Comparison
SpaSphere vs Fresha: Why “free” software costs estheticians more
Fresha offers free scheduling for beauty and wellness professionals, but charges per new client booking and takes a percentage of online sales. SpaSphere is purpose-built for estheticians with a flat monthly rate, AI-powered workflows, and no per-booking fees - so your revenue stays yours.
✨ Includes white-glove onboarding and client data migration. Visit the simple pricing page for full details.
Why estheticians look beyond Fresha
Fresha’s “free” model appeals at first, but the costs add up: fees on new client bookings, percentage cuts on online sales, and paid upgrades for marketing tools. For estheticians growing their practice, those variable costs make budgeting unpredictable. SpaSphere flips the model - one flat price includes everything so you can forecast your expenses and keep more of what you earn.
- Predictable costs: No per-booking fees, no percentage cuts on product sales. One monthly price covers your entire business.
- AI built in: Sophie (AI coach), Daily Brief, and rebooking nudges come standard - Fresha has no native AI tools.
- Esthetician-specific workflows: SOAP notes, Progrems, skin type quizzes, and ingredient search are built for skin-care pros - not generic beauty booking.
- Your brand, your domain: SpaSphere gives you a branded website with custom domain support. Fresha keeps clients on the Fresha marketplace.
Cost & capability comparison
Fresha advertises free scheduling, but charges fees on new client bookings and online sales. Here’s how the two platforms stack up for a typical solo esthetician.
Comparison based on publicly available Fresha pricing as of January 2026. SpaSphere pricing: $139/mo or $118/mo yearly.
Monthly subscription
SpaSphere
💜 $139/mo ($118 yearly) - everything included
Fresha
Free base + 20% fee on new client bookings + optional paid features
Per-booking fees
SpaSphere
✅ None - flat rate
Fresha
⚠️ 20% commission on new client bookings via Fresha marketplace
Payment processing
SpaSphere
✅ Stripe-powered, deposits, Quick Pay, instant payouts (2.9% + 30¢ online, 2.7% + 30¢ in-spa POS)
Fresha
✅ Fresha Payments (2.19% + $0.20 per transaction)
AI Coach - Sophie
SpaSphere
✅ Included
Fresha
❌ Not available
AI Daily Brief
SpaSphere
✅ Included
Fresha
❌ Not available
AI rebooking nudges
SpaSphere
✅ Included - tuned to service history
Fresha
⚠️ Automated marketing available as paid feature
SOAP notes
SpaSphere
✅ SOAP notes with privacy controls
Fresha
✅ Client notes available
Post-visit regimen email
SpaSphere
✅ Auto email with regimen + rebook/buy links
Fresha
❌ Not available as native automation
Branded website & store
SpaSphere
✅ Custom-branded site with online store included
Fresha
⚠️ Fresha marketplace profile - limited branding control
Custom domain + SSL
SpaSphere
✅ Bring your own domain with free HTTPS
Fresha
❌ Not available - clients book via fresha.com
Progrems & packages
SpaSphere
✅ Goal-based, sequenced Progrems
Fresha
⚠️ Packages available, no sequenced treatment logic
Client-facing skin type quiz
SpaSphere
✅ Built-in on your website
Fresha
❌ Not available
Ingredient search
SpaSphere
✅ Client tool for ingredient lookup
Fresha
❌ Not available
Intake form builder
SpaSphere
✅ Drag-and-drop form builder - unlimited custom intake forms & digital waivers
Fresha
⚠️ Basic consultation forms available
SEO-optimized, mobile-friendly website
SpaSphere
✅ Included - SEO-optimized, mobile-friendly site built for Google rankings
Fresha
❌ No branded website - clients book through fresha.com marketplace
Customer-facing FAQ page
SpaSphere
✅ Built-in FAQ page on your website - answer common client questions before they ask
Fresha
❌ Not available
Pre & post care pages
SpaSphere
✅ Pre & post care instruction pages on your website - clients access aftercare info anytime
Fresha
❌ Not available
Total cost (illustrative, 120 bookings/mo)
SpaSphere
$139/mo or $118/mo yearly
Fresha
Free base + ~$100 - $300+/mo in booking fees and add-ons depending on new client volume
Illustrative totals assume one provider with ~120 monthly bookings. Fresha’s fees vary based on new client ratio and feature selections. Always verify current pricing on Fresha’s website.
How notes turn into revenue (the SpaSphere flywheel)
After each appointment, your SOAP-style notes generate a friendly summary email: the client’s regimen, when to return, and one-click links back to your website to rebook the suggested service and purchase recommended products. Those actions feed our AI, which improves future prompts and your Daily Brief. The result? More repeat visits, more retail, less manual follow-up.
Want to see it live?
Explore a real SpaSphere demo site - the same experience your clients will have.
The bottom line
SpaSphere is a flat-rate, AI-powered platform purpose-built for estheticians who want predictable costs, secure documentation, and a branded online presence. Fresha is a marketplace-first booking platform that’s free to start but monetizes through per-booking commissions on new clients and fees on optional features.
For estheticians who rely on new client acquisition through their booking platform, Fresha’s 20% commission on marketplace-sourced bookings can add up quickly. SpaSphere charges no per-booking fees - every dollar your clients pay goes to you (minus standard payment processing).
Choose SpaSphere if you want one predictable price for AI, notes, a branded website, and Progrems. Consider Fresha if you want a zero-upfront-cost entry point and are comfortable with per-booking fees as your client base grows.
Key differences at a glance
- Pricing model
- SpaSphere charges a flat $139/mo. Fresha is free to start but takes 20% on new client bookings and charges for optional features like marketing and blast messages.
- AI tools
- SpaSphere includes Sophie (AI coach), Daily Brief, and rebooking nudges. Fresha has no native AI features.
- Brand ownership
- SpaSphere gives you a branded website with your own domain. Fresha keeps your business on the Fresha marketplace with limited branding.
- Client documentation
- SpaSphere provides SOAP notes and automated regimen emails. Fresha offers basic client notes.
- Revenue model
- SpaSphere has no per-booking commissions. Fresha takes a percentage of new client bookings sourced through their marketplace.
Beyond tracking - SpaSphere connects your backbar, retail, and online store
SpaSphere unifies everything you sell and use - from backbar products consumed in treatments, to in-spa retail, to online store orders. You can even enable dropship fulfillment so clients receive products directly without managing stock. Your retail, services, and online sales all sync through one dashboard, feeding into reports and the AI Daily Brief.
- • Track treatment supplies and cost per service (backbar management)
- • Sell retail products in-spa or online - inventory stays synced
- • Offer dropshipping for the brands you work with - zero manual fulfillment
- • AI highlights low stock and suggests reorder timing based on sales trends
Sell outcomes, not just appointments
SpaSphere lets you turn your existing menu into goal-oriented treatment plans - without changing how you work. Bundle services into clear protocols like Acne Clarity Series or Bridal Glow Journey, set the ideal spacing between visits, and collect payment upfront. Each plan automatically books sessions, tracks progress, and connects to your AI analytics so you can see revenue and retention improve instantly.
- • Combine any existing services - no new setup or learning curve
- • Define goals, intervals, and pricing once - we handle scheduling logic
- • Secure bookings and payments ahead of time for the entire package
- • Track progress, results, and rebooking recommendations in the AI Daily Brief
How SpaSphere simplifies your operations
AI-powered Intelligence: SpaSphere Intelligence monitors booking patterns, suggests price adjustments, and predicts when to promote add-on services - no paid “credit packs” required.
End-to-End Payments: Deposits, Quick Pay, and saved cards live in one ledger. Automated dispute evidence attaches SOAP-style notes, protecting your business with zero manual steps.
Secure Documentation: Encrypted SOAP-style notes, intake forms, and before-and-after photos designed for real esthetic workflows.
Built-in Analytics: View rebooking rates, retail attachment, and projected revenue - no external dashboards needed.
Cheap software becomes expensive and our guide for solo estheticians.
Client-facing tools that build loyalty
SpaSphere helps every esthetician stand out with built-in tools that make their website more than a booking page. The Know Your Skin Type Quiz turns visitors into clients by delivering personalized insights and linking them to services and products that fit their results. The Ingredient Search empowers clients to explore safe, compatible products - right on your site - keeping them engaged and returning between appointments.
- • Convert website visitors into clients with interactive quizzes
- • Automatically recommend products based on quiz results
- • Build trust with transparent ingredient education tools
- • Keep clients returning to your site - not third-party retailers
Frequently asked questions
Compare with other platforms
SpaSphere vs GlossGenius
GlossGenius works for salons. SpaSphere is built specifically for estheticians. Compare features, pricing, and see what you actually get.
SpaSphere vs Vagaro
Tired of Vagaro add-ons and per-calendar pricing? See how SpaSphere gives you everything at one flat rate with no surprises.
SpaSphere vs Square Appointments
Square Appointments handles scheduling and payments. SpaSphere adds AI, secure notes, Progrems, and a branded store - everything an esthetician needs in one place.
SpaSphere vs Mangomint
Mangomint is built for salons. SpaSphere is built for estheticians. Compare AI tools, SOAP notes, Progrems, and pricing side by side.
SpaSphere vs PocketSuite
PocketSuite is a mobile-first booking app. SpaSphere adds AI, SOAP notes, Progrems, and a branded online store for estheticians who want more.
Next steps
Ready to simplify your spa operations? Start your 30-day $1 trial or book a white-glove onboarding session. Our team will migrate your client data, recreate packages, and embed your booking widget before you go live. Curious about pricing? Visit the Simple Pricing page.