Why Pay More? A Smarter Alternative to Booksy, Fresha & Treatwell

Imagine you’ve just started your own salon or wellness business. Clients are booking, your schedule is filling up, and things are looking great. But when you check your earnings, you notice a big chunk is missing. Where did it go? Subscription fees, commission charges, and payment processing costs.

Many businesses rely on platforms like Booksy, Fresha, Slick, and Treatwell to manage their bookings. While these platforms make scheduling easy, they also take a large portion of your hard-earned money. Let’s break down their costs and see if there’s a better way.

How Much Are You Really Paying?

Subscription Costs

✅ ChatBizSol is more affordable than Booksy & Treatwell.
🚀 No unexpected fees like those found on Fresha.

Commissions on New Clients

✅ ChatBizSol allows you to keep everything you earn.
🚀 No extra charges for gaining new clients.

Payment Processing Fees

✅ ChatBizSol helps businesses save more with lower processing fees.
🚀 We recommend using Stripe or SumUp for affordable transactions.

💡 Unlike other platforms, ChatBizSol does not force you to use a specific payment provider. Our system is flexible, allowing you to integrate your preferred payment method. You can add payment links or QR codes to your WhatsApp booking form and accept in-person payments via Stripe or SumUp’s mobile payment terminals.

How Much Can You Save in a Year?

✅ ChatBizSol is up to 20 times cheaper than competitors.
🚀 Keep more of your hard-earned money.

Competitive Analysis: Treatwell vs Booksy vs Fresha vs ChatBizSol (WhatsApp CRM)

Why rent clients from Treatwell, Booksy, or Fresha when you can own the relationship and keep 100% of the profit — using a familiar tool your customers already love: WhatsApp

🔥 Key Advantages Over the Competition

No Middleman

• No platform between you and your client — no one else owns or controls your booking pipeline.

Loyalty, Reminders & Promotions – Your Way

• Easily send booking reminders, thank-yous, loyalty discounts, and special offers — all through WhatsApp.

Cost-Efficient & Scalable

• One-time setup or fixed monthly price. No ongoing percentage cuts from your hard-earned bookings.

Build Real Relationships

• Tag and follow-up with customers directly — “Hey Sarah, want to book your usual nail set for next week? 😊”

Use Existing Socials & Google Traffic

• Add your WhatsApp Booking Link to your Google Business Profile, Instagram bio, or link tree — bypass the app stores!

Slick – Smooth in Name, Smooth in Style

If you’ve ever fancied a salon management system that feels like it’s had a good moisturising treatment – Slick might just be it. Designed with UK-based salons and barbers in mind, Slick offers a comprehensive set of tools: online bookings, client management, built-in marketing, staff scheduling, point-of-sale, and even those all-important SMS reminders (which, we must admit, are actually included in the price – no nasty surprises there).

They’ve earned a name for being upfront about their pricing – no hidden charges lurking in the shadows like a dodgy patch of roots. However, when you tally up the numbers, Slick can still cost around £1,000–£1,200 per year for a salon with 3–4 staff, which is fairly comparable to Treatwell and Booksy once you factor in seat fees and commissions. That said, the cost does stack up, especially as you add more staff. In Slick’s world, each extra team member (what they call a “seat”) increases your annual cost – and we’re not talking just a cup of coffee’s worth. For a modest salon with 3–4 staff, you’re likely looking at a yearly bill that’s very much in line with the likes of Treatwell and Booksy.

Now Let’s Talk ChatBizSol – No Capes, Just CRM

But here’s the juicy bit: unlike Slick, when you roll with ChatBizSol’s Full WhatsApp CRM, you get a full quartet of agents right out of the box. That’s four team members (or “seats”, if we’re still speaking Slick) – all ready to handle leads, chats, and bookings directly from WhatsApp. There’s no limit on the number of clients you can handle either. None. Nada. Zilch.

Got a fifth team member? A sixth? Seventh? No problem. Just pay a one-off nominal fee per 4 extra agent and carry on – that’s a permanent fee with no recurring charges, ever. No monthly seat charges, no yearly top-ups – just a flat fee and you’re done. It’s like buying a good pair of scissors – pay once, and cut for life.

So while Slick may be smooth, we at ChatBizSol like to think we’re slicker, especially when it comes to giving value for money and scalability for growing businesses.

Why ChatBizSol is the Best Alternative

Instead of giving away your profits, ChatBizSol allows you to:

1. Avoid commissions – keep everything you earn.
2. Pay a flat, low annual fee – just £129.99 per year.
3. Use your own payment method. Accept online or in person payment for your business – Use Stripe or SumUp for lower fees.
4. Have full control over customer data – no third-party restrictions.
5. Leverage WhatsApp for business – the world’s most popular messaging app.

🚀 ChatBizSol saves you money while keeping you in charge of your business and giving you the tools to generate good leads.

The Hidden Business Risks of Using Booksy, Fresha & Treatwell

Losing Clients to Competitors

One of the biggest disadvantages of using platforms like Booksy, Fresha, and Treatwell is the risk of losing potential clients to your competition. When a customer searches for your business on these platforms, they are often shown multiple other businesses in the same category. This means that a customer who originally intended to book with you may end up choosing a competitor instead.

🔹 Example: A client searches for “Hair Salon in Manchester” and clicks on your Treatwell profile. However, before completing the booking, they are presented with a list of similar salons nearby. They notice another salon with a slightly lower price or a better deal and decide to book there instead. You lose a booking that should have been yours.

Your Customers, Their Platform

Another issue is that these booking platforms own the customer relationship, not you. Once a client books through Booksy, Fresha, or Treatwell, they are encouraged to keep using the platform for future bookings—sometimes with incentives like loyalty rewards or discounts for trying new businesses.

🔹 Example: A client books an appointment with you via Booksy. The next time they need a similar service, Booksy sends them a notification suggesting other businesses they may like, pulling them away from you.

Limited Branding and Customisation

Your business is one of many on these platforms, and you have little control over how your brand is presented. You can’t fully customise your booking page to reflect your brand identity, which can make your business seem generic.

🔹 Example: A high-end beauty clinic wants to showcase its luxury experience, but on Fresha, their profile looks almost identical to a budget nail salon down the street. This makes it harder for them to stand out.

Reduced Customer Loyalty

Since customers associate their bookings with the platform and not your business, they are less likely to develop strong loyalty to your brand. This makes it harder to retain clients in the long term.

🔹 Example: A spa that gets all its bookings through Treatwell may struggle to keep clients coming back, as customers see Treatwell as the key service provider rather than the spa itself.

✅ With ChatBizSol’s WhatsApp CRM, your clients interact directly with your business, building stronger relationships and increasing loyalty.

Payment Processing Platforms

When it comes to payment processing, platforms like Booksy, Fresha, Slick, and Treatwell offer integrated solutions designed for convenience and streamlined operations. However, this integration often comes with certain limitations regarding flexibility and choice.

💳 Booksy

• Payment Methods: Booksy supports various payment options, including cash, physical card terminals, checks, American Express, PayPal, gift cards, and its in-app Mobile Payments, which allows clients to pay using a card on file or via Apple or Google Pay.
• Payment Processor: Booksy utilizes Stripe for its payment processing needs.
• Flexibility: While Booksy offers a range of payment methods, the use of Stripe is mandatory for processing payments within the platform.

💳 Fresha

• Payment Methods: Fresha allows businesses to accept payments through various methods, including card payments, mobile wallets, QR codes, and manual card entries.
• Payment Processor: Fresha partners with Adyen for payment processing services.
• Flexibility: Similar to Booksy, Fresha requires the use of its integrated payment processor, limiting the ability to choose alternative providers.

💳 Slick

• Payment Methods: Slick offers integrated payment solutions, including online bookings and point-of-sale transactions.
• Payment Processor: Specific information about Slick’s payment processor is not publicly disclosed.
• Flexibility: Given the integrated nature of Slick’s payment system, businesses are typically required to use the provided payment processing services.

💳 Treatwell

• Payment Methods: Treatwell provides options for clients to pay online at the time of booking or in-person at the salon.
• Payment Processor: Treatwell uses its own payment processing system for handling transactions.
• Flexibility: Businesses using Treatwell are generally required to process payments through the platform’s system, with limited options for alternative processors.

💬 ChatBizSol’s WhatsApp CRM – Flexibility at Its Core

Unlike the aforementioned platforms, ChatBizSol’s WhatsApp CRM does not include a built-in payment processor. This design choice offers businesses the freedom to select their preferred payment processing solution, whether it’s for online or in-person transactions.

• Recommended Processors: While businesses have the liberty to choose, ChatBizSol recommends SumUp and Stripe due to their competitive fees and reliability.
• Scalability: The CRM comes with support for four agents by default, and additional agents can be added for a one-time nominal fee per 4 agent, ensuring cost-effective scalability.

This approach empowers businesses to tailor their payment processing to their specific needs, avoiding the constraints of integrated systems and potentially reducing transaction fees.

In Summary – Flexibility Matters

While Booksy, Fresha, Slick, and Treatwell provide convenient integrated payment solutions, they often limit businesses to specific processors, offering little room for flexibility.

At ChatBizSol, we prioritise giving businesses the freedom to choose what works best for them. Our WhatsApp CRM comes without a built-in payment processor, allowing users to select the most suitable option for their needs – whether that’s Stripe, SumUp, or another trusted provider.

With four agents included as standard, and a one-time £10 fee for each additional agent, businesses benefit from predictable and scalable pricing, with no recurring agent charges. It’s a practical approach that gives control back to the business owner.

💡 The WhatsApp Booking System: A Smarter Way to Take Appointments

With ChatBizSol’s WhatsApp CRM, you can create your own custom booking forms for clients to schedule services. You can do so much more with the WhatsApp CRM than a WhatsApp Booking form.

Even if you don’t have a website, the WhatsApp Landing Page gives you an instant online presence. Each staff member can have their own online page, providing increased visibility and a direct communication channel with customers, making it easier to manage bookings and customer inquiries. The only requirement is that they are added as agents on your WhatsApp widget(s). The number of staff members or workers who can have a personal page corresponds to the number of agents you choose to enlist.

The WhatsApp CRM includes four agents at no additional cost. An additional four agents for a one-time fee, and other service add-ons are available, including creating and implementing the WhatsApp form for your business, custom chatbot integration, automated response setup, and advanced analytics for tracking customer engagement. There are no restrictions on the number of agents you can have. The WhatsApp form creation and implementation process is fairly intuitive, with user-friendly templates for the the setup. Simply share your link on social media, emails, or business cards and start booking appointments instantly. Get started today!

In the example above, Jacki, who works for Tara’s Nail Shop, receives a booking via her dedicated landing page, in this case, on a laptop or desktop. It could just as easily have been a tablet or smartphone. The customer receives an online confirmation and also gets a WhatsApp message to the same effect. Jacki receives this confirmation directly on her smartphone via WhatsApp.

The person managing the WhatsApp CRM, typically the owner of Tara’s Nail Shop, can see Jacki’s appointment and manage the lead to fruition.

🔹 WhatsApp is already trusted by billions of people. Using it for business makes scheduling simple and familiar for your customers.

✅ You own your customer data – no third-party control.
✅ Automated reminders help reduce no-shows.
✅ A fast, user-friendly booking experience.

Why Use WhatsApp for Business?

WhatsApp is already trusted by over 2 billion people worldwide, making it one of the most widely used communication platforms. With an estimated 100 billion messages sent daily, it has become an essential tool for seamless and instant communication. Its intuitive interface and widespread adoption mean that your customers are already comfortable using it, eliminating the need for them to learn a new system just to interact with your business.

Familiarity Breeds Convenience

Customers prefer simplicity. With WhatsApp, there’s no need for them to download another app or register for a new service—chances are, they already have it installed and use it daily to communicate with friends and family. This familiarity reduces friction in customer interactions, making engagement effortless and natural.

Seamless Scheduling & Instant Communication

Using WhatsApp for business streamlines appointment scheduling, order confirmations, and customer support. For example, a local salon successfully implemented WhatsApp to manage bookings, sending automatic reminders to clients, reducing no-shows, and improving overall customer satisfaction. Similarly, small e-commerce businesses use WhatsApp to confirm orders and provide real-time shipping updates, ensuring a seamless purchasing experience. Unlike emails that may go unread or phone calls that require immediate availability, WhatsApp messages are seen and responded to at the customer’s convenience. With features like quick replies, automated responses, and reminders, businesses can ensure efficient communication without overwhelming customers.

Building Trust Through a Recognised Platform

Trust is crucial in business interactions, and WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption ensures that messages remain private and secure, accessible only by the sender and recipient. This encryption prevents third parties, including WhatsApp itself, from reading messages. Additionally, verified business accounts add an extra layer of credibility, reassuring customers that they are engaging with a legitimate company. Customers feel more secure interacting with businesses through a platform they already know and trust. Having a verified business presence on WhatsApp reassures customers that they are engaging with a legitimate company, fostering confidence and reliability.

Enhanced Engagement with Multimedia & Personalisation

WhatsApp isn’t just for text—it supports voice messages, images, videos, and even document sharing. Businesses can provide richer interactions, whether it’s showcasing products, sending invoices, or offering step-by-step guides. For instance, an online clothing store might use WhatsApp to send personalised product recommendations along with images and pricing details, enhancing the shopping experience. A tech support company could leverage WhatsApp to share video tutorials or troubleshooting guides, making customer assistance more visual and effective. Personalised interactions, such as sending tailored recommendations or follow-ups, create a customer experience that feels engaging and valued.

A Competitive Edge in Customer Service

With real-time messaging, businesses can offer fast, effective customer service. Whether it’s answering inquiries, resolving issues, or providing after-sales support, WhatsApp enables businesses to be more accessible and responsive than traditional communication methods.

By integrating WhatsApp into your business, you make it easier for customers to connect with you in a way that’s both convenient and familiar. Whether for scheduling, customer service, or personalised engagement, WhatsApp provides a powerful, user-friendly tool that enhances customer experience while building trust and reliability.

💡 Next Steps: Why You Should Choose ChatBizSol

1️⃣ “No More High Commissions – Keep What You Earn!”
2️⃣ “Ditch the Middleman – Own Your Customer Data”
3️⃣ “Flexible, Customised Booking Forms on WhatsApp”
4️⃣ “Affordable, Flat Pricing – No Hidden Fees!”
5️⃣ “Boost Your Revenue with Outbound Manual Campaigns”
6️⃣ “Use WhatsApp – The Platform Your Customers Already Trust!”

Take Control of Your Business Today!

With ChatBizSol’s WhatsApp CRM, you get a cost-effective, flexible, and commission-free booking system designed for businesses that want to save money and grow.

💬 Let us help you turn first-time customers into lifelong clients – without giving away your profits!

💬 Sign up now and start saving today!