Fresha, Booksy Boost, Vagaro promotions and the Mindbody app take a share of a new client's first visit. What each charges, the minimums and caps, and what a new client really costs you.
Written by me, Ari (Consult With Ari) · figures from vendors' own pages, checked 4 October 2026
Some booking systems run a consumer app where people search for a salon, a trainer or a spa. When that app sends you a brand-new client, the system takes a share of the first visit. It's a marketing cost, not a software cost, but it lands on the same bill.
The four, side by side
| System | Rule | $35 visit | $70 visit | $140 visit | $400 visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresha | 20% of a new client's first booking, $6 minimum (US cap not published) | $7 | $14 | $28 | $80 |
| Booksyoptional | 30% of a new client's first visit, capped at $100 | $10.50 | $21 | $42 | $100 |
| Vagarooptional | 20% of a brand-new customer's booking, no cap stated | $7 | $14 | $28 | $80 |
| Mindbody | 20% of a new client's first purchase, capped at $30 | $7 | $14 | $28 | $30 |
Fresha's $6 minimum means a $20 service still costs $6 (30%). Booksy's $100 cap and Mindbody's $30 cap protect high tickets; Vagaro states no cap. Fresha says a cap exists for high-value services but doesn't publish the US amount, so the table shows the uncapped 20%.
Is a marketplace client worth it?
Compare the one-time commission with what a new client is worth to you over a year. A client who comes back every five weeks for $70 is worth about $700 a year; $14 to bring them in may be cheap. A one-off visitor at a discount isn't. Track how many marketplace clients come back before switching promotions on.
Systems with no commission
Timely states it charges no new-client fees. The other systems I track don't list a marketplace commission on their pricing pages. Add marketplace clients in the calculator to see the effect on your total.
Quick answers
Do I pay a commission on returning clients?
Not on these four. Fresha's fee is one-time per brand-new marketplace client; Booksy Boost charges on a Boost client's first visit; Mindbody charges on the first purchase. Vagaro also charges 5% on existing customers who book through a deal or last-minute opening campaign.
Can I turn it off?
Booksy Boost and Vagaro's promotion tools are optional. Fresha's fee applies to brand-new clients who find you through the Fresha marketplace and book online. Mindbody's applies to new clients from its consumer app.
How do I count this in the calculator?
Enter how many new clients a month you expect from booking apps. The calculator applies each system's rate, minimum and cap to your average price.
No forms, no sales funnel
Want me to set it up for you?
I'll pick the system that fits your trade, set up your services, deposits and reminders, and connect the booking button to your website. Start with a free 20-minute call with me.
