SalonOS · Salon management software vs Fresha
Fresha is a global booking platform with a free plan and a consumer marketplace. SalonOS is software only: you keep your client relationships and pay a flat price per branch. Which is cheaper depends on your team size and how many clients you win through a marketplace.
Side by side
| Feature | SalonOS | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat per branch: from £27.50 a month + VAT. No per-staff fees, 0% commission. | Free plans for a solo professional and for teams, with paid add-ons charged per bookable team member, per its pricing page. Rates vary by country, so check Fresha's page for your market. |
| Marketplace | No marketplace and no commission on your clients. | Consumer marketplace. A one-time fee applies to new clients who find you there; clients who come from your own website or social links are not charged. The amount is on Fresha's page. |
| Text and WhatsApp messages | WhatsApp inbox, campaigns and reminders, with consent checks before marketing sends. | Automated texts and WhatsApp messages have a free monthly allowance and are charged per message after that. Marketing texts are charged per message. |
| Trial | 14-day free trial. | A 7-day free trial is listed for teams. |
| AI | WhatsApp AI front desk that books against your real calendar and hands off to your team. | Not described on the pricing page we checked. |
| Multi-location | Multi-brand and multi-location with per-location roles. | Supported. |
Fresha details come from its public pages and reviews, checked November 2026, and may have changed. If something is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.
Fresha may fit better if
- You are a solo professional or a small team and a free plan matters most.
- You want a consumer marketplace to bring new clients and accept a fee for it.
SalonOS may fit better if
- You want to own the client relationship and your client conversations.
- You want one price per branch that does not rise with each team member.
- You want an AI receptionist that books against your real calendar.
Questions owners ask
Does SalonOS take a commission?
No. SalonOS charges a flat monthly price per branch and takes 0% commission on your clients.
Is Fresha really free?
Fresha lists free plans, with paid add-ons and per-message charges beyond a free allowance. Check its current page for your country before you compare.