Pabau vs Fresha vs Intentiq: Which Clinic Software Is Right for UK Aesthetics?

Byclaud@intentiq.co.uk

Choosing clinic management software is one of the most consequential decisions a UK aesthetic clinic makes. Three names come up constantly: Pabau, Fresha, and Intentiq. They’re built for different priorities, so the “best” one depends entirely on what your clinic needs. Here’s an honest, practical comparison.

Quick summary

  • Fresha — strongest for beauty and salon booking, marketplace-driven, commission on new-client bookings.
  • Pabau — established medical CRM with broad features and a steeper learning curve.
  • Intentiq — purpose-built for UK aesthetic and private clinics with CQC compliance at its core.

Booking and diary

All three handle appointments, online booking, and reminders well. Fresha leans hardest into its consumer marketplace, which can bring new clients but comes with commission fees on those bookings. Pabau and Intentiq focus on being your own system rather than a marketplace, so bookings stay yours with no per-booking commission.

Clinical records and consent

This is where aesthetic clinics feel the difference. Fresha’s clinical note-taking is comparatively light — it’s a salon-first product. Pabau offers medical records and forms. Intentiq is built around structured clinical notes and digital consent aligned with the Montgomery ruling, because for a CQC-registered clinic these aren’t optional extras — they’re the point.

CQC compliance and governance

If you’re a CQC-registered provider, this is the decisive category. General booking tools weren’t designed to help you pass an inspection. Intentiq includes a governance audit framework, injectable traceability, risk registers, DBS and training tracking, and audit trails — the evidence CQC inspectors ask for. If compliance is a priority, weigh this heavily.

Injectable traceability

For clinics using botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, batch-level traceability is a genuine CQC expectation. Intentiq builds this in; general-purpose booking tools typically don’t. See our guide on injectable traceability.

Pricing

Fresha is free to start but takes commission on marketplace bookings and card processing. Pabau uses tiered pricing that rises with features and users. Intentiq is a flat £250/month including all modules, with additional logins at £40/month.

Which should you choose?

  • Choose Fresha if you’re a beauty/salon business that wants marketplace exposure and light clinical needs.
  • Choose Pabau if you want a broad, established medical CRM and don’t mind the learning curve.
  • Choose Intentiq if you’re a UK aesthetic or private clinic where CQC compliance, clinical records, and governance are central.

See a fuller breakdown on our comparison page, or book a demo to see Intentiq against your current setup.

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