1 · The friction
Sound familiar?
What salon owners weigh up when choosing a system.
“Our fees change every month”
Marketplace fees rise with every new client the marketplace books.
Source: Pabau Fresha pricing
“I can't get a straight price”
Kitomba's pricing is quoted after you contact them.
Source: Capterra
“Will I lose my client list if I switch?”
Moving systems means exporting clients, notes and future bookings.
Source: Tift client work
“We chose it because it was free”
Free to start can become expensive once marketplace and card fees add up.
Source: Pattern we check for in audits
2 · The numbers
Salon software, by the numbers
20%
Fresha's one-time fee on new marketplace clients
Pabau Fresha review
A$42
Timely's entry plan a month, ex GST
SoftwareHQ AU, Mar 2026
4.7/5
Timely rating from 711 reviews
GetApp Australia
On request
Kitomba pricing
Capterra
The cheapest plan on paper isn't always the cheapest month. Count your new clients and where they came from.
3 · Side by side
The comparison
| For a 4-chair salon | Fresha | Timely | Kitomba |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Subscription plus marketplace and card fees | Subscription by features | Package, quoted |
| Cut of new clients | 20% of the first marketplace booking | None | Ask Kitomba |
| Entry price | $14.95 per team member (US list) | From A$42 a month ex GST | On request |
| Brings new clients | Yes, its marketplace | No marketplace | Ask Kitomba |
| Best for | Salons that want marketplace clients | Predictable monthly costs | Salons wanting a full package |
Prices from review sites and vendor pages, 2026. Ask for an Australian quote for four chairs before deciding.
4 · The decision
Which fits your salon?
Fresha if
Its marketplace genuinely brings you new clients.
You want low fixed costs.
You're happy with variable fees.
Timely or Kitomba if
Most new clients find you on Instagram or Google.
You want the same bill every month.
You want support from a local team.
Before you switch
Export clients and service notes.
Move future bookings in a quiet week.
Send regulars your new booking link.
5 · In practice
How to choose without regrets
Challenge
Not sure if the marketplace brings new clients or just charges for existing ones.
Action
Count last quarter's new clients by where they came from, then model each system's pricing.
Result
3 months
Three months of real bookings is enough to compare fairly.
6 · Quick answers
Questions salon owners ask us
Which is cheapest for four chairs?
It depends on how many new marketplace clients you get. Model last month's numbers in each.
Can I try them first?
Fresha and Timely offer free trials. Kitomba arranges a demo.