palettes, and typography options create experiences that match brand identity. Even the card readers come in customizable patterns.
- Transparent Pricing Without Marketplace Commissions
GlossGenius offers straightforward subscription pricing ($24-$148/month) and a flat 2.6% payment processing fee for standard transactions including card-present and card-on-file. Note that some payment types, such as invoices (2.9% + 30¢) and Buy Now Pay Later (6% + 30¢), carry different rates.
- No Client App or Account Required
Clients can book 24/7 through a branded website without downloading an app or creating an account, removing common booking abandonment triggers.
Source:
🏅 NOTE: We also evaluated Fresha’s free plan and Goldie. While Fresha excels for those who want no upfront costs and value marketplace exposure, and Goldie targets solopreneurs with an extremely streamlined approach, GlossGenius offers a compelling combination of premium aesthetics and focused functionality for independent professionals who prioritize brand presentation.
GlossGenius Pricing
- Standard Plan: $24/month (annual) or $28/month (monthly) with full booking customization and flat 2.6% processing for standard transactions
- Gold Plan: $48/month (annual) with Google Booking integration, automated waitlist, and forms
- Platinum Plan: $148/month (annual) with team commissions, goal setting, and advanced analytics
Who Should Use GlossGenius?
Choose GlossGenius if:
- You’re an independent beauty professional who considers aesthetics non-negotiable in every client touchpoint
- You want predictable costs without marketplace commissions
- You need to be fully operational quickly without technical expertise (US-based businesses only)
Optimize your client experience with GlossGenius.
6. Square Appointments — Best Alternative for Solopreneurs Who Want a Free, Full-Featured System
Square Appointments is a comprehensive scheduling and POS solution from Block, Inc. that combines online booking, calendar management, payment processing, and client management in a single platform. It features a robust free tier that goes beyond basic scheduling, making it attractive for solopreneurs who want powerful tools without monthly subscription costs.
Why Choose Square Appointments Over Fresha for a Free Solution
Square Appointments stands out in several ways:
- Robust Free Plan
The free tier includes unlimited appointments, a customizable booking website, automated reminders, and integrated payment processing (2.6% + 15¢). Users only pay processing fees when accepting payment. Note that some features like Google Calendar sync and cancellation/no-show fee automation may require the paid Plus tier (check current feature availability for your region).
- Embedded Booking for Brand Control
Square allows businesses to embed a booking widget directly into existing websites, keeping the client journey within their branded environment. The free booking website can be customized with layout, colors, and fonts.
- Native Payment Processing
Built-in payment processing supports prepayments, deposits, and cards on file. The platform supports Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, contactless cards, Cash App Pay, and Afterpay for installments.
Source: Square
🏅 NOTE: We also evaluated Fresha’s free plan and Setmore. While Fresha excels at marketplace client acquisition and Setmore offers solid free scheduling, Square Appointments offers a strong free tier for solopreneurs who need integrated payment processing and access to a complete business ecosystem.
Square Appointments Pricing
- Free Plan: $0/month with unlimited appointments, booking website, reminders, and 2.6% + 15¢ processing. Square Assistant is included on all plans.
- Plus Plan: $49/month adding waitlist and lower processing at 2.5% + 15¢. Note: Square Loyalty is a separate add-on with its own fee.
- Premium Plan: $149/month with resource management, 2,500 texts included, and 2.4% + 15¢ processing
Who Should Use Square Appointments?
Choose Square Appointments if:
- You’re a solopreneur who needs a robust free booking system with transparent processing fees
- You want to embed booking on your existing website rather than redirecting to a marketplace
- You already use or plan to use Square for payments and want ecosystem integration
Simplify bookings with Square Appointments.
7. Goldie — Best Alternative for Modern, Mobile-First Solopreneurs
Goldie is a mobile-first appointment scheduling application that serves as a Fresha alternative for independent professionals who want modern booking features without marketplace competition. Originally launched as Appointfix in 2014 and rebranded in 2022, it’s trusted by over 150,000 beauty professionals worldwide.
Why Choose Goldie Over Fresha for Modern Mobile-First Booking
Goldie stands out with several innovative features:
- Direct Booking Without Marketplace Competition
Goldie provides a direct online booking system where professionals maintain complete control over client relationships. Clients see only your services with no competitor listings, and no app download or account creation is required.
- Innovative Revenue Features
The Dynamic Pricing feature (Pro Plus) allows automatic price adjustments based on demand. Integrated Buy Now, Pay Later through Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, and Zip enables clients to pay in installments while professionals receive full payment upfront. Goldie reports that adopting salons have seen approximately 20% revenue increases (vendor-reported statistic).
- AI-Powered Social Media Tools
The AI social media post generator (Pro Plus) creates promotional content and captions, addressing a significant pain point for solo professionals who struggle with marketing content creation.
Source: Goldie
🏅 NOTE: We also evaluated Vagaro and Square Appointments. While Vagaro excels at comprehensive features for larger teams and Square provides ecosystem integration, Goldie offers an intuitive mobile-first experience with innovative features like AI marketing tools and integrated BNPL specifically designed for solopreneurs.
Goldie Pricing
- Starter (Free): 20 appointments/month, unlimited clients, manual reminders
- Pro: $19.99/month with unlimited appointments, automated reminders plus 500 free SMS credits (in select countries; 200 credits in other regions), no-show protection, and BNPL
- Pro Plus: $39.99/month adding dynamic pricing, AI Assistant, multiple calendars, and waitlist
Who Should Use Goldie?
Choose Goldie if:
- You’re a solo professional wanting modern mobile-first booking software without the learning curve of enterprise platforms
- You want innovative revenue features like dynamic pricing and BNPL to maximize earnings
- You struggle with marketing and would benefit from AI-powered social media content generation
Manage your bookings efficiently with Goldie.
The Final Verdict
While Fresha excels as an accessible entry point for salons wanting free software with built-in marketplace visibility, businesses with specific requirements often benefit from more specialized tools. Based on our research, here are the best alternatives:
- Salon Booking System for WordPress users who want full control, deep customization, multi-service booking capabilities, and a partnership approach with responsive support and accessible custom development
- Zenoti for enterprise multi-location chains needing AI-powered automation and centralized management
- Vagaro for growing teams seeking transparent, predictable pricing without marketplace commissions
- Mindbody for multi-modality wellness businesses combining salon services with fitness classes
- GlossGenius for independent professionals who prioritize premium design and brand presentation (US only)
- Square Appointments for solopreneurs wanting a genuinely free system with integrated payments
- Goldie for mobile-first solopreneurs who want modern features like dynamic pricing and AI marketing tools
Remember, you don’t have to choose between Fresha and these alternatives exclusively. Many businesses successfully use different tools for different purposes as their needs evolve. Consider your specific requirements, technical environment (particularly if you have a WordPress site), and growth trajectory when deciding which solution fits best.
Ready to take control of your salon’s booking experience with WordPress-native integration, predictable annual pricing, and a team that treats you as a partner? Start your free 15-day trial of Salon Booking System and discover how owning your booking system can transform your client relationships.
