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Why Sway is often cheaper than other booking tools
Understand Sway's flat UK pricing, no marketplace commission, and platform fee only on online payments — compared to Fresha, Booksy, and Treatwell.
Published 25 May 2026 · Last updated 25 June 2026
Two different costs: subscription vs commission
Booking software pricing is rarely just “£X per month”. Some platforms charge little upfront but take a percentage when clients book, especially marketplace-sourced customers. Over a year, commission can exceed a straightforward subscription.
Sway charges flat monthly plans (including a free tier) and does not take marketplace commission on bookings — whether clients find you on your page, embed, or through Sway. You keep the relationship with every client who books.
How Sway pricing works
- Free: one staff member, up to 50 bookings per month, online booking page, deposits and card payments optional.
- Individual from £14.99/mo: unlimited bookings, website embed, calendar subscription, custom branding.
- Team: multi-staff, roles, team analytics, and extra staff seats (see live pricing on our business page).
- Platform fee applies only when you take online card payments; pay-at-venue bookings have no Sway platform fee.
- Card processing uses Stripe's standard UK fees plus the small Sway platform fee shown in pricing.
Worked example: 20 new marketplace clients
Imagine 20 new marketplace clients per month at £40 average ticket. At 35% commission (Treatwell-style), that is £280 before VAT in marketplace fees alone — before subscription and card processing. Sway Individual at £14.99/mo has no marketplace cut.
Multiply your average monthly online bookings by your average service price and by any commission percentage you pay today. Compare that number to Sway's monthly plan plus platform fee on card payments only.
If most revenue is repeat clients from your Instagram or website, owning the channel usually wins. If you depend on marketplace new clients, factor commission as a marketing cost, not “software only”.
Feature and pricing comparison
See the table below for a high-level view. For current plan prices and platform fee tiers, open our pricing section; numbers there stay up to date as we adjust plans.
Sway pricing at a glance
No marketplace commission on new bookings.
Free £0/mo · Individual £14.99/mo · Team £19.99/mo (2 staff) · extra staff £7.99/seat/mo
Platform fee on online card payments only — from 0.35% on Team to 2.4% on Free. No fee on pay-at-venue bookings.
| Feature | Sway | Fresha | Booksy | Treatwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo — monthly software | £0/mo Free · £14.99/mo Individual | £14.95/mo min · 7-day trial only | £40/mo + VAT (all features) | Plan fee + marketplace commission |
| Team of 2 — monthly software | £19.99/mo · 2 staff included | ~£19.90/mo (£9.95 × 2 staff) | £50/mo + VAT (2 staff) | Limited team tools |
| Team of 5 — monthly software | £43.96/mo · 2 staff + 3 add-on seats | ~£49.75/mo (£9.95 × 5 staff) | £60/mo + VAT (5 staff) | Limited team tools |
| Marketplace commission on new bookings | None — including Sway marketplace | Up to 20% on new marketplace clients (min £4) | Optional Boost: 30% on first visit (min £5 + VAT) | 35% on first booking from new marketplace clients (+ VAT) |
| Online payment platform fee | 0.35%–2.4% on card payments · £0 on pay-at-venue (+ Stripe) | Card processing fees apply | Processing + subscription fees | Processing + booking fees |
| Free forever plan (not a trial) | ||||
| Deposits & card payments on free plan | ||||
| Your own branded booking URL | Marketplace listing only | |||
| Customers browse without an account | Sign in only at checkout | Account often required | Varies | Required |
| In-app customer messaging | Included | SMS / WhatsApp add-ons | Varies | Limited |
| Website embed on your site | £14.99/mo (Individual+) | Direct links · limited embed | Varies | |
| Gift vouchers | Individual+ | Varies | ||
| Prepaid passes | Individual+ | Packages / memberships | Varies | |
| Promo discount codes | Individual+ | Limited | Varies | Varies |
| Loyalty rewards | Individual+ | Limited | Varies | |
| Team roles, staff calendars & analytics | Included on Team (£19.99/mo) | Per-seat subscription + add-ons | Higher tiers | Limited |
| Calendar sync (Google, Apple, Outlook) | Individual+ · per-staff on Team | Varies |
Sway pricing and platform fees reflect current UK plans. Team includes 2 staff; additional seats are billed as add-ons. Competitor pricing verified June 2026 — confirm on each provider's site (Fresha, Booksy, Treatwell). VAT applies to competitor subscriptions where noted.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Sway Free is free forever — not a trial. You get one staff member, up to 50 bookings per month, and your own booking page. Deposits and card payments are optional.
We'll help you switch
On Fresha, Booksy, Treatwell, Phorest, Square, Timely, or something else? Tell us what you use and we'll help you move your services, staff, and bookings.
Free, no obligation. We'll email you to plan the move.
Ready to switch booking tools?
Start free with your own booking page. Run Sway alongside your current tool for two weeks, then move repeat clients to your Sway link.
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