Fresha is one of the most recognized names in salon and spa booking software worldwide, largely because for years it marketed itself as free. If you're a Canadian salon owner comparing Fresha against Zivly, here's an honest look at how the two actually stack up in 2026 - pricing, fees, and what each one is actually built for.
A note on sourcing: pricing structures change over time, and plan details can vary by account. The figures below are based on publicly available information as of this writing - confirm current numbers directly with Fresha before making a decision.
Pricing: Flat CAD Rate vs. Tiered CAD Subscription + Commission
Both platforms bill Canadian accounts in CAD - Fresha does not charge in USD for Canadian salons, so currency conversion isn't the differentiator here. The real difference is in the pricing structure and the per-client commission.
| Zivly | Fresha | |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | CA$10.99/staff/mo (Team) | CA$19.95/team member/mo (Team)* |
| Independent/solo pricing | Free forever (Solo plan) | CA$29.95/mo (Independent plan)* |
| Currency | CAD - fixed | CAD (on Canadian accounts)* |
| Front desk staff | Free | Counted as a bookable seat* |
| New client marketplace fee | None | 20% commission, min. CA$6* |
*Based on publicly reported Fresha Canadian pricing as of this writing; confirm current terms directly with Fresha, since plans and fees can change.
The headline difference is what happens after a client finds you through the marketplace. Zivly's marketplace profile is free with zero commission, on every booking, forever. Fresha charges a reported 20% commission (minimum CA$6) on a client's first booking through its marketplace - a real cost if a meaningful share of your new business comes through Fresha's discovery search.
The Add-On Question
Like most platforms with a "free" origin story, Fresha's core booking and calendar tools are strong. But once you factor in the subscription tier, the marketplace commission, and standard card processing fees on top, the actual monthly cost for an active salon can look quite different from the number in the marketing copy. Zivly's rule is simpler: reminders, reporting, payroll, and the marketplace profile are included in every plan - the only pass-through costs are SMS delivery beyond the free allowance and standard Stripe processing rates.
Hiring: Where Zivly Pulls Ahead
Fresha doesn't offer a built-in way to post open roles or collect job applications - hiring still happens outside the platform, the same way it does with most salon software. Zivly includes built-in job postings on every plan: post a role, share a public application link, and collect resumes directly in your dashboard. If you're hiring regularly, that's a meaningful gap between the two platforms.
Where Fresha Has an Edge
Fresha has a genuinely large, established international marketplace with significant consumer traffic, particularly in markets outside Canada. If a large share of your clientele is tourists or cross-border bookings and you specifically want exposure on Fresha's marketplace search, that reach is worth weighing against the commission cost.
The Bottom Line
For a Canadian salon focused on predictable costs, a commission-free way to get discovered, and hiring tools that live in the same dashboard as everything else, Zivly is the stronger fit. Fresha remains a reasonable choice if its specific marketplace reach outweighs the subscription and commission cost for your business.
See the full breakdown of how Zivly compares across the board in our best salon software in Canada guide, or start with the free Solo plan to try Zivly yourself.