Fresha has become one of the most popular booking platforms for salons and beauty professionals. Its biggest selling point: free booking software. No monthly subscription, no setup fees — just sign up and start accepting appointments.

But if you've used Fresha for a while, you've probably noticed the trade-offs. The platform monetizes through payment processing fees, which means every transaction costs you a percentage. And because Fresha operates as a marketplace, your clients can browse — and book — your competitors right from the same platform.

If you're looking for something different — more control, lower fees, better branding — here are the best Fresha alternatives and how they compare.

How Fresha makes money

Understanding Fresha's business model is key to understanding why alternatives might be better for your business. Fresha offers free software to attract professionals, then generates revenue in two ways:

→Payment processing fees. Fresha takes a cut of every transaction processed through its payment system. These fees vary by region but typically range from 1.5% to 2.9% plus a fixed fee per transaction.
→Marketplace commissions. Fresha operates a consumer marketplace (fresha.com) where clients can discover and book professionals. While this gives you exposure, it also means clients can easily switch to another pro.

If you're processing a high volume of payments, those fees add up quickly. And the marketplace model means Fresha's incentives aren't fully aligned with yours — they win when clients browse, not just when they book with you.

Top Fresha alternatives

radiusHQ

Free for solo pros with zero transaction fees. Branded storefront with built-in booking. No marketplace competition.

Booksy

Popular salon booking with marketplace discovery. Charges commission on bookings and payment processing fees.

Square Appointments

Integrated with Square POS. Free tier available. Requires Square payment processing for full functionality.

Acuity Scheduling

Full-featured scheduler with class/package management. Monthly subscription, no transaction fees. No marketplace.

Vagaro

All-in-one salon management with marketplace. Subscription + payment processing fees. Full POS and inventory.

Feature comparison: radiusHQ vs Fresha

Feature	Fresha	radiusHQ
Free for solo pros	✓	✓
Transaction fees	1.5%–2.9%	0%
Marketplace model	Yes	No
Branded storefront	Limited	Full
Service catalog	✓	✓
Automated reminders	✓	✓
No client sign-up	Required	Not needed
Team scheduling	✓	✓
Client sends competitors	Yes	Never

Pricing: the hidden cost of free

Fresha's "free" comes with a catch. Every time a client pays through Fresha's payment system, you lose a percentage. For a busy solo pro doing $5,000/month in transactions at 2.5%, that's $125/month in fees — $1,500/year. For a team of five, the numbers scale fast.

radiusHQ is free for solo professionals with zero transaction fees. You keep 100% of what you earn. Team plans start at $19/month — no percentage cuts, no hidden fees. The pricing is transparent and predictable.

The marketplace problem

Fresha's marketplace is a double-edged sword. Yes, it can bring discovery clients. But it also means your clients see other professionals in your area, compare prices, and potentially switch. Your Fresha page becomes a shopping window where you're competing on price with the pro down the street.

With radiusHQ, there's no marketplace. Your page is yours. Clients find you through your own channels — Instagram, Google, word of mouth — and book on your branded storefront. No competing listings. No price comparisons. No platform suggesting alternatives.

The bottom line

Fresha solves a real problem: free booking for salon pros. But the costs add up through transaction fees, and the marketplace model puts you in competition with your peers. If you want a booking platform that aligns with your business — not against it — consider an alternative that gives you full control, zero transaction fees, and a direct client relationship.

Fresha Alternatives