Zenoti vs. Fresha

When evaluating business management software for a salon or spa, Zenoti and Fresha often emerge as prominent options, particularly for their payment solutions. This article provides an overview of each platform, comparing their features and pricing models. The goal is to help you make an informed decision about which software is the right choice for your business.

A quick overview on Zenoti and Fresha

What is Zenoti?

Zenoti is a cloud-based platform offering business solutions for the beauty, wellness, and fitness industries. The software is designed to manage operations, appointments, billing, inventory, and customer relationships for businesses of various sizes.

The platform integrates AI-powered tools, such as an AI receptionist and automated marketing, into its all-in-one system. It is built to be scalable, serving both single-location businesses and large, multi-location franchises like European Wax Center and Gene Juarez Salons and Spas.

What is Fresha?

Fresha is a marketplace platform for the beauty and wellness industry that connects consumers with local service providers. It offers businesses an all-in-one system for appointment scheduling, point-of-sale, client management, and marketing automation.

The platform's pricing model is subscription-free for individual professionals, with a monthly fee applied for each additional team member. A one-time commission is charged for new clients acquired through the Fresha marketplace, while no fee applies to returning clients or direct bookings.

Features of Zenoti and Fresha

Zenoti features

Zenoti provides a suite of tools designed to manage and grow a business, with several features focused on automation and guest experience:

• AI Receptionist: An automated system that answers calls, books appointments, and handles frequently asked questions 24/7, ensuring businesses never miss a booking.
• Automated Growth Tools: The platform includes features like automated waitlist management to fill cancellations, abandoned cart recovery to re-engage potential clients, and automated upsell suggestions.
• Direct Social Bookings: Allows guests to book appointments directly from Google or Instagram without needing to create a separate login.
• Dynamic and Premium Pricing: Businesses can automatically adjust pricing based on peak hours or provider demand and set higher rates for more experienced staff.

Fresha features

Fresha provides an all-in-one platform with several tools designed for beauty and wellness businesses and their clients:

• A global consumer marketplace that allows users to discover, book, and pay for services, with integrations for booking directly through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Google.
• A subscription-free software model for businesses, with costs primarily based on a one-time commission for new clients acquired through the Fresha marketplace.
• Dedicated mobile apps for both consumers and businesses to manage bookings, payments, and client communication.
• A suite of business management tools that includes point-of-sale, inventory management, and automated marketing.

Comparing Zenoti, Fresha and Portrait Care's features

Why choose one over the other?

• A business would choose Zenoti if they operate a large, multi-location enterprise or a complex business like a medspa that requires a powerful, all-in-one system. Zenoti's higher price point, starting at US$400.00 per month, is justified by its advanced, AI-driven features like an AI receptionist and dynamic pricing, which are designed for deep operational control and scalability.

• A business, particularly an independent professional or a small salon, would choose Fresha for its accessible pricing and focus on client acquisition. Fresha offers a completely free plan for individuals and low-cost team plans, making it a low-risk option compared to Zenoti's high entry cost. The platform's strength lies in its consumer marketplace, which helps businesses attract new clients through a one-time commission, a model better suited for growth-focused small businesses.

Considering Portrait Care vs Zenoti and Fresha

• A medical aesthetics practice would choose Portrait Care because it is the only platform built specifically for the medical wellness industry that offers a robust, freemium Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. While competitors either charge high monthly fees like Zenoti or take a commission on new clients like Fresha, our core EHR is free, providing a powerful, compliant solution without the initial financial burden. This allows clinics to invest in growth while benefiting from an all-in-one platform that also includes essential services and major supply savings.

What are the customers saying?

Zenoti reviews

User reviews for Zenoti frequently comment on the customer support experience, the platform's extensive feature set, billing practices, and technical performance. Check out more Zenoti reviews here.

Fresha reviews

User reviews for Fresha often focus on the customer service experience and the platform's functionality for managing appointments. Some users report issues with booking, account access, and payment processing. Check out more Fresha reviews here.

Portrait Care reviews

Our partners often highlight the financial independence and personal fulfillment they achieve with our all-in-one platform. As a big benefit, Portrait Care provides a robust electronic health record (EHR) platform that is available as a freemium service; the core EHR functionality is free, with optional premium add-ons for enhanced features and integrations.

Some advanced add-ons are included at no extra cost for users in higher membership tiers, and it is also free to get started unlike other software in the space. Want , check us out here.

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

Ultimately, the best platform for your business depends on your specific needs, and both Zenoti and Fresha offer powerful solutions for the beauty and wellness industry. However, for medical aesthetics practices seeking a platform designed with their unique challenges in mind, Portrait Care stands out. Its combination of a freemium, compliant EHR system with integrated services and supply savings provides an unparalleled foundation for growth and independence, making it our top recommendation for ambitious providers.