Own More Than the Appointment
Fresha gives beauty businesses a familiar booking app. Kora is built for operators who want direct bookings, transparent fees, and client relationships that stay with the business.
Built for salons and spas that want direct bookings, branded checkout, and clear fees.
Who it fits
Choose based on how you want to grow
Fresha can be a good fit for salons and spas that want a free beauty booking app with marketplace-style exposure. Kora is a better fit when your goal is to turn bookings into client relationships you own.
Often a strong fit: Fresha
Salons and spas that want a familiar beauty booking app, directory-style exposure, and a free core experience—especially when discovery through a booking ecosystem is part of the plan.
Often a strong fit: Kora
Operators who want a branded booking page, transparent fees, and client relationships that stay with the business—not channeled through a marketplace-style app.
Compare
Kora vs Fresha at a glance
Use this comparison to understand where each platform fits.
| Feature | Kora | Fresha |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Transparent Kora booking fee plus Stripe processing | Free core app, with fees tied to Fresha-powered payments and paid marketing features |
| Customer ownership | Clients book through your branded booking page | Clients may interact through Fresha's booking ecosystem |
| Platform / booking fees | Kora booking fee separated from Stripe processing—you see both clearly | Payment and marketing fees depend on Fresha-powered payments and optional tools—verify current public pricing |
| Free plan | Free for prepaid bookings | Free core app—details vary by market; check Fresha's current plans |
| Multi-location | Available on paid plans for growing operators | Multi-location options depend on Fresha packaging—verify for your locations |
| Booking types | Services, slot capacity, asset bookings, and mixed workflows | Beauty and wellness appointment workflows |
| Automations | Confirmations, reminders, review requests, SMS on paid plans | Automation and messaging options vary—verify Fresha's current features |
| Support | Kora help channels as listed on the site—built for onboarding your booking page | Fresha support as offered in-product—consult Fresha for SLAs |
Deep dive
Key differences explained
01
Keep the client relationship with you
A salon's most valuable asset is not the appointment itself—it is the client who comes back, refers friends, and trusts the business. Kora keeps the booking experience tied to your brand so clients remember who they booked with.
02
Know what each booking costs
Kora separates Stripe processing from the Kora booking fee, so operators can understand how each transaction is priced. Paid plans lower fees and add flexibility. See Kora pricing.
03
Grow without relying on paid boosts
Fresha offers marketing features that can help some businesses reach more clients. Kora is built for operators who already invest in their own brand, website, referrals, and local demand—booking infrastructure to capture that demand directly.
04
Run bookings on your terms
Kora supports prepaid bookings, branded checkout, staff availability, reminders, and operator-controlled policies. Your booking flow reflects how your business actually works. See salon booking software and spa booking software overviews if you serve those verticals.
Migration
Switching from Fresha
Most teams outline services and staff on Kora, then bring clients to a direct booking link. Plan for a short onboarding session rather than an instant one-click import unless you have a confirmed migration path.
Map services & staff
Recreate or import your service menu, durations, and team members in Kora.
Set availability & policies
Configure schedules, buffers, cancellation rules, and deposits to match how you operate.
Brand your page & payments
Connect Stripe and publish a booking page that reflects your salon or spa brand.
Launch & redirect demand
Update site and social links, then move repeat clients toward your owned channel.
Why Kora
Why Kora for owned growth
Branded checkout
Guests complete payment on a page that reinforces your business—not a generic directory step.
Transparent fee model
See Stripe processing separately from Kora booking fees so you can plan margins.
Staff & service availability
Match real-world scheduling to what clients can book online.
Reminders & follow-up
Reduce no-shows and keep communication consistent with your brand.
FAQ
Fresha switch FAQ
Is Kora a Fresha replacement for salons and spas?
Kora is an alternative when your priority is direct bookings and owned client relationships. If you rely most on a free beauty app and directory exposure, Fresha may still be worth keeping in the mix.
What happens if I rely on Fresha for discovery?
Kora does not replace every discovery channel. Many operators pair a direct booking page with their own website, local SEO, referrals, and social—so repeat clients book through a channel they own.
Can I use Kora for prepaid salon or spa bookings?
Yes. Kora supports prepaid flows so guests pay at checkout and you keep policies aligned with how you run the business.
Does Kora charge per staff member or listing?
No per-seat pricing and no artificial listing caps on Kora—see pricing for plans.
How should I move repeat clients to my direct booking page?
Update email signatures, site buttons, QR codes at the desk, and social bios to point to one branded link—and explain the benefit: booking directly with your team.
Pick Kora when ownership matters
If you want transparent booking fees, owned client relationships, and a booking page that belongs to your business, start free and connect Stripe when you are ready.