We help you decide what tool is better – Fresha vs Vagaro.
On the lookout for a new scheduling software? We’ve analysed the main features and benefits so that you can make an informed choice between Fresha and Vagaro. While we’re on the subject, we’ve also thrown another contender into the mix – Pabau.
Vagaro is a cloud-based salon, spa and fitness business management solution that allows professionals to book appointments and manage various facility roles. It offers an integrated solution to manage bookkeeping, payroll, client databases and inventory management.
It’s a fairly affordable option, with prices starting at $25 a month for one user. On top of their monthly fee, you can pay extra for various add-ons to get all the features you need.
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 clinic management software specifically designed for medi aesthetic clinics. With clients all over the world, Pabau provides everything clinics need to reduce time spent on admin, improve the patient experience, and attract new customers. Because it’s purpose-built for med spas, it has key features that this client base will find particularly valuable.
Let’s start by breaking down the pricing in Vagaro, Fresha, and Pabau…
Vagaro’s pricing starts at $25 a month for one user in one location, increasing to $85 a month for 7+ users. If you have multiple locations, you’ll have to get in touch with their team for pricing.
They also charge for a number of add-ons, for everything from client data storage, forms, text messaging campaigns, and a client check-up app, which all cost $10 a month.
Fresha operates a subscription-free model. While you don’t pay a monthly fee, you will be charged a commission fee of 20% for each new customer that books via Fresha. So, if you have 100 appointments booked through Fresha in a month costing $50 each, they’ll take $1000.
Pabau charges a flat monthly fee. Pabau’s pricing structure is based on the number of users and every client will get access to all features in the system. We don’t charge commission fees and we don’t charge extra for things such as data storage or client photos.
The only additional costs are entirely optional. We offer one-off training and data transfer services to save you time and help you get up and running as soon as possible.
The other optional fees are SMS charges and our advanced marketing feature.
| Why Choose Pabau Over Vagaro vs Fresha | Vagaro | Fresha | Pabau |
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| Online booking widget In Pabau and Vagaro you can create a fully branded online booking experience on your own website using an online booking widget. In Fresha, there’s no online booking widget. You’ll be directed to a landing page or be directed to book via their online marketplace. |
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| No commission fees Fresha operates a subscription-free model. While you don’t pay a monthly fee, you will be charged a commission fee of 20% for each new customer that books via Fresha. If you have 100 appointments booked through Fresha costing £50 each, they’ll take £1000. |
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| Out-of-the-box consultation forms and waivers Fresha enables you to add basic client forms to the system, but you have to build them from scratch. In Vagaro, you have to pay extra to get customizable forms. With Pabau, there are multiple templates you can edit and customize to your own needs. | |
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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 to keep you right and ensure you never miss a step again. |
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| Online booking for medi aesthetic clinics In Pabau you can set your online booking system so that new clients can only book a consultation, not a service. Existing clients can click through to book an appointment using their login details. Fresha and Vagaro don’t have this option. |
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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 also add your own logo and branding. With Fresha this isn’t the case on all pricing plans and it can be confusing for clients. |
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Since deploying Pabau, our operations have become a lot more efficient. We have much better productivity and we have a lot less wasted manpower hours. We’ve got a lot more visibility over our business, so we can see exactly what’s happening at all times.
The best software understands you, your business, and your challenges. Pabau has been built to meet the needs of medi aesthetic operators, not hair or beauty salons or the fitness industry.
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), before and after photos, injection plotting, customizable forms, and so on. At Pabau, we get you.
Want to just pay one simple price each month without having to shell out for extras?
If you choose Vagaro you’ll pay a monthly fee and then have to pay for lots of extras. Similarly, Fresha means you’ll probably need to budget for additional tools, such as email marketing and online forms.
In Pabau, we keep it simple. All the features you need are under one roof, charged at one simple price. You don’t need to worry about all your add-ons adding up.
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 sales. Meanwhile, your branding is minimised.
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 needed by med spa practitioners. 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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