slug: /fresha-vs-booksy
You started your business for freedom. You wanted to do what you love, whether that’s cutting hair, tutoring students, or fixing pipes for local customers.
But lately, "freedom" feels like a lot of admin.
You’re juggling WhatsApp pings at 11 PM. You’re chasing bank transfers that never arrive. You’re checking three different apps just to see if your Tuesday is actually full. It is exhausting. It is messy. And it is costing you more than just your sanity.
Now, you're looking for a better way. You've heard the big names: Fresha and Booksy. They promise to solve the chaos. But in 2026, the fee landscape has changed. Fresha's 20% first-visit commission is biting harder. Booksy's £40+ monthly subscription is no small thing either.
Which one is actually better for you? And when do both start feeling like the wrong fit? Let’s break it down honestly.
The Fresha Model: The "Free" Tool That Isn't Free
Fresha has built a massive reputation by being "free" to start. For a solo practitioner, it looks like a dream. You sign up, you list your services, and you’re live.
But "free" is a heavy word.
In 2026, Fresha has leaned heavily into its marketplace model. While your monthly subscription might stay low (around £15 for an independent plan), the real cost is hidden in the Marketplace Tax.
The 20% Commission Hook
If a client finds you through the Fresha marketplace, Fresha takes a 20% commission on that first visit.
Think about that. You do the work. You provide the skill. You pay for the rent and the products. And then, you hand over one-fifth of your hard-earned money just because a client clicked a button on their app.
It feels like renting your own customers. It feels like you don't really own your business. If you're losing clients during the booking process because of complex marketplace hurdles, that 20% hurts even more.
The verdict on Fresha: Great if you have zero marketing and need the app to find clients for you. Terrible if you already have a loyal following and don't want to pay a "finder's fee" for your own reputation.
The Booksy Model: The Subscription Heavyweight
Booksy takes a different approach. It’s less about the "free" lure and more about the professional suite.
In the UK, you’re looking at roughly £40 + VAT per month just to get through the door. If you have a team, that price climbs by about £5 per person. It’s predictable, yes. But it’s a high fixed cost for a small business or a sole trader.
The "Boost" Gamble
Booksy also has a marketplace feature called "Boost." It’s optional, which is better than Fresha’s mandatory marketplace fees. But if you turn it on? They take a whopping 30% commission on that first visit.
That is nearly a third of your revenue. Gone.
Booksy is feature-rich, but it can feel like overkill. Do you really need half of those buttons? Probably not. You just want a way to stop the "Are you free at 2 PM?" texts. You want a way to protect your customer data without feeling like a tech expert.
The verdict on Booksy: A solid choice for larger salons with big teams who can absorb the £50+ monthly overhead. A heavy burden for the independent professional just trying to keep things simple.
The "Middle Ground" Trap: Why Both Might Be Failing You
Here is the truth nobody tells you: These "marketplaces" are designed to help the app, not you.
When you put your business on a marketplace, you are standing in a digital line next to your competitors. A client searches for a local hairdresser. They see you. They also see the person down the road who is £5 cheaper.
The app doesn't care who they book with. The app just wants the booking fee. You are not in control of your customers on social media or these marketplaces. You are just a listing.
Then there’s the "Fragmented App Trap."
- You use Fresha for bookings.
- You use WhatsApp for "secure" messaging.
- You use PayPal or bank transfers for payments.
- You use a notebook for client notes.
This isn't a system. This is a house of cards. It’s unprofessional. It’s risky. And in a GDPR-heavy world, it’s a ticking time bomb for your data security.
A Smarter Alternative: Why It’s Time to "Appt In"
We saw the struggle. We saw the 20% commissions eating into small business margins. We saw the £40+ subscription costs piling onto fixed overhead. We saw the chaos of 15 different apps. So, we built something different.
Appt In isn't a marketplace where you're just another face in the crowd. It’s a unified workspace designed specifically for SMEs and sole traders who want to look professional and stay protected.
Keep What You Earn
This is the big one. We don't believe in "Marketplace Taxes." When you use our platform, you keep 100% of what you charge via Pay via Appt In.
No 20% surprises. No 30% "Boost" fees. Your money stays in your pocket. Because you did the work.
One App. One Hub. Total Control.
Stop jumping between apps. Appt In brings everything into one place:
- Secure Messaging: Move away from personal WhatsApp. Keep your work-life balance and your data safe.
- Payments: Integrated, professional, and fast.
- Booking: A seamless experience for your clients that doesn't show them your competitors.
- File Storage: Keep your quotes, waivers, and contracts attached to the client record.
Trusted. Connected. Protected.
This is our promise. We don't hide your contact details from your own clients. We don't sell your data. We provide a professional ecosystem that protects you and your customers.
For your customers, it’s a single hub to manage all their local services: the plumber, the tutor, and the hairdresser: all in one secure place. For you, it’s the end of the admin nightmare.
The Choice Is Yours
If you want to be a listing in a directory and pay a 20% tax on new clients, Fresha might work.
If you have a massive team and don't mind a £40+ monthly subscription before add-ons, Booksy is a standard choice.
But if you want something more direct? More joined-up? If you want to own your business, keep more of what you earn, and run everything from one unified workspace that respects your privacy and your time?
It’s time to move away from the "clunky" and embrace the "seamless."
You don't need more apps. You need a better way to work.
Follow Appt In for more updates as we prepare to help UK small businesses reclaim their time and their profits.