Does Fresha Charge Commission? What Australian Barbers Need to Know
Published 1 March 2026
Written by Hassan Nafeh · Founder, ValetVault — barbershop booking and queue management software built for Australian barbers.
Yes, Fresha charges commission. The platform itself is free to list on, but Fresha Pay — the payment processing system — charges 20% on new clients sourced through the Fresha marketplace, and 2.19% plus 20 cents per transaction on all other card payments. For a busy barbershop, those cuts compound fast.
Fresha is one of the most recognised booking platforms in Australia. It markets itself as free software, and technically that is accurate — you do not pay a monthly subscription. But free software does not mean free. It means the business model shifted somewhere else. For Fresha, that somewhere else is your payment revenue.
If you are a barbershop owner evaluating Fresha, or currently using it and wondering why your take-home does not feel right, this post breaks down exactly how the commission structure works, what it costs at different revenue levels, and what your alternatives look like.
How Fresha Pay Commission Works
Fresha operates on what it calls a "pay-as-you-grow" model. The platform access is free. Fresha makes money when you process payments and when clients find you through their marketplace.
There are two distinct commission tiers to understand:
1. Marketplace New-Client Commission (20%)
When a client who has never visited your business before finds you through the Fresha marketplace and books, Fresha charges 20% of that appointment's total value.
A $45 haircut booked by a new client through Fresha marketplace: you receive $36. Fresha takes $9.
That client comes back next month and books directly through your Fresha booking link: the 20% no longer applies. But the transaction fee does.
2. Fresha Pay Transaction Fee (2.19% + $0.20)
Every payment processed through Fresha Pay — including returning clients, walk-ins paying on the day, and any booking processed through your own link — attracts a 2.19% fee plus 20 cents per transaction.
On a $45 haircut: approximately $1.19 per transaction.
On 100 haircuts a month: $119 in transaction fees, before the marketplace commission.
What Other Fresha Fees Exist?
Fresha Blast Campaigns
Fresha's Blast campaigns — promotional messages sent to your client list — are charged per message. Every time you want to re-engage your own client base, you pay Fresha to reach them.
Payment Terminal Hardware
Fresha's integrated card readers are purchased separately and are an additional upfront expense on top of ongoing transaction fees.
Future Pricing Changes
Fresha has adjusted its fee structure in various markets as it has scaled. When your revenue depends on a platform's commission structure, that is a business risk worth weighing.
The Real Cost at Scale — Commission Breakdown by Revenue
| Monthly Revenue (AUD) | Fresha Pay Fees (est.) | New Client Commission (est.) | Total Fresha Cost (est.) | ValetVault Flat Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $75.70 | $60.00 | ~$135.70 | $61 |
| $5,000 | $119.50 | $100.00 | ~$219.50 | $61 |
| $10,000 | $229.00 | $200.00 | ~$429.00 | $61 |
| $15,000 | $338.50 | $300.00 | ~$638.50 | $61 |
At $10,000 per month in revenue, the estimated Fresha cost is over $400/month. ValetVault's fee at the same revenue level: $61/month. That is a difference of $368 every month — or $4,416 per year staying in your pocket.
Why the Commission Model Compounds Against You
The problem with percentage-based fees is not just the cost at current revenue — it is that the cost grows with you. The more successful your barbershop becomes, the more you pay.
At $3,000/month, the estimated total Fresha cost feels manageable. At $10,000/month, you are losing the equivalent of an employee's weekly wages every month to platform fees.
There is also an incentive misalignment worth naming: Fresha benefits most when new clients book through its marketplace, because that triggers the 20% rate. That creates a structural incentive for the platform to direct new client traffic through its own discovery features rather than through your direct booking link.
What You Actually Own on Fresha
When you build your client list inside Fresha, that data exists within Fresha's platform. Your ability to export it, message it cheaply, or take it with you if you switch platforms is limited by Fresha's terms and toolset.
When you pay to run Blast campaigns, you are renting access to your own clients.
When a new client finds you through the Fresha marketplace, their relationship with your business has a third party in the middle.
What a No-Commission Alternative Looks Like
ValetVault is built specifically for Australian barbershops. The pricing model is a flat $2 AUD per day, billed quarterly. No commission on payments. No marketplace fee. No per-message charges to reach your own clients.
What you get for that flat fee:
- Online booking through your own branded booking link (not a marketplace) — see our barber booking app
- Walk-in queue management via QR code — see our barber queue system
- Automatic SMS and email reminders to reduce no-shows
- POS and payment processing — you keep 100% of what you charge
- A free barber website — see our barber website builder
- 3-month free trial, full features, no credit card required
- No lock-in contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fresha charge commission to barbers in Australia?
Yes. Fresha charges commission on payments processed through Fresha Pay. The rate is 20% on new clients booked through the Fresha marketplace and 2.19% plus 20 cents on other card payments.
What is the Fresha commission rate?
Fresha charges 20% commission on new client bookings through the Fresha marketplace. For returning clients processed via Fresha Pay, the fee is 2.19% plus 20 cents per transaction.
How much does Fresha cost a barbershop making $5,000 per month?
At $5,000 AUD per month, transaction fees alone run $110–$130/month, before new-client commissions. ValetVault's flat fee at the same revenue level is approximately $61/month with zero commission.
Does Fresha charge for marketing campaigns?
Yes. Fresha's Blast messaging campaigns are a paid add-on, charged per message on top of any transaction fees or marketplace commissions.
What is the best Fresha alternative for Australian barbers?
ValetVault charges a flat $2 AUD per day with zero commission, includes online booking, walk-in queue management, SMS reminders, and a free barber website. 3-month free trial, no credit card required.
Stop Paying Commission on Your Own Revenue
Every month on Fresha is another month of percentage cuts leaving your account. ValetVault charges a flat $2/day — nothing more, nothing less.
Start Your Free 3-Month Trial — No Credit Card RequiredNo commission. No contracts. No credit card. Full features for 3 months free.