Fresha vs GlossGenius,for solos and small teams.
One is free software funded by fees. One is a polished paid app aimed at independent beauty pros. The right answer depends on where your clients come from.
The essentials
What you actually get
- 01
Fresha
Free to use, funded by marketplace fees on new clients and card processing. Wide salon and spa reach.
- 02
GlossGenius
Paid monthly, strong design, payments and marketing built for solo beauty professionals and small teams.
- 03
ZenSched
A branded booking page with real durations, buffers, per staff hours and email reminders. Flat price, free plan, no marketplace.
Side by side
How they compare
On the things buyers actually ask about.
| Feature | Fresha | GlossGenius | ZenSched |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base price | Free (fee funded) | Paid monthly | Free plan, flat paid tiers |
| Consumer marketplace | Yes | Not today | Not today |
| Fee on new client bookings | Yes | No | No |
| Payment processing built in | Yes | Yes | Not today |
| Best fit | Salons wanting reach | Solo beauty pros | Shops wanting a plain calendar |
| Per staff calendars and hours | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom booking fields | Limited | Limited | Yes |
| Multi location | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Setup time | Hours | Hours | 10 minutes |
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is Fresha really free compared to GlossGenius?+
The software is free, but Fresha earns on card processing and on fees tied to new clients from its marketplace. GlossGenius charges a predictable monthly price instead. Which is cheaper depends on how many new clients arrive through the marketplace.
Which is better for a solo stylist or nail tech?+
GlossGenius is built around the solo beauty professional and it shows in the payments and marketing side. Fresha is broader and more salon oriented.
Which one keeps my client list mine?+
GlossGenius does not put your clients in a consumer marketplace. Fresha does, which means the app can market other businesses to a client who found you there.
What if I just want a booking page without payments?+
That is where ZenSched sits. A branded page, per staff calendars, service durations and buffers, capacity limits and email reminders, on a free plan. It does not process payments today.
Can I take deposits or payments through the booking page?+
Not today. ZenSched focuses on the calendar and the booking experience. Payment collection is on the roadmap; for now most customers collect payment in person or through their existing processor.
Do I own my customer data?+
Yes. Every booking creates a customer record in your workspace. Export any time. ZenSched does not resell or remarket to your clients.
How hard is it to switch from another booking system?+
There is no migration project. You add your services, hours and staff, then share the new link. Most owners run the old system until the last booked appointment passes, then stop renewing it.
Is ZenSched really free to try?+
Yes. The Free Beta plan gives you a full booking page, unlimited appointments and email reminders. No credit card to start.
Read next
- Nail salon booking software
- Hair salon booking software
- Salon booking app
- ZenSched vs GlossGenius
- ZenSched vs Fresha
- Booksy vs Fresha
- Online booking page
- Booking software by industry
- Best Salon Booking Software 2026: 7 Tools Compared
- Booking App for Nail Techs: Free Page, No Commission
- Nail Appointment App: Free Plan, No Booking Fees (2026)
- Vagaro vs GlossGenius,
- Staff scheduling
- A dog grooming booking app
- Pricing
- See the booking flow
Want the calendarwithout the fees?
A branded booking page with real rules, live tonight.
