Pragmatic Tech
Three situations, three answers — and what it actually costs you.
How it fits together
Which one are you?
One chair, one calendar. You want people to book without phone tag — and you don't want another monthly bill.
Three to five people, each with their own schedule and their own regulars.
You're on Booksy, Fresha, Vagaro or similar and it works. You just don't have a website.
The next slides take each one in turn.
Situation 1 — just me
$0 / month
Not a trial. Free for a single person at one location, for as long as you use it.
Situation 1 — the fine print
| Free | Plus — $49/mo | |
|---|---|---|
| Staff | 1 person | Unlimited |
| Booking page + reminders | Included | Included |
| Card in person | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Card online | 3.3% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Cancellation policies, waitlist, classes | — | Included |
Situation 2 — three to five people
What a five-person shop pays each month, before card fees:
Square Plus is $49 flat, however many people you add — so the more you grow, the wider the gap. At three people it's roughly even; at five it isn't close.
Situation 2 — what you get
Each stylist has their own schedule, their own hours, and their own regulars who can book them by name.
Cancellation policies and a card on file, so a late cancellation doesn't cost you the whole slot.
Fill the gaps automatically when someone cancels, and book group sessions if you run them.
Situation 3 — already booking online
Situation 3 — the part worth money
| If a new client finds you… | What it costs you |
|---|---|
| through the Booksy app | 30% of their first booking |
| through the Fresha marketplace | 20% of their first booking |
| through your own website | Nothing |
Those apps bring you new customers, and that's what the commission pays for — it isn't a rip-off. But the people who already know your name shouldn't arrive through a marketplace that charges you for them.
In every case
What happens next
What you offer, your prices, your hours, and which booking system you're on — or which one suits you.
You see the site before you pay anything. Booking button wired to your account and tested.
Then you text us changes and they're done in a business day. That's the whole job.