# Vagaro vs. Booker Comparison: Features, Pricing, and Reviews 2025 **URL:** https://thesalonbusiness.com/vagaro-vs-booker/ **Date:** 2025-03-12 **Author:** Kayle Yanez **Categories:** Technology & Software **Tags:** hide mt --- Vagaro vs. Booker – Which salon and spa software should you choose in 2025? In this comparison, I’ll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision between [Vagaro](/vagaro-review/) and [Booker](/booker-software-review/).  These two software companies are both incredibly popular platforms for salon and spa owners. While Vagaro is directed at cost-conscious solopreneurs or smaller teams, Booker by Mindbody is for growing salons and spas with a team and slightly deeper pockets. ## The Basics: Vagaro vs. Booker Founded in 2009 and based in Dublin, California, **Vagaro** was established to transition businesses from manual booking to an affordable digital solution for salons and spas. Since then, it has evolved significantly, offering a wide range of features and a large client marketplace. **Booker**, headquartered in New York City, was originally founded in 2007 as SpaBooker, a spa service booking platform, and ultimately became “Booker” in 2012. It set the benchmark for salon and spa software, shaping the industry and influencing newer competitors. Acquired by Mindbody in 2018, many features and operations are now unified across both platforms. ## The Vagaro vs. Booker Comparison in a Nutshell Alright, let’s boil down this **Vagaro vs. Booker** showdown to just a few words. Honestly, just like our [Vagaro vs. Mindbody](/vagaro-vs-mindbody/) comparison, I see these two as a battle of “**value vs. pedigree**.” If you are a cost-conscious solopreneur or have a small team, you might consider Vagaro an attractive option. This all-in-one software company has a ton of features to support your salon, spa, or fitness business: from POS, online appointment scheduling, advanced business reporting, email/SMS marketing, and credit card processing to memberships and subscriptions, eCommerce, payroll, a website builder, and even video streaming. Recent updates demonstrate Vagaro’s continued commitment to innovation, including AI-powered tools for crafting professional service descriptions and marketing content. Additionally, Vagaro has enhanced its inventory management to allow better tracking of product variants and improved its Google Calendar integration. Booker is a mature piece of salon and spa software whose features are primarily oriented toward businesses with simpler operations than those that may choose its sister software, Mindbody. Booker does not feature any of the more advanced fitness and class scheduling features that Mindbody or Vagaro offer, which makes it an even less favorable contender in comparison due to the fact that it has the exact same pricing as Mindbody. Although Booker remains functional and retains a strong foothold in the industry, it has failed to modernize its interface significantly. During testing, the dated menu systems and occasional clunky performance stood out as drawbacks compared to newer platforms. Booker also has a significant advantage over most salon and spa management software because it is available nearly worldwide through their parent company. Vagaro is available in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. It’s difficult to summarize what makes each of these software suites unique in just a few sentences. So, to help you find the best salon software for you, let’s examine these two platforms more closely. Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn in this Vagaro vs. Booker comparison: - [An overview of each system](#system-overview) - [A comparison of the differences that separate them](#software-differences) - [A feature-by-feature comparison](#feature-comparison) - [Pricing differences](#pricing) - [Ratings & reviews from their users.](#user-reviews) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/tsb-vagaro-vs-booker-review-1--1024x1024.jpg) ## Vagaro vs Booker Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Vagaro-logo@2x.jpg) **Vagaro** [Learn more..](/vagaro-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Booker-logo@2x.jpg) **Booker** [Learn more..](/booker-software-review/) **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. 4.1 3.4 **Starting price** Note Starting price reflects the lowest base plan offered by the platform. Actual costs will vary depending on team size, features, add-ons and payment processing volume. See the pricing section below for more details. $30/month $139/month **Who is it for** For cost conscious solopreneurs or smaller teams who are looking for an all-in-one software, with a lot of features, to support their salon, spa, or fitness business. For the new and growing business with funds to spare that needs integrated marketing tools and must have a first-party online marketplace to drive new client acquisition. **Ease of use** 3 4 **Customer Service** 3 3.5 **Countries** U.S., Canada, UK, Australia Available almost worldwide **Key features** - A client marketplace where they can browse and find your business - Very comprehensive marketing suite. - Vagaro branded POS hardware - Support for classes (as also used by fitness businesses) - 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 ## A Double-Click on Each System: Vagaro vs. Booker Let’s take a closer look at each competitor in the Vagaro vs. Booker guide. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Vagaro-logo@2x.jpg) Vagaro At a Glance Overall score 4.1 [Read detailed review](/vagaro-review/) [Sign up](https://www.vagaro.com/en-gb/pro?utm_source=salonbusiness) [Compare with top alternatives](/vagaro-alternatives/) Vagaro, headquartered in the US, is one of the most popular salon software options. It is a complete system for salons, spas, barbershops, health, and fitness businesses. It’s one of the most feature-rich platforms on the market and comes with POS, online appointment scheduling, email/SMS marketing, credit card processing, subscription payments, video streaming, website builder, eCommerce, payroll, hardware, and advanced business reporting just to name a few. Vagaro has introduced AI-powered tools aimed at simplifying operations for salon owners. These updates include features for automating reminders, email campaigns, and creating service descriptions. Despite the large amount of built-in features, it’s one of the cheapest platforms on the market. So if you want to spend as little as possible for as much as possible, Vagaro could be the right platform for you. Pros and Cons - Rich in features - Affordable price - Client marketplace that could help you attract more new clients - Integrations with other software (QuickBook, Xerox, Facebook, Zoom) - Pages could load faster, and you may find some glitches as you use it - Clients need to create a Vagaro account when booking, which some find annoying - There is a slight learning curve in the beginning, as a lot of features ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Booker-logo@2x.jpg) Booker At a Glance Overall score 3.4 [Read detailed review](/booker-software-review/) [Request demo](https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/booker) [Compare with top alternatives](/booker-alternatives/) 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. The integration with Mindbody Explore Marketplace remains a key draw for Booker, offering exposure to a wide audience of potential clients. 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) ## Key Differences Between Vagaro and Booker While both apps offer a more simple and streamlined experience, Vagaro distinguishes itself with its additional affordability and comprehensive feature set. Its pricing reflects a great value, surpassing other software suites in its sheer number of features per dollar, making Booker look a lot less appealing in comparison. Both Vagaro and Mindbody provide robust client marketplaces and impressive new client acquisition and revenue growth opportunities. Vagaro boasts that 35 million appointments are booked annually through its marketplace, while Mindbody reports that an impressive 93 million appointments and classes were scheduled via the Mindbody Marketplace in 2022. Much of my criticism of the Mindbody app holds true for Booker as well. Booker’s interface looks pretty much exactly the same as it did when I was using it in my salon in the mid-2010s. Booker is technically the older piece of software (although not by much), and it really feels like it when comparing the two side-by-side. One downside for Booker is its lack of modernization. The interface still relies on outdated menu systems, which can make navigating the software challenging even for seasoned users. While Booker does the job, the clunkiness of the experience is hard to overlook in 2025, when other platforms have stepped up their game significantly. Booker’s user experience still feels a bit clunky and looks outdated by modern standards, whereas Vagaro has some of the visual and user experience niceties that newer software suites offer salon and spa owners. Again, the real kicker here is that Booker offers many, but not all of the features that Vagaro does and comes in at a significantly higher price point, making it a tougher sell unless you live in a territory where Vagaro currently doesn’t offer their services (i.e. outside of the US, UK, Canada, Australia). ## Vagaro vs Booker Let's weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each software. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Vagaro-logo@2x.jpg) Vagaro [Learn more..](/vagaro-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Booker-logo@2x.jpg) Booker [Learn more..](/booker-software-review/) Ease of use 3 4 Design 3 3 Customer service 3 3 Pricing 5 3 Calendar and appointment management 5 4 Online booking 5 4 Point of sale and check out 4 4 Client data 5 4 Client communication 4 4 Inventory management 4 4 Team Management 3 4 Payroll 4 4 Marketing support 5 5 3rd party integrations 3 4 Mobile and tablet apps 4 2 ## Let’s Talk Features: Vagaro vs. Booker Both Vagaro and Booker offer essential tools like email marketing and client marketplaces, with the Mindbody Marketplace (integrated with Booker) being significantly larger. However, Vagaro stands out with additional features like class scheduling, video streaming, customizable website integration for seamless booking, and AI tools for crafting marketing content and service descriptions. Vagaro’s extensive feature set includes memberships, subscriptions, eCommerce, payroll, and advanced reporting, making it a more versatile option for scaling businesses. Booker, while functional, limits itself to core features like appointment scheduling and POS, lacking the advanced tools Vagaro provides, such as inventory tracking with product variants or class scheduling. Booker’s reliance on third-party booking pages disrupts brand continuity, whereas Vagaro allows for fully integrated booking experiences. Additionally, Vagaro offers better flexibility with no long-term contracts compared to Booker’s 12-month commitment. In short, Vagaro’s robust features and affordability make it a stronger choice for most businesses, while Booker’s main appeal lies in its marketplace exposure, which may suit salons focused on attracting new clients globally. ## Feature Comparison Vagaro offers more features than Booker. Let's go through what these features are and where they differ. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Vagaro-logo@2x.jpg) Vagaro [Learn more..](/vagaro-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Booker-logo@2x.jpg) Booker [Learn more..](/booker-software-review/) Online Booking **Vagaro** **Booker** 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. Branding control Note Can you customize the look and feel of the booking experience to fit your brand? Note Very limited: Change accent color but all else is Vagaro standard. Note Not included by default. Requires custom web development and API access fees. No-show protection Note Can you store credit card details and charge deposits to reinforce your cancellation policy? Service customization Note Can clients adapt their service when they book, and can this change the price and duration of the booked appointment? Free from account creation Note Can clients book without having first to create an account with the software? Integrated gift cards Note Can you sell digital gift cards as part of the booking process? Calendar and Appointment Management Customize notification messages Note Can you change the text sent to your clients as part of appointment reminders and other messages? Customize notification timings Note Can you change when reminders and other messages go out to your clients? Client waitlist management Rooms and resource scheduling Note Can you manage equipment, rooms, and other resources required to complete a service? Repeat appointments Note Can you schedule clients for recurring appointments? Time block Note Can you block out time on your calendar? Processing time Note Can you allow for double booking of service providers by accepting appointments during service processing time? Duration and price by staff Note Can you adapt the price and time needed for a service based on who is performing the service? Automated check-in Note Can clients check in to their appointments themselves? Point of Sale/ Check out Tablet compatible Note Can you run the POS on any tablet or do you need special hardware? Dedicated POS hardware Note Does the system provider offer hardware to improve the check out expereince? Self check out Note Can clients check out from their appointment themselves? Route payments to renters Note If you have booth renters in your business, can you route payments directly to them? Cards on file Note Can you store credit card details and charge the customer later? Integrated payments Note Does the software offer a first-party payment processing solution? Client Data & Communication SMS Notification Email Notificition 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 Two way SMS communication Note Available on Ultimate & Ultimate Plus plans only Forms Note Can you create intake forms, store SOAP notes, and have clients sign your forms? Client notes Note Can you store notes about clients on their profile? Client files and images Note Can you store files and image on in the client’s profile? Inventory and Product Types Inventory tracking Note Will the system keep track of stock levels, notify you when it’s time to re-order? Purchase orders Note Can the system create automatic purchase orders for you? Retail Memberships Packages Gift cards Team Support & Payroll Fully integrated payroll Note Can you run payroll and cut paychecks directly through the software? 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)? Payroll reports Commission support Note Can you track and report on commission for service, retail, and other product types? Multi-location support Note Does the system have specific support for businesses with multiple locations Booth renter support Note Can the system help with rent collection, payments, and other booth renter management tasks. Marketing Support Email marketing SMS marketing Website builder Client marketplace Note Does it offer a platform where potential clients can browse businesses using the software? Add-on offers Note Can you promote service add-ons/upsells as part of the online booking flow? Cloud & Mobile App Access Full-featured mobile app Note Can you access all software features in the mobile app? Web browser iPad iPhone Android ## Integrating with Other Platforms for Additional Features Both Vagaro and Booker offer third-party integrations. Not all salon and spa software do. You’ll notice Vagaro gives you slightly more options to choose from. ## Integrations These platforms both offer third-party integration. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Vagaro-logo@2x.jpg) Vagaro [Learn more..](/vagaro-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Booker-logo@2x.jpg) Booker [Learn more..](/booker-software-review/) Custom integrations Note Does the platform allow you to create new integrations to support your business-specific needs? Native integrations Note Built-in integrations that you can activate as needed - Gusto - Quickbooks - Zoom - Xero - iCal - Google Calendar ## Pricing: Vagaro vs. Booker Vagaro offers a huge assortment of features, all included at a low price. Booker’s lowest-tier plans are relatively affordable compared to the competition but are still more expensive than Vagaro and also lack many of Booker’s better features. If reducing costs is important to you, then you will probably be better suited with Vagaro or another low-cost alternative on our [top salon and spa software list for 2025.](https://thesalonbusiness.com/best-salon-software/) ## Vagaro vs Booker Pricing Vagaro is more attractively priced than Booker. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Vagaro-logo@2x.jpg) Vagaro [Learn more..](/vagaro-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Booker-logo@2x.jpg) Booker [Learn more..](/booker-software-review/) Starting price $30/month $139/month Trial Options 30 day free trial No free trial Minimum contract length Cancel any time 12 months Plans - Individual: $30/month - Additional staff: $10/month per user - Staff fees capped after the seventh paid user - Multi-location businesses require custom enterprise pricing - Starter: $139/month - Accelerate: $289/month - Ultimate: $469/month - Ultimate Plus: $599/month Plans - Individual: $30/month - Additional staff: $10/month per user - Staff fees capped after the seventh paid user - Multi-location businesses require custom enterprise pricing - Starter: $139/month - Accelerate: $289/month - Ultimate: $469/month - Ultimate Plus: $599/month Add-ons - Text Marketing: Starting at $20/month (500 texts/month) - Email Marketing: Free to start (1,000 emails/month) - Forms: $10/month - Online Shopping Cart: $10/month - Vagaro MySite (website builder): $20/month - Data Lake: $40/month - Xero Integration: $30/month - Vagaro Drive (cloud storage): Starting at $10/month - Live Stream: $10/month - Check-in App: $10/month - Additional visibility in the Vagaro marketplace (pricing varies) - Get Featured (marketplace ranking): $10/month - Branded App: $100/month - Payroll: $34/month +$5/employee - QuickBooks Integration: $10/month Messenger[ai] feature can be added on to Accelerate and Ultimate packages Add-ons - Text Marketing: Starting at $20/month (500 texts/month) - Email Marketing: Free to start (1,000 emails/month) - Forms: $10/month - Online Shopping Cart: $10/month - Vagaro MySite (website builder): $20/month - Data Lake: $40/month - Xero Integration: $30/month - Vagaro Drive (cloud storage): Starting at $10/month - Live Stream: $10/month - Check-in App: $10/month - Additional visibility in the Vagaro marketplace (pricing varies) - Get Featured (marketplace ranking): $10/month - Branded App: $100/month - Payroll: $34/month +$5/employee - QuickBooks Integration: $10/month Messenger[ai] feature can be added on to Accelerate and Ultimate packages Credit card fees - Small merchants (<$4,000/month)**2.6% + $0.10 per swipe 3.5% + $0.15 keyed-in - Large merchants (>$4,000/month)2.2% + $0.19 per swipe 3.5% + $0.15 keyed-in $10 monthly fee Credit card processing rates through Mindbody Payments: - U.S.: In-person payments: 2.75%  - Online payments: 3.5% + $0.15 - Canada: In-person credit card payments: 2.39% + $0.10 per transaction - Interac debit payments: $0.15 CAD per transaction - Online payments: 2.89% + $0.25 CAD per transaction Credit card fees - Small merchants (<$4,000/month)2.6% + $0.10 per swipe 3.5% + $0.15 keyed-in - Large merchants (>$4,000/month)2.2% + $0.19 per swipe 3.5% + $0.15 keyed-in $10 monthly fee Credit card processing rates through Mindbody Payments: - U.S.: In-person payments: 2.75%  - Online payments: 3.5% + $0.15 - Canada: In-person credit card payments: 2.39% + $0.10 per transaction - Interac debit payments: $0.15 CAD per transaction - Online payments: 2.89% + $0.25 CAD per transaction ## What Do Customers Think of These Platforms? You’ve read my opinion on these two systems. Now, let’s see what salon and spa businesses have to say. ## User Reviews Compared Let's compare scores for these systems on the major user review sites. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Vagaro-logo@2x.jpg) Vagaro [Learn more..](/vagaro-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Booker-logo@2x.jpg) Booker [Learn more..](/booker-software-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/captera.png) [4.7](https://www.capterra.com/p/153752/Vagaro/) [4.1](https://www.capterra.com/p/90708/Booker/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/g2.png) [4.6](https://www.g2.com/products/vagaro/reviews?source=search) N/A ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/app.png) 4.6 N/A ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/google-play.png) 4.3 1.5 ## What Vagaro & Booker Alternatives Should You Consider? Vagaro and Booker are two great options for many businesses. However, you may wish to check out the other platforms below. [Mangomint](https://www.mangomint.com/?utm_source=thesalonbusiness&utm_content=vagaro-vs-booker) is the highest-rated software for salons and spas. If you have a team and want the absolute best customer service available, check out this option. [GlossGenius](/glossgenius-review/) is my recommended alternative for independent professionals who have lean operations and want to keep their costs down. ## Mangomint vs GlossGenius A quick comparison of the two Vagaro and Booker alternatives. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Mangomint-logo@2x.jpg) Mangomint** [Learn more..](https://mangomint.com) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/GlossGenius-logo@2x.jpg) **GlossGenius** [Learn more..](/glossgenius-review/) **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. 4.9 4.4 **Starting price** Note Starting price reflects the lowest base plan offered by the platform. Actual costs will vary depending on team size, features, add-ons and payment processing volume. See the pricing section below for more details. $165/month $28/month **Who is it for** The highest-rated software for salons & spas. Designed for businesses with a team who want the best design experience, smart automations, and the flexibility to integrate with other systems. For independent professionals who want to start accepting payments and get appointment scheduling, a website and marketing up fast without compromising on the experience of their brand **Ease of use** 5 5 **Customer Service** 5 3 **Countries** U.S, 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 - Premium beauty-inspired interface design - Professional-looking website in just a few clicks - Integrated payment and card reader with customizable design - Affordable, transparent, flat fee pricing ## Conclusion I hope this comparison between Vagaro vs. Booker is helpful in your search for the right salon and spa software for your business. For more alternatives, please read my list of the [best salon and spa software right now](/best-salon-software/).