Picking the right booking software for your salon or spa can be tricky, especially with two big names like Vagaro and GlossGenius.

If you run your business on your own, or with just one or two people, you need something that handles appointments, payments, and client management, but is also easy to use. That’s exactly what these two platforms promise.

Both Vagaro and GlossGenius come with a lot of features for small teams and solo professionals, and their prices are affordable even for tiny businesses. But each takes a different approach to solving everyday salon problems.

Vagaro has been around since 2009 and is known for being a full-featured platform. It has lots of integrations, marketing tools, and inventory management features, making it a good fit for businesses that want to grow.

GlossGenius has been in operation since 2009 and is recognized for its comprehensive platform features which started in 2015, is popular for its simple, sleek design that many solo professionals love. Recent updates, like smart Genius Forms, shared team calendars, and payroll automation, show it’s also keeping up with the needs of small teams.

In this guide, we’ll break down the features, pricing, integrations, and what users are saying so you can figure out which one fits your business best. By the end, you’ll know whether Vagaro’s all-in-one setup or GlossGenius’s simple, elegant design works better for you.

Vagaro vs GlossGenius

Let’s kick things off with a quick snapshot. This table gives you the full picture in one glance:

Let’s take a closer look at how each platform performs across specific categories and business needs.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Here’s how the platforms stack up for the core features you’ll actually use every day.

When you run a salon or beauty business, the right software should feel like a silent partner; organizing your schedule, managing payments, and keeping clients happy without the extra hassle. Both Vagaro and GlossGenius promise just that, but each one brings its own personality and strengths.

Let’s walk through how they compare in real, day-to-day use. Sometimes, what sounds good on paper just doesn’t work in real salon life.

Online Booking

Ever found yourself getting a DM from a client at midnight, asking for a last-minute slot? We’ve been there, and nothing beats waking up to a booked schedule (instead of a dozen unread messages). Here’s how Vagaro and GlossGenius handle bookings:

Both platforms have eliminated the hassle of phone tag with clients, but their approaches reveal different priorities.

Vagaro excels in its marketplace-style booking, connecting you directly with potential new clients searching for services. Where it truly shines is in the backend scheduling intelligence.

When a client books a color service, the system doesn't just block the service time - it accounts for processing, mixing, and cleanup. This seemingly small feature prevents the common problem of back-to-back bookings becoming overwhelming.

Takeaway: If attracting new clients via a marketplace matters most, Vagaro stands out. But if you want a more personalized, client-facing booking page, GlossGenius is hard to beat.

Calendar & Appointment Management

Your calendar is the heartbeat of your business, it decides how your day flows. Whether you manage a full team or just yourself, an easy-to-read, reliable scheduler makes all the difference.

Takeaway: Vagaro’s automatic conflict resolution is a huge time-saver for multi-service businesses, while GlossGenius shines with its intelligent waitlist for solo pros and small teams.

Point of Sale / Checkout

The end of an appointment shouldn’t mean fumbling with payments. A good POS setup makes checkout seamless, keeping things quick, professional, and on-brand. Business owners appreciate when checkout just works.

Takeaway: Both make checkout easy, but if you want detailed receipts and inventory tracking, Vagaro has the edge. For simple, stylish payments, GlossGenius is seamless.

Client Data & Communication

I’ve learned that remembering the little things, like a favorite nail color or a client’s birthday, can turn a one-time visitor into a loyal client. Both tools help you (and me!) stay personal and professional with reminders and notes.

Takeaway: Both platforms help you keep track of client preferences and history, but GlossGenius makes every client feel VIP with its branded reminders. Vagaro’s automation is a plus if you want more control over messaging and follow-ups.

Inventory & Product Types

Running low on your best-selling serum or nail polish? Good inventory tools help you stay stocked without overbuying. Here’s how each platform handles your shelves.

Takeaway: Vagaro stands out for detailed inventory tracking and supporting a wide range of products. GlossGenius is great if you want basic inventory tools without any extra fuss.

Team Support & Payroll

If you manage a team, you know how tricky tracking commissions, hours, and payouts can be (I’ve had my share of spreadsheet headaches!). Here’s how both platforms support teams and solo artists, too.

Takeaway: If you’re focused on attracting new clients, Vagaro’s Marketplace is a game-changer. GlossGenius, meanwhile, is perfect if you want easy, automated communication without the learning curve.

Marketing Support

Talent brings people in once, but smart marketing keeps them coming back. From reminders to promos, here’s how each platform helps beauty businesses stay top of mind with clients.

Takeaway: GlossGenius includes marketing tools in its base plan and focuses on automated client communication. It handles appointment confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups without any extra setup or cost.

Vagaro offers marketing as add-ons starting at $20 per month. Its email tools provide detailed client segmentation, and the loyalty program helps encourage repeat visits. Vagaro wins with its Marketplace, allowing businesses to attract new clients for free.

Cloud & Mobile App Access

Whether at the salon or away, owners want to check their calendars, track sales, or message clients with zero stress. Let’s see which platform actually delivers that flexibility.

Takeaway: Both Vagaro and GlossGenius offer strong mobile and cloud access. If you need to manage your business on the go with deep reporting, Vagaro provides more detailed tools, while GlossGenius keeps things simple and fast for everyday use.

Integrations (Custom & Native)

The best salon tools play nicely with others, from accounting software to marketing tools. Here’s how each platform handles integrations.

Takeaway: If you rely on lots of third-party apps, Vagaro offers more integrations and customization. GlossGenius focuses on a streamlined, all-in-one experience for those who want everything in one place.

Pricing

Budgets matter, especially for new beauty businesses watching every dollar in those first few months. Here’s a look at what each platform costs and what you get for your money.

Takeaway: If you’re watching every dollar, GlossGenius offers straightforward pricing that’s easy to budget for. Vagaro has more add-ons and advanced features, great if you need them, but costs can add up.

User Reviews

Real experiences matter more than features. So here’s what actual users are saying how both tools stack up based on real reviews.

Who Should Choose Which Platform?

Not sure which platform fits your business? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide which is best for your needs.

Pro Tip: Always take advantage of free trials. Many business owners discover hidden quirks (and features they love) only after trying platforms first-hand.

Bottomline

I hope this comparison of GlossGenius and Vagaro Pro has helped you decide on the right platform.

After diving deep into both platforms, the decision comes down to your business's character rather than just feature lists.

Vagaro excels when your operation demands depth - think multiple services, complex financial tracking, and established revenue streams above $4,000 monthly. Its holistic toolkit makes sense for businesses ready to handle a bit more complexity in exchange for greater control.

GlossGenius takes a different approach, focusing squarely on what beauty professionals need most. Their streamlined interface and predictable pricing mean you'll spend less time managing software and more time building your business. While it might offer fewer integrations than Vagaro, its beauty-specific features often prove more valuable for salons focused on growth rather than complex operations.

Whichever platform you choose, consider how it aligns with your growth plans.

And if you find yourself needing stronger marketing capabilities down the line, both platforms work seamlessly with specialized tools like Zoca to enhance your client engagement strategy.

For more alternatives, I highly recommend to read our top list of the best salon and spa software that’ll help you get more salon clients!