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This page will unpick some of the key differences between Fresha and Pabau so that you can decide which is the best fit for your business.
Fresha is a subscription-free model for the beauty and wellness industry.
However, while it is technically ‘free’, they charge a commission fee on every new client booking that comes through their online booking marketplace, which can quickly become expensive.
In their own words, Fresha helps businesses boost sales and attract new clients via online bookings through Google search, Facebook and Instagram.
Pabau is an all-in-one practice management software specifically designed for the complex needs of a medically related patient journey.
The majority of our clients are in the medi-aesthetic industry, however we also have customers that are GP Clinics, Cosmetic surgeries, Pharmacies, and more.
With clients all over the world, Pabau provides everything a practice needs to reduce time spent on admin, improve the patient experience, and attract new customers.
As we said, Fresha operates a subscription-free model. While you don’t pay a monthly fee, you will be charged a hefty commission fee of 20% for each new customer that books via Fresha. So, if you have 100 appointments booked through Fresha costing £50 each, they’ll take £1000.
As they’re free, you may also find that some features aren’t quite as robust as you may need.
Pabau charges a flat monthly fee – there’s no locking customers into lengthy annual contracts.
The pricing is based on the number of users and every client will get access to all features for a flat cost.
The only additional costs are the charges for the optional SMS appointment reminders (which we highly recommend you use) and our advanced marketing feature.
| Why Choose Pabau Over Fresha | Fresha | Pabau |
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| No commission fees Fresha charges 20% commission on every new client that books through their online marketplace. In comparison. Pabau won’t charge you commission fees for any online bookings you make. |
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| No online marketplace Fresha places you on their online marketplace, where you’ll be pitched alongside competitors in your area. New Fresha subscribers also get preferable positions. With Pabau, you can fully customize the online booking experience with an online booking widget. |
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| Comprehensive prebuilt forms Fresha now has forms available, but their system is nowhere near as comprehensive as Pabau and there are no prebuilt templates. In Pabau you can choose from hundreds of forms and edit and customize them to your needs. |
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| Branded communication When you send any communication from Pabau, your brand will be front and centre. Texts and emails will come from your business. You can add your own logo and branding. With Fresha this isn’t the case and it can be confusing for clients. |
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| Automated precare and aftercare emails In Pabau, you can schedule pre-care and aftercare emails at the time of booking so you can simply set it… and forget it. These emails are service-specific, to make sure you always send the right communication at the right time for the treatment. |
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Patient journey app Want a way of making sure you have all correct documentation on file before a client has their appointment, such as consent, questionnaires, and before and after photos? Use Pabau’s dedicated patient app on your iPad so you never miss a step again. |
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Robust client card Use Pabau's client card to store detailed treatment notes forms, allergies, and before and after photos. No more storing photos on your personal device and running out of data storage. | |
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"If you want an easy life, then this is the only client management software to use"
Roxanne Merchant, Head of Clinic Operations
Juvea Medical
The best software understands you, your business, and your challenges. Pabau has been built to meet the needs of medical based businesses - not hair or beauty salons.
That’s why it has features that have been created specifically for this sector, such as automated pre-care and aftercare emails, electronic medical records (EMR), allergy / contraindication warnings, before and after photos, injection plotting, customizable forms, and so on. At Pabau, we get you.
Pabau isn’t the cheapest software on the market. But the great thing is you won’t need anything else as, in the words of one of our customers, “Pabau does it all.”
While choosing Fresha means you’ll probably need to budget for additional tools, such as email marketing or online forms, this isn’t the case with Pabau. And because we’re so feature-rich, as your business grows, we’ll grow with you.
Getting new clients booking appointments with you should be something to celebrate - it means that your reputation is growing and you’re doing an excellent job, right?
That’s why, with Pabau, you won’t be stung with commission charges for new clients. You also won’t have to read the fine print about what constitutes a new customer. The money you earn through online bookings goes straight to you, every single time.
Booking an appointment online is one of the first touchpoints a client has with your business. But Fresha sends clients to their online marketplace to book, where your clinic is pitched alongside the competition - potentially losing you business along the way.
In Pabau it’s a completely different experience. You create the end-to-end experience to fit with the look and feel of your brand. The client can book an appointment directly from your website - and there are no hidden fees or costs. Every online booking is money in your pocket.
Clinics need to collect a LOT of documentation before an appointment, right?
With Pabau, you don’t have to break a sweat trying to remember everything. You can simply use our app to ensure you have up-to-date health records, signed medical consents, and photos.
Not every provider has this functionality, but we know how important it is that you get this right every single time to stay compliant. Not only does it protect the client, it also protects your business.
“After 16 years of using about 20 different client management software systems, this is the only one I can honestly say does it all, and does it all very well.”
Roxanne Merchant,
Head of Operations, Juvea Medical
“Pabau is feature-rich, allowing us functionality to grow as our business needs grow, and at the same time quite intuitive to use. Competing software offerings can’t compete!”
Daniel, Doctor,
G2 review
“I’ve been in business for almost nine years. I’ve tried a lot of different software, but I was always missing some features. This software has everything that saves my time, keeps my records and medical forms in one place, and is easy to use.”
Angelina, Owner
G2 review
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