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fairfee vs Fresha: what ‘free’ actually costs.

Fresha built its name on being free — then introduced per-staff subscriptions, processing fees, and a 20% commission on new marketplace clients. fairfee's booking platform and payments are free for the merchant, in writing.

The commission question

Fresha's marketplace charges 20% (minimum $6) on the first booking of any client it classifies as new — on a $120 colour service, that's $24. And if your client list isn't imported perfectly on day one, your own regulars can be classified as ‘marketplace clients’ and commissioned.

fairfee has no marketplace. We will never show your competitors next to your listing, never take a commission on your clients, and never charge you to reach people who already know you. Your client list exports free, any time — not as a $295-per-month add-on.

Software + payments, added up

A solo operator on Fresha pays around $153–200 a month all-in at typical volumes, once processing and per-staff fees land. With fairfee the software is $0 and the processing is $0 — the customer covers 2% per payment, shown clearly before they approve.

And while card-based payouts take days and occasionally get held with no phone number to call, PayTo settles to your own bank account in seconds. We never hold your money — structurally can't.

Side by sideFreshafairfee
Software$22.95/staff/mo$0
Processing2.29% + 20¢$0 (customer pays 2%)
New-client commission20% (min $6)None — no marketplace
Client data export$295/mo add-onFree, always
Payout speedDays (UK banking days)Same day — seconds
Price-lock promiseChanged in 2025In writing

Competitor rates as published August 2026 — check their websites for current pricing. fairfee is launching soon; join the waitlist for early access.

Free payments are
launching soon.

Join the waitlist and we'll email you the moment your free account is ready. Early members get priority onboarding.

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