Founded: 2015, London UK
ManicBot vs Fresha
TL;DR
Fresha advertises itself as «free» — but add the 20% new-client commission plus a per-WhatsApp and per-SMS fee, and a growing salon pays Fresha 5–10× more than ManicBot. Plus no Telegram and no conversational AI.
Feature comparison
| ManicBot | Fresha | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | 45 PLN / mo flat | 29 PLN / mo (Independent) |
| Free trial | 14 days | 7 days |
| Booking commission | 0% forever | 20% on every new client (min 6 USD) |
| Telegram booking | ✓ native + AI | ✗ |
| WhatsApp Business | ✓ native + AI | Pay-per-message: 0.45–1.30 PLN per WhatsApp |
| Instagram DM | ✓ native + AI | Marketplace button only |
| 24/7 AI receptionist | ✓ PL/RU/UK/EN | ✗ |
| Google Calendar sync | ✓ two-way | ✓ two-way |
| HQ | Poland / EU | London, UK |
| Languages | PL, RU, UK, EN | 15+ including PL |
Competitor pricing verified on the official pricing page (May 2026) · Source
Why ManicBot wins
- Real total cost. Fresha's 29 PLN/mo sticker plus 20% new-client commission plus 0.45–1.30 PLN per WhatsApp adds up to 500–2,000 PLN/mo for a growing salon. ManicBot is 45 PLN/mo flat, period.
- Telegram + AI receptionist. No competitor has Telegram booking and conversational AI in one package. Fresha is Instagram/Facebook DM forwarding — not a conversation.
- Your clients are yours. Fresha funnels new bookings through its marketplace and skims 20%. ManicBot bookings flow directly through your Telegram, IG, and WhatsApp — Fresha never inserts itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fresha's 29 PLN/mo REALLY cheaper than ManicBot's 45 PLN/mo?
On the sticker, yes — for the first month with zero new clients. Add 10 new clients per month at avg 150 PLN per visit and you owe Fresha 300 PLN in commission → 329 PLN total. ManicBot is still 45 PLN flat. The more you grow, the more expensive Fresha gets.
Can I use my own WhatsApp instead of paying per-message through Fresha?
Fresha routes all SMS/WhatsApp through its own gateway. ManicBot connects directly to your WhatsApp Business API — message costs are Meta's standard rates, not Fresha's markup.
Does the ManicBot AI receptionist actually respond sensibly?
Yes. Test it on the demo salon (link on the homepage) — the AI handles the entire booking flow in PL/RU/UK/EN, escalates unusual questions to the owner, runs 24/7.