SalonX vs Fresha
Both run a salon's diary, online booking and till. Fresha has a marketplace that sends you new clients for a one-time fee. SalonX has no marketplace fee and gives you an online shop stocked by professional distributors, so you earn on products without buying them in.
The short answer
- On your own, the monthly price is about the same: £15 for SalonX, £14.95 for Fresha.
- With a team, SalonX is cheaper per person: £5 for each extra person, against £9.95 per team member on Fresha. Five people is £35 a month on SalonX and £49.75 on Fresha.
- Fresha's card fee is lower: 1.19% + 20p in person against SalonX's 2% + 20p.
- Fresha charges 20% of a new marketplace client's first booking (minimum £4). SalonX charges nothing on any booking.
- SalonX gives you a shop stocked and shipped by distributors, with commission on every order. Fresha's online store sells the stock you hold.
What you pay each month
| Compared | SalonX | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| One person | £15 a month | £14.95 a month (Independent) |
| A team | £15, plus £5 for each extra person | £9.95 per team member (Team) |
| Five people | £35 a month | £49.75 a month |
| Free trial | 14 days. Your card is taken at sign-up and first charged on day 15 | 7 days |
| Contract | None. Cancel any time | None. Cancel any time |
| Pay yearly | Twelve months for the price of ten | Not listed |
Fees on bookings and payments
| Compared | SalonX | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| New clients from a marketplace | No marketplace fee. SalonX takes nothing from any booking | 20% of the first booking, once per new client, minimum £4 |
| Returning clients and your own links | Free | Free |
| Card, in person | 2% + 20p | 1.19% + 20p, plus 7p for each payment taken on a phone |
| Card, online | 2% + 20p | 1.40% + 25p |
| Klarna | Optional, and costs more than a card | 4.49% + 50p |
| Card reader | Countertop readers supported; you can also take contactless on your own iPhone | From £99 per device |
Messages and extras
| Compared | SalonX | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| Reminders | 100 WhatsApp messages a month, plus 25 for each extra person. Email and app messages unlimited | 20 texts or WhatsApp messages a month per team member, then 6p a text. Email and app notifications unlimited |
| Loyalty | £10 a month, with client reviews | £49.95 a month per location |
| Reports | More than forty, included | Reporting included; Insights is £7.95 per bookable team member |
| Memberships and packages | Included | Included |
| Consultation forms and patch tests | Included | Included |
Selling products
| Compared | SalonX | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| Online shop | Your own shop, stocked by professional distributors | Online product store for the products you stock |
| Who holds the stock | The distributor. Nothing to buy in | You do |
| Who ships the order | The distributor, to your client's door | You do |
| What you earn | Commission on every order, paid into your bank | Your retail margin |
| Stock you keep in the salon | Stock levels, stock orders and stocktakes | Retail and inventory |
Checked on 11 November 2026. SalonX's figures are from our pricing page; Fresha's are from its own UK pricing page. Prices are a month, as each company lists them, and most exclude VAT. Prices change, so check theirs before you decide. SalonX isn't affiliated with any company named here.
Choose Fresha if
- You want a marketplace to bring you new clients and you're happy to pay 20% of their first booking.
- Most of your takings are on card and the lower card fee matters more to you than the monthly price.
- You want to send text messages rather than WhatsApp.
Choose SalonX if
- Your clients already find you, and you don't want a fee on any of them.
- You have a team and want to pay less per person.
- You want to earn from the products you recommend without buying stock.
- You want loyalty and reviews for £10 a month.
Moving from Fresha
A guided import brings your Fresha menu, team, opening hours, clients and appointments into SalonX. You check each step before it's saved, and the import can be undone. The help centre has the steps.
Questions.
Anything else, write to info@salonx.ai and a person will reply.
Is SalonX cheaper than Fresha?
For one person the subscriptions are about the same: £15 a month for SalonX and £14.95 for Fresha. For a team SalonX costs less per person (£5 against £9.95). Fresha's card fee is lower (1.19% + 20p in person against 2% + 20p), so a salon that takes a lot on card should add that up. Fresha also charges 20% of a new marketplace client's first booking; SalonX has no fee on bookings.
Does SalonX have a marketplace like Fresha?
No. Clients book through your own booking page and the SalonX app, and SalonX never takes a fee for a new client. If you rely on a marketplace to fill your diary, Fresha does that and SalonX doesn't.
Can I move from Fresha to SalonX?
Yes. A guided import brings across your menu, team, opening hours, clients and appointments. You check each step before it's saved and the import can be undone.
What does SalonX do that Fresha doesn't?
SalonX connects you to professional distributors. You recommend the products you already use, your client buys from your own online shop, the distributor ships it, and you're paid commission on the order. You don't buy or hold the stock.
Try it on your own diary.
Your first 14 days are free. Bring your clients across, take a booking and see how it sits.
More comparisons: SalonX vs Fresha, SalonX vs Phorest, Fresha alternatives in the UK, SalonX for chair renters.