Mobile appBooking & travelOriginal by Fresha
Fresha stands out by giving beauty and wellness businesses powerful management software and then connecting that software to a marketplace where customers look for appointments. Salons run their calendar, till and payments from one place while winning new customers through the platform. Because the software is a core need for the business, it grows the marketplace's supply on its own.
Building something similar means developing a customer app and website, a business management app, a point-of-sale (POS) module and the payment infrastructure together. Business management features such as stock, staff commission, and package and membership sales matter as much as the marketplace. For collecting payments, use a licensed provider such as Stripe Connect or Adyen, and never store card data directly.
How Fresha works: the core user flow
How many apps and dashboards do you need?
Customer app and website
The end-user interface for searching salons nearby, comparing prices and reviews, and booking.
Business app
The mobile and web app where a salon manages its calendar, clients, staff, stock and sales.
POS screen
The tablet interface for selling services and products, taking tips and collecting payments in the salon.
Platform admin panel
The panel that handles business approvals, payment reconciliation, commissions and content moderation.
Critical features of a product like Fresha
Marketplace search and ranking
Filtering by location, service, price and availability; results surface salons that have open slots.
Integrated POS and payments
Services, products and tips are charged in one basket, and payments are paid out to the business through a licensed provider.
Package and membership sales
A ten-session package or a monthly care membership can be sold, and remaining sessions are deducted automatically.
Staff commission calculation
Commission reports are generated from each employee's service and product sales.
Product stock tracking
Stock of cosmetics sold and used in the salon is monitored, with alerts when items run low.
Marketing automation
Campaign messages go to lapsed clients, on birthdays or to fill quiet time slots.
What goes into the first version, what comes later
First version (MVP)
- Salon calendar and staff management
- Marketplace listing and online booking
- Search and reviews in the customer app
- Online prepayment and cancellation rules
- Basic sales and booking reports
Later releases
- Tablet till and physical card reader integration
- Package, membership and gift card sales
- Stock management and supplier orders
- Campaigns and marketing automation
Modules and how the budget is calculated
The budget is calculated with 360 SOFT’s pricing model from the modules below, about 34 screens and the project’s complexity: roughly 215 person-days for the full scope and 130 person-days for the first version. Every module you drop lowers the budget directly.
| Module | Phase |
|---|---|
| Sign-up, login, social login | First version |
| User profile and settings | First version |
| Roles and permissions | First version |
| Admin dashboard | First version |
| Booking / reservations | First version |
| Marketplace integration (Amazon, etc.) | Later release |
| Online payments (Stripe / PSP) | First version |
| Advanced search and filters | First version |
| Maps, location, routing | First version |
| Ratings and reviews | First version |
| Push notifications | First version |
| Email / SMS notifications | First version |
| Reporting and analytics | Later release |
| Product / content catalogue | First version |
Hosting, SMS, map APIs, app store accounts and payment-provider fees are separate items. Maintenance and improvements (optional): €750 / month. We send a fixed written price within 24 hours after a free discovery call.
The hard parts
Two-sided growth
Customers do not come without salons and salons do not join without customers, so you first need to win businesses with the value of the software itself.
Payments and reconciliation
Paying out platform payments to businesses after commission, plus refunds and chargebacks, demands a careful financial infrastructure.
Heavy feature load
The business management side edges toward CRM, inventory and accounting, and the project balloons unless scope is prioritised well.
Business model
The essence of this model is giving the software to businesses for a low fee or free, and earning from payment processing and commission on new customers sourced through the marketplace. Paid add-ons such as advanced marketing tools, SMS bundles and extra staff licences can sit on top. Small salons start cheaply and use more paid features as they grow.
Get a free quote for your project
Let us scope it together and send a fixed written quote within 24 hours. NDA on request; you own the source code.
Choosing a company to build an app like Fresha
Most people searching “build an app like fresha” are really looking for a reliable app development company. When comparing quotes, check four things:
- Can you try similar products they have shipped, in the stores or live?
- Are the source code, design files, servers and store accounts transferred to you by contract?
- Do they show a working demo every two weeks, with written scope and acceptance criteria?
- Are maintenance, scaling and GDPR/security costs written into the quote?
Copyright and trademarks
A business model and features are generally not protected on their own, but the Fresha name, logo, interface design, content and source code are. That is why we build a product with similar functionality but your own brand, design and code. This is not legal advice; we recommend a trademark search before launch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build an app like Fresha?
A first version with a calendar, marketplace and online payments usually takes a few months. The project grows step by step as till, stock and marketing modules are added.
Do I need a licence to take payments?
Collecting and distributing money on behalf of others can require a payment institution licence in the EU and UK. That is why a licensed marketplace payment provider such as Stripe Connect is the most practical route.
Will there be copyright or trademark issues?
The salon marketplace business model and its features are generally free to use, but the name, logo, design, content and code cannot be copied. This is not legal advice.
What should I look for when choosing a company to build an app like Fresha?
Review references in marketplace payment flows, multi-tenant business software and mobile app publishing. A roadmap that splits the scope into phases is important.
