Fresha Alternative UK 2025 — Why Salons Are Switching
Fresha's hidden commission fees are costing UK salons thousands. Here's how Feature Salon compares — and why a flat monthly fee changes the maths.
The Fresha Problem in 2025
If you're searching for a Fresha alternative, you're not alone. Thousands of UK salon owners are re-evaluating their software in 2025 — and the main reason is money. Fresha markets itself as 'free', but the reality is far more complicated. Fresha charges a 20% commission on all new clients booked through the Fresha marketplace, plus a 1.29% + 20p payment processing fee on every Stripe transaction processed through their platform. For a busy salon doing £8,000/month in revenue, those fees can easily exceed £150–£200 per month — far more than a transparent subscription product.
What Fresha Doesn't Tell You Upfront
Fresha's fee structure is deliberately confusing. Here's a breakdown of what you're actually paying:
Marketplace Commission (20%)
Any client who discovers and books you through the Fresha marketplace pays a 20% commission to Fresha. If a new client books a £80 colour, Fresha takes £16. For a high-traffic salon, this adds up to thousands per year.
Payment Processing Markup
Fresha charges 1.29% + 20p for card payments — on top of Stripe's own underlying fees. You're paying a margin to Fresha for the privilege of using payments you could set up directly.
Blast Message Fees
Want to send a marketing campaign to your client list? Fresha charges per message for Blast Messages, adding another variable monthly cost.
No Price Transparency
Fresha changes its fee structure regularly. Many salon owners discover new charges only when they appear on their statements.
Feature Salon — The Honest Fresha Alternative
Feature Salon was built specifically to offer everything Fresha provides — without the commission model. Here's how we compare:
Flat Monthly Fee — No Commission
Feature Salon charges £29–£99/month depending on your plan. That's it. No commission on bookings, no payment processing markup, no per-message fees. Every pound your clients pay goes to you.
Your Own Branded Booking Page
Just like Fresha, Feature gives you a beautiful public booking page where clients can browse services, select staff, and book online 24/7. Unlike Fresha, it's not listed on a marketplace competing with other salons.
Automated WhatsApp, SMS & Email
Feature Salon sends automated reminders via WhatsApp, SMS, and email to help reduce no-shows. Fresha offers reminders too, but they don't include WhatsApp support on standard plans.
Stripe Payments — Your Account
Feature Salon uses Stripe directly — connected to your own account. You see every transaction, every payout, with full transparency. No middleman taking a percentage.
The Maths — Does Switching Save Money?
For a salon doing £5,000/month in revenue with a mix of new and existing clients, Fresha's marketplace commission plus payment fees can easily reach £100–£150/month. Feature Salon's Pro plan is £59/month — flat, with no commission. The saving depends on your own revenue and how much of it comes through the Fresha marketplace, but the structure is transparent and predictable from day one.
How to Switch from Fresha to Feature Salon
Switching is simpler than most salon owners expect:
Step 1 — Export your client list from Fresha
Go to Fresha Reports → Clients → Export. Download your client CSV file with names, emails, and phone numbers.
Step 2 — Sign up for Feature Salon
Create your Feature Salon account at featuresalon.co.uk. The setup wizard guides you through adding your services, staff, and working hours in under 10 minutes.
Step 3 — Share your new booking link
Send your new booking page link to clients via WhatsApp broadcast, email newsletter, or your Instagram bio. Most clients won't notice any difference — and many prefer the cleaner experience.
Step 4 — Cancel Fresha when ready
Run both platforms in parallel for your first week if needed. Once your clients are booking through Feature, cancel your Fresha account and start saving immediately.
The Verdict
Fresha made sense when it was genuinely free. In 2025, the commission model makes it one of the most expensive salon software options for busy UK salons. Feature Salon offers everything Fresha does — branded booking page, staff management, automated reminders, Stripe payments — for a single transparent monthly fee. No surprises. No commissions. No hidden costs.
Ready to transform your salon?
Try Feature Salon free for 14 days — automated bookings, reminders, and payments with no commission fees.