Guides · Updated 2026-10-14

Salon booking software in the UK: Fresha vs Booksy vs Timely (2026)

Online booking is where most hair and beauty businesses start with software, and the main question is cost: monthly fees, per-staff fees, and the commission some apps take on new clients. This guide compares three popular options using their published pricing, checked on 14 October 2026.

Note: our check of Fresha and Timely showed US-dollar prices; both may show pounds to UK visitors, so check their UK pages before you commit. Booksy showed UK prices in pounds.

The comparison

| | Fresha | Booksy | Timely |

|---|---|---|---|

| Monthly fee | Independent $19.95; Team $14.95 per bookable team member | £40 a month for everything, plus VAT; extra users £5 each | $26, $39 or $47 per staff member |

| New-client fee | 20% one-time fee on brand-new marketplace clients (minimum applies) | Optional Boost: one-time 30% fee (minimum £5) on new Boost clients | No new client fees |

| Trial | 7 days | 7 days | 14 days, no card |

| Text reminders | Text and WhatsApp notifications included (see page for limits) | Text and email marketing messages included | 100 to 350 SMS a month by plan |

How to choose

• Want new clients from a marketplace? Fresha and Booksy both list you in a consumer app. Budget for the new-client fee on those bookings; returning clients are free on Fresha.
• Want one flat UK price? Booksy's single £40 plan (plus VAT) is the simplest to budget for.
• Don't want commission at all? Timely says it charges no new-client fees, but you pay per staff member.
• Card payments: all three take payments at a fee. Compare processing rates on each pricing page if you take a lot by card.

Where AI helps a salon

• Missed calls. If you're with a client and can't pick up, an AI receptionist or call-answering service can capture the booking request.
• Social posts. Use Canva for before-and-after posts and ChatGPT for captions.
• Review replies. See our guide to getting more Google reviews.

Browse more tools for hair and beauty businesses.

Sources

Fresha pricing · Booksy UK pricing · Timely pricing

FAQ

Is Fresha free?

No. Our check showed an Independent plan at $19.95 a month and a Team plan at $14.95 per bookable team member, with a 7-day trial.

Does Booksy charge clients a booking fee?

Booksy says it never charges your clients to book, and there are no booking fees with the subscription.

Which is cheapest for a one-person salon?

On the published prices, Fresha's Independent plan has the lowest monthly fee, but check the new-client fee if you rely on its marketplace.