GlowBook vs Fresha: the alternative with WhatsApp included
Fresha is an international marketplace with low-cost software: €14.95 a month for one person, €9.95 per team member on the Team plan, both excluding 21% VAT. Once the 20 free messages a month are used up, every message is billed. GlowBook is not a marketplace: you pay a flat fee and WhatsApp reminders are included. Here is where the difference lies.
Learn more about GlowBook
Why switch to GlowBook
WhatsApp reminders without a meter
Fresha includes 20 automated messages a month (per team member on Team), then charges €0.15 to €0.21 per WhatsApp message. With GlowBook every client gets an automatic WhatsApp reminder 24 hours before, included in your subscription.
One flat price for your whole team
Fresha Team costs €9.95 per team member per month, excluding VAT: €49.75 for 5 people. GlowBook Team costs €39 a month for up to 5 team members, with no per-head price.
Bancontact and iDEAL up front
With GlowBook the client pays a deposit by Bancontact, iDEAL or card, straight to your own Stripe account, at Stripe's standard rates. Fresha's pricing page lists online payments at 1% + €0.20 per transaction but does not mention Bancontact or iDEAL.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | GlowBook From €19/month | Fresha €14.95/mo excl. VAT, more per team member |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp reminders | ✓ | 20 free/mo, then €0.15-0.21 |
| Bancontact & iDEAL-first checkout | ✓ | – |
| Deposits | ✓ | ✓ |
| Intake forms | ✓ | ✓ |
| Waitlist with auto-notify | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-staff | €39 plan | €9.95/member |
| No commission on bookings | ✓ | – |
Based on publicly available information as of 2026-10-19. If you think something's wrong, let us know, we'll adjust.
What does it really cost?
For one person Fresha is cheaper on paper: €14.95 a month excluding VAT versus €19 for GlowBook. Now count the messages. Send 100 WhatsApp reminders a month and Fresha bills 80 of them at €0.15 to €0.21, so €12 to €16.80 extra. In a team it flips: 5 team members cost €49.75 a month excluding VAT at Fresha, GlowBook Team costs €39. Online payments at Fresha cost 1% + €0.20 per transaction. (Checked October 2026 on fresha.com/pricing.)
When is Fresha the better choice?
- You want to be found through a large international marketplace and app. GlowBook is not a marketplace.
- You work alone, send few reminders and want the lowest possible monthly fee.
- You want a card terminal and point of sale from the same provider as your calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fresha free?+
Not any more. Per their pricing page the Independent plan is €14.95 a month and the Team plan €9.95 per team member a month, both excluding 21% VAT, plus per-message charges after 20 free messages a month.
What do WhatsApp messages cost on Fresha?+
Fresha includes 20 automated text and WhatsApp messages a month (per team member on Team). After that a WhatsApp message costs €0.15 to €0.21. With GlowBook, WhatsApp reminders are included.
Can I take deposits with GlowBook?+
Yes. You choose a deposit or a saved card per service. The client pays by Bancontact, iDEAL or card, and the money goes to your own Stripe account.
Can I bring my clients across from Fresha?+
Export your clients to CSV and import them via /dashboard/klanten. If the export gives you trouble, let us know and we'll help with the migration.