Wiiz vs Fresha — No Commission, Full Control Over Your Business

The Hidden Cost of "Free" — How Fresha Really Works

Fresha markets itself as a free booking platform, and technically, there is no monthly fee. But free does not mean free when it comes with strings attached. Fresha makes its money in two ways that directly affect your bottom line: payment processing fees on every transaction, and a marketplace commission (commonly cited around 20% — check Fresha's current terms) on new clients who find you through their marketplace. For a busy salon in Limassol or Athens, that commission on marketplace-acquired clients can add up to a meaningful monthly cost.

Wiiz takes a fundamentally different approach. There are no commissions — ever. No percentage of your revenue goes to the platform. You pay only for the value you use: €0.06 per SMS reminder or €0.10 per completed online booking. A salon sending 300 SMS reminders per month pays just €18. That is the total cost. No surprises, no escalating fees as you grow.

The Marketplace Problem: Why Fresha Hurts Your Brand

When you sign up for Fresha, your business gets listed on their public marketplace. This means potential clients browsing Fresha can see your salon right next to your competitors. They can compare your prices, read reviews of other businesses, and choose someone else — all on the same platform you are paying to be on. Fresha benefits from this because they earn commissions on marketplace bookings, but you lose control over the client experience.

Wiiz does not have a marketplace. When a client visits your Wiiz booking page, they see only your business — your name, your services, your staff, your brand. There is no sidebar showing "similar salons near you" or competitor pricing. Your booking page is yours and yours alone. This matters enormously for businesses that have worked hard to build a brand and a loyal client base.

Payment Processing: Your Money, Your Rules

Fresha requires you to use their built-in payment processing system. This means every card transaction goes through Fresha, they take their cut, and you receive the remainder on their schedule. You cannot use your own card terminal, your own bank, or your preferred payment provider. For businesses in Cyprus and Greece, this creates an additional problem: Fresha's payment infrastructure is not always optimised for local banking systems.

Wiiz does not interfere with your payments. You accept payments however you want — cash, your own card terminal, bank transfer, whatever works for your business. Wiiz handles the booking and the reminders. Your revenue stays in your control from start to finish.

Pricing Breakdown: What You Actually Pay

Let us be concrete about the cost difference for a typical beauty business in Cyprus or Greece:

• Fresha "free" plan: €0/month BUT a marketplace commission on new marketplace clients (commonly cited around 20% — check current terms) + payment processing fees on every transaction
• Wiiz: €0/month, €0.06 per SMS (Cyprus), €0.06 per SMS (Greece), €0.10 per online booking
• On Fresha, each new marketplace client carries that commission, which adds up as your marketplace volume grows
• The same salon on Wiiz with 300 SMS reminders: €18/month total
• Switching to Wiiz removes the commission entirely — how much you save depends on your marketplace client volume

Feature Comparison: Wiiz vs Fresha

Beyond the pricing model, here is how the two platforms compare on everyday features:

• Online booking: Both offer it. Fresha lists you on a public marketplace. Wiiz gives you a private branded page
• Staff calendar: Both support multi-staff. Wiiz includes color-coded views and break management
• SMS reminders: Fresha includes basic reminders. Wiiz offers low-cost SMS in Cyprus and Greece from €0.06
• Customer data: Fresha owns the marketplace relationship. Wiiz gives you full ownership of your customer data
• Mobile app: Both offer apps. Wiiz provides a branded experience where customers only see your business
• Payment flexibility: Fresha forces their payment system. Wiiz lets you accept payments your way
• Greek language: Wiiz is natively bilingual. Fresha has limited Greek support

Who Owns Your Client Relationships?

This is the most important question to ask when choosing a booking platform. With Fresha, clients who find you through the marketplace are technically Fresha's leads — you pay a commission because Fresha claims credit for the introduction. If you leave Fresha, those marketplace clients stay in Fresha's ecosystem. Your hard-earned reputation benefits the platform, not just your business.

With Wiiz, every client is yours. There is no marketplace intermediary. Clients book directly on your branded page, their data belongs to you, and if you ever decide to leave, you take everything with you. Your business relationships should belong to you — not to a platform that profits from them.

Built for Cyprus & Greece, Not Silicon Valley

Fresha is headquartered in London and built for a global market. It works well enough everywhere but is not optimised for anywhere specific. Wiiz was built specifically for the Cyprus and Greece market. That means fluent Greek language throughout the entire platform, SMS pricing negotiated directly with local providers, and an understanding of how local businesses actually operate. When a barber in Nicosia or a beauty salon in Thessaloniki needs support, Wiiz speaks their language — literally and figuratively.

Take Back Control of Your Business

If you are currently on Fresha and tired of paying commissions on clients you worked hard to attract, or if you are uncomfortable having your business displayed next to competitors on a marketplace, switching to Wiiz takes less than 5 minutes. Register for free, set up your services and staff, and share your new booking link. Your clients book directly with you, your reminders go out at low cost from €0.06, and your revenue stays 100% yours.

There are no contracts, no lock-in periods, and no credit card required to get started. Join the growing number of businesses in Cyprus and Greece that have chosen independence over marketplace dependence.