Treatwell offers appointment discovery through a consumer marketplace. Salon Manager enables direct booking through the salon’s own channels. Compare Treatwell’s qualifying acquisition commissions, any promotional discount, payment charges and how the booking experience affects the salon’s long-term client relationship.
WHY SALONS CHOOSE SALON MANAGER
Take control of booking margins and build repeat client relationships through your own channels.
PROTECT YOUR MARGIN
Direct Salon Manager bookings carry no Treatwell marketplace acquisition commission. Treatwell lists 35% on qualifying first marketplace bookings.
YOUR OWN BRAND
Customers book directly with your salon without creating a separate account, rather than browsing competing salon listings.
CLIENT RETENTION
Client history, targeted campaigns and rebooking tools help nurture customer relationships after the first appointment.
THE DECISION THAT MATTERS
Illustrative case using a discount and a qualifying marketplace commission calculated on the £80 sale.
01
£20 optional salon discount
02
£28 qualifying 35% commission
03
Before payment and service costs
Example only; see the feature comparison and published provider terms below.
THE CRITICAL QUESTION WITH TREATWELL
Treatwell publicly states 35% commission on qualifying first marketplace bookings by newly introduced clients. It also advertises 2.5% + VAT processing on qualifying online prepayments. Direct bookings are treated differently.
ASK BEFORE YOU BUY
Would the same customer have found and booked us directly?
THE SALON MANAGER APPROACH
Salon Manager keeps your own salon booking journey front and centre, without compulsory registration or marketplace acquisition commission on direct bookings.
FEATURE AND COST EQUIVALENCE
Features may have different names and package rules. This compares practical capabilities, not marketing labels.
| Compare the detail | Treatwell | Salon Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial model | Marketplace and salon-management offer; request a full partner quote. | Monthly salon-software subscription from £29 + VAT; booking add-on or Premium. |
| New-client marketplace commission | Published 35% commission on qualifying first bookings; contract conditions apply. | Direct bookings: no marketplace client-acquisition commission. |
| Example £100 new-client booking | At 35%, £35 commission before VAT and any processing costs, if qualifying. | No £35 marketplace commission on a £100 direct booking; applicable card fees remain. |
| Promotional discounts | Discounts can reduce the service selling price; whether to run a promotion depends on arrangements. | You control your salon offers and client communication. |
| Online prepayments | Published 2.5% + VAT prepayment processing charge; verify current agreement. | SalonPay quoted by card mix and transaction type; from 0.3% is not an all-card guarantee. |
| Customer discovery | Marketplace can introduce clients but also presents rival salons to consumers. | Direct salon-branded booking path. |
| Booking registration | Treatwell consumer marketplace account and booking options vary. | No compulsory customer account to book. |
| Repeat client relationship | Review client contact rights, permissions and rebooking route in partner agreement. | Connected client history, rebooking campaigns and client referrals. |
| Team management | Request details of team, stock and reporting in the proposed salon package. | Staff, stock, POS, reporting and marketing tools in the salon system. |
| Support and training | Check support channels, hours, migration assistance and training arrangements. | UK-based human support and ongoing training; discuss migration and onboarding needs. |
| Contract and switching | Check cancellation conditions and time spent migrating, configuring and retraining. | 12-month agreement; 30 days’ notice before the term ends. Setup £199 + VAT. |
| Card processing | Compare effective fees against your actual card mix, including fixed charges and online payments. | SalonPay rates from 0.3%, subject to individual quote; net or gross settlement. |
Prices and features vary by package, eligibility, location and quotation. Competitor information checked 24 October 2026. All illustrative commission figures exclude VAT, payment fees and service costs.
Check provider information: Official source 1
WHY CUSTOMERS CHOOSE SALON MANAGER
Flexible monthly subscriptions elsewhere can be useful. But migrating data, training staff and changing routines still take time. Check the whole investment before you decide.
DETAILS WORTH CHECKING
Salon Manager Essentials starts at £29 + VAT monthly for a solo stylist, with £199 + VAT setup and a 12-month agreement. A 30-day notice period applies before the end of the term. Online bookings are optional in Essentials and included from Premium (from £49 + VAT per month). Premium Plus (from £99 + VAT per month) includes online vouchers. SMS 6p–8p each. SalonPay card rates are individually quoted from 0.3%.
Competitor terms can change. Ask providers to itemise the exact package, optional services, processing charges and cancellation conditions.
CLEAR ANSWERS
Straight answers about features, pricing and terms. Confirm current provider offers before signing.
Treatwell publishes a commission for qualifying first bookings brought by its marketplace; its UK partner information has described a 35% rate. Check the current agreement, booking channel and any exceptions before comparing actual costs.
Not necessarily. Marketplace commission terms distinguish qualifying new-client bookings from certain repeat or direct bookings. Confirm how the platform defines a new customer and when a fee applies.
Yes, depending on the promotion and booking terms. A salon should consider the reduced service price, applicable commission, card fees and service delivery costs before treating a marketplace booking as profitable.
No. Salon Manager supports direct online booking for an individual salon or group rather than offering a shared marketplace catalogue of competing salons.
A marketplace can maintain its own consumer relationship alongside the salon. Direct booking keeps the salon brand central, while customer data use and marketing still need appropriate permissions.
Include subscription charges, required add-ons, acquisition commissions, promotional discounts, processing fees, setup, support and the value of repeat appointments. Compare costs on realistic booking volumes.
