Honest comparison · verified July 2026
Strandly vs Fresha
A marketplace-first salon platform — formerly famous for being subscription-free, now $19.95/mo solo or $14.95 per team member.
The short version
Fresha's pitch changed: it's no longer subscription-free, and marketplace-acquired new clients carry a one-time 20% commission ($6 minimum). The subscription is cheaper than Strandly's, but the model monetizes your bookings — Strandly's flat $29 includes everything and never takes a percentage of anything.
| Strandly | Fresha | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | $29/mo flat | $19.95/mo (Independent, single practitioner) or $14.95 per team member/mo; no free tier |
| Priced per | Per stylist — everything included, no tiers, no add-ons | Per practitioner / team member |
| Commission / new-client fees | None — no commission, no new-client fees, ever | 20% one-time commission ($6 min) on new clients from the Fresha marketplace; your own website/Google/social clients are exempt |
| Card processing | Standard Stripe rates; Strandly adds no markup | 2.29% + $0.20 in person, 2.79% + $0.20 online, 3.30% + $0.20 keyed; card terminals $139/device |
| Free trial | 30 days free, no card required | 7-day free trial |
Fresha figures were checked against fresha.com/pricing and Fresha help center (marketplace new client fees) in July 2026. Prices and terms change — always confirm on their current pricing page. We built Strandly, so read us accordingly.
Where Fresha shines
- Lowest headline subscription of the major platforms, with a marketplace that can surface you to new clients.
- Strong multi-staff tooling at a per-member price that scales smoothly.
- Polished consumer experience clients already know in many cities.
Where Strandly is different
- Fresha's marketplace commission means a new client's $150 first visit costs you $30; on Strandly every booking from every source is fee-free.
- Fresha monetizes through processing and marketplace volume; Strandly's only revenue is the flat subscription, so incentives stay simple.
- Strandly's client book (formulas, photos, per-client custom pricing) is the product's core, not a layer on a marketplace.
Want to feel the difference instead of reading about it? Try Strandly's live demo booking page — or see how the pricing models compare across the industry.
Frequently asked
Isn't Fresha free?
Not anymore. As of July 2026 Fresha charges $19.95/mo for independents or $14.95 per team member (7-day trial, no free tier) — plus a 20% one-time commission on marketplace-acquired new clients and its payment-processing fees.
Is Fresha cheaper than Strandly?
On subscription alone, yes ($19.95 vs $29). Add marketplace commissions ($6 minimum per new marketplace client, 20% of their first booking) and processing margins, and a busy chair can easily pay more in fees than the $9 subscription difference.
Do I pay Fresha's 20% fee on my existing clients?
No — it applies only to new clients who find you through the Fresha marketplace. Clients from your own links are exempt. Strandly avoids the question entirely: there's no marketplace and no commission on anything.
More comparisons: Strandly vs GlossGenius · Strandly vs Vagaro · Strandly vs Booksy · Strandly vs StyleSeat
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