01
Total cost
The real monthly bill once per-staff fees, commission and processing are added, not just the headline price.
How we judged
Four criteria that decide the bill.
Feature checklists all start to look the same. What actually separates these tools is what you pay as you grow, and whether the customer relationship stays yours.
02
Who owns the client
Whether bookings and client relationships belong to your salon, or sit inside a marketplace account.
03
Data portability
Can you export your clients, bookings and reports and leave whenever you like, with no lock-in.
04
Salon features
The day-to-day: multi-stylist scheduling, a real diary, reminders, deposits and walk-ins.
The ranking
Five tools, ranked for UK hair salons.
Ranked on value and control for a growing shop. This is our own comparison, see the note on method below.
The honest flat rate: one published price, unlimited stylists, and your clients stay yours.
Cost model
£39/month per location · unlimited stylists · no commission on bookings.
Best for
Growing salons that want predictable costs and to own the relationship.
Watch for
We are newer and smaller than Phorest or Fresha, and SMS credits and card processing are separate, charged at cost only if you use them.
02Ranked
Phorest
Salon incumbentThe deepest salon feature set in the UK and Ireland, priced by quote rather than published rates.
Cost model
Tiered plans (Starter, Grow, Ultimate, Elite) with pricing available on request rather than published.
Best for
Established multi-stylist salons that want depth and hands-on onboarding.
Watch for
You cannot compare the cost without going through sales, so budget the demo before you can budget the software.
03Ranked
Fresha
Marketplace modelLower starting price, with commission and marketplace trade-offs on new clients.
Cost model
Lower starting plan, then commission on marketplace new-client bookings, team fees, processing and SMS.
Best for
Salons that want marketplace discovery and are comfortable sharing clients.
Watch for
Team fees scale with your stylists, and commission means you do not fully own the new-client relationship.
04Ranked
Treatwell
Marketplace modelReal discovery reach, paid for with the highest headline commission of the group.
Cost model
Quote-based monthly fee plus commission on first marketplace bookings.
Best for
New salons with empty columns that need external demand more than margin.
Watch for
Treatwell's UK pricing page lists 35% commission on first marketplace bookings, which is expensive if your own regulars book through it.
05Ranked
Timely
SubscriptionA capable salon-focused platform on tiered subscriptions that scale with team size.
Cost model
Tiered subscription plans, with pricing and features that scale with team size and plan level.
Best for
Salons that want a broad feature set and are happy to map features to plan tiers.
Watch for
The fuller feature set sits in the higher tiers, so compare the plan you would actually need, not the entry price.
What you actually pay
How each tool charges.
The headline price rarely tells the whole story. Here is the charging model for each tool, and where the real monthly cost tends to come from as your team and bookings grow.
ToolHow you are chargedGrows with team?
PhorestTiered plans, pricing by quote rather than published ratesQuote-based
FreshaLower starting plan, commission on marketplace new clients, team fees and processingYes
TreatwellQuote-based monthly fee plus commission on first marketplace bookingsYes
TimelyTiered subscription plans that scale with team sizeYes
SetoraOne flat rate · £39/month per location · unlimited stylists · no commission · SMS and card processing at costNo
A note on this comparison: this is Setora's own editorial view of how these tools charge, described in general terms rather than exact prices. Pricing models change, so check each provider directly for their current terms. SMS credits and card processing are separate from Setora's flat rate and are charged at cost only if you use them.
Keep reading
Related guides.
Product
Setora for salons
See the Booking Page, stylist scheduling, reminders and £39/month per location pricing.
Read guideCommissionThe Treatwell 35% commission breakdown
A worked example of what marketplace commission costs a salon each month.
Read guideAlternativesAll booking software alternatives
Compare every tool UK salons and shops weigh up, on price, commission and fit.
Read guideBarbershopsRun a barbershop instead?
The same comparison for barbershops, with walk-ins and multi-barber scheduling.
Read guideQuestions
Choosing, in plain English.
The questions owners ask us most when they are weighing up a switch.
What is the best salon software in the UK?
It depends on what your salon needs most. For most UK hair salons we rate Setora highest on value and control: a flat rate of £39/month per location with unlimited stylists, no commission on bookings and full client data export. Phorest has the deeper feature set if you want it and are happy to request a quote. Fresha and Treatwell give you marketplace discovery in exchange for commission on the clients they send.
How much does salon software cost in the UK?
It depends on the pricing model. Flat-rate tools like Setora charge one price per location, £39/month per location, regardless of how many stylists you have. Phorest prices by quote across its Starter, Grow, Ultimate and Elite plans, so you need to speak to sales to get a number. Marketplace tools can look cheaper up front, then add per-staff fees, commission on bookings and card processing, so the real monthly cost climbs as you get busier.
Why does Phorest not publish its prices?
Phorest sells through a demo and quote process rather than a public rate card, and its plans include bespoke setup, client migration and ongoing training. That suits salons who want hands-on onboarding. The trade-off is that you cannot compare the monthly cost against other tools without going through sales first.
Will I keep my client data if I switch?
With Setora, yes. You can export your clients, bookings and reports at any time, with no lock-in. Data portability varies across other tools, so always check you can take a full export with you before you commit. Under GDPR you have the right to your client records whichever platform you are on.
Does the price rise when I take on more stylists?
With Setora, no. Unlimited stylists are included at £39/month per location, with no per-staff fees. Several other tools charge per staff member or price by plan tier, so your bill grows every time your team does.
Is commission always a bad deal for a salon?
No. If a marketplace brings you clients who would never have found you otherwise, paying commission on that first booking can be fair. It becomes expensive when your own regulars start booking through the marketplace, because you pay to reach clients you already had. Look at where your bookings actually come from before you judge it.
Do I need to change my card machine?
With Setora, no. Card processing is optional and only charged at cost if you use it, so you can keep your existing card machine. SMS reminders use credits, also charged at cost.