OpenChair vs Fresha

Stop paying 20% on new clients

Fresha is essentially a marketplace that tithes your business. OpenChair gives you the same marketplace exposure without the 'New Client Fee' tax.

Start Free Trial

Feature Comparison

Feature

OpenChair

Fresha

AI & Automation

AI Waitlist

Predictive

Manual

AI Enquiry Handling

Conversational SMS

None

Smart Rescheduling

Automatic

Manual

Pricing & Fees

Subscription Fee

From $34.95/mo

$0/mo

New Client Fee

20% (First Appointment)

Payment Processing

From 1.8% + 30¢ (Pro)

2.29% + 20¢

Blast Emails

Included

Paid Add-on

Client Ownership

Client Data Portability

Restricted

Direct Marketing

Restricted (Marketplace first)

Branded Booking Page

Advanced Features

Deposits & protecting no-shows

Inventory Management

Staff Payroll

The Honest Truth about Fresha

They are a solid platform, but here is where they fall short for modern growth-focused venues.

Where they struggle

High commissions on new clients

They own your client data

Hard to brand yourself

Where they are good

Huge marketplace traffic

Free to start

Good mobile app

Make the Switch

Switch Free for 60 Days

Join the OpenChair Founding Members club. Switch from Fresha and your first 60 days are on us — plus we'll help you import your client list so no one gets left behind.

Claim Offer

Limited time offer for verified Fresha customers.

Making the Switch from Fresha

Switching software feels daunting — but it doesn't have to be. Here's exactly how the transition works.

Export your client list

Download your client data from Fresha. Fresha restricts some data exports, but you can export client names, contact details, and appointment history. We'll walk you through it.

Import into OpenChair

Use our AI Booking Link Import or upload your exported CSV. OpenChair maps your services, pricing, and client details automatically — review and adjust before going live.

Set up your branded storefront

Unlike Fresha, your booking page is yours. Add your logo, choose your colours, connect your custom domain (Pro), and share the link with your clients.

Go live — run both in parallel if you like

There's no hard cut-over required. Many venues run Fresha and OpenChair side by side for a week or two, then switch their booking link once they're confident. No lock-in means no pressure.

Common Questions About Switching from Fresha

How do I export my client data from Fresha?

Fresha allows you to download a client list export from the Clients section of your dashboard. This includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, and appointment history. Some marketing and preference data may not export — Fresha restricts full data portability as part of their marketplace model. Once you have the export, OpenChair's onboarding wizard can import it directly. If you run into any issues, our support team can help you through the process step by step.

Will my clients still be able to book during the switch?

Yes. We recommend running Fresha and OpenChair in parallel for 1–2 weeks. Keep accepting bookings on Fresha while you set up OpenChair with your services, team, and storefront. Once everything looks right, update your booking link on your website, social media, and Google Business Profile. Existing Fresha bookings continue as normal — you're just redirecting new bookings to OpenChair. There's no downtime for your clients.

I rely on Fresha's marketplace for new clients. What happens if I leave?

This is the honest trade-off. If Fresha's marketplace is your primary source of new clients, leaving means losing that channel. But consider what it costs you: 20% of every new client's first booking, plus Fresha's higher processing rate (2.29% + 20¢ vs OpenChair Pro's 1.8% + 30¢). If your clients already find you through Instagram, Google, or word of mouth, you're paying 20% for a marketplace you don't need. Run the numbers on your last 3 months of Fresha new client fees — most salon owners are surprised by the total.

How long does it take to set up OpenChair?

Most venues are live within a day. The AI onboarding imports your services and hours from your existing booking page in minutes. Setting up your team, storefront, and deposit rules takes another 30–60 minutes. If you're importing a client list, add another 15 minutes for the import and review. There are no training fees, no onboarding calls required, and no setup costs. You can start accepting bookings the same day you sign up.

What about my gift cards — can I transfer them?

Gift cards issued on Fresha stay on Fresha — they can't be transferred. For outstanding balances, you can honour them manually (track the Fresha balance and apply a discount in OpenChair), or let them run their course while new gift cards are issued through OpenChair. Going forward, OpenChair's gift card system gives you full control over design, pricing, and distribution — no marketplace restrictions on how you sell or promote them.

Better than Fresha.
Better for your business.

Get Started Today

openchair

Opening OpenChair

Secure handoff

Loading your workspace

We're connecting your account, venue context and the next screen so everything arrives ready to use.

Today's schedule

Pulling in bookings, gaps and the next arrivals.

Synchronising now

Inbox

Loading messages and anything that needs your reply.

Synchronising now

Team view

Preparing staff access, pinned tools and venue controls.

Synchronising now

Smart nudges

Warming up the suggestions that keep the day moving.

Synchronising now

Bringing everything together

This should only take a moment.

OpenChair vs Fresha

Stop paying 20% on new clients

Fresha is essentially a marketplace that tithes your business. OpenChair gives you the same marketplace exposure without the 'New Client Fee' tax.

Start Free Trial

Feature Comparison

Feature

OpenChair

Fresha

AI & Automation

AI Waitlist

Predictive

Manual

AI Enquiry Handling

Conversational SMS

None

Smart Rescheduling

Automatic

Manual

Pricing & Fees

Subscription Fee

From $34.95/mo

$0/mo

New Client Fee

20% (First Appointment)

Payment Processing

From 1.8% + 30¢ (Pro)

2.29% + 20¢

Blast Emails

Included

Paid Add-on

Client Ownership

Client Data Portability

Restricted

Direct Marketing

Restricted (Marketplace first)

Branded Booking Page

Advanced Features

Deposits & protecting no-shows

Inventory Management

Staff Payroll

The Honest Truth about Fresha

They are a solid platform, but here is where they fall short for modern growth-focused venues.

Where they struggle

High commissions on new clients

They own your client data

Hard to brand yourself

Where they are good

Huge marketplace traffic

Free to start

Good mobile app

Make the Switch

Switch Free for 60 Days

Join the OpenChair Founding Members club. Switch from Fresha and your first 60 days are on us — plus we'll help you import your client list so no one gets left behind.

Claim Offer

Limited time offer for verified Fresha customers.

Making the Switch from Fresha

Switching software feels daunting — but it doesn't have to be. Here's exactly how the transition works.

Export your client list

Download your client data from Fresha. Fresha restricts some data exports, but you can export client names, contact details, and appointment history. We'll walk you through it.

Import into OpenChair

Use our AI Booking Link Import or upload your exported CSV. OpenChair maps your services, pricing, and client details automatically — review and adjust before going live.

Set up your branded storefront

Unlike Fresha, your booking page is yours. Add your logo, choose your colours, connect your custom domain (Pro), and share the link with your clients.

Go live — run both in parallel if you like

There's no hard cut-over required. Many venues run Fresha and OpenChair side by side for a week or two, then switch their booking link once they're confident. No lock-in means no pressure.

Stop paying 20% on new clients

Feature Comparison

The Honest Truth about Fresha

Make the Switch

Switch Free for 60 Days

Making the Switch from Fresha

Export your client list

Import into OpenChair

Set up your branded storefront

Go live — run both in parallel if you like

Common Questions About Switching from Fresha

How do I export my client data from Fresha?

Will my clients still be able to book during the switch?

I rely on Fresha's marketplace for new clients. What happens if I leave?

How long does it take to set up OpenChair?

What about my gift cards — can I transfer them?

Better than Fresha.Better for your business.

Loading your workspace

Stop paying 20% on new clients

Feature Comparison

The Honest Truth about Fresha

Make the Switch

Switch Free for 60 Days

Making the Switch from Fresha

Export your client list

Import into OpenChair

Set up your branded storefront

Go live — run both in parallel if you like

Common Questions About Switching from Fresha

How do I export my client data from Fresha?

Will my clients still be able to book during the switch?

I rely on Fresha's marketplace for new clients. What happens if I leave?

How long does it take to set up OpenChair?

What about my gift cards — can I transfer them?

Better than Fresha.Better for your business.

Better than Fresha.
Better for your business.

Better than Fresha.
Better for your business.