Fresha alternative for nail technicians

Fresha taking commission on your nail treatments? There's a better way.

Nextro is a direct booking system for nail technicians. No marketplace. No commission taken from your bookings. Just a link your clients use to book and pay — and money that goes straight to your bank.

At £29/month flat, most nail techs find they pay significantly less than what Fresha's commission model costs them once the treatments add up.

Create your booking page See how Nextro works

The real cost of free booking software

Fresha is marketed as free software, but that pricing model works by taking a cut of your bookings — particularly for clients who find you through the Fresha marketplace. For nail technicians doing £45–£90 treatments, that percentage adds up fast.

If you see ten new clients a month via Fresha at £55 average, and the commission rate is 20%, that's £110 a month going back to a platform — for the privilege of being listed alongside your competitors.

Nextro doesn't list you anywhere. You bring your own clients — through Instagram, WhatsApp, word of mouth — and you keep everything they pay. The cost is £29/month, regardless of how many bookings you take.

Nextro vs Fresha — for nail technicians

FeatureNextroFresha

Monthly fee£29/month flatFree or paid, plus commission

Commission on bookingsNone — Nextro takes no commissionUp to 20% on new clients via marketplace

Payout speedDirect to your bank via StripeHeld by Fresha, released on schedule

Marketplace exposureNot a marketplace — your link onlyListed on the Fresha marketplace

Deposit or upfront paymentFull upfront payment at bookingVaries by plan

Setup timeUnder 10 minutesMore complex onboarding

Instagram bio linkYour Nextro link works anywhereFresha booking link or widget

Fresha pricing varies by plan and market. Commission applies to new clients booked through the Fresha marketplace.

Real scenario

The commission maths. You do a £65 BIAB full set for a client who found you via Fresha. At 20% commission, £13 goes back to Fresha — every time. Ten new clients a month through the marketplace: £130 gone. With Nextro, that £130 stays with you. The platform costs £29/month instead, regardless of how many bookings you take.

Is this the right Fresha alternative for you?

You already have a client base and don't need a marketplace to find new clients

You rely on Instagram to get bookings and want a direct link to replace the DMs

You want upfront payment or a deposit secured before every appointment

You're tired of waiting for Fresha to release your money

You want a simpler, lower-cost system that does booking and payment — nothing else

When Fresha still makes sense: If you currently rely on the Fresha marketplace to find brand-new clients, switching to Nextro means building your own audience first. Nextro works best when you already have a following — Instagram, WhatsApp, returning clients — and want a cleaner, commission-free way to take their bookings.

Set up your booking page and stop paying commission on your own clients.

Create your booking page

How to switch from Fresha to Nextro

Set up Nextro in under 10 minutes

Create your account, add your treatments (BIAB, full set, gel polish — whatever you offer), connect Stripe, and your booking link is live. Nothing to migrate — you're starting fresh.

Update your Instagram bio link

Swap the Fresha link in your Instagram bio for your Nextro link. Any client who visits will see your live availability and can book and pay directly.

Message your regulars

Send a simple message to your regular clients: 'I've moved to a new booking system — book here from now on.' Most will switch without a second thought. You can cancel Fresha once your regulars are on board.

What you get with Nextro

Direct booking link — no marketplace

Clients book directly through your link. You're not listed alongside competitors, and no one takes a cut when they book.

100% of your listed price

Every pound you charge for a BIAB, full set, or gel polish goes directly to your bank via Stripe. Nextro takes no commission.

Upfront or deposit payment at booking

Clients pay when they confirm — not when they arrive. You set the amount. The money is yours before the appointment starts.

Direct Stripe payouts

No waiting for a platform to release your earnings. Payments go straight to your connected bank account on Stripe's standard schedule.

Common questions about switching

Does Fresha charge commission on nail appointments?▾

Fresha's free plan takes a commission percentage on bookings made through their marketplace. For new clients found via Fresha, that can be up to 20%. Nextro charges a flat £29/month and takes no commission from your treatments.

Will I lose clients if I move away from Fresha?▾

Your existing clients already know you. You can share your new Nextro booking link via Instagram, WhatsApp, or directly in a message — most clients switch without any friction. Nextro is not a marketplace, so new-client discovery works differently, but you keep 100% of what you earn.

Does Nextro hold my money like Fresha does?▾

No. Payments go directly to your connected Stripe account. Nextro is not an intermediary for your money — it routes straight to your bank on Stripe's standard payout schedule.

Can I still take upfront payment with Nextro?▾

Yes — that's the default behaviour. Clients pay the full treatment price (or a deposit amount you set) when they book. Nothing changes about how you charge — only where the booking comes from.

Is Nextro suitable for a self-employed nail tech working from home?▾

Yes. Most Nextro users are self-employed and work from a home studio or hired nail desk. There's no requirement for a physical salon — just a booking link and your availability.

Stop paying commission on your own clients

£29/month flat. No commission. Direct payouts. Your booking link, your clients, your earnings.

Create your booking page

No contracts. Cancel anytime. Keep Fresha running until you're ready to switch.

More for nail technicians

Nail technician overview

The full Nextro walkthrough for nail techs.

Booking software

How Nextro works as an online booking system for nail techs.