A salon management tool without marketplace commissions — an honest alternative to Fresha.

Helmox vs. Fresha — an honest comparison

Fresha is a popular platform in the beauty industry, and it works well for salons seeking marketplace visibility. However, the marketplace model comes with trade-offs. Here is a transparent look at how Helmox compares as a Fresha alternative.

Pricing model

Fresha offers a free plan for basic scheduling, but charges commissions on bookings that come through the Fresha marketplace. These commissions can add up significantly, especially for salons with high booking volumes. Fresha also offers paid features like marketing tools, a card terminal (Fresha Pay) and blast messages at additional cost.

Helmox uses simple flat pricing: Starter (free), Pro (€19/month) and Team (€39/month). There are no commissions on any booking, no matter where the client comes from. What you see is what you pay. View full pricing details.

Marketplace vs. private booking

Fresha operates as a marketplace — clients can search for salons in their area, browse reviews and book. This is great for discovery, but it means your salon appears alongside competitors. Clients acquired through the marketplace also come with a commission cost.

Helmox takes a different approach. Your booking page is private — only people you share the link with can access it. This means you control the client relationship from day one, your brand is front and center, and there is no risk of clients browsing your competitors during the booking process.

Core features

Both Helmox and Fresha offer essential salon management features. Here is a side-by-side look:

• Appointment calendar — Both ✓. Helmox offers day/week/month views with drag-and-drop.
• Client database — Both ✓. Helmox includes treatment notes, color formulas and birthday tracking. Learn about Helmox CRM.
• Online booking — Both ✓. Helmox via a private link; Fresha via marketplace + link.
• Staff management — Both ✓. Helmox Team plan supports individual calendars.
• Automated reminders — Both ✓. Helmox sends email reminders automatically.
• Payment processing — Fresha offers Fresha Pay; Helmox does not currently include integrated payments.
• Marketplace visibility — Fresha ✓; Helmox ✗ (by design — no marketplace).
• Commission-free bookings — Helmox ✓; Fresha — commissions on marketplace bookings.

When Fresha might be better

We believe in honest comparisons. Fresha may be a better fit if:

• You rely heavily on marketplace discovery for new client acquisition.
• You need integrated payment processing (card terminal, online payments).
• You want a platform with a large consumer-facing brand name.

When Helmox is the better choice

Helmox is the stronger option when:

• You want zero commissions on all bookings — no exceptions.
• You prefer clients to book through your own branded link, not a marketplace.
• You need simple, predictable pricing without per-booking costs.
• You are a small-to-medium salon that values operational simplicity over marketplace features.
• You want a free plan that is genuinely free — no strings attached.
• Data privacy is important to you (European GDPR-compliant servers).

What you get with Helmox

How to switch from Fresha to Helmox

1. Sign up for free — Create your Helmox account at helmox.app. No credit card required.
2. Set up your services — Add the treatments you offer with names, durations and prices.
3. Add your regular clients — Re-enter your most frequent clients or let them be created when they book.
4. Test your booking link — Share it with a few trusted clients and verify the experience.
5. Update your online presence — Replace the Fresha link in your Instagram bio, Google Business and website with your Helmox link.
6. Run in parallel if needed — There is no rush. Use both platforms during the transition.

Frequently Asked Questions — Helmox vs. Fresha

Ready to stop paying commissions?

Switch to Helmox and keep 100% of your revenue. Create your free account in under a minute and see the difference.