How Much Does Booking & Scheduling Software Cost? A UK Small Business Pricing Guide
What Does Booking & Scheduling Software Actually Cost UK Businesses?
Booking and scheduling software ranges from completely free to well over £100 per month, depending on your industry and feature requirements. Understanding what drives the price difference will help you avoid overpaying — or underbuying — for your business needs.
Costs typically scale with the number of staff members, locations, and advanced features such as automated reminders, CRM tools, and integrated payments. UK businesses also need to consider whether software supports UK bank integrations and complies with GDPR requirements for storing client data.
Free and Low-Cost Options (£0–£25/month)
Fresha offers one of the most generous free tiers available for appointment-based businesses such as salons, spas, and barbershops. Its free plan includes online booking, CRM, and payment processing, though Fresha charges a small percentage fee on new client bookings made through its marketplace.
Square POS also offers a free tier with integrated payments at transparent UK rates, making it a solid starting point for retailers or service businesses taking payments in person. Both tools are quick to set up and require no long-term contract commitment.
At the entry-level paid tier, Treatwell Connect costs £25 per month and is specifically designed for hair and beauty businesses in the UK. It includes 24/7 online booking, automated appointment reminders to reduce no-shows, and client management tools — a strong option if you want Treatwell's consumer marketplace visibility alongside your booking system.
Mid-Range Pricing (£49–£129/month)
Acuity Scheduling starts from £16 per month and suits freelancers, consultants, and small service businesses wanting professional online booking with integrated payment processing. It connects with tools like Stripe and PayPal, and its automated reminders are particularly effective at cutting missed appointments.
For field service businesses — think plumbers, electricians, or landscapers — Jobber at £49 per month offers comprehensive job scheduling, mobile apps for teams, and streamlined quoting and invoicing. It integrates with accounting software such as Xero and QuickBooks, which is important if you're managing Making Tax Digital compliance.
Mindbody at £129 per month is aimed at fitness studios, gyms, and wellness businesses, combining booking, CRM, and payments in one platform. Its built-in client discovery marketplace can help new customers find your business, though this higher price point is best justified once you have a substantial and growing client base.
Premium and Specialist Pricing (£69–£119/month)
ResDiary costs £69 per month and is built specifically for UK restaurants and hospitality venues. Crucially, it charges a flat monthly fee with no per-cover commissions — a meaningful saving compared to some competitors — and includes GDPR-friendly guest data management tools and a 14-day free trial.
Commusoft at £119 per month is tailored for UK trades businesses such as heating engineers and electrical contractors. It goes beyond basic scheduling to offer robust job management, mobile access for engineers in the field, and compliance documentation — making it particularly well suited to businesses operating under UK regulatory requirements.
Key Factors That Affect Your Final Price
- Number of users or staff members — most platforms charge per seat above a base allowance
- Payment processing fees — tools like Fresha and Square charge a percentage per transaction, typically 1.75% in the UK
- Add-on features — SMS reminders, marketing tools, and reporting dashboards often cost extra
- Number of locations — multi-site businesses usually need a higher-tier plan
- Annual vs monthly billing — paying annually typically saves 15–20% with most providers
Which Booking Software Is Right for Your Budget?
Best Free Option: Fresha
Fresha is ideal for sole traders and small salons wanting a capable, no-cost system to get started. Upgrade costs only arise through marketplace bookings or optional premium features.
Best for Trades and Field Services: Jobber or Commusoft
Jobber suits growing trade businesses needing scheduling and invoicing in one place, while Commusoft is worth the higher investment for established UK trades businesses needing deeper compliance and reporting tools.
Best for Restaurants: ResDiary
ResDiary's commission-free model makes it a financially transparent choice for UK hospitality businesses, with solid GDPR tools included as standard.
Best All-Rounder for Service Businesses: Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling offers excellent value for consultants and service providers needing professional booking without a large monthly outlay. Its simplicity and payment integrations make it easy to recommend as a first paid tool.