Comparing booking software
Looking for an alternative to Fresha? Here's what to compare.
Choosing booking software is a real business decision. This page compares Book’d Out with Fresha directly, using Fresha's own published pricing, so you can see exactly where the two stand on fees, subscriptions and lock-in.
Free forever · live in under 2 minutes · no card required
What to compare when choosing salon booking software
There are several booking platforms available to Australian beauty and hair businesses, and Fresha is one of the most searched alternatives. Here are the questions worth asking before you sign up with any of them, followed by a direct, sourced comparison between Book’d Out and Fresha below.
- Per-client or per-booking commission? Some platforms charge a percentage or flat fee each time a new client books through their marketplace. This is a recurring cost that scales with your revenue, so understand it upfront.
- Monthly subscription cost? Know the full monthly price at the plan level you need, not just the entry level. Multiply it by 12 to see the annual cost of the software decision.
- Lock-in or contract? Some platforms require a minimum commitment period. Ask whether you can cancel monthly and what happens to your data if you do.
- Data export? Your client list is one of the most valuable things in your business. Ask any platform how you export it, in a standard format such as CSV or Excel, before signing up.
- Payment processing fees? In addition to software costs, some platforms route payments through their own processor with additional fees. Check whether you can use your own terminal or processor.
Book’d Out vs Fresha: the numbers
A factual, line-by-line comparison, sourced from Fresha's own published pricing and help centre pages.
| What you're comparing | Book’d Out | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| New-client marketplace fee | $0. Ever. We never charge a fee when a new client books you. | 20% of the first appointment value for each new client who books through the Fresha marketplace, minimum around US$6, charged once per new client.[1] |
| Base subscription | Free listing, forever. Online booking from $29/month (Bookings Plus) or $49/month (Bookings Pro). | A paid subscription plan is required. Fresha removed its free plan in 2025.[2] |
| Staff and location limits | 5 locations and 15 staff included on Bookings Pro, then $10/month per extra staff or location. | Plan access is tied to team size. Check fresha.com/pricing for current staff-based tier limits.[2] |
| SMS and reminders | Automated reminders included on Bookings Plus and Bookings Pro, at no extra charge. | Reminder and marketing messages are sent using purchased SMS credit top-ups.[2] |
| Support access | Support is included on every plan. | Live support channels sit behind a paid subscription tier.[2] |
| Website embed | A bookable widget for your own website is included. | An embeddable website widget is not listed among the features published at fresha.com/pricing.[2] |
| Contract and lock-in | No lock-in. Cancel any plan, any time. | Standard subscription terms apply. Check fresha.com/pricing for current contract conditions.[2] |
[1] Fresha Help Centre, “Marketplace new client fees”, and fresha.com/pricing. Accessed July 2026.
[2] fresha.com/pricing. Accessed July 2026.
Details correct as at July 2026; check the provider's site for current terms.
Where Book’d Out stands
Here are the honest answers for Book’d Out on the criteria above.
Zero per-client commission
Book’d Out charges no per-booking and no per-client commission on any plan. Your appointment revenue is 100% yours, always.
Flat monthly pricing
Free forever, Bookings Plus ~$29/month, Bookings Pro ~$49/month. No hidden fees, no percentage on what you earn. The price you see is what you pay.
No lock-in
Start free and stay free. If you upgrade, you can cancel at any time. We want to earn your business every month, not lock you in.
Built and hosted in Australia
Book’d Out is a product of Active Web Solutions, AU-hosted, Privacy Act compliant, designed for the Australian beauty and hair market.
Simple pricing, zero commission
Start free and stay free as long as you like. Every plan keeps 100% of your bookings.
Free listing
$0 free forever
Get discovered by local customers at no cost.
- SEO listing: services, hours, map & photos
- Tracked “Call to book” button
- Monthly booking-demand count
- Ranks for local “service in suburb” searches
Bookings Plus
$29 per month
Capture the demand and take bookings online.
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Real-time online booking
- Automated reminders
- Calendar & client list
Bookings Pro
$49 per month
Everything to grow and never miss a customer.
- Everything in Bookings Plus, plus:
- Featured / top placement in search
- Deposits & no-show protection
- Review automation & marketing tools
Add-on AI Receptionist: answers your missed and after-hours calls on any plan, so you never lose a booking to a ringing phone.
No per-booking commission. No per-client fees. Ever. Your appointment revenue is 100% yours.
Frequently asked questions
Does Book’d Out charge a commission or fee per new client?
No. Book’d Out charges zero per-booking and zero per-client commission on every plan, including the free listing. The price you see is the price you pay; your appointment revenue is always 100% yours.
What should I look for when comparing booking software?
Key questions to ask: Does the platform charge per new client? Is there a percentage fee on each booking? What does the monthly subscription cost? Can you export your client list if you leave? Are there lock-in contracts? Comparing these honestly gives you the clearest picture of your real cost. See the full Book’d Out vs Fresha table on this page for the exact, sourced figures.
Does Fresha charge a fee when a new client books through its marketplace?
Yes, according to Fresha's own published pricing. Fresha's help centre article on marketplace new client fees and fresha.com/pricing state a fee of 20% of the first appointment value for each new client sourced through the Fresha marketplace, with a minimum of around US$6, charged once per new client (accessed July 2026). Book’d Out charges $0 for new clients, on every plan, always. Details correct as at July 2026; check fresha.com/pricing for current terms.
How much does Book'd Out cost?
The free listing is free forever. Bookings Plus (online booking, reminders, calendar, client list) is ~$29/month. Bookings Pro (everything in Bookings Plus plus featured placement, deposits, no-show protection, review automation and marketing tools) is ~$49/month. The AI Receptionist is a metered add-on on any plan.
Can I export my client data if I decide to switch?
Data portability is an important criterion when choosing any software platform. We recommend asking any platform you evaluate directly about their export options before signing up.
Is Book'd Out designed for the Australian market?
Yes. Book’d Out is built and hosted in Australia by Active Web Solutions, and is designed specifically for Australian salons, barbers and beauty businesses. The platform complies with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and keeps your data on AU-hosted infrastructure.
See Book’d Out built for your industry
Ready to see the difference?
List free today. Keep every booking.
Join Book’d Out, get found by local customers, and only pay when you're ready to grow.