Fresha vs. Zenoti – two very popular and very different platforms that serve salon and spa businesses around the world.
Fresha, stepping into the limelight with its no-monthly-fee structure, has garnered attention as a budget-friendly contender, charging only when you begin to see revenue from its use.
Zenoti, on the other hand, is a veteran in the space, offering a vast array of features aimed at salons that require a more expansive suite of tools and have the resources to invest in extensive software solutions.
In this comparison, my goal is to illustrate the difference between Fresha’s cost-effective and user-friendly approach and Zenoti’s comprehensive and feature-rich platform.
While Fresha offers simplicity and affordability, Zenoti provides a wide range of features, albeit with a less user-friendly interface.
Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn in this Fresha vs. Zenoti comparison:
Fresha vs Zenoti
Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today.
Fresha
Zenoti
Overall score
Note
The overall score considers ease of use, customer service, features, user ratings, and cost. Scores are determined solely by our editorial team.
Average price
Note
Assumes you run a business with a mid-size team and have activated the more common add-ons. What you will pay will be lower or higher than this. See the separate section about pricing for full details.
Who is it for
Ease of use
Customer Service
Countries
Available in 22 languages in over 120 countries worldwide
Available in nearly 50 countries worldwide
Key features
- FREE subscription with unlimited staff
- Fresha marketplace where clients can discover your salon
- Easy to use with a modern minimalistic design interface
- Available in over 120 countries!
- Integrated email marketing suite
- Two-way client messaging (via paid add-on feature: ezConnect)
- Reputation management suite (via paid add-on feature: ezRepute)
- Employee performance tracking (via paid add-on feature: ezPulse)
A Double-Click on Each System
Let’s cover what these systems are and the pros and cons of each in my Fresha vs. Zenoti guide.
Fresha At a Glance
Overall score
Fresha (formerly known as Shedul) is the only subscription-free software for salons and spas with no trial period and no limits on usage. Fresha is headquartered in London, UK, but is available in 120 countries.
The strengths of Fresha lie in the ease of use, the subscription-free plan, and the continuous development of the platform.
It’s important to note that subscription-free is not the same as free. You’re paying for each transaction, and when new clients find you on the Fresha marketplace.
Pros and Cons
- Free subscription for unlimited staff. Only usage-based pricing.
- User-friendly and easy to learn
- Available in many countries and languages
- Limited options to customize the appearance (default designs look good, though)
- Clients are required to create a Fresha account to book
- Online booking cannot be integrated with your website (need to link out to your Fresha page)
- Limited support for integration with other platforms. You’re locked into using the Fresha tools.
Zenoti At a Glance
Overall score
Zenoti has existed in some form since 2010, when it was initially founded as ManageMySpa, officially becoming Zenoti in 2015.
Zenoti’s features build on the blueprint established by businesses like Booker and Mindbody, and expand the customizability and capability of those features with control over even the most minute details. The level of detail in data and reporting is a step ahead of some of the other big-name competitors in the industry, and its reputation management features are rather impressive.
That said, Zenoti also falls prey to some of the same mistakes that veteran salon software companies like Mindbody and Booker are still making.
Booker, Mindbody, and Zenoti all suffer from the uglies of bad, outdated user interface design, sporting plain, drab menu systems that tuck away important features in layers of nested menus and strip out crucial information (such as icon labels) you need to find the tools you need at a moment’s notice.
Likewise, Zenoti doesn’t list their fees online, hiding their monthly pricing behind a demo/sales call just as Mindbody does.
Pros and Cons
- Can integrate with a large number of third-party applications via an open API
- Integrated payments through Zenoti Payments
- Custom reports
- Help center and Zenoti University (training) available
- No free trial
- Pricing is not transparent + high starting cost (minimum $300)
- Mobile app has low-to-mixed ratings
- Requires a 12-month contract
How Do They Compare? Strengths and Weaknesses
When weighing Fresha against Zenoti, each platform has distinct advantages and potential drawbacks.
Fresha’s headline feature is its free-to-use model, charging fees only upon processing payments, attracting new customers, or using some features.
This has made it a hit with smaller businesses and individual operators.
Fresha’s approach allows for scalability without the burden of upfront costs. However, while its simplicity is its strength, it may lack the depth of features larger businesses require.
Zenoti, on the other hand, is a powerhouse of functionality, offering extensive tools for reputation management and analytics that appeal to established businesses focused on brand and growth.
It’s the leading software for large enterprises, salons, and spa businesses.
Yet, the platform’s complexity and pricing can be prohibitive for smaller operations or those just starting, and the absence of a free trial may deter some potential users.
Both platforms have integrated features like payment processing, marketing tools, and mobile applications, but they aren’t without their issues. Zenoti’s mobile experience has received mixed reviews, which could be a stumbling block for businesses that prioritize on-the-go management.
Fresha vs Zenoti
Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today.
Ease of use
Design
Customer service
Pricing
Calendar and appointment management
Online booking
Point of sale and check out
Client data
Client communication
Inventory management
Team Management
Payroll
Marketing support
3rd party integrations
Mobile and tablet apps
Let’s Talk Features: Fresha vs. Zenoti
Fresha’s platform is designed with simplicity in mind, ensuring that even those with minimal technical expertise can easily navigate its system. This user-friendly nature is at the core of Fresha’s appeal, understanding that not every salon owner is also a tech guru.
Zenoti, on the other side of the spectrum, boasts an arsenal of advanced features to give a business every possible tool for success. Its ezRepute system is a standout, providing businesses the power to manage their online reputation across a vast network of sites.
Both platforms cover the basics very well, with online booking, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and integrated payment solutions. Where they part ways is in the depth and scope of these features.
Zenoti offers a more granular level of control, which can be a significant advantage for larger salons and spas that require intricate customization and detailed reporting.
Feature Comparison
Zenoti offers more features than Fresha. Let's go through what these features are and where they differ.
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Fresha
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Zenoti
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| Online Booking | Fresha | Zenoti |
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Website booking widget Note Can you integrate the entire online booking experience directly into your website? |
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Branding control Note Can you customize the look and feel of the booking experience to fit your brand? |
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No-show protection Note Can you store credit card details and charge deposits to reinforce your cancellation policy? |
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Service customization Note Can clients adapt their service when they book, and can this change the price and duration of the booked appointment? |
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Free from account creation Note Can clients book without having first to create an account with the software? |
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Integrated gift cards Note Can you sell digital gift cards as part of the booking process? |
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| Calendar and Appointment Management | ||
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Customize notification messages Note Can you change the text sent to your clients as part of appointment reminders and other messages? |
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Customize notification timings Note Can you change when reminders and other messages go out to your clients? |
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| Client waitlist management | ||
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Rooms and resource scheduling Note Can you manage equipment, rooms, and other resources required to complete a service? |
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Repeat appointments Note Can you schedule clients for recurring appointments? |
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Time block Note Can you block out time on your calendar? |
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Processing time Note Can you allow for double booking of service providers by accepting appointments during service processing time? |
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Duration and price by staff Note Can you adapt the price and time needed for a service based on who is performing the service? |
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Automated check-in Note Can clients check in to their appointments themselves? |
Note Not by default. Available through Zenoti Go add-on. |
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| Point of Sale/ Check out | ||
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Tablet compatible Note Can you run the POS on any tablet or do you need special hardware? |
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Dedicated POS hardware Note Does the system provider offer hardware to improve the check out expereince? |
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Self check out Note Can clients check out from their appointment themselves? |
Note Not by default. Available through Zenoti Go add-on. |
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Route payments to renters Note If you have booth renters in your business, can you route payments directly to them? |
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Cards on file Note Can you store credit card details and charge the customer later? |
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Integrated payments Note Does the software offer a first-party payment processing solution? |
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| Client Data & Communication | ||
| SMS Notification | ||
| Email Notificition | ||
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Dedicated business SMS number Note Do you get a business phone number that your messages and notifications are send from? |
Note Available through ezConnect premium add-on for an additional fee |
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| Two way SMS communication |
Note Available through ezConnect premium add-on for an additional fee |
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Forms Note Can you create intake forms, store SOAP notes, and have clients sign your forms? |
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Client notes Note Can you store notes about clients on their profile? |
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Client files and images Note Can you store files and image on in the client’s profile? |
Note Can upload files to forms, but not client profiles |
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| Inventory and Product Types | ||
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Inventory tracking Note Will the system keep track of stock levels, notify you when it’s time to re-order? |
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Purchase orders Note Can the system create automatic purchase orders for you? |
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| Retail | ||
| Memberships | ||
| Packages | ||
| Gift cards | ||
| Team Support & Payroll | ||
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Fully integrated payroll Note Can you run payroll and cut paychecks directly through the software? |
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3rd party payroll integration Note Does the software allow you integrate and share data with a 3rd party payroll solution (e.g. Gusto, ADP, Paychex, etc)? |
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| Payroll reports |
Note Fresha offer reports on staff commission, working hours, tips, and service and product sales by staff |
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Commission support Note Can you track and report on commission for service, retail, and other product types? |
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Multi-location support Note Does the system have specific support for businesses with multiple locations |
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Booth renter support Note Can the system help with rent collection, payments, and other booth renter management tasks. |
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| Marketing Support | ||
| Email marketing | ||
| SMS marketing | ||
| Website builder | ||
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Client marketplace Note Does it offer a platform where potential clients can browse businesses using the software? |
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Add-on offers Note Can you promote service add-ons/upsells as part of the online booking flow? |
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| Cloud & Mobile App Access | ||
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Full-featured mobile app Note Can you access all software features in the mobile app? |
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| Web browser | ||
| iPad | ||
| iPhone | ||
| Android | ||
Integrating with Other Platforms for Additional Features
The ability of salon software to integrate with other platforms is a significant consideration. Fresha, while celebrated for its user-friendly design and free-to-use model, offers limited integrations.
This could be a hurdle for businesses that rely on a suite of digital tools and wish to have them all interconnected for streamlined operations.
Zenoti takes a different approach to integrations. Instead of only relying on a wide range of direct integrations, it offers a customizable open API. By creating bespoke integrations tailored to their needs, businesses get access to a more personalized system than off-the-shelf integrations.
For salons that depend heavily on e-commerce or social media platforms such as Shopify, Facebook, and Instagram for client engagement and appointment bookings, the limited direct integrations offered by Fresha could be a notable limitation.
Integrations
Fresha offers very limited third-party integration while Zenoti shines with an open API.
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Fresha
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Zenoti
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Custom integrations Note Does the platform allow you to create new integrations to support your business-specific needs? |
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Native integrations Note Built-in integrations that you can activate as needed |
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Pricing: Fresha vs. Zenoti
Fresha’s most compelling selling point is its subscription-free model, which allows users to access basic features without a monthly fee.
However, when you opt into Fresha Plus, which includes additional perks like online booking and credit card processing, transaction-based fees come into play. A pay-as-you-grow approach means that costs will rise in tandem with your revenue, which can be seen as an investment in your business’s growth.
Zenoti’s pricing, by contrast, is not as straightforward. They avoid publishing standard rates, preferring to offer custom pricing tailored to the individual needs of each salon.
If low cost is important to you, then you will be better off with Fresha or another alternative on my top salon and spa software list.
Fresha vs Zenoti Pricing
Fresha is more attractively priced than Zenoti.
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Fresha
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Zenoti
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| Average Price | ||
| Trial Options | ||
| Minimum contract length | ||
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Plans
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| Plans | ||
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Add-ons
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| Add-ons | ||
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Credit card fees
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| Credit card fees | ||
What Do Users Think of These Platforms?
My opinion isn’t the only one that matters. To give you a better understanding, let me summarize how users have rated these platforms.
User Reviews Compared
Let's compare scores for these systems on the major user review sites.
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Fresha
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Zenoti
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What Fresha & Zenoti Alternatives Should You Consider?
Fresha and Zenoti are both awesome choices for a range of businesses. But, if you’re not quite sure, take a look at the platforms listed below.
Mangomint is the highest-rated software for salons and spas. If you have a team and want the absolute best customer service available, check out this option.
GlossGenius is my recommended alternative for independent professionals who have lean operations and want to keep their costs down.
Mangomint vs GlossGenius
A quick comparison of the two Fresha and Booker alternatives.
Mangomint
GlossGenius
Overall score
Note
The overall score considers ease of use, customer service, features, user ratings, and cost. Scores are determined solely by our editorial team.
Average price
Note
Assumes you run a business with a mid-size team and have activated the more common add-ons. What you will pay will be lower or higher than this. See the separate section about pricing for full details.
Who is it for
Ease of use
Customer Service
Countries
U.S. and Canada
U.S.
Key features
- Modern, intuitive, and easy to use
- Smart automations that help cut down on time spent managing business operations
- Open data ownership and no contracts (you’re not locked into anything)
- Can integrate with any other platform who allows for integrations
- Highest-rated customer service on the market
- Premium beauty-inspired interface design
- Professional-looking website in just a few clicks
- Integrated payment and card reader with customizable design
- Affordable, transparent, flat fee pricing
Conclusion
I hope this comparison between Fresha vs. Zenoti has answered some of your questions.
For more alternatives, please read my list of the best salon and spa software for 2024.
