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Head-to-head · Appointment Management system

Fresha vs Vagaro

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Fresha #3 in Appointment Management system 9.1/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Fresha
Vagaro #5 in Appointment Management system 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Vagaro

Fresha leads on 1 check, Vagaro on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFresha · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly Fresha
  • Free trialonly Fresha

Fresha scores higher on our rubric for appointment management system: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Fresha offers free plan; Vagaro doesn't.

Fresha is the better fit for beauty and wellness businesses seeking a free start. Vagaro is the better fit for beauty and wellness businesses needing business tools.

  • Fresha fits best

    Beauty and wellness businesses seeking a free start

  • Vagaro fits best

    Beauty and wellness businesses needing business tools

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Fresha 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Vagaro 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #3 in Appointment Management system #5 in Appointment Management system
Best for Beauty and wellness businesses seeking a free start Beauty and wellness businesses needing business tools
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $30/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Docs · 24/7 Live chat, Docs
Compliance GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA HIPAA
Integrations 6 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Fresha 1/5 · Vagaro 1/5
Online booking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Appointment reminders Not checked yet Not checked yet
Staff scheduling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Calendar sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Online payments ✓ ✓
Specs
Locations included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free Independent and Team subscriptions cover core scheduling needs
  • Bookings support direct links, social channels, marketplace, and group appointments
  • Payments, POS, reminders, memberships, inventory, and reporting are included
  • Combines appointment and class booking with employee calendars
  • Supports two-way Google Calendar sync and automated reminders
  • Includes payments, memberships, loyalty programs and business reporting
Cons
  • Calendar synchronization is documented as one-way
  • Usage-based charges can apply to communications, marketplace acquisition, and payments
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple scheduling users
  • There is no free plan
  • The One Location plan starts at $30 per month
  • Pricing varies by country and employee calendar count
Our verdict

Fresha is cloud-based appointment and business management software for salons, spas, barbershops, medspas, massage therapists, fitness businesses, and other beauty, wellness, and healthcare providers. It brings scheduling, online booking,…

Read the review →

Salons, spas, barbers, fitness businesses and other wellness providers can use Vagaro to manage appointments alongside day-to-day business tasks. Its cloud and mobile offering brings together online booking, employee calendars, customer…

Read the review →
  1. FreshaAppointment Management system 9.1Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. VagaroAppointment Management system 8.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Fresha — where it wins

    • Free Independent and Team subscriptions cover core scheduling needs
    • Bookings support direct links, social channels, marketplace, and group appointments
    • Payments, POS, reminders, memberships, inventory, and reporting are included

    Where it doesn't

    • Calendar synchronization is documented as one-way
    • Usage-based charges can apply to communications, marketplace acquisition, and payments
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple scheduling users

  • Vagaro — where it wins

    • Combines appointment and class booking with employee calendars
    • Supports two-way Google Calendar sync and automated reminders
    • Includes payments, memberships, loyalty programs and business reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan
    • The One Location plan starts at $30 per month
    • Pricing varies by country and employee calendar count
  • Fresha9.1/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A broad appointment and operations suite with a free start for beauty and wellness teams.

    Visit FreshaFull verdict →
  • Vagaro8.9/10 · Paid

    Vagaro brings appointments, classes, payments and business reporting into one system.

    Visit VagaroFull verdict →

More comparisons

All appointment management system comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update