Vagaro vs Fresha vs MeetScarlet (2026): what a 5-person shop really pays

0:00 Vagaro, Fresha or MeetScarlet: which gives your shop its own app?

Vagaro, Fresha, or MeetScarlet, which gives your shop its own app with your name on it?

Here's what each one really costs a five-person shop.

Fresha charges $14.95 per team member. That's $74.75 a month.

Vagaro is $63.99 a month for six months, then $70.

MeetScarlet, our pick, is $349 a month, plus $999 to set up, and your own app is included.

Here's what each price gets you.

MeetScarlet's price includes your own app, set up for you, with no fee on new clients.

If you want clients booking in an app with your name on it, MeetScarlet is hard to beat.

Let's go through your app, new clients, card fees, switching, and which one to pick.

0:53 What do your clients book in?

First question: what do your clients actually book in?

With MeetScarlet, they book in your own app, with your shop's name and colors, on iPhone, Android and the web.

It's published under your own App Store and Google Play accounts, so the listing is yours.

Clients book, move their own appointments and manage their memberships in it.

Classes get a pick-your-spot map and an automatic waitlist, and barbershops get a walk-in line.

The app comes with every plan. You pay Apple $99 a year and Google $25 one time, for your own store accounts.

Your web app goes live first, and the store apps follow in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Vagaro clients book in the Vagaro app, which also lists other businesses. A branded app of your own is a paid add-on.

Fresha clients book in the Fresha marketplace app, next to other businesses. We didn't find a branded app of your own.

1:53 Who gets your new clients?

Second question: what happens when a brand-new client finds you?

MeetScarlet has no marketplace, so there's no new-client fee. Clients come in through your own app and booking link.

Fresha takes a one-time 20% commission on each brand-new client from its marketplace, at least $6.

Returning clients, and bookings from your own links, are free.

Vagaro's optional Fill My Books charges per booking: 20% for brand-new clients, and 5% for existing ones.

2:26 What do card payments cost?

Third question: what do card payments cost?

MeetScarlet uses Stripe's own fees, and keeps 1% of each payment. Tips aren't included.

Vagaro charges 2.6% + 10¢ in person, if you process under $4,000 a month.

Fresha charges 2.29% + 20¢ in person, and 2.79% + 20¢ online.

And when you refund a payment, the 1% on that amount comes back to you.

3:00 How hard is it to switch?

Fourth question: how hard is it to switch?

MeetScarlet's team sets up your services, memberships and schedule for you, and imports your clients.

It brings over clients, not past bookings or payment history, and memberships are rebuilt as Scarlet plans.

Vagaro's team moves your client list, appointments and more for free, in as little as one business day.

Fresha has a do-it-yourself client import, and paid packages for bigger moves.

3:30 Where are the others stronger?

Where are the others stronger? Both cost less each month.

Vagaro's team also moves your past appointments, and its support runs around the clock, by phone, chat and email.

And Fresha's marketplace can send you new clients, for that one-time fee.

3:48 Which one should you pick?

So which one should you pick? Ask yourself three questions.

Do you want your own app on your clients' phones, with your shop's name on it?

Do you want no marketplace fee on new clients?

And do you want it all set up for you, for one monthly fee?

If that's three yeses, MeetScarlet is our pick.

If you'd rather pay the least each month, or want a marketplace to send you clients, start with Vagaro or Fresha.

You can see what your own app would look like on MeetScarlet's site, before you buy. The link is in the description.