Fresha takes up to 20% of your new client bookings. Tavix takes zero.
See how Tavix compares to Fresha on pricing, commission, WhatsApp messaging, reviews, and data ownership.
Fresha is a popular booking platform that markets itself as "free." But the cost is hidden: 20% commission on every new client that books through their marketplace, plus payment processing fees and optional add-ons. Tavix is a flat-rate alternative — starting at just £7/month for the Base plan, with optional add-ons like WhatsApp reminders and client engagement — zero commission, ever. You keep 100% of every booking.
0%
Tavix commission
20%
Fresha new client fee
£7
Tavix from / month
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Tavix | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 0% — always | 20% on new marketplace clients |
| Monthly price | From £7/mo (Base) | "Free" base plan + paid add-ons |
| WhatsApp messaging | Confirmations, reminders, re-engagement, birthday marketing (add-on) | Not available |
| Client reviews | Sent to Google Business Profile | Locked inside Fresha marketplace |
| Client data ownership | Full ownership — your data, your clients | Fresha owns the marketplace relationship |
| Competitor visibility | Your own branded booking page | Competitors shown alongside your listing |
| Automated re-engagement | AI-suggested win-back messages | No automated follow-ups |
| Aftercare tips | Post-visit follow-ups (add-on) | Not available |
| Birthday marketing | Automatic birthday offers (add-on) | Not available |
| Payment processing | Stripe (standard rates) | Fresha Payments (2.19% + 20p) |
| Setup time | Under 10 minutes | 15–30 minutes |
| Free trial | 14 days, no card required | Free base plan (commission-based) |
| UK focus | Built for the UK market | Global platform |
Feature-by-feature breakdown
£ Commission & pricing
Fresha
Fresha's base software is free, but they take 20% of every new client booking that comes through their marketplace. On a £50 hair appointment, that's £10 gone. Multiply that by 10 new clients a month and you're paying £100 — more than either Tavix plan. Fresha also charges for optional features like blast campaigns and no-show protection.
Tavix
Tavix charges a flat monthly fee. Base starts at £7/month for the first 3 months (then £9/month) with online booking, calendar, client management, and email reminders. Add only what you need — WhatsApp reminders (£5/mo), client engagement (£5/mo), deposits (£3/mo), and more. Zero commission on any booking — whether the client finds you on Google, Instagram, or through your booking link. You keep 100%.
✉ WhatsApp messaging
Fresha
Fresha relies on email and SMS for client communications. There is no WhatsApp integration. SMS has low open rates (around 20–30% in the UK) and emails often land in spam or go unread.
Tavix
With Tavix’s WhatsApp add-on, you get native WhatsApp messaging via the official Meta Business API. 98% open rate. Automated booking confirmations, appointment reminders, post-visit aftercare tips, win-back messages for lapsed clients, and birthday offers — all sent from your business name.
★ Reviews
Fresha
Reviews left on Fresha stay on Fresha. They help your Fresha marketplace listing but do nothing for your Google Business Profile. If you ever leave Fresha, those reviews don't come with you.
Tavix
Tavix prompts clients to leave reviews on Google. This builds your Google star rating, helps you rank higher in local search, and feeds into AI-powered search answers — visibility that stays with you regardless of what booking platform you use.
🔒 Data & client ownership
Fresha
Clients who book through the Fresha marketplace are, functionally, Fresha's clients first. They see your competitors before, during, and after booking. Fresha can show promotions from other salons. Your client list is tied to their platform.
Tavix
Your clients are your clients. Your booking page is branded to you — no competitor listings, no marketplace distractions. You have full access to your client data, export it any time, and your clients never see another salon when booking with you.
🔄 Client re-engagement
Fresha
Fresha has no automated re-engagement for lapsed clients. If a client hasn't booked in 6 weeks, you won't know unless you manually check. There are blast campaigns available, but they cost extra and are not targeted.
Tavix
Tavix’s Client Engagement add-on uses AI-suggested re-engagement. When a client hasn't booked in their usual timeframe, Tavix drafts a personalised WhatsApp message. You approve or edit it before sending. No manual tracking, no extra cost.
Which one is right for you?
Fresha might be better if you...
- Want free software and are willing to pay 20% commission on marketplace clients
- Rely heavily on marketplace discovery to find new clients
- Don't mind competitors being shown alongside your listing
- Prefer a large global ecosystem with POS hardware options
- Don't need WhatsApp messaging or automated re-engagement
Tavix is better if you...
- Want predictable costs with zero commission — ever
- Want to message clients on WhatsApp (98% open rate) instead of email
- Want reviews to go to Google, not a locked marketplace
- Don't want competitors shown alongside your business
- Want automated re-engagement, birthday offers, and aftercare tips
- Value full data ownership and a branded booking experience
The bottom line
Fresha built a strong marketplace. But "free" software that takes 20% of your new client revenue is not free — it's the most expensive option if you're growing. A salon bringing in 15 new clients a month at £45 average is paying Fresha £135/month in commission alone.
Tavix starts at just £7/month for the first 3 months and you add only what you need. With WhatsApp reminders, client engagement, and a branded booking page — all with zero commission — that's the difference between renting your client relationships and owning them.
Ready to stop paying commission?
Try Tavix free for 14 days. No card required. Set up in under 10 minutes.