Vagaro vs Booksy
Which nail and beauty salon software is right for your firm?
Quick Answer
Vagaro is the stronger all-in-one platform for salons that need payroll, inventory, and advanced reporting. Booksy excels at client acquisition through its marketplace of 35+ million users, making it the better choice for salons focused on growing their client base in 2026.
At a Glance
| Vagaro | Booksy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $30–$90/mo | $29.99–$79.99+/mo |
| Best For | Established salons needing full business management | Salons prioritizing client discovery and marketplace growth |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vagaro | Booksy |
|---|---|---|
| Online Booking | ||
| Consumer Marketplace | ||
| POS & Payments | ||
| Staff Payroll | ||
| Inventory Management | Basic | |
| Marketing Automation | ||
| Client Reviews Display | ||
| No-Show Protection | ||
| Loyalty Programs | ||
| Multi-Location | ||
| Two-Way Texting | ||
| Memberships |
Pricing Comparison
Vagaro Pricing
- Online booking
- Calendar
- POS
- Client management
- Multi-staff scheduling
- Payroll
- Inventory
- Reports
- Advanced payroll
- Custom reports
- Priority support
Booksy Pricing
- Unlimited bookings
- Calendar management
- Client notifications
- Basic reporting
- Everything in Boost
- No-show protection
- Advanced marketing
- Staff management
- Everything in Boost+
- Multi-location
- Advanced analytics
- Priority support
Who Should Choose What?
✅ Choose Vagaro if...
- You need built-in payroll processing for W-2 employees
- Advanced retail inventory management is important to your business
- You want loyalty programs to reward repeat clients
- Two-way texting with clients from within the platform
- You need a platform that's been proven at scale for 15+ years
✅ Choose Booksy if...
- Client acquisition is your #1 priority — Booksy has 35M+ users
- You want your salon featured prominently in a large consumer marketplace
- You're in a competitive market where new client discovery matters most
- You want strong no-show protection and deposit collection from the start
- You prefer Booksy's simpler pricing structure without per-feature add-ons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vagaro or Booksy better for a new nail salon?
For a brand-new nail salon, Booksy's marketplace advantage is valuable — 35+ million consumers browse Booksy looking for nearby salons. If you're starting from zero clients, Booksy's discovery features will drive new bookings faster. Vagaro is better once you have an established client base and need more operational features.
Does Booksy have payroll features?
No. Booksy does not include payroll processing. It handles staff scheduling and commission tracking, but you'll need a separate payroll solution like Gusto or ADP for W-2 employees. Vagaro includes payroll processing built into its higher-tier plans.
How does Booksy's marketplace compare to Vagaro's?
Booksy's consumer marketplace has 35+ million users in the US, UK, and EU — significantly larger than Vagaro's marketplace. For salons in urban areas, Booksy's discovery advantage is real. Vagaro's marketplace is also substantial but more US-focused. Both show your availability and reviews to potential new clients.
Can I switch from Booksy to Vagaro later?
Yes. Booksy allows client data export including contact info and appointment history. Vagaro has an import tool that can accept CSV files. The transition takes a few hours. Note that Booksy reviews are platform-specific and won't transfer, so consider timing your switch between review-building pushes.
Which has better no-show protection?
Booksy has robust no-show protection with required credit card holds and automated deposit collection built into all plans. Vagaro also offers no-show fees and credit card requirements but requires some additional setup. Both can effectively reduce no-shows by 60–80% when card requirements are activated.
The Verdict
Vagaro wins for operational depth — payroll, loyalty programs, two-way texting, and inventory make it the better platform for running a complete salon business. Choose Vagaro when you have 2+ staff and need more than just booking. Booksy wins for client acquisition. Its 35M+ user marketplace is a genuine advantage for salons in competitive markets looking to build their client base. If growth is your current priority, start with Booksy.