Fresha Review 2026
Fresha offers free salon software with a client marketplace. But the hidden costs may surprise you. Here's our comprehensive review.
Rating Breakdown
Overview
Fresha (formerly Shedul) has disrupted the salon software market by offering its core platform completely free. Instead of subscription fees, Fresha earns revenue through payment processing fees and a 20% commission on new clients acquired through its marketplace. The platform is modern, user-friendly, and includes booking, POS, and inventory management. However, the 20% marketplace commission can add up significantly, and like all traditional booking platforms, Fresha offers no phone answering features.
FreshaPricing
- Unlimited users
- Online booking
- Calendar management
- Client profiles
- New client commission
- Marketplace listing
- Discovery features
- In-store payments
- Online payments
- Tap-to-pay
DeskBuddy comparison: AI phone answering from $39.90/month with generous call allowances. No per-user fees.
Key Features
Free Booking Software
Completely free appointment scheduling, calendar management, and client profiles. No user limits.
Client Marketplace
List your business on Fresha's marketplace app. Clients discover and book your services. 20% commission on new marketplace clients.
POS System
Accept payments in-store and online. Supports multiple payment methods and tipping.
Inventory Management
Track product stock, set low-stock alerts, and manage retail sales alongside services.
Marketing Tools
Automated email campaigns, new client offers, and review collection.
Team Management
Manage staff schedules, commissions, and performance — all at no cost.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Core software is completely free — no subscription fees
- Modern, clean interface that's easy to use
- Built-in client marketplace for discovery
- Unlimited staff members at no cost
- POS and inventory management included
- Available in 120+ countries
✗ Cons
- 20% commission on marketplace-acquired clients is expensive
- No phone answering features
- Limited customization options for booking pages
- Payment processing fees apply to all transactions
- Can't export client data easily
- No bilingual phone support
Best For
- New salons wanting free software to start
- Beauty businesses looking for a modern booking experience
- Salons wanting marketplace exposure
- Businesses with primarily online-booking clientele
Not Ideal For
- Established salons wanting to avoid marketplace commissions
- Businesses with high phone call volume
- Salons serving bilingual communities
- Those needing advanced reporting and analytics
Our Verdict
Fresha's free model is genuinely impressive — getting full salon software with no subscription is remarkable. However, the 20% marketplace commission means 'free' has a hidden cost. For salons receiving phone calls (which is most of them), the complete lack of phone answering is a critical gap. Adding DeskBuddy at $39.90/month gives you AI phone answering that converts callers into bookings — often paying for itself with just 2-3 captured appointments per month.
Try the AI-Powered Alternative
DeskBuddy answers every call with AI — 24/7. Start free today.
Start Free Trial