UK comparison · October 2026
Fresha vs Timely: UK prices and fees compared
Fresha is a booking marketplace with a low monthly fee. Timely is salon software with no marketplace, billed weekly based on how busy you are. Here's how they compare on price and features for a UK beauty professional in 2026.
Fresha vs Timely at a glance
| Fresha | Timely | Glamly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £14.95/month + VAT (Independent) | From £4/week (Run), £7/week (Boost), £9/week (Thrive), rising with bookings | £14.99/month, flat |
| Fee on new clients | 20% of the first booking (min £4) for new marketplace clients | None | None, ever |
| Online card fees | 1.40% + 25p (+ VAT) | 1.85% + 30p | Stripe standard rates, no Glamly fee on deposits |
| Reminders | 20 free texts a month, then 6p each | 1 SMS per booking on Run, then 8p each | 100 WhatsApp messages a month included |
| Consultation forms & waitlist | Consultation forms included | Boost plan and above | Included |
| Marketplace | Yes, Fresha marketplace | No | No, your own booking page |
| Free trial | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days, no card |
Taken from each platform's own UK pricing page (October 2026). Prices can change, so check their sites for the latest. Full breakdowns: Fresha pricing · Timely pricing
Which should you choose?
Fresha suits you if…
You want a low fixed subscription and like being listed on a marketplace, accepting 20% on each new client it brings you.
Timely suits you if…
You don't want a marketplace and you run a growing salon. Expect your bill to rise in busier weeks, and you'll need Boost (from £7 a week) for waitlists, consultation forms and cancellation fees.
Neither suits you if…
You want one predictable price with no marketplace and no cut on new clients. A flat-price system like Glamly is built for solo beauty professionals.
What a typical month costs
Example: a solo lash tech with 60 appointments a month at £40 each, 5 of them new clients found through Fresha's marketplace. Card processing fees are left out.
Fresha
£17.94 subscription inc. VAT + 5 new clients × £8 (20%) + 40 extra texts × 6p
≈ £60
Timely Run
From £4 a week, rising with bookings. No waitlist or consultation forms on this plan
≈ £17+
Timely Boost
From £7 a week, rising with bookings. Adds waitlist, consultation forms and cancellation fees
≈ £30+
Glamly
Flat monthly price with waitlist, consultation forms, deposits and 100 WhatsApp reminders
£14.99
Want neither marketplace taking a cut?
Glamly is £14.99 a month, flat. Your own booking page, deposits, WhatsApp reminders and no fee on new clients, ever. We'll even move your clients and bookings across for you.
Start your 30-day free trial →Fresha vs Timely: common questions
Is Fresha cheaper than Timely?
It depends on your month. Fresha's subscription is £14.95 + VAT, but it takes 20% of the first booking from each new marketplace client. Timely has no marketplace fees but charges weekly, from £4 a week on Run (about £17 a month), and the bill rises with your bookings. You need Timely Boost, from £7 a week, for waitlists and consultation forms.
Does Timely have a marketplace like Fresha?
No. Timely is booking software without a consumer marketplace, so clients book through your own link and there's no fee on new clients. Fresha lists you on its marketplace and charges for new clients found there.
How much is Timely per month?
Timely bills weekly based on your bookings. In the UK, Run starts from £4 a week (about £17 a month), Boost from £7 a week (about £30 a month) and Thrive from £9 a week (about £39 a month). Card payments are extra at 1.85% + 30p online.
Which has lower card fees, Fresha or Timely?
Fresha's online card fee is 1.40% + 25p (+ VAT); Timely's is 1.85% + 30p. On a £40 booking that's roughly 81p with Fresha against £1.04 with Timely.
Is there a flat-price alternative to Fresha and Timely?
Yes. Glamly is a flat £14.99 a month with no marketplace and no fee on new clients. Waitlist, consultation forms, deposits and 100 WhatsApp reminders a month are all included. Try it free for 30 days, and we'll move your clients and bookings across for you.
More comparisons: all booking systems compared