Booker vs. Mindbody: a clash of two salon and spa softwares owned by the same company.
I imagine many salon and spa owners find themselves considering both of these software brands.
But just like we did, you might have trouble getting all the info you need to compare these two America-based sister softwares, despite the fact they are owned by the same parent company and operate under the same roof.
In this comparison, we break down all the information you need to make an informed decision between Booker vs. Mindbody.
Initially founded as Hardbody Software in 1998, Mindbody officially came into its own in 2001. Since then, Mindbody has expanded greatly and acquired several companies, including Booker, Classpass, and FitMetrix, and become one of the top names in beauty and wellness software in the last two-and-a-half decades.
Booker was originally founded in 2007 as SpaBooker, a spa service booking platform, and ultimately became “Booker” in 2012. It has set the standard for form and function of salon and spa software and laid the groundwork for many of the newer competitors we see today. It was purchased by Mindbody in 2018, and many features have since become standardized across both platforms.
Booker vs. Mindbody: The Basics
If I had to break down “Booker vs. Mindbody” into just a few words, they would be “Simplicity vs. Complexity.”
Booker is much more “plug and play” than Mindbody. It offers many of the same features while sporting a simpler and more easily explorable menu system. It suits single-location salons and spas with a handful or two of service providers well.
Mindbody has a similar look on the surface, but the level of complexity in its menus and processes can be a bit intimidating.
Mindbody is a long-standing piece of beauty, health, fitness, and wellness software, whose features are primarily oriented toward fitness and wellness businesses that host classes, teach courses, and offer medically-oriented services that require HIPAA compliance.
Because of the types of services fitness and wellness businesses offer, Mindbody’s list of options and integrations is far more expansive than Booker and may offer more complexity than smaller salon or spa businesses may prefer.
It would be impossible to boil down what makes each of these software suites special in just a few sentences, so to help you find which one is right for you, let’s take a closer look at these two platforms.
Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn in this Mindbody vs. Booker comparison:
Booker vs Mindbody
Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today.
Booker
Mindbody
Overall score
Note
The overall score considers ease of use, customer service, features, user ratings, and cost. Scores are determined solely by our editorial team.
Average price
Note
Assumes you run a business with a mid-size team and have activated the more common add-ons. What you will pay will be lower or higher than this. See the separate section about pricing for full details.
Who is it for
Ease of use
Customer Service
Countries
Available almost worldwide
Available in 130 countries
Key features
- Two-way messaging available (only on Ultimate and Ultimate Plus)
- AI chatbot feature to help with scheduling (only on Ultimate Plus)
- Integrated payments through MindBody Payments (US & Canada only)
- Mindbody Explore Marketplace listing included with all subscriptions
- Two-way messaging available (only on Ultimate and Ultimate Plus)
- AI chatbot feature to help with scheduling (only on Ultimate Plus)
- Ability to create a custom branded app and sell classes online (additional costs apply)
- Mindbody Explore Marketplace listing included with all subscriptions
A Double-Click on Each System: Booker vs. Mindbody
Let’s look a little closer at what each system has to offer:
Booker At a Glance
Overall score
Booker by Mindbody, is a subscription-based salon and spa software that has existed in some form since 2007. Booker is headquartered in San Luis Obispo CA, and is available nearly worldwide.
Booker’s strengths lie in its new client acquisition opportunities and integrated marketing capabilities.
While Booker’s lowest-tier plans are relatively affordable compared to the competition, they lack many of the noteworthy features that make Booker an attractive option, putting them somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to price-to-feature comparisons.
Pros and Cons
- Straightforward pricing
- Enhanced new client acquisition opportunities through MindBody Explore marketplace
- Integrated email marketing suite (on higher-tier plans)
- No free trial
- Must commit to a minimum 12-month contract before ever using the software
- US-based customer support only available to Ultimate and Ultimate Plus plans (outsourced on Starter and Accelerate plans)
Mindbody At a Glance
Overall score
The company has been around in some capacity since 1998, when the company was initially founded as Hardbody Software, officially becoming Mindbody in 2001. Since then, Mindbody has exploded in popularity, raised hundreds of millions of dollars, and purchased several other companies, including Booker, Classpass, and FitMetrix. Mindbody is headquartered in San Luis Obispo CA, and is available nearly worldwide.
Mindbody’s strengths lie in its new client acquisition opportunities and integrated marketing and content monetization capabilities.
Just like its sister software, Booker, while Mindbody’s lower-tier plans are relatively affordable, they lack many of the noteworthy features that make Mindbody an attractive option, putting them somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to price-to-feature comparisons.
Pros and Cons
- Enhanced new client acquisition opportunities through MindBody Marketplace
- Integrated payments though MindBody Payments (US & Canada only)
- Integrated email marketing suite (on Accelerate, Ultimate, and Ultimate Plus plans)
- Ability to monetize educational classes and content
- No free trial
- Must commit to a minimum 12-month contract before ever using the software
- Stateside customer support only available to Ultimate and Ultimate Plus plans
- App interface and menus are clunky and outdated
How Do They Compare? Strengths and Weaknesses
As we alluded to earlier, you’ll find that several actions in Mindbody have more steps in the process and more options at each step. On one hand, Mindbody gives you more options and control, but on the other, it makes the most common actions more complicated.
While having more options benefits some businesses, it may be a negative for others with simpler operations.
Mindbody has two major benefits over Booker, though:
- The ability to monetize courses and other video content via livestreaming and video-on-demand through its platform
- A large list of add-on integration services is available through its Partner Store.
What Booker lacks in standout features or options over Mindbody, it offers in simplicity and a much more intuitive menu system and checkout process. The user experience is straightforward and will likely be easier to train front desk staff and stylists on as well.
Booker vs Mindbody
Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today.
Ease of use
Design
Customer service
Pricing
Calendar and appointment management
Online booking
Point of sale and check out
Client data
Client communication
Inventory management
Team Management
Payroll
Marketing support
3rd party integrations
Mobile and tablet apps
Let’s Talk Features: Mindbody vs. Booker
Feature for feature: both softwares are so similar that, on the surface, neither stands out as much better than the other for salon use and while both are best suited to a salon with a team, neither option is a great choice for solopreneurs, due to their high average pricepoint.
Booker and Mindbody share the same pricing and plan structure, and on their higher-tier Ultimate and Ultimate Plus subscriptions, you can add on additional features such as two-way messaging and an AI chatbot to help with scheduling.
Mindbody’s one major standout feature over Booker is its video streaming and video-on-demand service. This feature allows businesses to livestream classes and events and charge participants to watch.
Booker vs Mindbody
Booker and Mindbody offer many features. Let's go through what these features are and where they differ.
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Booker
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Mindbody
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| Online Booking | Booker | Mindbody |
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Website booking widget Note Can you integrate the entire online booking experience directly into your website? |
Note Not included by default. Requires custom web development and API access fees. |
Note Available on all plans except Starter plan |
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Branding control Note Can you customize the look and feel of the booking experience to fit your brand? |
Note Not included by default. Requires custom web development and API access fees. |
Note Available on all plans except Starter plan |
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No-show protection Note Can you store credit card details and charge deposits to reinforce your cancellation policy? |
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Service customization Note Can clients adapt their service when they book, and can this change the price and duration of the booked appointment? |
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Free from account creation Note Can clients book without having first to create an account with the software? |
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Integrated gift cards Note Can you sell digital gift cards as part of the booking process? |
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| Calendar and Appointment Management | ||
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Customize notification messages Note Can you change the text sent to your clients as part of appointment reminders and other messages? |
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Customize notification timings Note Can you change when reminders and other messages go out to your clients? |
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| Client waitlist management | ||
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Rooms and resource scheduling Note Can you manage equipment, rooms, and other resources required to complete a service? |
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Repeat appointments Note Can you schedule clients for recurring appointments? |
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Time block Note Can you block out time on your calendar? |
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Processing time Note Can you allow for double booking of service providers by accepting appointments during service processing time? |
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Duration and price by staff Note Can you adapt the price and time needed for a service based on who is performing the service? |
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Automated check-in Note Can clients check in to their appointments themselves? |
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| Point of Sale/ Check out | ||
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Tablet compatible Note Can you run the POS on any tablet or do you need special hardware? |
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Dedicated POS hardware Note Does the system provider offer hardware to improve the check out expereince? |
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Self check out Note Can clients check out from their appointment themselves? |
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Route payments to renters Note If you have booth renters in your business, can you route payments directly to them? |
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Cards on file Note Can you store credit card details and charge the customer later? |
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Integrated payments Note Does the software offer a first-party payment processing solution? |
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| Client Data & Communication | ||
| SMS Notification | ||
| Email Notificition | ||
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Dedicated business SMS number Note Do you get a business phone number that your messages and notifications are send from? |
Note Available on Ultimate & Ultimate Plus plans only |
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| Two way SMS communication |
Note Available on Ultimate & Ultimate Plus plans only |
Note Included in Mindbody’s Ultimate software package. Optional add-on for lower-tier plans. |
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Forms Note Can you create intake forms, store SOAP notes, and have clients sign your forms? |
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Client notes Note Can you store notes about clients on their profile? |
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Client files and images Note Can you store files and image on in the client’s profile? |
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| Inventory and Product Types | ||
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Inventory tracking Note Will the system keep track of stock levels, notify you when it’s time to re-order? |
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Purchase orders Note Can the system create automatic purchase orders for you? |
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| Retail | ||
| Memberships | ||
| Packages | ||
| Gift cards | ||
| Team Support & Payroll | ||
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Fully integrated payroll Note Can you run payroll and cut paychecks directly through the software? |
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3rd party payroll integration Note Does the software allow you integrate and share data with a 3rd party payroll solution (e.g. Gusto, ADP, Paychex, etc)? |
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| Payroll reports | ||
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Commission support Note Can you track and report on commission for service, retail, and other product types? |
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Multi-location support Note Does the system have specific support for businesses with multiple locations |
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Booth renter support Note Can the system help with rent collection, payments, and other booth renter management tasks. |
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| Marketing Support | ||
| Email marketing | ||
| SMS marketing | ||
| Website builder | ||
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Client marketplace Note Does it offer a platform where potential clients can browse businesses using the software? |
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Add-on offers Note Can you promote service add-ons/upsells as part of the online booking flow? |
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| Cloud & Mobile App Access | ||
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Full-featured mobile app Note Can you access all software features in the mobile app? |
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| Web browser | ||
| iPad | ||
| iPhone | ||
| Android | ||
Integrating with Other Platforms for Additional Features
When it comes to integration with other platforms, Mindbody offers far more options within the software. Integrations are still possible with Booker, but they require the use of Booker’s open API, which requires web development skills and a monthly fee.
Booker vs Mindbody
These platforms both offer third-party integrations.
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Booker
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Mindbody
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Custom integrations Note Does the platform allow you to create new integrations to support your business-specific needs? |
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Native integrations Note Built-in integrations that you can activate as needed |
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Full list available in the Mindbody Partner Store. |
Pricing: Mindbody vs. Booker
Just like Booker, Mindbody’s lower-tier plans are relatively affordable. Lacking many of the noteworthy features that make either an attractive option, you’ll need to pay more for the best features. This places both Mindbody and Booker in the middle of the pack in price-to-feature comparisons with their competition.
Neither software offers a better value for money than the other, since both use the same pricing structure and offer the same features. For other salon and spa software suggestions that offer more bang for your buck, read our top salon and spa software list for 2024.
Booker vs Mindbody Pricing
Both Mindbody and Booker offer almost identical value for money.
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Booker |
Mindbody |
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| Average Price | ||
| Trial Options | ||
| Minimum contract length | ||
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Plans
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| Plans | ||
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Add-ons
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| Add-ons | ||
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Credit card fees
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| Credit card fees | ||
What Do Users Think of These Platforms?
You’ve read what I think. Now, let’s look at the reviews.
Booker vs Mindbody
Let's compare scores for these systems on the major user review sites.
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Booker |
Mindbody |
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What Alternatives Should You Consider?
While Booker and Mindbody are two popular software options, there are many others on our list of the top salon software that you should consider before pulling the trigger.
Mangomint is the highest-rated software for salons and spas. If you have a team, I suggest you check out this option.
Boulevard is for beauty and wellness businesses, with several service providers looking for flexible reporting options and an all-in-one marketing suite.
Mangomint vs Boulevard
A quick comparison of the two Booker and Mindbody alternatives.
Mangomint
Boulevard
Overall score
Note
The overall score considers ease of use, customer service, features, user ratings, and cost. Scores are determined solely by our editorial team.
Average price
Note
Assumes you run a business with a mid-size team and have activated the more common add-ons. What you will pay will be lower or higher than this. See the separate section about pricing for full details.
Who is it for
Ease of use
Customer Service
Countries
U.S. and Canada
U.S.
Key features
- Modern, intuitive, and easy to use
- Smart automations that help cut down on time spent managing business operations
- Open data ownership and no contracts (you’re not locked into anything)
- Can integrate with any other platform who allows for integrations
- Highest-rated customer service on the market
- Easy-to-use interface
- Excellent online booking
- Integrated email marketing suite
- Highly detailed custom reports [on Premiere and above]
Conclusion
There’s a lot to consider here, so I hope this comparison has been helpful!
For the best alternatives to the software we discussed above, check out our list of the best salon and spa software right now.
