Glamly vs Fresha
Which booking platform is best for your beauty business? Two well-built platforms, two different approaches to how a beauty business grows.
This comparison is based on publicly available information at the time of writing. Features and pricing may change. If you spot anything out of date, please let us know.
Which platform is right for you?
Neither platform is objectively better. The right choice depends on how you run your beauty business and where your clients come from.
✦ Choose Glamly if…
- You build your client base through Instagram, TikTok, referrals or repeat business
- You want a fixed monthly cost with no variable or per-client fees
- You want clients booking directly with you on your own branded page
- You want predictable software costs as your business grows
- You're looking to switch from Fresha and keep all your client data
◈ Choose Fresha if…
- You want marketplace discovery to help attract brand-new clients
- You're starting out and want to benefit from Fresha's existing user base
- You're comfortable with the 20% new marketplace client fee as a client acquisition cost
- You want Instagram booking, Google booking and deposits in one place
- You want access to Fresha's wider booking ecosystem
Glamly vs Fresha — the key differences
Both platforms cover the booking software essentials. The main differences come down to pricing structure, marketplace model, and per-client fees.
Marketplace discovery vs building your own audience
This is the most important thing to understand about these two platforms. They're not just different booking systems — they're built around different ideas of how a beauty business should grow.
Fresha's approach
Marketplace discovery
Fresha operates as both booking software and a consumer discovery platform. When someone searches for beauty services in your area on Fresha, your business can appear in results.
If they book with you for the first time through that marketplace, Fresha charges a 20% one-time fee on that booking. After that, those clients are yours — no ongoing fee on future bookings from the same person.
For businesses that want an extra acquisition channel — particularly those less active on social media — this can make sense as a trade-off.
Glamly's approach
Your own audience. Your own brand.
Most beauty professionals in the UK today build their client base through Instagram, TikTok, Google, word of mouth and referrals. Glamly is built for that reality.
- Your booking page at your own URL — not inside a marketplace
- Fixed monthly cost that never increases with your bookings
- No marketplace to share space with other beauty professionals
- Every client relationship belongs entirely to you
The key question: where do your new clients actually come from? If the honest answer is mostly Instagram, referrals and repeat business, you may be paying for a marketplace you're not really using.
Understanding Fresha pricing vs Glamly pricing
Both platforms have different approaches to how they charge. Here's a clear look at what you're actually paying for with each.
Glamly pricing
per month — every feature included
Everything you need to run your beauty business. Online booking, deposits, reminders, client profiles, promotions and more — all included.
30-day free trial · No credit card needed · Cancel anytime
Fresha pricing
+ marketplace fees
variable with marketplace activity
Fresha offers subscription pricing for its booking software. If you receive new clients through the Fresha marketplace, a 20% one-time fee applies to eligible new marketplace client bookings. Your total monthly cost depends on how many new marketplace clients you receive.
For a full breakdown of Glamly's pricing and what's included, see our pricing page.
Powering beauty businesses every day ♥
Real lash technicians, nail techs, hairdressers and beauty therapists running their businesses with Glamly every day.
Why beauty professionals look for a Fresha alternative
Someone searching for a Fresha alternative is usually at a specific point in their business. They've been using Fresha for a while, things have changed, and they're asking whether there's a better fit.
Common reasons beauty professionals make the switch
- They already generate most clients through Instagram, TikTok and referrals — not the marketplace
- They want simpler, more predictable pricing with no variable fees
- They want a booking experience centred around their own brand, not a marketplace
- They no longer rely on marketplace discovery to grow their client base
What Glamly offers instead
- £12 per month flat — no variable fees, ever
- No marketplace commission on any booking
- Free migration support to move your clients and history across
- 30-day free trial — no credit card needed
Moving your beauty business to Glamly
The main concern when switching is always the same: what happens to all my data? Your client list, booking history, services and pricing — you've built all of that. You shouldn't have to start from scratch.
Glamly offers free migration support. We'll help you move your clients, services and booking history across, so you're up and running quickly rather than spending your weekend rebuilding everything manually.
Will I lose my booking history?
No. We migrate your historical data as part of the switch. Your records come with you.
How long does switching take?
Most businesses are fully set up and taking bookings on Glamly within a day. The 30-day trial means you can run both in parallel if you prefer.
What if I change my mind?
The trial is genuinely risk-free. No credit card required to start. Cancel anytime with no penalty.
Will my clients notice the change?
Your booking page gets a new URL (glamly.uk/your-name). Most clients adapt quickly — the booking flow is clean and simple.
Glamly vs Fresha — frequently asked questions
Is Glamly cheaper than Fresha?
Glamly costs £12 per month with no variable fees. Whether Glamly works out cheaper than Fresha depends on how you use the platform. If you regularly receive new clients through the Fresha marketplace, the 20% new client fee will affect your total monthly cost. If you're mainly using Fresha as booking software for clients you've already built yourself, the pricing comparison is much closer. Glamly's cost never changes regardless of how many bookings you take.
Does Fresha charge marketplace fees?
Yes. Fresha charges a 20% one-time fee on eligible new clients you receive through their marketplace. This fee applies to the first booking only — after that, those clients are yours with no ongoing fee. If you bring clients in through your own channels such as social media, referrals or word of mouth, this fee does not apply to those bookings.
Can both platforms take deposits?
Yes. Both Glamly and Fresha support deposit collection from clients at the time of booking.
Can clients book online with both platforms?
Yes. Both platforms support online booking. Glamly gives you a branded booking page at your own URL (glamly.uk/your-name). Fresha offers online booking through their marketplace as well as standalone booking links.
Can I switch from Fresha to Glamly?
Yes. Glamly offers free migration support to help you move your clients, services and booking history across. There's also a 30-day free trial, so you can get set up and see how it works before fully committing. Most businesses are up and running within a day.
Which booking platform is best for beauty professionals?
It depends on where your clients come from. If you grow your beauty business through Instagram, TikTok, referrals and repeat clients, Glamly's fixed-price model gives you everything you need at a predictable cost with no per-client fees. If you want marketplace discoverability to help attract new clients, Fresha's approach may be a better fit. Many established beauty professionals eventually compare marketplace platforms with fixed-price alternatives as their business grows.
See how Glamly compares to other platforms
Evaluating more options? We have dedicated comparison pages for all major booking software platforms used by UK beauty professionals.
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