Alternatives to Fresha in Spain
Fresha is popular, but its hidden commission model does not work for every business. We analysed the 6 best alternatives available in Spain, with real pricing, features and pros and cons for each one.
Last updated: March 2026
Why look for Fresha alternatives?
Fresha presents itself as a "free" management software for beauty businesses. The reality is that its business model is based on commissions that can add up to a significant cost:
- $ Commission of up to 20% for each new client acquired via the marketplace
- $ 1.29% commission on every online payment processed
- $ €0.05 for each WhatsApp or SMS message sent
- $ Paid add-ons: loyalty (€49.95/mo), advanced reports (€9.95/user/mo)
If you already have your own client base and do not need a marketplace to bring you new customers, there are fixed-price alternatives with no hidden commissions.
1. Marai
(our recommendation)Free / From €29/mo
Best for: Service businesses in Spain that want AI automation and a fixed price
Pros
- + AI WhatsApp bot (Pro: 300 msgs/year, Business: 1,000 msgs/year)
- + Fixed price with no booking or transaction commissions
- + Native Spanish, EU servers, full GDPR compliance
Cons
- - No client marketplace (does not attract new clients for you)
- - New to the market (fewer integrations than veteran competitors)
2. Booksy
From ~€30/mo
Best for: Hair salons and beauty centres that want marketplace visibility
Pros
- + Highly rated mobile app by professionals and clients
- + Client marketplace with good presence in Spain
- + Simple interface, beauty-focused
Cons
- - No WhatsApp integration
- - Higher price than other basic alternatives
- - Limited features outside the beauty sector
3. Treatwell
Commissions up to 35%
Best for: Salons looking to attract new clients from a large marketplace
Pros
- + Marketplace with high search volume in Europe
- + Visibility for businesses just starting out without a client base
Cons
- - Very high commissions (up to 35% per marketplace booking)
- - Total dependence on the marketplace for client acquisition
- - Little control over your brand and client relationship
4. SimplyBook.me
From ~€10/mo
Best for: Businesses that need high customization with plugins
Pros
- + Highly customizable: more than 50 plugins available
- + Low entry price
- + Works for multiple sectors, not just beauty
Cons
- - WhatsApp requires manual integration (not native)
- - Complex initial setup due to the plugin system
- - Somewhat outdated interface compared to modern alternatives
5. Vagaro
From ~$30/mo
Best for: Beauty and fitness businesses in English-speaking markets
Pros
- + Complete suite: appointments, payments, marketing, payroll
- + Own marketplace with presence in the US
Cons
- - Oriented to the US market (prices in dollars)
- - No native Spanish support
- - Servers outside the EU (potential GDPR conflict)
6. GlossGenius
From ~$30/mo
Best for: Independent beauty professionals looking for simplicity
Pros
- + Modern and very easy-to-use interface
- + Integrated payment processing
Cons
- - No Spanish version or support
- - Officially only available in the US and Canada
- - No WhatsApp or integrations with European channels
Quick comparison table
| Price | Commissions | Spanish | GDPR | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marai | Free / €29-99 | No | AI Bot (300-1K msgs/yr) | Native | Yes (EU) |
| Booksy | ~€30/mo | No | No | Yes | Yes (EU) |
| Treatwell | Commissions | Up to 35% | No | Yes | Yes (EU) |
| SimplyBook.me | From ~€10 | No | Plugin | Partial | Yes (EU) |
| Vagaro | From ~$30 | No | No | No | No (US) |
| GlossGenius | From ~$30 | 2,6% | No | No | No (US) |
Frequently asked questions
Why look for Fresha alternatives?
Fresha presents itself as free software, but it charges commissions for new marketplace clients (up to 20%), 1.29% on every online payment and €0.05 per WhatsApp message. For many businesses, these hidden commissions make the real cost much higher than fixed-price alternatives.
What is the best Fresha alternative in Spain?
It depends on your needs. If you want AI automation, WhatsApp and a fixed price with no commissions, Marai is the most complete option for the Spanish market. If you need a large marketplace to attract clients, Booksy or Treatwell can work, though with commissions.
Can I migrate my clients from Fresha to another platform?
Yes. You can export your Fresha client database in CSV format and import it into most alternatives. With Marai, CSV import is available from the Starter plan (€29/month).
Is Fresha really free?
Not entirely. Fresha has a base plan from €14.95/month per user, but the real cost grows with commissions: up to 20% for each new marketplace client, 1.29% per online payment, €0.05 per WhatsApp message, and add-ons like loyalty (€49.95/mo) or advanced reports (€9.95/user/mo).
Which Fresha alternative has an AI WhatsApp bot?
Marai is the only alternative that includes an AI WhatsApp bot capable of handling bookings in natural language, 24/7. Available in Pro (€59/mo, 300 AI msgs/year) and Business (€99/mo, 1,000 AI msgs/year). Additional message packs from €19 when quota runs out.
Ready to leave commissions behind?
Marai has a forever free plan (1 professional, 50 clients, 50 appointments/month). No credit card, no commissions, no surprises. Paid plans start at €29/month.
Start freeNo credit card. No commissions. No surprises.