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Preen vs Fresha for Australian businesses

Fresha and Preen both take online bookings and payments for hair, beauty and wellness businesses. They charge differently, and Fresha does several things Preen doesn't. Here is both sides, from each company's own pages.

Facts checked . Prices change; the sources are listed at the end.

At a glance

FreshaPreen
SubscriptionIndependent A$44.95 a month; Team A$29.95 per bookable team member a month. Excluding GST.Plans from $0. Solo $19, Studio $49, Growth $89 a month, GST included. One price per location, not per seat.
Fee on new clientsOne-time 20% (minimum A$8, capped for higher-value services) on a new client from its marketplaceNo booking commission, new client or returning
Consumer marketplaceYes, a large oneNo marketplace of that size
Card paymentsFresha’s own payments, with its own published ratesYour own Stripe account; Preen adds nothing on top of Stripe’s rate
Card terminalFresha offers card terminals: from A$199 each, or at no charge on Team, subject to processing volumeDoesn’t provide one

Where Fresha is the stronger choice

  • New clients from its marketplace. Fresha runs a consumer marketplace where people search and book. Preen has no marketplace of that size. If it fills your book, that matters more than any fee.
  • Fresha’s patch-test records. Fresha keeps a record of client patch tests. Preen has consultation forms, but it doesn’t keep a patch-test record.
  • Packages and memberships. Fresha sells both. Preen doesn’t.
  • In-person card payments. Fresha sells card terminals and supports Tap to Pay on phones. Preen doesn’t provide a card terminal.
  • Fresha’s own apps. Fresha has apps for businesses and for clients in the Australian App Store.

Where Preen is different

  • No booking commission, new client or returning.
  • One price per location, not per seat. Studio is $49 a month, GST included, for up to 5 bookable staff.
  • Your own Stripe account. Card payments go through your own Stripe account. Preen adds nothing on top of Stripe’s rate. Stripe’s fees apply. See stripe.com/au/pricing.
  • Built in Australia. Priced in AUD. GST done properly.

A team of four, subscriptions only

With 4 bookable team members, Fresha Team is A$29.95 each, plus GST: A$131.78 a month. Preen Studio is A$49 a month including GST, for up to 5 bookable staff.

This compares subscriptions only. It leaves out card fees, text messages and marketplace fees on both sides.

The marketplace fee

Fresha charges a one-time 20% fee (minimum A$8) on a new client who finds you through its marketplace. Returning clients, and new clients who come straight to your own booking link, pay no fee. Fresha says the fee is capped for higher-value services; it doesn’t publish the cap. According to Fresha’s help centre, the fee can also apply when a new client viewed your Fresha marketplace profile first and then booked through your own website.

5 new marketplace clients × $120 first visit × 20% = $120 in marketplace fees that month. Example only. Your numbers will differ.

If the marketplace brings you clients you’d never get otherwise, it can be worth paying. The cost calculator puts both totals side by side with your own numbers.

Switching from Fresha

Bring your clients, services, staff and diary across by CSV. Notes history, held deposits, stored cards and your old booking link don’t move. The switching page and the week-by-week plan cover the details.

Questions people ask

Does Fresha charge commission on every booking?
No. Fresha charges a one-time 20% fee (minimum A$8) on a new client who finds you through its marketplace. Returning clients, and new clients who come straight to your own booking link, pay no fee. Fresha says the fee is capped for higher-value services; it doesn't publish the cap.
Should I leave Fresha?
If Fresha's marketplace brings you a steady flow of new clients, or you rely on its packages, memberships, patch-test records or card terminals, staying can be the right call. If most of your clients are regulars and your team is growing, compare the subscription and the new-client fee on your own numbers first.

Sources

Fresha pricing from fresha.com/pricing and Fresha’s help centre, checked 30 September 2026; Fresha feature pages checked 30 September 2026. Fresha’s 20% applies once per new client from its marketplace only. Example figures are illustrative. Preen is not affiliated with Fresha. Fresha® is a trademark of its owner.

No booking commission, one price per location, and card payments through your own Stripe account.

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