Fresha
Learn about Fresha salon management software for small businesses. Includes info on Fresha, pricing, comparisons to competitors, and FAQs.
Updated on January 31st, 2023
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Fresha, formerly Shedul, is intuitive salon management software designed to streamline appointments, boost sales, and retain customers. The mobile app is used by over 250,000 professionals in 120 countries and is available on both iOS and Android.
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At-a-Glance:
Feature | Fresha |
|---|---|
Starting price | 20% new client fee. |
Online bookings | ✓ |
Point of sale (POS) | ✓ |
Inventory management | ✓ |
No-show protection | ✓ |
Multiple location management | ✓ |
Reporting and analytics | ✓ |
Review:
Fresha is a top-rated software solution that is suited to a wide range of businesses in the beauty, health, and wellness industries. The platform is user-friendly and allows customers to book appointments via the app, social media, or your business website. What's more, customers can easily find your business in their area by browsing the Fresha marketplace.
Fresha allows businesses to easily manage appointments, process payments, track inventory, create marketing campaigns, and monitor analytics from a live dashboard. This enables businesses to cultivate their brand and attract and retain new customers. Unlike other platforms, Fresha offers unlimited appointment bookings, team members, locations, and reporting.
Pros:
- Fresha is intuitive and easy to use for both business owners and customers.
- Users can create a business page on the Fresha marketplace to attract customers and promote their products and services.
- Customers can easily book appointments with one click on a desktop or mobile device.
- Useful features such as self-booking, calendar syncing, and inventory management help to streamline your daily operations.
- A built-in point of sale (POS) allows users to easily process and track online payments.
- The app allows you to create a client list and request that clients fill out application forms ahead of time.
- Users can target client groups with filtering tools, customized messages, promotions, and discounts.
- Clients who miss appointments can be charged a no-show or late cancellation fee.
- The platform integrates with Facebook and Instagram for wider exposure.
- Fresha is available in multiple languages, including Spanish and French.
Cons:
- A 20% new client fee is charged for appointments made via the platform.
- Blast campaign emails incur extra charges.
- There is no phone support.
Reputation:
Fresha received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Capterra based on over 1,200 reviews, praising the app's ease of use, integrated payments, and range of features.
On TrustPilot, the platform received 3.5 out of 5 stars based on over 30 reviews, which were mixed. Some customers cited the app's free features and customer support as positives, while others lamented the platform's 20% new client fee.
Pricing:
Fresha is free to use; however, users are charged a 20% one-off fee when a new customer books an appointment via the Fresha marketplace or app. A small transaction fee also applies to all payments made using the "Send" link or Fresha credit card terminal. Fees vary by location.
The new client fee does not apply to existing clients that are already saved to your Fresha Partner account, or any clients who book an appointment or purchase a product through your business website or social media pages through the dedicated URL.
Fresha vs. Timely:
Timely is a feature-rich platform that helps salon and spa owners run their businesses more efficiently. Their plans start from $11.00 per user per month; however, the starter plan does not include online payments and deposits or consultation forms. Comparatively, Fresha lacks many useful integrations, such as Quickbooks, which Timely offers.
Fresha vs. Timely Comparison:
Feature | Fresha | Timely |
|---|---|---|
Starting price | 20% new client fee; free thereafter. | $11.00 /user /mo. |
Free trial | n/a | ✓ (14 days) |
Online appointments | ✓ | ✓ |
Auto reminders | ✓ | ✓ |
Contactless payments | ✓ | ✓ |
Inventory management | ✓ | ✓ |
Video consultations | x | ✓ |
No-show/Cancellation fees | ✓ | ✓ |
Email & text marketing | ✓ | ✓ |
Reports | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer support | Email and chat. | Email, phone, chat. |
Fresha vs. Vagaro:
Vagaro is web-based software available on desktop and mobile. Pricing starts from $25.00 for one user and increases by $10.00 per employee, thus it may become costly for salon owners with sizeable teams. Furthermore, the platform charges extra for add-ons such as automated texts and online forms, whereas these are free with Fresha.
Fresha vs. Vagaro Comparison:
Feature | Fresha | Vagaro |
|---|---|---|
Starting price | 20% new client fee; free thereafter. | From $25.00 /mo. |
Free trial | n/a | ✓ (30 days) |
Online appointments | ✓ | ✓ |
Auto reminders | ✓ | ✓ |
Contactless payments | ✓ | ✓ |
Inventory management | ✓ | ✓ |
Video consultations | x | x |
No-show/Cancellation fees | ✓ | ✓ |
Email & text marketing | ✓ | ✓ |
Reports | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer support | Email and chat. | Email, phone, chat. |
Fresha vs. Square Appointments:
Square Appointments is a solid solution with comparable features to Fresha. They have a free basic plan and two premium tiers depending on your needs. However, the free plan lacks multiple location management and no-show protection, which Fresha offers. Comparatively, Square Appointments offers SEO tools and phone support, which Fresha lacks.
Fresha vs. Square Appointments Comparison:
Feature | Fresha | Square Appointments |
|---|---|---|
Starting price | 20% new client fee; free thereafter. | Free and paid options. |
Free trial | n/a | n/a |
Online appointments | ✓ | ✓ |
Auto reminders | ✓ | ✓ |
Contactless payments | ✓ | ✓ |
Inventory management | ✓ | ✓ |
Video consultations | x | x |
No-show/Cancellation fees | ✓ | ✓ |
Email & text marketing | ✓ | ✓ |
Reports | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer support | Email and chat. | Email, phone, chat. |
Key Information:
Legal Name | Fresha.com |
Founder | |
Founding Date | Jan 01, 2015 |
Address | London, U.K. |
Number of Employees | 200 |
Number of Customers | 300000 |
Website |
FAQs:
Is Fresha secure?
Yes. Fresha uses SSL encryption and user data is backed up every few minutes on an encrypted cloud database. In addition, all hardware is equipped with firewalls.
How does Fresha make money?
Fresha charges businesses a one-off fee every time a new customer books an appointment via their marketplace website or app.
Is Fresha free to use?
Yes, Fresha is free to use; however, they charge a 20% new client fee when a customer books an appointment via the app or marketplace. Appointments made by returning customers do not incur this charge. You can also import your existing client list to the app to avoid charges.
How does the Fresha booking system work?
You can add a booking link to your business website and social media accounts. Customers can also book appointments through the Fresha marketplace.
How do I contact Fresha?
You can contact Fresha via email or live chat.
Can Fresha take deposits?
Yes. Fresha allows you to accept deposits or full payments upfront.
How many customers does Fresha have?
According to Fresha, over 400 million appointments have been booked through the site.
How do I put my business on Fresha?
You can sign up for a "Partner" account on Fresha. Once you've signed up, you can set up a marketplace profile from your dashboard.
Does Fresha work with Square?
No. Fresha does not integrate with Square; however, users can process payments directly through the app or in-store card terminals.
Where is Fresha based?
Fresha is headquartered in London, U.K., and has offices in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Poland, and the U.A.E.
Can you connect Fresha to Facebook?
Yes. You can add an online booking link or a "Book Now" button to your Facebook profile from your dashboard.
Is Fresha only for salons?
No. Fresha is suitable for a wide range of service-based businesses, including barbershops, therapy centers, gyms, and tattoo and piercing studios.
What are Fresha's pros and cons?
Read our thorough review of Fresha, with pros and cons as well as comparisons to its top competitors.
Does Fresha have pricing packages?
No. Fresha does not have monthly plans or subscriptions.
Where can I read Fresha Plus reviews?
You can read our comprehensive review of Fresha, including comparisons to its top competitors.