Bookatu vs Fresha
Fresha alternatives in 2026: prices, fees and who each one suits
In short
Fresha now charges a monthly subscription (in New Zealand, from NZ$44.95 a month) plus a one-time 20% fee on each new client from its marketplace. If you are looking elsewhere, the table below lists Fresha and nine alternatives with the starting price each vendor's own pricing page showed on the day we checked, how each one charges, and who it suits. Bookatu is one of them: from US$9 a month after a 90-day free trial, with 0% commission.
We compare the pricing model, not just the headline number. A low starting price can rise quickly with each staff member, location or marketplace client, so the table says what each price follows. Prices are in the currency and for the country the vendor's page showed us, before tax.
Prices and fees, side by side
| Product | Price model | Starting price | Commission and card fees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BookatuOur pricing page | One monthly plan, sized by how many clients you served in the last 90 days, never per staff member. US$9 to US$179 a month. | US$9 a monthAfter a 90-day free trial. US$8 a month billed yearly. | 0% on every booking. Stripe's card fees apply to deposits. | Independent salons, barbers, spas, studios and trainers who want their own booking page and a price that does not rise with staff. |
| FreshaCountry: New Zealandfresha.com/pricing | Monthly subscription. Independent is NZ$44.95 a month for one calendar; Team is NZ$29.95 per team member a month. 7-day trial. | NZ$44.95 a month | A one-time 20% fee on each new client from its marketplace, at least NZ$7. None on returning clients. Card fees 2.49% + NZ$0.30. | Businesses that want new clients from a large marketplace and are happy to pay per team member. |
| TimelyCountry: New Zealandgettimely.com/pricing | Priced by team size. Base, for one staff member, is NZ$9 a month. Build is NZ$42 a month for each staff member, up to seven. Prices exclude GST. 14-day trial. | NZ$9 a month | No booking commission listed on its pricing page. Card fees 2.49% + 5¢ in person, 2.90% + 30¢ online. | Hair and beauty teams that are small and settled, and happy to pay per staff member. |
| BooksyCountry: United Statesbiz.booksy.com/en-us/pricing | US$29.99 a month, plus US$20 a month for each extra staff member. 14-day trial. | US$29.99 a month | Boost is optional: a one-time 30% fee on a new client's first visit, up to US$100, only while Boost is on. Card fees 2.69% + US$0.30 for mobile payments. | Barbers and salons that want a consumer booking app and an optional new-client marketplace. |
| VagaroCountry: Australiavagaro.com/en-au/pro/pricing | Monthly subscription for each location, priced by bookable calendars: AU$45 a month for one, more for each extra calendar up to seven. 30-day trial. | AU$45 a month | No booking commission listed on its pricing page. Card fees: see their pricing page. | Salons, spas and fitness businesses that want many tools and a marketplace listing from one company. |
| Square AppointmentsCountry: United Statessquareup.com/us/en/appointments/pricing | Square Free has no monthly fee. Plus is US$49 and Premium US$149 a month for each location. 30-day trial of Plus and Premium. | No monthly fee | No booking commission. Card fees on Square Free: 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.3% + 30¢ online; lower on the paid plans. | Businesses in a country Square serves that want its card readers and point of sale with booking. |
| GlossGeniusglossgenius.com/pricing | Flat monthly plans by feature level (Standard, Gold, Platinum), cheaper billed yearly. 14-day trial. | See their pricing page | No booking commission listed on its pricing page. Card fees: see their pricing page. | Beauty and wellness businesses, including medspas, that want flat plans by feature level. |
| Setmoresetmore.com/pricing | A tier with no monthly fee for up to 4 users. Pro is priced per user, cheaper billed yearly. | No monthly fee | No booking commission listed on its pricing page. | Small teams in many kinds of business that need simple appointment booking. |
| GoldieCountry: United Statesheygoldie.com/pricing | Starter has no monthly fee but allows 20 appointments a month for one user. Pro is US$19.99 a month; Pro Plus, for teams, is US$39.99. | No monthly fee | No booking commission listed on its pricing page. | Solo beauty professionals who are just starting out. |
| Kitombakitomba.com/kitomba-pricing | No prices published. The quote depends on the package, the features and the number of staff. | See their pricing page | No booking commission listed on its pricing page. | Hair, beauty and barber businesses that prefer a guided demo and a tailored quote. |
Competitor prices are as each company's own pricing page showed them on the date under each source, for the country named, before tax. They change and vary by country, so check the linked page before you decide.
Who should not pick Bookatu
- You want a marketplace to bring you new clients. Fresha, Booksy and Vagaro each run one; Bookatu has no marketplace of that size.
- You take only a few bookings a month and want to pay nothing. Square, Setmore and Goldie each list a tier with no monthly fee; Bookatu costs from US$9 a month once the 90-day trial ends.
- You want card readers and payments from the same company as your booking software. Bookatu does not sell card readers: deposits go through your own Stripe account, and card payments taken on your own terminal are recorded in Bookatu.
- You run a medical or health clinic that must keep clinical records under health privacy law. Bookatu is not built for that yet.
The bottom line
Pick by what your price will follow as you grow. Per staff member (Timely, Fresha Team, Booksy) suits a small, settled team. Per location or calendar (Square, Vagaro) suits one site. Per active client (Bookatu) suits a business whose team grows faster than its client list. A tier with no monthly fee (Square Free, Setmore, Goldie Starter) suits someone just starting out.
Then check the fees on top: marketplace fees on new clients, card fees on every payment, and paid add-ons. Every figure above links to the page it came from, so check it again before you switch.
Ready to go independent?
Bookatu gives you a branded booking page, deposits, memberships, gift cards and reminders, with 0% commission on your bookings and deposits paid into your own Stripe account.
Start freeCommon questions
What is the best Fresha alternative?
It depends on how you get clients and how your team is set up. If Fresha's marketplace sends you few new clients, a tool whose pricing page lists no new-client fee, such as Bookatu, Timely, Vagaro or GlossGenius, avoids that cost. If you work alone with few bookings, a tier with no monthly fee, like Setmore's or Goldie Starter, may be enough.
Is there a Fresha alternative with no commission?
Yes. Bookatu takes 0% commission on every booking. Of the others we checked, Timely, Vagaro, GlossGenius, Setmore, Goldie and Kitomba list no booking commission on their pricing pages, and Square charges card fees but no booking commission. Booksy's 30% fee applies only if you turn on Boost.
Does Fresha charge a monthly fee now?
Yes. In New Zealand its pricing page lists Independent at NZ$44.95 a month and Team at NZ$29.95 per team member a month, before tax, with a 7-day trial.
How do I switch from Fresha without losing clients?
Export your client list as a CSV file, import it into your new tool, then send your clients your new booking link. Your clients came for you, not for an app. Our guide on leaving Fresha or Booksy walks through it step by step.