If your barbershop uses a platform that charges commission, every month you are giving away a slice of your work. This guide explains exactly how much it costs you, which no-commission alternatives exist, and how to make the switch without losing clients.
What is a commission in barbershop booking software?
A commission is a percentage the platform takes from your bookings. It is generally applied to new clients acquired through the platform's marketplace. It can range from 10% to 30% depending on the platform and plan.
How much are commissions actually costing you?
Let's do the maths. A typical barbershop with 200 bookings a month at an average ticket of £18 turns over £3,600/month. With a 20% commission on new clients (say 40 bookings/month), you are paying £144 a month in commissions alone — and that compounds year after year.
| New bookings/month | Average ticket | 20% commission | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | £18 | £72/month | £864/year |
| 40 | £18 | £144/month | £1,728/year |
| 60 | £18 | £216/month | £2,592/year |
| 100 | £18 | £360/month | £4,320/year |
With Slottify at £9.90/month, even in the worst-case scenario (100 new bookings/month), you save over £4,000 a year.
Why booking marketplaces take your money
Booking marketplaces are not just software — they connect barbershops with new clients. In exchange for that traffic, they charge. The problem is that when a client finds your barbershop through a marketplace, they stay within that platform's ecosystem. If you ever decide to leave, you lose that visibility immediately.
The best no-commission alternatives for barbershops in 2026
- Slottify: from £9.90/month, 0% commission, setup in 5 minutes, first month free
- Platform C: free plan available, no commissions
- Platform B: fixed monthly price, no commissions
- Platform D: fixed monthly price, no commissions, with integrated invoicing
- Platform A: fixed monthly price, no commissions, specialist barbershop platform
How to switch from a commission platform to a no-commission one
- 1.Export your client data from the current platform (history, contacts)
- 2.Create your account on the new platform (Slottify lets you import your data)
- 3.Set up your services, prices, and hours
- 4.Let your regular clients know about the switch via WhatsApp or email
- 5.Update the link on Instagram, Google Business, and any other channel
- 6.Keep the old profile active for 2–3 weeks during the transition
Will I lose clients if I switch?
If you already have your own clients and let them know about the change, you will not lose clients. The clients who came from the previous platform's marketplace may stop coming if you stop being active there — but those clients were also costing you a percentage. The real question is: how many of your clients are truly "yours" and how many belong to the platform?
Conclusion: is no-commission software worth it?
For any barbershop with an established client base, the answer is yes. If you already have 50 or more regular clients, the annual saving from eliminating commissions easily exceeds £1,000. With Slottify at £9.90/month and a free first month, the switch carries zero risk.
Switch to Slottify free — No commission, no card, first month free
Start free