Brelio vs Fresha – Is "Free" Salon Software Really Free?
The "Free" Myth: What Fresha Does Not Put in the Headline
Fresha is genuinely impressive software. The interface is clean, the booking flow is smooth, and the headline price — free forever — is hard to argue with. It is no surprise that it has grown rapidly across Europe and the UK.
But "free" in Fresha's case means free to access, not free to use at full capacity. The moment your salon starts doing the things most salons actually need — taking card payments, running promotions to attract new clients, or using their marketplace — costs appear. They are real, and for a busy salon they can add up to hundreds of PLN per month.
This article breaks down exactly where those costs come from, compares Fresha honestly with Brelio, and helps you decide which model fits your business.
Where Fresha's Hidden Costs Come From
1. Payment Processing Fees
Fresha is free if you handle all payments in cash. The moment you accept card payments through Fresha's integrated system, they charge a payment processing fee — typically around 1.29% plus a fixed fee per transaction (rates vary by country). For a salon processing 30,000 PLN per month in card payments, that is roughly 400–500 PLN in fees every month.
2. New Client Commission (Marketplace Bookings)
Fresha's marketplace — where clients discover salons they have never visited — charges a commission of approximately 20% on the first appointment from each new client acquired through the platform. This is a one-time charge per new client, not recurring, but it is significant: a 150 PLN service generates a 30 PLN commission on first visit.
3. Paid Marketing Features
Running promotional campaigns, targeted offers, or blast messages to your client list requires Fresha's paid marketing add-ons. The core reminder system is free, but active outbound campaigns are not.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Brelio | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| Base platform cost | 49–149 PLN/month flat | Free |
| Payment processing fee | Standard market rates (not bundled) | ~1.29% + fixed fee per transaction |
| New client marketplace commission | None | ~20% on first visit |
| Online booking calendar | Yes | Yes |
| SMS / WhatsApp reminders | Yes — included | Basic reminders included |
| Marketing campaigns | Yes — SMS, WhatsApp, email | Paid add-on |
| CRM & client history | Yes | Yes |
| Financial reports | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app (iOS & Android) | Yes | Yes |
| Predictable monthly cost | Yes — fixed | No — depends on volume |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card | Free tier (with limitations) |
The Pricing Reality: A Real-World Example
Consider a medium-sized nail salon with 3 staff, processing 25,000 PLN per month in card payments and attracting 10 new clients per month through the marketplace (average service value 120 PLN).
- Fresha payment fees: ~325 PLN/month
- Fresha new client commission: 10 x 120 PLN x 20% = 240 PLN/month
- Fresha marketing campaigns: 50–150 PLN/month (if used)
- Fresha total real cost: ~565–715 PLN/month
Brelio for the same salon: 99 PLN/month (Pro plan, 5 staff). All features included. No per-transaction fees on the platform side.
When Fresha Is Genuinely the Right Choice
Fresha is an excellent tool in specific scenarios, and we want to be fair about that:
- Cash-only salons that never need integrated payment processing will pay nothing and get very capable software.
- Brand-new salons that need the marketplace to find their first clients benefit from the exposure — the 20% commission on a first-ever visit from a new client is a reasonable acquisition cost.
- Very small operations (1 staff, low volume, no marketing ambitions) may stay within the genuinely free tier indefinitely.
Who Should Choose Brelio
Brelio is the stronger choice when:
- You accept card payments and want to know exactly what you pay each month.
- You have an existing client base and do not need a marketplace to generate bookings.
- You want to run your own SMS and WhatsApp marketing campaigns to returning clients.
- You manage 2–15 staff and need multi-calendar coordination at a flat rate.
- You operate a barbershop, nail salon, cosmetic studio, or tattoo studio in Poland.
- You want to budget accurately — 49, 99, or 149 PLN per month, period.
Try Brelio Free for 14 Days
No credit card required. No marketplace commission. No payment processing fees baked in. Just straightforward salon software at a price you can plan around.