Fresha vs. GlossGenius

For professionals in the beauty and wellness industry, selecting the right business management and payment solution is a critical decision, often leading to a comparison between platforms like Fresha and GlossGenius. This article will explain what each platform is and compare their distinct features and pricing structures. The goal is to provide the information you need to decide which option is the most suitable choice for your business.

A quick overview on Fresha and GlossGenius

What is Fresha?

Fresha is a platform for the beauty and wellness industry that provides business software and a consumer marketplace. It offers an all-in-one system for appointment scheduling, payment processing, client management, and marketing automation.

The company's pricing model is subscription-free for individual professionals, with a per-member monthly fee for teams. A one-time 20% commission is charged only for new clients acquired through the Fresha marketplace, with no fees for bookings from a business's own channels or for returning clients.

What is GlossGenius?

GlossGenius is a business management platform for professionals in the beauty and wellness industries. It offers a suite of tools that includes automated appointment scheduling, payment processing, client management, and built-in marketing solutions.

The platform features a flat 2.6% payment processing rate with no hidden fees and provides a fast, app-free online booking process for clients. It also offers features such as a custom website builder, unlimited appointment reminders, and complimentary data transfer for new users.

Features of Fresha and GlossGenius

Fresha features

Fresha provides a range of features designed for both businesses and their clients, focusing on streamlining the booking and payment experience. Key offerings include:

• Online appointment management: Consumers can instantly book, manage, and pay for appointments 24/7 through the Fresha website or mobile app, complete with automated reminders to reduce no-shows.

• Integrated payments: The platform supports convenient cashless and cardless payments for services, allowing clients to pay online or in-person.

• A consumer marketplace: Fresha functions as a discovery platform where users can find new salons and spas in over 120 countries. Businesses are only charged a one-time 20% commission for brand new clients who find them through this marketplace, with no fees for returning customers.

GlossGenius features

GlossGenius offers a suite of integrated tools aimed at streamlining business operations for beauty and wellness professionals. The platform provides a range of features that includes:

• App-free online booking: Clients can book appointments without needing to download an application or create a password, which user testimonials suggest can increase online bookings.

• Flat-rate payment processing: The platform offers a flat 2.6% payment processing rate with no hidden fees.

• Customizable booking site: Users receive a customizable website to match their brand with any subscription plan.

• Integrated marketing tools: The software includes built-in features for email and SMS marketing, rebooking reminders, and soliciting client reviews.

Comparing Fresha, GlossGenius and Portrait Care's features

Why choose one over the other?

• A solo professional might choose Fresha for its subscription-free model, which eliminates fixed monthly costs entirely for individuals. The platform also features a large consumer marketplace that can help attract new customers, charging a one-time commission only when a new client books through the marketplace, making it a performance-based client acquisition tool.

• A business owner may prefer GlossGenius for its straightforward pricing, including a flat 2.6% processing fee without the variable rates and transaction fees found with Fresha. Additionally, its subscription plans bundle features like unlimited appointment reminders and a customizable website, which can be more predictable and cost-effective for growing teams compared to Fresha's per-member pricing and pay-as-you-go communication charges.

Considering Portrait Care vs Fresha and GlossGenius

• Medical wellness practices should opt for Portrait Care as it is purpose-built for the medical aesthetics industry, providing a robust, free core Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform that salon-focused software like Fresha and GlossGenius lack. Beyond the essential EHR, Portrait uniquely empowers clinics by offering access to national pricing power with up to 60%+ savings on medical supplies, along with integrated support for medical oversight and compliance.

What are the customers saying?

Fresha reviews

Feedback for Fresha comes from a global user base of both businesses and their clients, with opinions on the platform's booking process and customer support being varied. Check out more Fresha reviews here.

GlossGenius reviews

Users of the platform frequently comment on its comprehensive feature set, which includes booking, payments, and marketing tools. Common feedback also includes requests for more advanced features, such as enhanced website customization, e-commerce capabilities, and loyalty programs. Check out more GlossGenius reviews here.

Portrait Care reviews

Our clients often share how our all-in-one platform has been pivotal in helping them achieve financial independence and personal fulfillment. They find our comprehensive support essential for growing their practice while staying independent.

A big benefit they love is our robust electronic health record (EHR) platform, which is a freemium service with free core functionality, optional premium add-ons, and some advanced features included at no cost for higher membership tiers. Want to see how it works? Check us out here.

Fresha, GlossGenius, or Portrait Care: Which is the best platform for you?

Ultimately, the choice between Fresha, GlossGenius, and Portrait Care depends on your specific business needs. While Fresha and GlossGenius offer solid tools for general beauty and wellness professionals, we recommend Portrait Care as the premier choice for medical aesthetics and wellness clinics. Its all-in-one platform is specifically designed to support the unique operational, compliance, and growth requirements of medical practices, providing a comprehensive solution that goes beyond simple booking and payment processing to help your business thrive.