Fresha ended its free plan and now charges a subscription plus a 20% commission on new marketplace clients. Salonist charges one flat fee with no commission on your bookings. Switching takes about a week and your client data comes with you.
You chose Fresha because it was free. It is not free any more.
Here is what the change actually costs you and why salons are moving.
What Changed With Fresha
Fresha removed its free plan in 2025. Reported pricing now sits around $19.95 a month for a solo user. Team plans run around $14.95 per bookable team member.
The subscription is only part of it. Fresha also takes a 20% commission on new clients who book through its marketplace with a minimum fee. Card processing sits on top again.
That is three layers of cost. Your bill now moves with how busy you are.
The 20% Problem
This is the reason most salons leave. You pay a percentage on clients you may have brought in yourself.
Run the Numbers
Twenty new clients in a month at an average first visit of $80.
- That is $1600 of new client revenue
- A 20% commission takes $320
- Add the subscription and the card fees on top
Now consider where those clients came from. If you ran ads or posted on social then you already paid to attract them.
You pay once for the marketing and again when they arrive. That is the part owners find hardest to accept.
Salonist charges a flat subscription. No commission on your bookings and no percentage on clients you earned.
12 Reasons to Switch
1. Your Bill Stops Moving
A flat subscription does not rise when you have a good month. You can budget twelve months ahead.
2. No Commission on Your Own Clients
Every booking you generate is yours. There is no percentage taken off the top.
3. Reporting That Goes Deeper
Bookings and revenue are the basics. Salonist reporting adds staff productivity and client value and service performance.
Those are the numbers that tell you where a salon is leaking money.
4. Payment Options That Suit Your Market
More than 40 integrations including Stripe and PayPal and Razorpay. Gulf rails such as Tap and Tabby and Tamara and Ziina and KNET are supported.
This matters enormously if you trade outside the US and UK.
5. An App With Your Name On It
Clients book through an app carrying your salon brand rather than a platform brand. Available on the Expert plan.
6. Real Inventory Control
Centralised stock across locations with low quantity alerts and transfers between sites. See inventory management.
7. Memberships and Recurring Revenue
Sell monthly and annual plans from your booking page with automatic renewals. Membership plans turn regulars into predictable income.
8. Payroll and Commissions Built In
Schedules and commissions and payroll and role permissions in one place. Staff management includes KPI reporting per person.
9. Twelve Languages With Right to Left
Switchable per user. Arabic runs properly across the calendar and the point of sale and the receipts.
10. Marketing You Own
Email and SMS campaigns and coupons and loyalty points and review requests from one dashboard. Your client list stays yours.
11. Multi Location Without the Workarounds
Transfer stock between branches and track memberships across sites. One dashboard for every location.
12. Support That Answers
Onboarding help and data migration rather than a help centre article and good luck.
Side by Side
| Feature | Fresha | Salonist |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Subscription plus commission | Flat subscription |
| Commission on new clients | 20% on marketplace bookings | None |
| Predictable monthly bill | No | Yes |
| Branded client app | Fresha branded | Under your own salon name |
| Payment integrations | Fresha payments | 40+ including Gulf rails |
| Languages | Multiple | 12 with right to left support |
| Inventory across locations | Basic tracking | Centralised with transfers |
| Memberships | Limited | Full plans with auto renewal |
| Data migration help | Self serve | Done for you |
| Free trial | No free tier now | 7 days with no card |
What You Keep When You Switch?
This is the worry that stops most owners. You lose nothing.
- Your full client list with contact details
- Appointment history and past bookings
- Your service menu and pricing
- Staff records and schedules
- Product and stock lists
Salonist imports it for you rather than handing you a spreadsheet and wishing you luck.
How to Switch in a Week?
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Start your free trial and export your Fresha data |
| Day 2 | Salonist imports clients and services and history |
| Day 3 | Set your menu and prices and staff rotas |
| Day 4 | Test a few bookings and payments yourself |
| Days 5 to 7 | Run both systems in parallel so nothing slips |
| Day 8 | Update your booking links and social profiles |
Pick a quiet week rather than the run up to a holiday. Tell clients the booking link is changing.
Common Worries About Switching
"I will lose my clients." Your client list is yours. It exports and imports intact.
"My team will struggle to learn it." Most salons are comfortable within a few days. Onboarding is included.
"I will lose marketplace bookings." Salonist has its own marketplace at salonist.io/cs and it takes no commission from you.
"It is not the right time." Every month you wait is another month of commission on clients you earned.
To be straight with you there is one case where staying makes sense. A brand new stylist with no client list may find Fresha's marketplace reach worth the fee. Once you have regulars the maths turns against you fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fresha still free?
No. Fresha removed its free plan in 2025. Reported pricing starts around $19.95 a month for solo users.
What is Fresha's new client fee?
A 20% commission on new clients booked through its marketplace with a minimum fee applied.
Does Salonist charge commission?
No. Salonist charges a flat subscription. Bookings you generate carry no percentage fee.
Will I lose my client data if I switch?
No. Export from Fresha and Salonist imports your clients and services and appointment history for you.
How long does switching take?
About a week. Run both systems in parallel for a few days before you fully move.
Can I try Salonist before committing?
Yes. Seven days free with no card required and no obligation.
Ready to Switch?
The question is simple. Are you paying a percentage on clients you brought in yourself?
If the answer is yes then run the numbers on your last three months. Most owners are surprised by the total.
Then start your free trial and bring your data with you. Check current plans on the pricing page.
