Booking Software Without Commission: What Marketplace Fees Really Cost

Many booking apps for salons and clinics look cheap, or even free, until you read how they make money. Some charge a commission on new clients, some take a percentage of every online payment, and some do both. Other tools charge a flat monthly price and nothing else. In 2026, picking the right model can make a difference of hundreds of euros a year for a small business. This guide explains the common pricing models, shows how to work out what each one costs you, and helps you decide which fits your business.

The three ways booking software charges you

1. Flat monthly subscription

You pay a fixed price each month, usually based on the number of staff members. Bookings, clients and services are included, so your cost doesn't grow when you get busier. The software doesn't bring you clients from a marketplace: clients book through your own booking page, website, social media or Google profile.

2. Marketplace commission on new clients

Some platforms list your business in a consumer app where people search for salons nearby. When a new client finds you there and books, the platform charges a fee, often a percentage of that first visit. For example, Booksy's optional Boost promotion charges 30% of a new client's first visit, and Fresha charges a one-time fee for brand-new clients who come from its marketplace. You can read the details in our timedule vs Booksy and timedule vs Fresha comparisons.

3. Payment processing fees

If clients pay online when they book, every payment has a card processing fee. Some booking platforms run their own payment system and set the fee themselves. Others let you connect your own payment provider, such as PayPal or Square, so the money goes straight to your account and only that provider's fee applies.

How to work out what commission really costs you

Commission sounds small because you only pay when you get a new client. To see the real cost, put numbers on it:

New clients from the marketplace per month × average first visit price × commission rate

Say you run a hair salon and the marketplace brings you 15 new clients a month, with an average first visit of €45. At a 30% commission, that's 15 × €45 × 0.30 = €202.50 a month, or about €2,430 a year. That's on top of any subscription and payment fees.

Whether that's worth it depends on one question: would those clients have found you anyway? If someone searches for your salon by name on the marketplace, or a regular client books there out of habit, you may be paying commission for a client you already had.

When marketplace commission makes sense

• You've just opened and nobody knows your business yet.
• You're in a big city where many people use the marketplace app to find salons.
• You have empty slots you can't fill any other way, and a new client paying 70% is better than an empty chair.

When a flat price without commission is the better choice

• Most of your clients are regulars or come by recommendation.
• Clients already find you through Google, Instagram or your website.
• You want to know exactly what you'll pay each month, however busy you get.
• You want your clients to book on your own booking page, with your brand, rather than in an app that also shows your competitors.

Questions to ask before you choose booking software

• Is there a commission on new clients, and how is a "new client" defined?
• What is the fee on online payments, and can I use my own payment provider?
• Do SMS reminders cost extra, and how much per message?
• Does the price go up per staff member or per location?
• Does my booking page also show other businesses?
• Is there a free trial, and do I need a credit card for it?

How timedule charges

timedule uses a flat monthly price based on the number of staff members, with unlimited bookings, clients, services and locations. There's no marketplace and no commission on new clients or bookings. Online payments go directly to your own PayPal or Square account, so only their fees apply. SMS reminders are paid per message at local prices, and email reminders are free. You can try timedule free for 14 days without a credit card, and see all plans on the pricing page.