Fresha Review: Is It Right for Your Business?
8 may 2025 • BY LC
I've covered my fair share of business software, but today, let's put Fresha under the spotlight. Designed for salons, spas, and wellness pros, this all-in-one platform promises to handle everything—from online booking to payments—without the usual tech headaches. But does it live up to the hype? You can dive into the full review here in the article, or watch the video below for a quick, visual rundown.
Let's pull back the curtain and see what Fresha brings to the table. First up, here are some:
No matter which software you choose for your business, certain features are essential—or at least worth considering—before making your final decision, regardless of the services you offer.
Fresha is subscription-free for independent professionals, and as you expand, they charge $9.95/mo for each bookable team member.
While Fresha provides a clean, user-friendly interface, customization options are somewhat limited compared to competitors. Businesses can personalize services and client interactions but may find fewer options for branding or workflow adjustments.
Fresha includes essential salon and spa management tools, such as appointment scheduling, client management, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. However, advanced customization and premium add-ons are restricted.
Fresha operates as an all-in-one system, but its third-party integrations are limited. Businesses seeking deep integrations with external software for accounting, marketing, or CRM may need workarounds.
Fresha's online booking system allows clients to schedule appointments 24/7 through a website, social media, or—most notably—the Fresha marketplace. The system automatically syncs with the business calendar, reducing scheduling conflicts.
The built-in calendar offers a clear view of appointments, availability, and staff schedules. Businesses can easily manage bookings, reschedule appointments, and optimize daily workflows.
Fresha's client management system stores essential customer details, appointment history, and preferences. While functional, it lacks deep CRM capabilities like automated lead nurturing or advanced segmentation.
Automated SMS and email reminders help reduce no-shows and keep clients engaged. Businesses can set up notifications for upcoming appointments, promotions, and follow-ups.
Fresha provides insightful analytics on sales, bookings, staff performance, and client retention. The reporting tools help businesses track growth and identify areas for improvement.
The inventory management system enables businesses to track product stock levels, set low-stock alerts, and manage retail sales directly through the platform.
Fresha currently lacks a built-in loyalty program, which may be a drawback for businesses that rely on rewards-based client retention strategies.
Fresha does not offer a standalone website builder, but businesses can embed its booking widget onto their existing websites to facilitate online scheduling.
Fresha provides a built-in POS system with card payment processing, integrated billing, and transaction tracking. However, businesses must use Fresha's payment system, as third-party payment processors are not supported.
The platform offers email and SMS marketing tools to promote special offers, re-engage past clients, and encourage repeat bookings. Businesses can set up targeted campaigns directly within Fresha.
No matter how good a software looks on paper, it's what's most important is how it performs in the field. Here's what some of Fresha's users have to say about the software:
"So easy to use. We have online booking as well as a few of their other services. They now offer Gift Cards, so that should be really useful for our business." - [object Object]
"When I first started my business some of the initial expenses surprised me when I had an influx of new clients that found me through Fresha's portal. Then I was charged a percentage of their booking even if the booking fell through." - [object Object]
"Most of the time the response on email for urgent issues is quick but it is annoying not having a support line to ring." - [object Object]
"It is an easy to use system once you get your head around it, has many free features that allow for the smooth running of our salon. Easy product orders and input of stock, good client information features. Would definitely recommend." - [object Object]
"I have been using Fresha for a few months now, It's brilliant and perfect for my little business. The rates are actually amazing & always have the best customer service…" - [object Object]
"Fresha takes away chunk of your revenue and gives very little (or no) support.. when you reach out to get help, you'll never get it on time, it's like they wait until the problem resolves itself…" - [object Object]
Business owners were surprised by Fresha's taking of a percentage of every booking their business makes—even if the client doesn't show up. In fact, most of Fresha's negative reviews are because of their fees, whether for the subscription or per transaction, users say it feels like "the goal posts are constantly being moved" (March 08, 2025 - https://www.trustpilot.com).
At the same time, users appreciate the robustness of Fresha's other features, like online booking or their unique marketplace. It also appears that most users appreciate Fresha's timely customer support, although a couple reviews said otherwise. And now-- the moment you've all been waiting for-- my final score. I give Fresha an 8/10 for its powerful UI and pricing/fees.
