Reviewed: 29 September 2026. Written by Salonier, one of the products compared. This is a comparison of published features and pricing, not an independent hands-on benchmark.
Choosing between Fresha, Booksy and Salonier starts with your own diary: how clients find you, how many people need a calendar, and what happens when a booking changes. A long feature list is useful only if it supports the work you actually do.
This guide is for UK salon owners, barbers and independent beauty professionals. Use the comparison below to build a shortlist, then test one real service before moving your clients.
Fresha vs Booksy vs Salonier: the quick comparison
| What you need to compare | Fresha | Booksy | Salonier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking approach | Marketplace and direct booking links | Marketplace and direct booking links | Shareable booking page for clients you attract |
| Published software pricing model | Independent and Team subscriptions; confirm UK rates | £40/month plus £5 per additional user, before VAT | Starter £24, Growth £48 or Pro £96 per month, before applicable VAT |
| Other charges to check | Processing, marketplace acquisition and optional extras | Processing and optional Boost acquisition fees | Deposit platform fees of 2%, 1% or 0%, respectively, plus Stripe processing |
| Deposits and attendance | Upfront payments and cancellation tools listed | No-show protection listed | Fixed or percentage deposits, policy templates and email notifications |
| Decision to test | Does the broader salon-management workflow fit? | Do its calendar and marketplace tools fit? | Does a direct booking and deposit workflow cover your needs? |
Prices and features can change. Sources: Fresha pricing, Booksy UK pricing and Salonier pricing, reviewed on the date above. Select the correct country and currency before comparing quotes.
How the fees differ
Fresha
Fresha's current pricing lists paid subscriptions, so older comparisons describing its core software as free are out of date. Its marketplace charges for qualifying new-client acquisition; that is different from a charge on every direct booking. Check the UK subscription, payment and messaging rates for your account. Payment processing is optional for general platform use, although payment-dependent features require the relevant payment setup. Source: Fresha.
Booksy
Booksy's UK subscription includes its advertised features and standard marketplace bookings. Optional Boost has a separate one-time acquisition charge of 30% of a qualifying client's first visit, with a £5 minimum, plus VAT. Do not treat that as a charge on every appointment. Its UK page lists Mobile Payments at 1.29% + 20p + VAT; other methods have different rates. Confirm which method applies to your workflow. Source: Booksy.
Salonier
Salonier charges a subscription and, on Starter and Growth, a platform fee on deposits. Stripe processing is separate. Calling the service simply “no fees” or “Stripe fees only” would miss part of the cost.
The monthly booking allowances are 100 on Starter, 400 on Growth and unlimited on Pro. Service-level deposit rules are listed on Growth and Pro. Check both the allowance and the features you need before choosing the lowest subscription.
For example, 80 bookings with a £15 deposit each produce £1,200 in deposits. Subscription plus deposit platform fees would total £48 on Starter, £60 on Growth or £96 on Pro, before Stripe charges and applicable VAT. This is an illustration, not a typical-customer result or a complete competitor cost comparison. See the full UK salon software cost worksheet.
Compare the same workload before deciding
Write down these figures for a quiet month and a busy month:
- Number of appointments and staff needing access.
- Number and total value of deposits or other processed payments.
- New clients attributed to a marketplace or paid acquisition feature.
- Reminders and marketing messages you expect to send.
- Optional tools, hardware or support you would actually use.
Ask each supplier to price that same workload. Keep the service price, deposit and remaining balance separate: a £15 deposit towards a £60 appointment leaves £45 to pay. Check which amount each percentage fee applies to.
A lower processing percentage may not offset a higher subscription at your volume. Equally, cheaper software is not better value if it cannot handle the calendars, service timings or reporting you need.
Marketplace discovery or your own booking link?
Start by listing where your last ten enquiries came from. For a new business, label this as an assumption and test it as enquiries arrive.
If clients already find you through Instagram, referrals or your website, a direct booking journey deserves attention. Review Salonier as a Fresha alternative and test whether the booking page and deposit checkout suit your services.
If you need a marketplace to introduce new clients, evaluate discovery separately from appointment administration. Ask how new clients are attributed, which acquisition fees apply, and whether the clients return. A marketplace listing does not guarantee bookings.
Salonier does not replace the work of attracting clients. Its role is to give people who are ready to book a clear route to an appointment and deposit payment.
Test the booking, payment and cancellation journey
Use the same service and scenario in every product you shortlist. Record what actually happens rather than relying on a comparison table alone.
- Choose a representative service. Include the real duration, price and turnaround time. A short haircut and a long colour appointment may need different rules.
- Book from a phone. Check availability, the deposit, remaining balance and the policy before confirmation. Review where the client goes if a payment is unfinished.
- Check the diary. Make sure the appointment appears correctly and cannot overlap an unavailable period.
- Review a change. Test or preview a reschedule and cancellation using the supplier's supported testing process. Record what happens to the original time and deposit.
- Check communication. Confirm the actual channels, timing and allowances. Salonier's published plans list email notifications; this guide does not promise SMS reminders.
- Check the money record. Establish how to reconcile deposits, balances, refunds and processing charges without counting a deposit twice.
Deposits and clear communication can support attendance, but no platform guarantees a particular no-show reduction. Compare completed appointments and cancellations with your own baseline. For wording you can adapt, use the appointment reminder templates.
Which workflow should you prioritise?
Solo barber: test one normal service, a late arrival and a walk-in between appointments. A booking calendar and a live walk-in queue are different tools. Our appointments and walk-ins guide explains a practical shared-diary process.
Nail or lash professional: check removal appointments, add-on work and realistic service durations. Avoid expecting clients to choose correctly from an ambiguous menu. Start with the nail booking setup guide.
Salon with a team: demonstrate simultaneous bookings, individual availability, permissions and any shared resources before committing. Do not assume that a plan with a larger booking allowance includes every team feature you need. Ask the supplier to demonstrate essential capabilities.
Switching without losing appointments
Before replacing your booking link, reconcile future appointments and already-paid deposits. Confirm what you can export, what the new tool can import, and what needs a manual record. Keep one authoritative diary during the transition so two systems cannot promise the same slot.
Use the booking-software switching checklist for the handover. Test your own booking first, then update links consistently across your website and social profiles.
Common questions
Is there one best booking app for every UK salon?
No. Start with the workflow you must support and compare the full cost at your expected volume. A solo business, a shop mixing appointments with walk-ins and a multi-calendar salon may reach different decisions.
Can I compare platforms by subscription price alone?
No. Include payment processing, relevant acquisition charges, deposit platform fees, staff access, usage limits and extras. Compare the same workload and tax basis.
Should I switch just to take deposits?
First check whether your current system can provide the deposit workflow you need. Moving software has a cost in time and client communication. Switch when a tested alternative solves a specific gap.
Try the workflow with your own service
If your priority is a direct booking page with deposits, start a seven-day Salonier trial and test a representative appointment. No card is required to start the software trial. Compare the current plans before choosing one.