Best Fresha Alternatives to Manage Bookings

Managing bookings for a growing spa, salon, or multi-national resort using Fresha often comes with several challenges and limitations. 

• Minimal customization options for branding and design
• Inability to embed the Fresha booking page into an existing website
• Limited integration options
• Inability to manage multi-location businesses

As you can see, Fresha is far from ideal for growing businesses, so here are some excellent Fresha alternatives that might be a better solution for your business.

Book4Time

Book4Time is a cloud-based management solution for hotels, resorts, spas, casinos, gyms, and other businesses in the hospitality and wellness industry. It covers the entire guest journey, from check-in to check-out. 

The mobile platform simplifies the process of booking spa treatments, cabanas, or other scheduled activities. By streamlining the booking process and eliminating the need for guests to stand in line or fill out forms, they are more likely to book extra services, which means increased revenue. It’s no wonder major brands like Marriot, Accor, and Hilton choose to use Book4Time to manage their spa and resort bookings.

The software’s built-in analytics provide hotel management with valuable insights into the use rate of different facilities, enabling them to optimize the availability of activities and infrastructure. For example, if the morning yoga class is consistently fully booked, this would indicate a good opportunity to add another class. 

Key Book4Time features include: 

• Multi-channel booking options (online, front desk, or mobile device)
• Flexible group bookings with individual or corporate billing options
• User-friendly calendar view with different symbols and color schemes
• Membership packages to increase customer retention
• Secure storage of customer information to streamline service delivery and improve customer satisfaction
• Revenue loss analysis for fully booked activities or classes
• Enhanced password security measures
• Customizable roles and permission levels for staff members 

How is it different from Fresha?

Book4Time is designed for the hospitality industry, focusing on the hotel and luxury resort sectors. It offers scalable solutions that can accommodate businesses ranging from SMBs to enterprise-level customers. In contrast, Fresha primarily targets SMBs and sole proprietors in the spa, beauty, fitness, and wellness industry.

How is appointment booking handled?

Book4Time centralizes all records, so customers can book appointments from anywhere using the mobile app or web portal. They can also book appointments face-to-face through the reception desk as all the information is saved in one database.

Is it possible to manage multi-location businesses?

Book4Time is scalable and can manage bookings across multiple locations without errors.

Can it accommodate enterprise-level businesses?

Book4Time is ideal for enterprise-level businesses because of its detailed reporting and performance analysis, which help boost revenue and encourage returning customers.

Can third-party tools be integrated?

Yes, any third-party tools your hotel is already using, like property management tools, payment systems, or marketing platforms, can be connected with Book4Time.

Is customer support available?

Yes, Book4Time offers 24/7 phone and email support to their customers in 15 different languages.

Vagaro

Vagaro is a customizable booking system for spas, beauty salons, and fitness centers. The platform allows you to design the booking screen to match your branding and implement functionality that suits your business needs. You can accept appointments immediately or set a request-and-approve system for bookings. You can also create a waiting list, charge a deposit on bookings, implement cancellation fees, and include travel time in booking fees for mobile businesses. 

To streamline the booking process and discourage no-shows, the platform allows you to save customer details like credit card information. 

Key Vagaro features include:

• Interest-free payment installment options
• Appointment reminder service
• Customer loyalty program with rewards
• Tools for creating custom forms, quizzes, and surveys to engage and collect information from customers
• Live stream classes or chat with customers in real-time
• Inventory management for physical stock

How is it different from Fresha?

Unlike Fresha’s free model, Vagaro is a paid platform. However, the subscription fee includes valuable services such as free data transfers from an existing platform, advanced reporting, and free training sessions for you and your staff using the platform.

How is appointment booking handled?

Customers can book services via the mobile app from anywhere on any device. For faster online booking, a booking button can also be added to your Google Maps and Apple Maps listings.

Is it possible to manage multi-location businesses?

Yes, Vagaro caters to enterprise-scale customers with branches in multiple locations. For better connectivity across all branches, customer data and employee availability are accessible from the cloud across all locations.

Can it accommodate enterprise-level businesses?

Vagaro offers some great features that make it suitable for enterprise-level businesses. It provides enterprise-level support to guide customers to success with the platform and top-tier security to ensure all customer data remains secure.

Can third-party tools be integrated?

Vagaro allows some third-party integrations but it’s not as flexible as platforms like Book4Time. For this reason, it may not be ideal for those who want to merge existing software with a new booking platform. 

Is customer support available?

Vagaro offer their customers 24/7 phone, live chat, and email support. The company also maintains an extensive knowledge base with helpful documentation to address common questions and concerns.

Mindbody

Mindbody is a leading software solution for fitness, wellness, and beauty businesses, offering a scalable platform for managing appointments, classes, and client interactions. 

In addition to appointment booking and management, Mindbody offers a range of marketing features and additional business functionality, including automated emails and promotions, detailed reporting and analytics for tracking business performance, and staff management tools. 

Other Mindbody benefits include access to capital for growth funding, automated marketing systems, staff and payroll management, and reporting capabilities. Businesses also have access to the Mindbody Marketplace where customers can search for specific services. While the platform can be customized to align with your business branding, Mindbody’s team of designers handles the setup process for you.

Key Mindbody features include:

• AI-powered messenger functionality to communicate with clients 24/7
• A self check-in option for clients attending classes to speed up the arrival process
• Integrated payment management without the need for third-party payment software
• Booking management on the go
• Dynamic pricing capabilities to encourage off-peak appointments
• Automatic notification system for waitlisted customers when sessions become available

How is it different from Fresha?

As a Fresha alternative, Mindbody has several major differences. One is that businesses can apply for funding, and another is the AI-powered live chat functionality. In addition, Mindbody provides advanced marketing automation and analytics, making it a more comprehensive solution for larger businesses than Fresha.

How is appointment booking handled?

Customers can make bookings online, through the app, or via the Mindbody Marketplace. 

Is it possible to manage multi-location businesses?

Yes, Mindbody allows businesses to manage bookings from multiple branches and manage user permission levels across all locations.

Can it accommodate enterprise-level businesses?

Mindbody is fully capable of catering to enterprise-level businesses, offering an enterprise-specific dashboard to assist larger businesses with their management needs. The platform provides customizable features, and white labeling options allow businesses to maintain a professional image throughout their operations. 

Can third-party tools be integrated?

Mindbody integrates with over 90 third-party apps and services. It also has built-in tools for staff management, marketing, and performance analytics.

Is customer sup#port available?

Mindbody offers 24/7 technical support to customers by phone, live chat, and email. They also provide 1-on-1 consultations and a ton of documentation on their support page. 

Square Appointments

While not specifically designed for salons and spas, Square Appointments is a scheduling platform that offers all the necessary features and functionality for these businesses. Clients can easily schedule multiple appointments at different locations via the mobile app, and the platform sends automated email and SMS reminders. A subscription allows unlimited staff calendars and the waiting list feature ensures you get the most out of every class or available treatment room.

The platform has a great customer contact management system that saves important details and includes a loyalty program for return customers. In addition, the automated email marketing feature helps engage customers and encourages return visits.

Key Square Appointments features include:

• Unlimited booking calendars
• Access to Square Online, where you can develop your business website or embed a “book now” button on your existing website
• Access to the Square payments processing platform
• API access for additional customization
• Staff management functionality and advanced reporting (premium accounts only)

How is it different from Fresha?

Like Fresha, Square Appointments is ideal for solopreneurs. However, unlike Fresha, it offers the ability to add additional business locations. There is also far greater functionality and platform integrations that will allow you to scale a growing business. 

How is appointment booking handled?

All customer and booking information is synced across various devices and physical service locations. So, customers can book on-site, via the website, or through the app. 

Is it possible to manage multi-location businesses?

Square Appointments provides a range of features that help manage a business across multiple locations. However, you must have a paid plan to access these features.

Can it accommodate enterprise-level businesses?

Square Appointments offers a tailored option for enterprise-level businesses with an annual revenue of $250,000 or more. This package includes a dedicated account manager to swiftly address any issues and accelerate the platform’s successful implementation and utilization.

Can third-party tools be integrated?

Square Appointments users also have access to Square Marketplace, which has a ton of available integrations including marketing platforms, accounting tools, form builders, and workflow management tools.

Is customer support available?

Square offers very comprehensive support services to their customers. There is a support page with helpful documentation, the Square community offers peer-to-peer support, and you can contact them by phone or email.

Mangomint

Mangomint is a comprehensive booking platform ideal for spas, salons, and wellness services. It offers an express booking feature that streamlines the booking process, reducing friction and increasing bookings.

The platform includes a two-way messaging system and a virtual waiting room for effective client communication. The virtual waiting room allows you to check in clients faster and automatically sends appointment reminders.

With Mangomint, you get detailed performance reporting on bookings and cancellations, as well as staff productivity. Although integrations are possible, they may not be required thanks to the range of in-built functionality like payroll processing and marketing automations. The platform also has advanced email marketing functionality and a selection of beautifully designed email templates. 

Some of the notable features include:

• Simplified and frictionless booking system that prefills customer information
• A range of workflow automations to streamline management
• Intuitive user interface
• A membership program to enhance customer retention

How is it different from Fresha?

Mangomint offers far more advanced features than Fresha, particularly in the area of marketing and workflow automations. It also allows businesses to operate from multiple locations and manage multiple staff teams.

How is appointment booking handled?

Bookings can be made online or via the app. The express booking system enables the service provider to send the customer a pre-filled booking link, speeding up the booking process.

Is it possible to manage multi-location businesses?

Yes, a Mangomint subscription comes with one business location, and each additional business location increases the monthly subscription cost.

Can it accommodate enterprise-level businesses?

Mangomint is particularly well-suited for enterprise-level businesses due to its location-based reporting capabilities and APIs that enable unlimited customization options.

Can third-party tools be integrated?

Some third-party integrations are possible, but most incur an additional cost.

Is customer support available?

Mangomint offers customer support in the form of live chat or by phone to all plan subscribers. They also schedule free check-in calls to proactively follow up with new customers. 

Zenoti

Zenoti is a powerful booking platform that brings together all your appointment bookings, marketing campaigns, service menus, and performance analytics. It allows customers to manage their own bookings, update their profiles, and view loyalty balances. Zenoti’s smart booking intelligence optimizes bookings and reduces no-shows, while the customizable booking reports and various dashboard templates give users easy performance visualization. It’s even possible to set KPIs and receive notifications when they have been achieved.

Zenoti can accommodate businesses ranging in size from small to enterprise-scale, covering multiple locations. One feature that makes it so popular is the feedback and customer reviews functionality, which allows for quick customer feedback collection and prompt issue resolution.

Key Zenoti features include:

• AI-integrated analytics capabilities and chatbot
• Intelligent and customizable reporting features
• Customer feedback and reviews
• Customer segment analysis to help retain at-risk customers
• Open API that allows for broader customization
• Email and text message marketing 

How is it different from Fresha?

Zenoti offers significantly deeper analytics functionality than Fresha for optimizing performance and bookings. In addition, the reputation management features like customer feedback and reviews are ideal for a growing business focused on customer satisfaction.

How is appointment booking handled?

Appointments can be easily booked from a mobile device or at a physical location, and all bookings are perfectly synced, eliminating errors and inconsistent service. Customers can also review and update their profile information and manage loyalty points and gift cards. 

Is it possible to manage multi-location businesses?

Yes, Zenoti allows businesses to easily add another location to the system, maintain brand consistency, and access the same database of customer contacts.  

Can it accommodate enterprise-level businesses?

Zenoti is well-equipped to handle enterprise-level businesses, allowing them to efficiently manage numerous locations and large teams. The platform enables service delivery optimization through detailed data analytics and personalized marketing campaigns.     

Can third-party tools be integrated?

Zenoti allows a wide range of third-party integrations, and if there’s a specific tool you want, it can be requested.

Is customer support available?

Zenoti support is available 24/7 by live chat or by phone. There is also a ton of helpful information in their Help Center and training opportunities through the Zenoti University.

Acuity: Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a booking platform that allows virtual or in-person appointments for businesses in various industries. The booking page can be embedded into any website, but if you don’t have one yet, you can make use of Squarespace’s professional website-building functionality. This is possible because Acuity Scheduling was acquired by Squarespace in 2019, so you can use it to develop a business website that displays real-time availability across multiple locations. 

Customizable forms make it easy to collect data from clients and the loyalty benefits and automated reminders keep customers returning. 

Acuity Scheduling integrates with payment platforms like Stripe, Square, and PayPal to offer secure transactions. Businesses can also require deposits or store credit card information to protect against no-shows. On top of that, the reporting and analytics capabilities provide valuable insights that allow for revenue optimizations.

However, one feature Acuity Scheduling lacks is a native app. Bookings must be made online, and this could be a major stumbling block for some businesses.

Key Acuity Scheduling features include:

• Synchronization with other calendar systems like Google Calendar and iCloud
• Available in multiple languages
• Industry-specific functionalities
• Worldwide text message reminders and an automatic timezone conversion
• Tipping feature that accepts customer tips

How is it different from Fresha?

Acuity Scheduling sets itself apart as a Fresha alternative through its scalability and features designed to serve global businesses. It offers a wider range of integrations and advanced analytics capabilities to enhance business performance, which are not available with Fresha.

How is appointment booking handled?

Customers can make bookings through the online portal or in-person, and all bookings are synced through the one system. 

Is it possible to manage multi-location businesses?

Yes, Acuity Scheduling allows for multi-locations businesses on the higher tier pricing plans. A stand out feature is the timezone conversion that enables businesses to operate globally.

Can it accommodate enterprise-level businesses?

Acuity Scheduling supports enterprise-level growth regardless of how large a business becomes. The platform provides a dedicated account manager and personalized onboarding support to ensure businesses can quickly implement and benefit from the system. Additionally, it offers developer tools for ultimate platform customization.

Can third-party tools be integrated?

Yes, a wide range of integrations are possible for all plan holders. This includes access to accounting platforms, email marketing tools, CRM, and Zapier, which gives even more integration options.

Is customer support available?

Acuity Scheduling allows customers to submit a ticket and receive a response via email. There is also a range of help documentation available on their Help Center with answers to most of the commonly asked questions.

Wrapping Up

For those looking to upgrade to a more comprehensive booking platform, there is sure to be a suitable option among these 7 Fresha alternatives. Square Appointments stands out for its ease of use, while Mangomint and Zenoti focus on customer retention and intelligent analytics. Acuity Scheduling has a global reach, making it ideal for businesses operating across multiple time zones. 

However, Book4Time emerges as the premier choice for businesses seeking a versatile booking system that’s suitable for diverse service-based businesses. Book4Time offers a streamlined booking process, extensive integration options, and multi-language support, while its enterprise-level scalability ensures that it can grow alongside your business.

FAQs

Why change to one of these Fresha alternatives?

If you’re considering a Fresha alternative, it’s likely because you’ve reached the platform’s limitations. While Fresha is an excellent platform for small businesses and startups, it offers limited potential for business growth. It doesn’t support multiple business locations and lacks payroll and staff management features.

How do I choose the best booking platform for my business?

When evaluating Fresha alternatives for your business, prioritize platforms that integrate well with other software and offer the specific features you need. This approach provides flexibility for growth and simplifies the transition process. The ideal booking platform should also be user-friendly and convenient for both staff and customers.

How can the right spa software benefit your business?

Implementing the right spa software can significantly transform your business operations. It enhances business management and resource distribution efficiency, enabling you to optimize booking availability. Additionally, the right software can improve customer satisfaction due to the ease of booking and overall user experience.