You’re looking for robust salon management software and have narrowed it down to two impressive platforms -now it’s just Mindbody vs. Mangomint.
But which one is the right fit for your business?
In this comparison, I’ll arm you with everything you need to decide whether industry veteran Mindbody or the rapidly rising fan favorite Mangomint better matches your requirements, budget, and business goals.
Mindbody, established as Hardbody Software in 1998 and later rebranded to Mindbody in 2001, has become synonymous with extensive features and global reach. It shines with its client acquisition features, marketing tool kit, and the ability to host classes and sell video courses online.
Mangomint entered the scene in 2017 and has swiftly made a name for itself, especially among businesses that prioritize design, ease of use, and customer service. While it might not match the full feature list of Mindbody, it offers more legitimately useful features for salons and spas. Mangomint’s offerings are meticulously crafted, focusing on quality and an intuitively designed user experience that never leaves you frustrated.
In this comparison, we’re looking at a classic scenario of “established breadth vs. emerging depth.”
Mindbody’s global presence and comprehensive toolset make it a powerhouse for a diverse range of businesses, although, as we noted in our full review, it’s not well-suited for the needs of salons or spas in particular.
In contrast, Mangomint’s dedication to the needs of salons and spas and its philosophy of quality over quantity present compelling arguments for businesses seeking a streamlined and elegant software solution that genuinely makes their work easier.
So, let’s begin and explore what each of these platforms has to offer.
Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn in this post:
Mindbody vs Mangomint
Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today.
Mindbody
Mangomint
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 in 130 countries
U.S. and Canada
Key features
- 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
- 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
A Double-Click on Each System
Let’s look closer at what these systems do and the pros and cons of each in this Mindbody vs. Mangomint guide.
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
Mangomint At a Glance
Overall score
Mangomint is the most modern and well-designed salon and spa software platform in the United States & Canada.
It’s the platform with the most buzz around right now that beats all competitors on user review websites.
Every little detail of this software has been designed to perfection – making it incredibly intuitive and easy to use. It also offers intelligent automations that reduces time spent managing your appointments and business operations.
Mangomint’s vision is to make salon software invisible—so smart and easy to use that it essentially disappears into your day-to-day operations. And boy, is this software a pleasure to use for both you and your clients, which is why it is now, in 2023, my #1 recommendation.
Pros and Cons
- Modern, easy-to-use, interface
- 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 that allow for integrations
- Highest-rated customer service on the market
- Not for solopreneurs. Only teams.
- Higher entry-level price than most other salon & spa software
- Only available in the United States & Canada
How Do They Compare? Strengths and Weaknesses
Mindbody is an industry titan with an extensive system that caters to a global audience. Its long-standing presence in the marketplace has allowed it to build a robust platform that not only offers a wealth of features but also a wide-reaching client marketplace that claims over 93 million bookings in 2022 alone.
However, Mindbody’s app itself leaves something to be desired for those yearning for a more modern touch.
In my review, I found the Mindbody interface outdated, with an aesthetic that harkens back to more traditional business software of the late 90s rather than the sleek, creative design expected in today’s market of aesthetics professionals.
This is where Mangomint steps in with its sharp, user-centric design sensibilities.
Mangomint may not boast the same exhaustive feature list as Mindbody, but it doesn’t need to. Its focus is on speed, reliability, and an intuitive experience that makes every feature it offers feel necessary and well-thought-out. Better yet, it includes the features that actually matter to salon and spa professionals rather than shoehorning in tools for fitness businesses.
This attention to detail doesn’t even necessarily come at a higher cost, but it includes top-tier customer support and a user experience that many, including me, find miles ahead of what Mindbody is currently offering.
One of Mindbody’s strengths is its near-global reach, whereas Mangomint has currently limited its services to the United States and Canada.
To put it simply, Mindbody caters more to fitness businesses, whereas Mangomint offers a far more refined and robust feature set for salons and spas in particular. If you run a salon or spa, this is a no-brainer.
Mindbody vs Mangomint
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
When it comes to features, Mindbody takes the “more is more” approach with hundreds of tools appealing to a vast breadth of business types.
Mindbody aims to be an all-in-one solution with tools for appointment scheduling, client records, inventory, staff management, marketing, payments, payroll reporting, retail, e-commerce, and even lending.
Standout features include its client marketplace, automated marketing for retention campaigns, AI chatbot for scheduling assistance, video streaming of classes/courses, and capital lending resources.
While feature-rich, some users find Mindbody overwhelming to learn. Its expanding feature set feels clunky, and each new tool feels more and more bolted-on. And considering that a great many of the features on offer won’t appeal to salons and spas, all that extra bloat in the software only makes it messier to navigate and use.
Mangomint has always competed on the quality and depth of its features, innovating on the core functionalities of booking, waitlisting, and staff management with intelligent features that genuinely make those tasks faster, easier, and more convenient for your staff and your clients.
Mangomint’s feature tool chest may not be as large as Mindbody’s, but the quality and innovation of the features they offer stand out as light years ahead of the competition in this case.
Mindbody’s model of borrowing and integrating tools from other developers and platforms has added functionality, but the user experience has not improved as a result of this more tacked-on approach.
Mangomint’s dedication to homegrown features has – in contrast – created a smooth workflow that looks and feels natural (even to non-techies).
Feature Comparison
Mangomint offers far more sophisticated features than Mindbody. Let's go through what these features are and where they differ.
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Mindbody
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Mangomint
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| Online Booking | Mindbody | Mangomint |
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Website booking widget Note Can you integrate the entire online booking experience directly into your website? |
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 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? |
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| Two way SMS communication |
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 |
Note Supports integration with SMS marketing platforms |
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| 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
A key difference between Mindbody and Mangomint is the approach to integrating other software tools.
Mindbody has a genuinely massive library of integrations in its Partner Store, from payroll and tax apps to consulting and marketing tools.
Mangomint keeps its core features streamlined and provides a small library of native third-party integrations, as well as open-ended custom integration options to connect virtually any other platform business owners need.
Integrations
These platforms both offer third-party integrations but Mangomint also offers custom integrations.
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Mindbody
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Mangomint
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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 |
Full list available in the Mindbody Partner Store. |
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Pricing
Mindbody has tiered subscription plans that scale from under $200 to over $500 per month. As was the case with Booker, the features that make Mindbody an attractive option are stripped out of the lowest tier plan, making the average investment in the several-hundred-dollars-per-month range. Mindbody also requires a 12-month contract and does not offer a free trial.
Mangomint’s entry-level “Essentials” plan starts at a higher price point than Mindbody’s, but its upper-tier plans are significantly less expensive and offer a far better value for most salon and spa owners. Mangomint also offers a free trial and doesn’t require a contract.
Mindbody vs Mangomint Pricing
Mangomint's pricing starts higher than Mindbody's, but its premium plans are much less expensive.
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Mindbody
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Mangomint
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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?
To read more about our experience testing these software suites, check out our comprehensive reviews of Mangomint and Mindbody.
However, if you’re interested in hearing firsthand accounts from everyday business customers, take a look at the user review scores below.
User Reviews Compared
Let's compare scores for these systems on the major user review sites.
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Mindbody
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Mangomint
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What Alternatives Should You Consider?
Mangomint and Mindbody are both great choices for entirely different types of businesses.
If you’re still not sure if either is the right choice for you, take a look at these alternatives:
Fresha offers a subscription-free pricing model and serves more than 120 countries around the world.
Booker is Mindbody’s sister software and offers all its best salon- and spa-centric features while being simpler and easier to use.
Fresha vs Booker
A quick comparison of the two alternatives.
Fresha
Booker
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 in 22 languages in over 120 countries worldwide
Available almost worldwide
Key features
- FREE subscription with unlimited staff
- Fresha marketplace where clients can discover your salon
- Easy to use with a modern minimalistic design interface
- Available in over 120 countries!
- 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
Conclusion
I hope this comparison was helpful in your search for the right salon and spa software for your business!
For more great software alternatives, see my list of the best salon and spa software of 2024.
