Fresha vs Boulevard

Vagaro

Goldie

Acuity Scheduling

Vagaro is all-in-one software for beauty, wellness, and fitness professionals. Manage appointments, accept payments, run marketing campaigns, and grow your business all from one easy-to-use platform designed to help you save time and boost revenue.

Goldie is a comprehensive software designed for salon and beauty professionals. The platform offers appointment scheduling, automated client reminders, and integrated payment processing capabilities to help reduce no-shows and streamline business operations. Beauty professionals can manage their calendars, create branded online booking websites, and track business performance through detailed reports.

Acuity Scheduling is an online appointment scheduling solution that allows clients to self-schedule appointments or classes online, complete custom forms, receive confirmation notifications and reminders, and pay or donate with a credit card.

Warehouse manager

The platform is easy and effective however it lacks customisation and customer service takes a while to respond.

Business owner an aesthetician.

Creative Director

The Fresha team also seem to be working on the app software in the background all the time, and I appreciate that they're always looking for ways to better the experience for businesses and customers.

Director

I use the free version which means little contact with the fresha team.

Fresha is the world's leading online booking software for the beauty and wellness industry, including barbershops.  

Boost your sales and attract new clients with an all-in-one solution for salons, spas, barbers and therapists.

Access Controls/Permissions

Activity Dashboard

Alerts/Notifications

Appointment Management

Appointment Scheduling

Attendance Tracking

Automated Scheduling

Availability Indicator

Availability Management

Before & After Pictures

Billing & Invoicing

Booking Management

Booth Rental Management

Calendar Management

Calendar Sync

Class Management

Class Scheduling

Client Database

Client Management

Client Profiles

Commission Management

Confirmations/Reminders

Contact Database

Credit Card Management

Credit Card Processing

Customer Database

Customer History

Customer Mobile App

Customer Support

Customizable Branding

Customizable Forms

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Data Import/Export

Debit/Credit Card Processing

Discount Management

Electronic Payments

Email Management

Email Marketing

Email Reminders

Employee Management

Employee Scheduling

Faculty/Staff Management

Fitness Plan

For Barbershops

For Medical Spas

For Salons and Spas

For Yoga/Pilates Studios

Gift Card Management

Group Scheduling

HIPAA Compliant

In-Person Payments

Inventory Management

Inventory Tracking

Loyalty Program

Marketing Automation

Mobile Access

Mobile Alerts

Mobile App

Multi-Language

Multi-Location

Multiple User Accounts

Online Booking

Online Payments

Payment Processing

Payroll & Commissions

Payroll Management

Performance Metrics

Point of Sale (POS)

Practice Management

Price/Margin Management

Promotions Management

Ratings/Reviews

Real-Time Notifications

Real-Time Reporting

Recurring Appointments

Referral Tracking

Reminders

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Rescheduling

Room Booking

Sales Reports

Scheduling

Self Service Portal

SMS Marketing

SMS Messaging

SMS Reminders

Social Media Integration

Staff Management

Task Scheduling

Third-Party Integrations

Transaction History

Treatment Packages

Website Integration

By industry, Fresha reviewers are most commonly professionals in health, wellness and fitness (33%). The most frequent use case for Fresha cited by reviewers is appointment scheduling (70% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Most reviewers indicate that Fresha delivers exceptional value for money, with many appreciating its robust free plan and affordable upgrades. However, some users report concerns about hidden costs, rising fees, or expensive extras.

Value for money

Fresha is an appointment scheduling program offering key features such as appointment scheduling, confirmations/reminders, online booking, mobile access, and a client database, among others.

Fresha

Web-based

iPad

iPhone

Android

Windows

Linux

Chromebook

Phorest

Booksy Biz

Treatwell

Square Appointments

DaySmart Salon

GlossGenius

Mindbody

Jane

Booker

Boulevard

Meevo

Setmore

Simple Salon

Clover

Timely

Team

Enterprise

Restrictive cancellation policies

Spa owner

There's nothing that I dislike but one suggestion I would make would be with the cancellation policy, I wish there was a way that you could make it so that you could pick and cost different parts of each tier of the cancellation policy..

Owner 

The least thing at this time is the feature for customers to book and reserve appointments for cancellations and no show fees. If a customer books with a credit card on file they can use any card without a dime on it and in the event they do no show or cancel their card is declined for insufficient funds!

58% of reviewers feel negative about cancellations. Users report difficulties managing cancellations, including rigid policies that require clients to cancel online and lack of flexibility in setting or displaying custom cancellation terms. They mention issues with being charged fees for canceled appointments and frustration over limited control of online booking and cancellation features. Reviewers also note challenges in canceling their own accounts or appointments, and dissatisfaction with the lack of responsive support for related issues.

Opaque and high fee structure

owner

As they get better, they start charging businesses too much and greedy.1-Text messages are not unlimited anymore as promised, they start limiting down each month less and less.

Business owner

They charge 20% of every new client, let's say someone booked a package for $625, Fresha rudely takes $125.

68% of reviewers feel negative about charges and fees. Users express frustration with hidden and increasing fees, particularly the 20% marketplace and new client charges, which they say are often applied inappropriately. Many report being charged for clients not sourced through the platform and find the lack of transparency and support around these fees concerning. Reviewers feel the fee policies are unfair, difficult to track, and sometimes enforced through questionable methods, impacting their trust and profitability.

Occasional glitches and reliability concerns

37% of reviewers feel negative about bugs and issues. Users mention experiencing occasional glitches, such as lag, crashes, or problems with data transfer. Some report concerns about the platform’s reliability, especially since it is web-based and dependent on internet stability. Reviewers note that while most issues are minor or eventually addressed, the presence of bugs can disrupt workflow and require manual intervention, which can be frustrating for businesses relying on smooth daily operations.

Complicated and unreliable payment handling

switching to another software was a nightmare everything is wonky.commission was always incorrect but only for a few transactionsa couple times my scheduled deposits were delayed once for a over a week. unreliable.

Owner

Then for some reason after doing all of these steps, it was still depositing funds into my old account.

37% of reviewers feel negative about payment processing. Users describe the payment setup as complex, requiring extensive documentation and lengthy verification. They report delays in fund transfers, difficulties updating bank details, and unreliable deposit schedules. Some reviewers mention problems with declined cards, inability to process payments, and lack of accountability for billing errors. Users also express dissatisfaction with limited payment options and poor support when resolving payment-related issues, leading to cash flow concerns.

Streamlined and intuitive setup

100% of reviewers feel positive about the setup process. Reviewers say setup is quick, straightforward, and user-friendly, even for those with limited technical skills. They appreciate that the platform guides them through configuration without overwhelming them, allowing them to get their business operational in minutes. Users find the variety of configuration options helpful but not confusing, and they highlight that both business owners and clients can easily navigate the setup. Many mention that support is readily available if needed, making the initial experience stress-free and efficient.

Customizable and organized layout

98% of reviewers feel positive about the layout. Reviewers appreciate the clean, modern, and professional design, noting that it is both visually appealing and highly functional. They value the ability to customize the interface to fit their business needs, including personalizing forms, color-coding, and organizing services. Users say the layout makes information easy to access and manage, contributing to a more organized workflow. Many highlight that the intuitive structure supports both desktop and mobile use, enhancing overall usability.

Automated client communication

97% of reviewers feel positive about client reminders. Users highlight the importance of automated email and text reminders for reducing no-shows and saving time previously spent on manual messaging. They say the reminders help clients remember appointments and appreciate the ability to customize messages. Reviewers note that the system’s reminders improve client satisfaction and business professionalism, and they find features like confirmation texts, thank-you notes, and easy rescheduling particularly beneficial for maintaining client relationships.

Seamless and modern interface

97% of reviewers feel positive about the user interface. Reviewers describe the interface as modern, intuitive, and easy to navigate for both staff and clients. They appreciate how quickly they can access information, set up integrations with websites or social media, and train new team members. Users mention that the interface supports efficient workflows and provides helpful resources, such as tutorials and support documentation, making it accessible even for those less comfortable with technology.

Effortless daily operations

Executive Director 

For someone who is looking for a comprehensive, user-friendly, and inexpensive software solution for their business, Fresha is the easy answer.

98% of reviewers feel positive about ease of use. Users report that the software is intuitive and simple to navigate, requiring little to no training. They appreciate being able to manage bookings, track performance, and operate their business efficiently without technical hurdles. Reviewers find that the platform streamlines daily tasks, saves time, and reduces the learning curve for new users. Many mention that the clean design and logical layout make it easy to find features, and they value the ongoing improvements that further simplify operations.

President

It’s not a complex system which is appealing to a small business along with the cost, however there are some usability issues that could be easily be fixed if they had good product [sensitive content hidden] and tech support.

Massage Therapist

I have inquried about this to Fresha several times, as I use their QR code at my store to allow my clients to book an appointment, however, I still get charged for those customers, as if they intially found my services through Fresha, though this is not the case.

Student

Fresha can have some bugs or issues in its booking system at times, including error messages or blank screens.

Operations Manager

Unable to add two therapists to one appointment, latest pricing structure is far to expensive and unfair on very small businesses.

I will be cancelling my whole debit system and booking system with my salon with this company they like to charge everything that they absolutely can and there’s definitely just as good other companies out there for booking systems besides Fresha that does just the same.

While the fee is supposed to apply to first-time clients who find my services via the Fresha website, I'm being charged for customers who scan my in-store QR code to book.

Manager

I wasn’t aware about this issue because normally small amount processing was working fine, until we had a more premium service like hair extensions required payment over $1000 and client did a runner, after that I realised we won’t be able to charge her.

Beauty Salon

I use it to manage my clients' appointments and have all my services organized and accessible to all my clients.

Accessories Designer

It also updates my appointments and keeps them all in one place, so they're easy to view and manage.

Beauty therapist

Booking & payments easy, reduces no-shows with automated reminders, and helps attract new clients.

Holistic Therapist

I follow Fresha’s own advice by sending my direct booking link, yet the system still flags client as new marketplace clients. Despite clear evidence, support refuses to refund the fees, citing rigid policy and technicalities.

small owner - salon

Fresha deleted elderly (90yr +) client medical & profile information and replaced with another younger client (early 60yr+) profile information

Overall, it has been a good experience, but with the new pricing structure in place I am now looking to move to other (cheaper) products, as this is now far to expensive for myself as a small business owner.

Business Owner

they tell you about that BUT they don’t tell you for every card added to the system by the client when booking **even if they cancel or you never use the card at checkout!!

The client calls for a reason something has come up there’s an emergency whatever the reason is we shouldn’t have to resort to tell our clients to go and do it Their selves.

Fresha outline that a charge will be incurred for first time clients, who found my services via their website.

Very easy to use interface, good options for customisation, easy to set up schedules and services.  

Creative

Sometimes if you need to update the price it is hard to update it takes long time to update and when you invite the others sometimes it reject. and little over price for updating the service

Fresha vs Boulevard Comparison (2026)

Fresha

Boulevard

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives