If you’ve been in the hair and beauty industry for a while, you’ve probably heard of Fresha.
For years, it’s been a popular choice for salons and therapists looking for free booking software.

But recently, more and more professionals have been asking:

“Is Fresha still the best option for my business?”

With new fees, commission charges, and added costs now in place, some salons are starting to look for alternatives and that’s where The Hair & Beauty Directory (HABD) comes in.

In this article, we’ll compare Fresha’s model with HABD so you can make an informed choice.

Fresha started out offering free software for appointment booking, client management, and payment processing.
Today, their platform combines two things:

1. Salon Management Tools

   • Online booking

   • Client record keeping

   • Payment processing

   • Inventory management

2. A Public Marketplace

   • Your salon is listed on Fresha’s site/app

   • Clients can find and book you directly

Costs

While it was originally free, Fresha now charges:

• Commission on bookings made through their marketplace

• Payment processing fees for card transactions

• Charges for no-shows and late cancellations
  (Exact percentages are listed on Fresha’s own pricing page.)

HABD is a visibility platform built by an award-winning salon owner for other professionals.

It focuses on:

1. Independent Google Ranking

   • Your profile is structured to be found directly in Google searches, just like a standalone website.

2. No Booking Commissions

   • You keep 100% of your booking revenue.

   • You can link to any booking system you choose — Fresha, Ovatu, Timely, or your own.

3. Verified Professional Standards

   • We check qualifications, insurance, and experience.

   • Clients know they’re booking with a trained, insured professional.

4. Niche SEO Tags

   • Menopause-informed, trauma-aware, neurodiverse-aware, LGBTQ+ friendly, eco-conscious, and more.

Costs

• Flat rate: £99/year

• No commission, no payment fees, no upselling.

If you’re thinking about moving away from Fresha, it’s not just about leaving one platform — it’s an opportunity to choose a booking app that truly suits your business.

There are many free and low-cost booking systems available that give you:

• Automated reminders so clients never forget appointments

• Signed terms and conditions stored for compliance

• Digital consultation forms that update automatically in client files

• Aftercare instructions sent instantly once a service is complete

In my own salon, I favour booking systems that automate as much as possible.
That means I can focus on clients instead of admin, everything from reminders to consultation forms runs in the background.

And here’s the key:

Clients visit our website, click “Book Now,” and never even realise the booking is handled by a separate system.

By choosing the right booking tool for you, you get to:

• Keep control of your client data

• Avoid paying commission on every appointment

• Create a smoother experience for both you and your clients

Which One Is Right for You?

If you need full salon management software and are happy to pay commission and fees in exchange for marketplace exposure, Fresha can be a useful tool.

If your priority is keeping all your booking revenue, controlling your client list, and ranking independently on Google — without ongoing charges, The Hair & Beauty Directory offers a simpler, more predictable option.

Thinking of Switching?

We know moving away from a system like Fresha can feel daunting.
That’s why HABD members get:

• Step-by-step guidance on linking their existing booking system to their profile

• SEO tips to maximise Google ranking

• The option to highlight niche services and inclusion tags clients are actively searching for

📢 Take back your bookings — join The Hair & Beauty Directory today.
Join Now →