The AI TillOur picks
Best bookings tools for UK small businesses (2026)
We compared 4 bookings tools using prices and plan details checked on each provider's own page on 2026-10-14. We haven't been paid for any placement; see how we make money.
Quick picks
- Best free starting point: Calendly. Calendly has a free plan: An always-free plan for basic scheduling.
- Best priced in pounds: Booksy. Booksy publishes UK prices: £40 (single plan, per month plus VAT), so there are no exchange-rate surprises.
- Cheapest dollar-priced paid plan: Calendly. Calendly starts at $10 (Standard, per seat a month).
All bookings tools compared
| Tool | Cheapest paid plan | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresha | $19.95 (Independent, per month) | No | Salons and barbers who want online booking plus new clients from a marketplace. |
| Booksy | £40 (single plan, per month plus VAT) | No | Barbers and stylists who want one flat UK price. |
| Timely | $26 (Build, per staff member a month) | No | Salons that want no new-client fees and included text reminders. |
| Calendly | $10 (Standard, per seat a month) | Yes | Consultants, trainers and anyone booking calls or appointments. |
Fresha
Booking, payments and client records for salons, spas and barbers, with a consumer marketplace.
- Price: Independent: $19.95 a month. Team: $14.95 per bookable team member a month. 20% one-time fee on new marketplace clients (minimum applies). Card fees extra.
- Watch out for: Marketplace commission on new clients and payment processing fees add up. Our check showed US-dollar prices; the provider may show pounds to UK visitors.
- UK notes: Our check showed US-dollar prices; the provider may show pounds to UK visitors.
Booksy
Booking app for hair, beauty and barbers with a marketplace listing and marketing tools.
- Price: £40 a month for all features, plus VAT. Extra users £5 a month each. Optional Boost: one-time 30% fee (minimum £5) on new marketplace clients.
- Watch out for: Boost charges 30% of a new client's first visit when switched on.
- UK notes: UK prices in pounds, plus VAT.
Timely
Salon and spa booking software with client records, payments and text reminders.
- Price: Build: $26, Elevate: $39, Innovate: $47 per staff member a month, billed in USD when we checked.
- Watch out for: Per-staff pricing. Our check showed US-dollar prices; the provider may show pounds to UK visitors.
- UK notes: Payments available in the UK. Our check showed US-dollar prices; the provider may show pounds to UK visitors.
Calendly
Online booking links that let customers pick a time that suits your calendar.
- Price: Free plan (always free). Standard: $10 per seat a month. Teams: $16 per seat a month. Enterprise from $15k a year.
- Watch out for: AI notetaker add-ons are extra on paid plans.
- UK notes: Prices are in US dollars.
How to choose
- Start with a free plan or trial if there is one, and test it on a real job.
- Prefer pound pricing if you want a predictable monthly cost.
- Check what counts towards limits (calls, minutes, seats, contacts or credits) before comparing headline prices.
Head-to-head comparisons
- Fresha vs Booksy
- Fresha vs Timely
- Fresha vs Calendly
- Booksy vs Timely
- Booksy vs Calendly
- Timely vs Calendly
Sources
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