Vagaro Alternatives (2026): 10 Apps Compared

Vagaro is booking and business software that salons, spas and fitness studios use to run their diary, take payments and keep client records. If you're weighing up a change, perhaps because you want a different layout, a different mix of features or a simpler setup, there are plenty of other apps worth a look.

Below are ten Vagaro alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some serve hair and beauty, some lean towards fitness and wellness, and most are smaller or more specialised than you might expect. I've drawn every description from each tool's own website, so check the current details there. If you're still deciding what kind of system you need, my guide to choosing booking software for a service business is a good starting point.

Ten Vagaro alternatives compared in one table

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a plan you can keep using with no time limit. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. No means the site states neither. Details change, so check before you commit.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Booksy	Beauty and barber app	Appointment booking for stylists and barbers	Trial only
Fresha	Salon and spa software	Booking for salons, spas and barbershops	Trial only
GlossGenius	Beauty business software	Booking, card payments and client records	Trial only
Mangomint	Salon and spa software	Booking and staff management for spas	Trial only
Mindbody	Wellness and fitness software	Studios, spas and wellness centres	No
Momence	Studio software	Class booking and memberships for studios	Trial only
Picktime	Appointment scheduling	Simple online booking for small teams	Yes
Salonist	Salon management	Booking and till for salons	Trial only
TeamUp	Fitness studio software	Classes, memberships and gyms	Trial only
Timely	Salon software	Booking and client management for salons	Trial only

Ten booking and business apps for salons, spas and studios

Booksy

Best for: Independent stylists and barbers who want a booking and business app built around beauty appointments.

Fresha

Best for: Salons, spas and barbershops who want booking, client records and till features in one system.

GlossGenius

Best for: Solo beauty and wellness professionals who want booking, card payments and a branded booking site together.

Mangomint

Best for: Salons and spas that want an all-in-one system covering booking, forms and team scheduling.

Mindbody

Best for: Fitness and wellness businesses that want a long-established platform for classes, memberships and appointments.

Momence

Best for: Yoga, pilates and dance studios who want class booking and memberships handled in one place.

Picktime

Best for: Small beauty and wellness teams who want straightforward online booking and a free plan to start with.

Salonist

Best for: Salon owners who want booking, till and client management in one cloud system with a trial to test it.

TeamUp

Best for: Group fitness studios and gyms who want class timetables, memberships and member messaging in one platform.

Timely

Best for: Hair and beauty salons who want a clean booking calendar with client records and staff scheduling.

What a salon, spa or studio app needs to do before you leave Vagaro

Start by writing down everything your current setup does for you, including the small jobs nobody notices until they stop. Then check that any new app handles the same jobs, rather than comparing long feature lists.

• The diary. Can you see each team member's day, colour-code services and drag appointments around easily?
• Online booking. Is there a booking page or button you can place on your website and social profiles?
• Reminders. Does it send text or email reminders so fewer clients forget?
• Taking payments. Check card readers, deposits and tipping work the way you want them to.
• Client records. Look for notes, consent forms, allergy details and photo history if your work needs them.
• Classes and memberships. If you run group sessions, check timetables, packs and recurring plans.
• Reporting. You should be able to see busy days, repeat clients and staff activity without a spreadsheet.

Questions to ask a software company before you switch from Vagaro

A short call or a look through the help pages will answer most of these. If a company can't answer one clearly, treat that as useful information.

1. Will you import my client list, service menu and future appointments, and who does the work?
2. Can I export all of my own data again whenever I want to leave?
3. Which payment provider do you use, and can I keep my existing card reader?
4. How do reminders and marketing messages work, and are texts included or extra?
5. What help is on offer, by phone, chat or email, and when is it staffed?
6. Is there a mobile app for me and my team, as well as one for clients?

Matching a booking app to a hair salon, a spa or a fitness studio

• Hair and barber businesses usually want a fast diary, walk-in handling and simple card payments.
• Beauty and nail professionals often value deposits, consent forms and a polished booking page.
• Spas and wellness centres tend to need room and equipment booking, treatment notes and packages.
• Fitness and yoga studios need class timetables, waiting lists, memberships and attendance tracking.
• Independent practitioners may just need a clean calendar and a shareable booking link.

If your business mixes appointments and classes, say so early when you talk to a company, because some apps are stronger in one than the other. My look at AI tools for hair salons and barbers also shows where automation can take over routine messages.

Moving your client records and diary away from Vagaro

Switching is mostly about doing things in the right order. Here's a sensible sequence that keeps your diary running while you move.

1. Export your client list, service menu and any notes you're allowed to keep.
2. Note down upcoming appointments, gift vouchers and packages that clients have already bought.
3. Set up your services, team and opening hours in the new app first.
4. Import clients, then check a handful of records by hand for gaps.
5. Test online booking and reminders using your own phone before you tell clients.
6. Update the booking link on your website, Instagram and Google profile on the day you switch.

Client data and reminder consent when you change salon software

Client records can include contact details and health-related notes, so look after them whichever app you pick. In the UK that generally means keeping only what you need, storing it securely and having a lawful reason to send reminders and marketing messages. Other countries have their own rules. This isn't legal advice, so check the guidance that applies to your own situation.

Why a smaller salon booking app can be a smart fit

Smaller companies often keep their products focused and answer support questions quickly. You may find a calmer screen, fewer menus and a team that notices when something annoys its users.

Before you commit, look at when the product was last updated, read the help centre and check you can export your data at any time. If the company doesn't say, ask. Try it with a handful of real bookings before you move everything across.

Do you make a booking, salon or studio management tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A simple trial plan before you leave Vagaro

Choose two options that match how you work, then set up your real service menu in each. Book a few pretend clients, send yourself a reminder and run a test payment if the app allows it. Keep the one your team finds easiest to use, and for wider reading try my article on picking an online scheduling system.

Frequently asked questions

What is salon and spa booking software?

It's software that handles your diary, online booking, reminders, payments and client records in one place. Some also manage classes, memberships and staff rotas.

Why would someone look for a Vagaro alternative?

Reasons vary, and they aren't always about the product itself. It might be a different layout, a different mix of features, how support works or a better fit for a studio or a barbershop. Start by listing what matters most to you.

Can I move my clients and appointments across?

Client lists can usually be exported and imported, often as a spreadsheet file. Future appointments and packages sometimes need checking by hand, so ask the new company what it will import.

Do I need client consent for reminders and marketing?

In many countries you do. In the UK you generally need a lawful reason and an easy way to opt out. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules that apply to you.

Is a free plan enough for a small business?

It can be for a solo professional. Read the limits on team members, bookings and messages, and check the features you rely on are included before you depend on one.