Aestheticc vs Fresha
Fresha is "free" software. But is it really cheaper?
Real Cost Comparison: 1 Year
Aestheticc
Fresha (20% Commission Model)
With just 10 new marketplace clients per month, Fresha costs £252+ MORE than Aestheticc in Year 1
If you get 20 new clients/month, that difference grows to £1,000+/year
No credit card required • 0% commission on ALL bookings • Cancel anytime
Understanding Fresha's Business Model
✅ What's Actually Free
- Monthly software subscription ($0/month)
- Bookings from YOUR website, Instagram, Google
- Returning clients who book again
- Offline bookings (phone, walk-in)
❌ What Costs Money
- 20% commission on NEW clients from Fresha Marketplace
- Minimum $6 fee per new client
- Can be $20-$100+ for high-value treatments (Botox, fillers)
- Card processing: 2.79% + $0.20 per online transaction
- Premium add-ons: Insights ($9.95/user), Loyalty ($59.95/location)
Real Example: Botox Client from Fresha Marketplace
Treatment: Botox consultation + treatment (£250)
Fresha's 20% commission: £50
Your revenue: £200
That's 10 Botox clients per year = £500 in commissions to Fresha (more than an entire year of Aestheticc subscription)
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Pricing & Business Model
Core Features
UK & Compliance
Control & Independence
When Each Platform Makes Sense
Choose Aestheticc if:
- You already have an established client base
- You get bookings from YOUR marketing (Instagram, website, referrals)
- You do high-value treatments (Botox, fillers - where 20% commission = £40-£100)
- You want to build YOUR brand, not be part of a marketplace
- You value predictable monthly costs (£39/month, that's it)
- You want 100% control over your client data and relationships
Break-even: If you get just 2-3 new high-value clients per month from anywhere OTHER than Fresha marketplace, Aestheticc is cheaper.
Choose Fresha if:
- You're brand new with zero clients and need immediate marketplace exposure
- You do low-value services (£20-£40 treatments where 20% = £4-£8)
- You can't afford £39/month upfront but can pay 20% per booking
- You don't mind sharing client data with a marketplace platform
- You're okay with clients seeing competitor ads in the Fresha app
- You want maximum features for $0 upfront (accepting commission trade-off)
Best for: Brand new salons with low-ticket services needing immediate client flow. Less ideal for established aesthetic clinics.
Common Questions About Fresha vs Aestheticc
If Fresha is free, why would I pay £39/month for Aestheticc?
Fresha isn't actually free if you use their marketplace to get new clients. They charge 20% commission on every new client booking (minimum $6, can be $100+ for Botox). If you get 10 new clients/month at an average £60 treatment, that's £120/month in commissions - 3x more expensive than Aestheticc. Plus, you lose control of your client data and see competitor ads in the Fresha app.
Can I use Fresha without using their marketplace?
Yes, but then you're paying card processing fees (2.79% + $0.20 per transaction) and for premium features like Insights ($9.95/user) or Loyalty ($59.95/location). The 'free' part only makes sense if you're okay with the 20% marketplace commission trade-off. If you're not using the marketplace, you might as well use Aestheticc for predictable £39/month with 0% commission.
Does Fresha show my clients other competitors?
Yes. Fresha is a marketplace platform - when your clients open the Fresha app, they see other clinics in the area offering similar services. Your clients can browse, compare prices, and book with competitors. With Aestheticc, you own the client relationship 100% - no competitor ads, no marketplace influence.
What happens to my client data if I stop using Fresha?
You can export your client data, but Fresha retains it for their marketplace. Clients who found you via Fresha may continue to receive marketing from Fresha about other clinics. With Aestheticc, you own 100% of your data - if you leave, you take everything with you and we delete it from our servers.
Can I migrate from Fresha to Aestheticc?
Yes. Export your client data from Fresha (CSV), import it into Aestheticc. You can try Aestheticc free for 14 days to test the migration before cancelling Fresha. Most clinics complete the switch in 24-48 hours.
Own Your Business. Keep 100% of Your Revenue.
£39/month. 0% commission. No hidden fees. You own your client data.
Start Your Free 14-Day TrialNo credit card required • 0% commission forever • Cancel anytime