Fresha Cost 2026: Why "Free" Isn't Free

Quick answer: Fresha markets itself as free salon software — and for pure software use, that's largely true. Fresha makes its money on marketplace commission (market-typical ~20% on new-client bookings sent through the Fresha marketplace) plus payment fees on online payments, and sometimes fees for SMS/no-show protection. At very low volume that's cheap — as soon as bookings run through the marketplace regularly, it quickly becomes more expensive than any fixed flat rate.

"Free" salon software sounds unbeatable. And Fresha is a good product with a genuinely free core. But "free" here means: no software subscription — not "you'll never pay anything". This article explains transparently where Fresha actually costs money in 2026, works out the tipping point concretely, and shows when a commission-free alternative pays off.

Note: Fresha terms vary by country, booking channel and feature, and change over time. The figures here are a market-typical guide for 2026 — not binding. You'll get the binding terms directly from Fresha.

How the Fresha model works

Fresha is software plus a marketplace. At its core, the business model has three components:

1. Free software base: Calendar, customer management and your own booking page are largely free. That's the honest part of "free".
2. Marketplace commission: For new clients who come to you via the Fresha marketplace/app, a percentage is charged per booking — market-typical around 20% on that new client's first booking.
3. Payment & add-on fees: Online payments incur a card fee; features like SMS reminders or no-show protection can cost extra.

The decisive point: as long as clients book through your own link, it's cheap. As soon as Fresha "refers" them as a marketplace, the commission kicks in.

A concrete calculation: where the costs arise

Example at ~20% marketplace commission on a €60 average ticket, plus estimated payment fees on online payments:

Marketplace new clients/month	Commission (20%)	Per year
10	~€120	~€1,440
25	~€300	~€3,600
50	~€600	~€7,200

For comparison, a fixed, commission-free flat rate (e.g. €59/month = €708/year):

Marketplace bookings/month	Fresha ~20%	Flat rate €59	Difference/month
10	~€120	€59	−€61
25	~€300	€59	−€241
50	~€600	€59	−€541

Tipping point: From around 25–30 marketplace bookings/month, the fixed flat rate is clearly ahead — and the gap widens with every additional referred booking. On top of that come payment fees, which apply in both models but don't change the picture in the flat rate's favour.

What else costs money under "free"

Beyond commission, there are costs that don't show up on the invoice:

• Data ownership: Marketplace clients tend to "belong" to the platform. Direct re-engagement (recall, birthday campaign) is more restricted than with your own clients.
• Price competition: In the marketplace, your salon sits right next to the competitor down the street — pressure on price.
• Add-on fees: SMS, no-show protection and advanced features can cost extra individually and add up.
• Dependency: The more revenue runs through the marketplace, the harder it is to leave later.

When Fresha is still worth it

To be fair: the free core and the marketplace have real value.

• Start with no fixed costs: If you're just starting out with little volume, you pay almost nothing.
• New-client reach: The marketplace brings visibility that's hard to build on your own.
• Very low volume: Below ~25 marketplace bookings/month, commission is lower than any flat rate.

The smart strategy is often: keep the marketplace for new-client acquisition, and move your regulars onto your own, commission-free page.

The commission-free alternative

A fixed flat rate (like EazyBooking from €59/month) flips the logic: a predictable fixed price, no commission per booking, full data ownership, your own brand and direct Stripe cash flow. Anyone who regularly receives marketplace bookings comes out cheaper past the tipping point. Details in the Fresha alternative comparison. The concrete switch is covered in Leaving Fresha.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is Fresha really free?

The software base (calendar, customer management, your own booking page) is largely free. Fresha makes money through marketplace commission on referred new clients and through payment fees. So "free" means: no subscription — not "never any cost".

Exactly how high is the Fresha commission?

Market-typical around 20% on new-client bookings referred through the Fresha marketplace. Bookings via your own link are usually commission-free. You'll get the binding rates for your country directly from Fresha.

From when does a flat rate pay off more?

Rule of thumb: from ~25–30 marketplace bookings/month. At 50 referred bookings you save roughly €540/month with a €59 flat rate.

Do I also pay for regulars at Fresha?

Bookings via your own Fresha link are usually commission-free — the ~20% applies mainly to marketplace-referred new clients. Payment fees on online payments can still apply independently.

Should I leave Fresha entirely?

Not necessarily. Many salons keep the marketplace as a pure acquisition channel and move regulars onto their own commission-free page. See Leaving Fresha and the comparison.

Are the stated figures binding?

No — a market-typical guide for 2026, not binding. Terms vary by country/channel/feature and change over time. Check current figures with the provider.

Next steps

• → Fresha vs. EazyBooking comparison
• → Leaving Fresha — migration in 5 steps
• → Understand the Treatwell commission model
• → Try EazyBooking free for 14 days

"Free" at Fresha isn't a fairy tale, but it isn't the full picture either — it's a success-based price that rises with every referred booking. Anyone who regularly gets marketplace bookings and does the annual math comes out cheaper with a commission-free flat rate past the tipping point.