makeabook.ing vs Booksy
Booksy combines a subscription with marketplace commission on boosted bookings. makeabook.ing is a flat fee, no marketplace, no commission. A comparison for independent beauty pros.
TL;DR: Booksy pairs a subscription with marketplace-style discovery — clients can find you through the Booksy app, and paid visibility features typically come with their own cost on top. makeabook.ing skips the marketplace and the subscription-plus-fees structure entirely: one flat fee, your own link, no cut of your bookings.
At a glance
| Booksy | makeabook.ing | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Booking software + consumer marketplace | A direct booking link |
| New client discovery | Yes, via the Booksy app | No — built for clients who already know you |
| Pricing model | Subscription, plus optional Boost commission | Flat monthly fee only |
| Commission on bookings | Only when optional Boost brings a new client | Never |
| Direct booking link | Yes | Yes |
| Best suited to | Beauty pros wanting marketplace discovery similar to Fresha | Solo pros with their own following who want a simple, flat-fee link |
Where they actually differ
Booksy sits in similar territory to Fresha — it's part booking calendar, part consumer-facing marketplace where clients search for beauty professionals near them. That's real value if new client discovery is something you're actively relying on: Booksy is putting your business in front of people who weren't already looking for you specifically.
The trade-off is a pricing structure that layers a subscription with additional costs tied to marketplace visibility and boosted bookings — worth checking Booksy's current terms closely, since paying for discovery you're not using is exactly the situation solo pros with an established following often want to avoid.
makeabook.ing doesn't attempt the discovery side at all. It's a link, not a directory listing — clients get there because you shared it, not because they searched for a nearby nail tech and found you in an app. In exchange, there's nothing to pay for beyond the flat subscription: no marketplace fee, no boosted-visibility upsell.
What clients actually experience
Booksy supports both marketplace discovery and a personal profile link you can share in your bio or messages. The marketplace path can help new clients find you; the direct link gives existing clients a route back without relying on discovery.
A makeabook.ing link skips that step entirely — a client taps your link, picks a service and time, and gets an email confirmation, with nothing to install and no account to set up. For a client who already intended to book with you, that's one less reason to abandon the process halfway through.
Pricing
Booksy charges a base subscription. Its optional Boost feature adds a one-time commission when Boost brings a first-time client, while bookings from your own profile link and marketing remain commission-free. Check Booksy's current country-specific price and Boost terms before deciding.
makeabook.ing is free for the first 20 bookings a month, then a flat £19/month for unlimited bookings — the whole pricing model in one sentence.
Who Booksy is best for
Solo beauty pros who want active marketplace discovery and are comfortable paying for the visibility and booking volume that discovery brings, alongside a base subscription for the scheduling tools themselves.
Who makeabook.ing is best for
Solo pros who already have a client base — through Instagram, referrals, word of mouth — and want a single, predictable monthly cost for the booking link itself, without paying for discovery features they're not using.
Switching over
Moving off Booksy doesn't require exporting anything — set up your services, prices and hours on makeabook.ing and start sharing the new link in your bio, stories and WhatsApp replies. If Booksy is currently sending you any marketplace-sourced bookings, it's reasonable to keep a lighter presence there for that specific purpose while your own following moves over to your direct link. There's no reason it has to be all-or-nothing on day one.
FAQ
Does Booksy take a commission like Fresha?
Booksy charges a subscription and only adds a marketplace commission when optional Boost brings a first-time client. Direct-link bookings remain commission-free.
Is makeabook.ing cheaper than Booksy?
For a solo pro not using marketplace discovery, likely yes — makeabook.ing's flat £19/month (or free for 20 bookings) has no additional visibility fees layered on. Compare against Booksy's current published pricing for your exact numbers.
Can I use both Booksy and makeabook.ing?
Yes — some solo pros keep a lighter Booksy presence for marketplace discovery while directing their own following to a makeabook.ing link, avoiding fees on bookings that didn't need the marketplace to happen.
Can clients book from a direct Booksy link?
Yes. Booksy provides a personal profile link alongside its consumer marketplace and app.
Will switching away from Booksy hurt my existing reviews or booking history?
Your Booksy profile and reviews stay exactly where they are unless you choose to remove them — switching your day-to-day booking flow to makeabook.ing doesn't require deleting anything on Booksy's side.
Your existing clients don't need to find you through an app. Create your free booking link — one flat fee, no marketplace, ever.