Does it ever cross your mind to develop an app like Fresha? Well, you are not alone.
It is estimated that by 2032, the market valuation for the salon app market will reach $480 bn. Seeing such numbers; anyone will plan to develop a salon app like Fresha.
If you are one of them, then trust us knowing cost is an important factor.
Interested investors usually ask, ”How much does it cost to develop a salon booking app like Fresha?”
On average, the Fresha-like app development can be from $15,000 to $50,000 or more. However, this cost can increase or decrease according to your project needs.
Suppose, you want advanced features or customized design, then the cost will not be the same.
What we want to say here is several factors affect the cost to make an app like Fresha.
We will explore in this blog about all those factors and much more. So, without any further ado, time to get in.
What is Fresha App?
One of the basic questions is “What is Fresha App?”
Fresha is a smart salon app and business management platform that lets customers effortlessly book appointments while helping salons streamline their operations and run more efficiently.
For customers, Fresha makes it easy to find different salons and spas and find availability in real-time.
Whereas, for businesses, it’s free software that includes features like appointment calendars, POS tools, and marketing tools to grow the salon business.
The ease and convenience to both users and businesses is what made Fresha so famous that it has surpassed 1 billion appointments.
There are over 120,000 businesses that are connected to the platform. Alongside, 500,000 beauty and salon professionals are also part of the app.
The app was launched in 2015, now it is available in more than 120 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Europe.
This popularity is what driving investors towards it, and making them question how much does it cost to create an app like Fresha.
Truth be told, there is no exact figure we can give. But we can give you an estimate to create a salon app .
How Much Does It Cost to Build an App Like Fresha?
A ballpark figure of Fresha-like app development cost can be between $15,000 to $50,000 or more .
Several factors include:
• Design of your app.
• Features & Functionalities.
• Tech Stack
• Development Team & Location.
• Complexity of the App.
Here’s a table outlining the estimated Fresha-like app development cost, giving you a better idea:
| Stage | Estimated Cost Range (USD) | Description |
| Market Research & Planning | $1,000 - $3,000 | Initial research to understand market needs, competitor analysis, and detailed app planning. |
| UI/UX Design | $2,000 - $5,000 | Wireframing, prototyping, and creating the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. |
| Backend Development | $4,000 - $10,000 | Building the server-side logic, database structure, APIs, and admin panel. |
| Frontend Development | $5,000 - $12,000 | Developing the client-side components (app interfaces, user-facing features on iOS/Android). |
| Features Development | $4,000 - $8,000 | Key features like a booking system, calendar sync, payment integration, reviews, and customer profiles. |
| Testing & QA | $1,000 - $3,000 | Testing the app for bugs, performance issues, and optimizing for both iOS and Android platforms. |
| Deployment & Launch | $1,000 - $2,000 | Preparing the app for deployment on app stores, initial launch setup, and first-level maintenance. |
| Post-launch Support | $1,000 - $3,000 | Bug fixes, updates, and minor feature enhancements for a limited period after launch. |
Similar to this, many factors impact the overall budget.
To find out about the true salon app development cost for your project, consider connecting with an experienced company.
On the other side, if you want to know about what are the factors we repeatedly talk about, then know about them in the next section:
Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop an App like Fresha

To know “How much does it cost to create an app like Fresha” the answer is it totally depends. Every factor has its own way of impacting the overall cost. So, if you look forward to finding the estimate, you need to know about these factors.
In this section, we’ll be discussing them in detail:
1. Complexity
Among other factors, complexity is the most common. A simple rule of thumb says that if your app idea is complex, then the time taken by developers will be more.
Similarly, the iterations will be more & all this will surely increase the overall Fresha clone app development cost.
On the other hand, if you have an app idea that is simple to execute and turn into a solution, then it will be budget-friendly. Plus, it will reduce the time to market which is a win-win thing.
2. Features & Functionality
To separate yourself from others, it is important to cover features.
The same goes for salon apps, you need to place the right salon app feature in your app.
After all, the features you choose to add to the app will play a key role in defining the overall cost to develop an app like Fresha—it's all about what you build into it!
Below is a table where we are going to discuss some features and how they impact the overall cost.
| Feature | Cost Range | Description |
| User Authentication & Profiles | $1,000 - $5,000 | Sign-up/login, user profiles for customers and service providers. |
| Appointment Booking System | $3,000 - $8,000 | Calendar integration, booking confirmation, reminders, and time slot management. |
| Service Management | $2,000 - $5,000 | Service menu, prices, staff allocation, and booking time duration settings. |
| Payment Gateway Integration | $2,000 - $5,000 | Integration of payment systems (Stripe, PayPal) for deposits and payments. |
| Push Notifications | $500 - $2,000 | Alerts and reminders for users about bookings, promotions, and updates. |
| Admin Panel | $3,000 - $7,000 | Backend dashboard for managing appointments, user accounts, analytics, etc. |
| Ratings & Reviews | $1,000 - $3,000 | User reviews and ratings for services and staff members. |
| Business Profile & Customization | $1,000 - $3,000 | The ability for business owners to customize profiles, manage availability, etc. |
| Multi-location Support | $2,000 - $5,000 | The ability for businesses with multiple locations to manage them separately. |
| Calendar Sync (Google/iCal) | $500 - $1,500 | Integration with external calendar systems for users and businesses. |
3. Platform Selection
Next up, the right selection of platform is a factor that affects the cost to create on-demand apps like Fresha.
When you plan to develop a salon app, you need to choose from:
• Android app development services
• iOS app development services
Or, if you want to go for cost-effective way, then cross-platform is your best bet. As you know, every platform has different requirements and challenges, so this is why the cost for every platform Is different.
4. Tech stack
The selection of the right tech stack is pretty crucial while developing an app like Fresha because this impacts your development cost and time.
Using cross-platform development, for instance, with React Native or Flutter, you may save on several fronts because you would not need to build a native app for iOS and Android separately.
On the other hand, native development on both platforms may offer better performance, but not less costly, with the need for two different codebases.
In addition, back-end decisions such as Node.js or Ruby on Rails affect speed and scale & therefore impact both initial cost and later maintenance expense.
Here is a table depicting how the tech stack affects the cost:
| Basis | Technology | Cost | Description |
| Frontend | React Native | Medium | Cross-platform development for iOS and Android, reducing development time and cost. |
| Flutter | Medium | Another cross-platform framework, known for its performance and fast development. | |
| Backend | Node.js | Medium | Efficient server-side development, especially for real-time features. |
| Python (with Django or Flask) | Medium | Versatile language for backend development, suitable for complex applications. | |
| Database | MongoDB | Medium | Flexible NoSQL database, ideal for handling unstructured data like user profiles and appointments. |
| PostgreSQL | Medium | Powerful relational database for structured data, suitable for managing large datasets. | |
| Cloud Platform | AWS | High | Comprehensive cloud platform with a wide range of services, but can be costly for large-scale applications. |
| Google Cloud Platform (GCP) | Medium | Similar to AWS, but often offers more cost-effective pricing. | |
| Microsoft Azure | Medium | Another popular cloud platform with a strong focus on enterprise solutions. | |
| Payment Gateway | Stripe | Medium | Popular payment gateway with a user-friendly API and competitive fees. |
| PayPal | Medium | Another popular option, especially for international transactions. | |
| Push Notifications | Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) | Low | Free and reliable push notification service from Google. |
| Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) | Low | Apple's official push notification service for iOS devices. |
5. Mode to Hire Developers
Yes, the way you hire developers is also a factor that determines the cost to develop an app like Fresha.
Now, the question is how?
Well, to acquire the right development partner there are several modes from hiring freelancers, to outsourcing from an expert company.
Depending on your selection, the estimate for how much does it cost to create an app like Fresha can be different.
Let’s look at these below:
• Freelancers - $50/per hour - $100/per hour
• In-house assemble- Unspecified Cost
• Outsource to Mobile App Development Company - $30/per hour - $70/per hour
Likewise, where your developers are from will also differ in the cost which is what our next factor is.
6. Development Team Location
If you are looking to outsource, the possibilities are endless.
There are developers from several countries who provide quality work, but the selection made by you definitely affects the overall cost to make an app like Fresha.
How?
Well, the cost of living is different in every country and this is why the hourly rates also differ.
Suppose, you hire developers from countries like the USA, and the UK, the cost will be higher. Whereas, going for Asian regions like the Philippines, & India can save your cost without compromising quality.
For a better understanding, this table will show you how hourly rates can affect the overall cost.
| Region | Hourly Rate (USD) |
| North America (US, Canada) | $100 - $250 |
| Western Europe (UK, Germany, France) | $80 - $150 |
| Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland) | $50 - $80 |
| India | $20 - $50 |
| Southeast Asia (Philippines, Vietnam) | $25 - $60 |
7. Maintenance and Updates
Once you launch your salon app, the work is not over.
You need to work on the maintenance services through which you will need to update your app timely, add new features, and make sure that your app is functional and error-free.
So, how does this affect the cost to create an app like Fresha?
Well, if you update timely, then the cost can be 15% to 20% of the total budget. But, if you skip this, then in the future it might return to you a hefty price, app downtime, and a buggy app. And, all this will take a lot of time and cost to fix.
Monetization Strategies for Your Fresha like App
What if we tell you that you can earn a lot of money by creating a salon app like Fresha? Well, that’s what we are going to look at in this section.
Here, we are going to talk about the monetization strategies that can make you money:
1. Freemium Model
Freemium includes Free and Premium models. This means, you can let users enjoy the app for free but, once they like your app, you can ask for a fee to unlock extra features and enjoy the app.
2. Subscription Tiers
Now, what is a subscription tier? Well, in this, you can create subscriptions for different levels of services, monthly, or annually. You can offer an ad-free experience, early booking, access to rewards, and more.
3. In-App Advertising
In-app Advertising refers to showing ads to users. This way, you can earn from those people who don’t have any subscription tiers. Don’t disrupt the user experience to make sure you get the benefits of this model.
4. Commission fee
By making a Fresha-like app, you can ask for commission from clients and businesses for every booking made through the app. It is a great revenue model for your salon app.
5. Partnerships
Partnering with salons and spas to offer exclusive discounts or promotions through your app can be beneficial. You can earn a fee on each sale made via the app, while also delivering added value to users.
How Techanic Infotech Can Help You Build an App Like Fresha?
Do you want to create an app like Fresha? Let us help.
Whether you want to know how much does it cost to develop a salon app like Fresha or want to discuss your project requirements, we are right here to assist you.
Techanic Infotech is the best salon app development company that has experts to turn your app idea into a successful solution.
We have what is needed to develop a salon app like Fresha, Let’s connect.
Conclusion
Developing an app like Fresha can be very lucrative, but there are lots of cost factors that you need to take into consideration.
Understanding how complex your idea is or which features you would want to include will guide your decisions on the technology stack, the location of the development team, and making sure you stay well within your budget.
However, do not forget that with a well-planned and well-executed application, you will be able to attract plenty of users and also earn a handsome amount by employing certain monetization strategies.
FAQ's
The cost of developing a salon app like Fresha ranges from $15,000 to $50,000 or so. However, the actual price may vary because this is dependent on the complexity of an application, features, design, and location.
Some key features to be included in the salon app like Fresha are:
- User authentication and profiles
- Appointment booking system
- Service management
- Payment gateway integration
- Push notifications
This will vary with the specific needs of the application, but possibilities include:
- Frontend: React Native or Flutter
- Technology Stack
- Backend: Node.js or Python (Django/Flask)
- Database: MongoDB or PostgreSQL
- Cloud Platform: AWS, GCP, or Azure
To source a safe development team, consider the following:
- Experience: Ensure that the development team is highly experienced in terms of developing an application of similar types.
- Portfolio: Take a close look at their former work and assess the capabilities they have.
- Communication: Good communication is the cornerstone of a successful project.
- Cost: Compare quotes from different teams in terms of finding out the cost value.
Costs for maintaining a salon app like Fresha depend on the particular case, but its average rate comes to around 15-20% of the initial development cost. The continuous process involved in maintenance is fixing bugs and releasing updates, and also the design of new features.
