Whoopa vs Fresha
Honest comparison for Australian service businesses
Fresha and Whoopa are both popular booking platforms used by Australian salons, beauty therapists, and wellness businesses. They look similar on the surface — both offer online booking, reminders, and client management. But how they charge and who owns the client relationship are very different. This page breaks down exactly what each platform offers, what it costs, and which one is right for your business.
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The core difference
The core difference — how each platform makes money
Whoopa
Whoopa charges a flat monthly subscription — $29, $49, or $99 per month. No commission. No percentage taken from any booking. No marketplace fees. Whether you take 10 bookings this month or 1,000, you pay exactly the same.
Fresha
Fresha is free to use — but it monetises through a commission model. When a new client books through Fresha's marketplace, Fresha takes a percentage of that booking. They also charge for payment processing. For busy salons acquiring new clients, those cuts add up fast.
Side by side
Feature comparison
Feature
Whoopa
Fresha
Monthly pricing model
Flat monthly fee
Free + commission on new clients
Commission on bookings
None — ever
Yes — on new client bookings
Branded booking forms
Yes — all plans
Yes
No watermarks
Yes — all plans
Fresha branding present
SMS appointment reminders
Built-in — credits apply
Available
Email appointment reminders
Included
Available
Client self-service portal
Yes — my.whoopa.au
Yes
Group bookings & class capacity
Yes
Limited
Built-in waitlist
Yes
Limited
Roster with QR check-in
Yes
No
PIN-protected attendance kiosk
Yes
No
Google Calendar two-way sync
Yes — Pro plan
Limited
AUD pricing
Yes — native
Yes
Built for Australian businesses
Yes — ABN at signup
International platform
30-day free trial
Yes — no credit card
Free plan available
Pricing
What it actually costs
Whoopa
Basic
2 staff, 3 services, 200 bookings/month
$29 AUD/month
Business
5 staff, 10 services, 500 bookings/month
$49 AUD/month
Pro
10 staff, 20 services, unlimited bookings
$99 AUD/month
Enterprise
Unlimited everything + dedicated server
Custom
No commission. No per-booking fees. Ever.
Fresha
Fresha offers a free plan with no monthly fee. Commission is charged on new client bookings made through the Fresha marketplace. Fresha Pay payment processing fees apply. Additional charges apply for certain features. For a busy salon taking 40+ new client bookings per month, the commission model can cost significantly more than Whoopa's flat fee.
The commission question — what it really costs
A salon taking 40 new client bookings per month at an average service value of $80: 40 bookings × $80 = $3,200 in new client revenue. Fresha's commission on that revenue adds up month after month. With Whoopa, that same salon pays $49/month on the Business plan and keeps 100% of every booking, new client or not.
Roster & attendance — Whoopa only
Whoopa includes a built-in roster with QR code check-in, name-list kiosk, and PIN-protected kiosk mode. Fresha does not offer attendance tracking. For fitness studios, yoga classes, pilates studios and group-based service businesses, Whoopa's roster is a significant operational advantage.
Your clients stay yours
When a client books through Whoopa, they are booking directly with your business. There is no Fresha marketplace sitting between you and your client. You own the relationship, the data, and the booking history entirely.
An honest answer
Which is right for you?
Choose Whoopa if…
- You want predictable flat monthly cost with zero commission
- You run classes, group sessions, or need attendance tracking
- Your brand matters — you want zero watermarks on your booking page
- You are growing and commission fees would scale against you
- You want a platform built specifically for the Australian market
Choose Fresha if…
- You are just starting out and want zero upfront monthly cost
- You want access to Fresha's marketplace to attract new clients
- New client acquisition through the platform outweighs the commission cost
- You do not need roster or attendance tracking features
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Whoopa charge commission on bookings?
No. Whoopa charges a flat monthly subscription. There is no commission, no percentage taken from bookings, and no marketplace fees — ever.
Can I switch from Fresha to Whoopa?
Yes. Whoopa supports CSV import of client and booking data. You can migrate your existing client list without starting from scratch.
Does Whoopa have a free plan like Fresha?
Whoopa offers a 30-day free trial on all plans with no credit card required. There is no ongoing free plan, but flat monthly pricing starts at $29/month with no commission taken from any booking.
Does Whoopa have a marketplace like Fresha?
Whoopa focuses on direct bookings through your own branded booking page rather than a marketplace model. Your clients book directly with you — not through a shared directory.
Step into your client's shoes.
The best way to understand Whoopa is to book an appointment the way your clients would. This is a fully working demo booking form — try it now and feel how simple the experience is.
No signup · No account · Just a real form you can try
Initial Consultation
Dr. Sarah Mitchell · 30 min
AUD
$150
July 2026
Wed, 1 July · available times
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No credit card · No lock-in · No commission. Ever.
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