What is Paulux? Paulux is a self-hosted, white-label salon booking software deployed on an independent custom domain, designed to replace commission-based platforms like Fresha and Booksy with a 0% transaction-fee architecture.
Evaluate marketplace commission cuts, monthly fee creep, and back-of-house daily workflows across all major beauty, wellness, and grooming booking platforms.
Granular Feature Parity & Pricing Comparison
| Feature | Marketplace SaaS | Paulux Dedicated Platform |
|---|---|---|
| New Client Commission | Up to 20% cut per client | 0% Always — Keep 100% of revenue |
| Monthly Software Fee | $30 to $699+/month | Flat deployment quote — $0 monthly rent |
| Booking Web Address | Shared marketplace domain | booking.yourbrand.com (Your Custom Domain) |
| Backbar Consumables | Retail bottle SKU tracking only | Gram (g) and milliliter (ml) bowl-by-bowl tracking |
| SMS Reminder Rates | High per-message markups | Direct carrier wholesale rates (approx. 1¢) |
| Deposit Enforcer | Basic card on file or optional | Native full or partial deposit enforcement |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paulux charge commissions on new clients?
No. Paulux operates on a 0% booking commission model. Unlike marketplaces that take 20% of your new client revenue, all payments process directly into your Stripe or Paystack merchant account. You keep 100% of every ticket, deposit, and gift card transaction with zero marketplace fees.
Can Paulux run on my own custom domain?
Yes. Every Paulux deployment connects directly to your custom domain (e.g., booking.yourbrand.com) with automated SSL security. Your clients book directly with your brand, eliminating third-party app downloads and preventing competitor salons from advertising on your booking profile.
How does Paulux handle deposit collection and chargebacks?
Paulux includes a native Deposit Enforcer requiring clients to authorize full or partial upfront deposits at checkout. Funds route directly to your merchant gateway with automated 3D Secure fraud protection, minimizing chargeback risks and eliminating no-shows on high-ticket appointment slots.