LightDay vs Shedul: Shedul Is Now Fresha — Here's What That Means
First, the facts: Shedul rebranded as Fresha in 2020. The free scheduling tool many salons loved evolved into Fresha's marketplace model, with fees for marketplace clients, payment processing and add-ons. If you're searching for Shedul today, you're really choosing between Fresha's model and alternatives like LightDay.
About Shedul
Shedul built its following as genuinely free salon scheduling software. Its rebrand to Fresha brought a marketplace, payment processing and a monetisation model based on fees rather than subscriptions. Long-time Shedul users weighing today's Fresha should evaluate it on the current model — see our full LightDay vs Fresha comparison for that breakdown.
| Feature | LightDay | Shedul |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time contraindication engine | Included — screens every booking | Not offered (as Fresha) |
| One-click CQC compliance pack | Included as standard | Not offered |
| Spark AI lead generation | Included free on every plan | Marketing tools; no AI diary-gap engine |
| Klarna & Clearpay built in | Both included | Not built in (check current Fresha offering) |
| Flat pricing, no per-user fees | £59.99/mo salons, £69.99/mo clinics | Free to start; fees for marketplace clients & payments |
| Commission on bookings | Never — 0% commission | Marketplace new-client fees apply |
| UK-built with UK support | Yes — founders run a UK salon & clinic | Global platform |
Feature availability based on publicly available information as of July 2026; offerings change — always confirm directly with each provider.
Pricing Compared
As Fresha, the former Shedul is subscription-free with revenue from marketplace new-client fees, payment processing and paid add-ons. LightDay is the opposite model: flat £59.99–£69.99/month, everything included, 0% commission. Competitor details are based on publicly available information as of July 2026 and may change — always check the provider's current pricing and feature list directly.
Why Businesses Choose LightDay
The simplicity Shedul stood for
One flat price and no surprise fees — closer in spirit to what drew salons to Shedul than a marketplace model.
Modern compliance stack
Contraindication screening and CQC packs didn't exist in the Shedul era. They're standard in LightDay.
Marketing that works for you
Spark AI fills your diary from your own client list — no marketplace, no commission, included free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Shedul?
Shedul rebranded as Fresha in 2020, moving from a free scheduling tool to a marketplace platform with fees for marketplace-acquired clients, payments and add-ons.
Is there a free alternative to Shedul?
Fresha remains free to start under its fee-based model. LightDay isn't free — it's a flat £59.99/month with everything included and a genuinely free 14-day trial. See our honest breakdown of what 'free' salon software really costs.
How do I compare LightDay with Fresha directly?
We keep a dedicated LightDay vs Fresha page with a feature and pricing comparison — since Fresha is what Shedul is today.
See the Difference Yourself
Run your real diary in LightDay free for 14 days — every feature included, no commitment.