Choosing the right salon or spa software can feel overwhelming, especially when every platform claims to “do it all.” Vagaro is one of the most talked-about options in the beauty and wellness world, known for its deep features, easy setup, and flexible pricing. In this Vagaro review, we’re breaking down what it actually offers—what works and how it performs in day-to-day operations—so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your business.
Key Features to Consider
Before choosing any salon or spa software, it’s important to understand which features matter most for your day-to-day operations. From booking and payments to reporting, marketing, and everything in between, these tools shape how smoothly your business runs.
In this section, we break down the key features to consider—what they do, why they matter, and how Vagaro measures up.
Cost
Vagaro offers an appealing pay-as-you-go subscription model that starts at only $23.99/mo., with an additional $10/mo. per extra calendar (or service provider) on your team. To make things a bit easier on business owners, Vagaro also offers a zero-commitment, 30-day free trial so you can test things out. Since launch, Vagaro has also never required a contract, so you don't have to worry about being locked into anything you might not want.
Customization
Vagaro is endlessly customizable to your business's needs. Whether it's your specific policies, online booking preferences, or how you take payments, Vagaro truly feels built with beauty and wellness pros in mind. While some users report the actual look and feel of the business-facing software feeling somewhat limited, Vagaro seems committed to making improvements consistently.
Features
The sheer amount of features Vagaro offers is extremely impressive, in the base subscription, no less. A few--somewhat basic-- features, like intake forms or Vagaro drive for storing photos, do require an additional fee about $10/mo., which may deter some pros. Overall, what's included in the base subscription (and free trial) is more than enough to get your operation going.
Integrations
Integrations are like the secret ingredient to any good salon software: you might not notice when they're working, but you absolutely will when they aren't. Vagaro currently offers a handful of useful integrations like iCal, Google Calendar, Quickbooks, and Xero, but doesn't quite have all the high-level integrations other software do.
Online Booking
Vagaro excels at online booking. Automated appointment notifications, customizable calendar rules, and flexible waitlist settings help streamline scheduling for both clients and staff. Their newest addition—Minimize Gaps (also called cluster booking)—further optimizes your day by filling openings more efficiently and keeping your chairs full.
Calendar
Online booking and the calendar go hand in hand, and Vagaro’s calendar gives pros complete control over both. You can get as detailed as you want with client bookings and overall schedule management. Standout features include a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, customizable “personal tasks” for easily blocking out time, and the ability to charge no-show or cancellation fees directly from the calendar.
CRM
A strong client management system is the backbone of any good salon software, and Vagaro’s CRM has grown increasingly powerful over the years. Whether you need to add and track client notes and preferences or link family and friends, Vagaro makes managing your client relationships simple and efficient.
Reminders
Vagaro’s reminder system does exactly what you need it to do: reduce no-shows and keep clients informed without adding more work to your plate. Automatic text, email, and push notifications help clients stay on top of their appointments, while customizable timing lets you fine-tune how often reminders go out. Some pros note that reminder templates feel a bit limited visually, but the functionality is rock solid.
Reporting
Vagaro’s reporting suite has grown into one of the most robust on the market. From payroll and sales to client retention and utilization, Vagaro gives business owners an at-a-glance view of what’s actually happening behind the scenes. The depth can feel overwhelming at first, but once you get familiar with the dashboard, you’ll appreciate how many insights are available without needing a separate analytics tool.
Inventory
Managing inventory in Vagaro is straightforward and reliable. You can track product levels, set low-stock alerts, organize vendors, and even automate purchase orders—all within the same system you use for appointments and payments. The UI isn’t the flashiest compared to some competitors, but it gets the job done efficiently and helps prevent both overstocking and out-of-stock headaches.
Loyalty Program
Vagaro’s built-in loyalty program makes rewarding returning clients incredibly simple. You can assign point values to services, retail purchases, and even online bookings, then let the system automatically track and redeem them. While the customization options aren’t unlimited, the program is seamless, easy for clients to understand, and an effortless way to encourage repeat visits.
Website Builder
Vagaro’s website builder, MySite, is one of its more underrated features. It allows you to create a clean, functional website that syncs directly with your booking, service menu, and retail pages—no coding required. The design templates aren’t quite as modern or flexible as standalone builders like Wix or Squarespace, but for an all-in-one business solution, it’s a strong, convenient option.
POS/Payment Processing
Vagaro’s built-in POS and payment processing system is fast, reliable, and designed specifically for service-based businesses. Whether you’re taking deposits, charging cancellation fees, or selling retail, everything runs through one streamlined checkout. Transaction rates are competitive, (2.6% + $0.10 per transaction, US, small merchant) and Vagaro’s hardware options play nicely with the rest of the software.
Marketing
Vagaro’s marketing tools are a standout for an all-in-one platform. Automated email and text campaigns, customizable templates, daily deals, and their “Vagaro Marketplace” help bring new and returning clients through your doors. While some features—like text marketing—carry additional fees, Vagaro makes it easy to promote services, run targeted campaigns, and measure results all from one dashboard.
What Beauty Pros Like You Are Saying About Vagaro
Vagaro is the all-in-one powerhouse that beauty professionals consistently hail as the solution to administrative chaos. Users love that it's a true "full business solution," integrating everything from scheduling and POS to payroll and reporting.
The consensus is that the Vagaro's sheer volume of integrated tools and responsive support make it a vital partner for running and scaling a modern beauty business. That said, some users occasionally report slowdowns, particularly during high-traffic periods, but most agree these are minor compared with the benefits.
The Final Verdict: Vagaro Pros and Cons
Vagaro packs a lot of power into an accessible, growth-friendly platform—but it isn’t without a few trade-offs. Below, we’ve broken down the biggest advantages and drawbacks to help you understand where Vagaro shines, where it’s still improving, and whether it fits what your beauty or wellness business needs most.
- Affordable‑to‑start for solo stylists or small salons
- Easy-to-use interface, quick setup, good for staff & clients alike
- Integrated booking, POS/payments, scheduling, inventory & retail, and client management
- Automated reminders, confirmations, and marketing tools built‑in
- Increased exposure: clients can find you through Vagaro’s marketplace
- Subscription price can increase as you add on or use extra features
- Occasional glitches and slowdowns reported previously - Some basic features, like forms, require extra cost
Overall, Vagaro is a powerful, all-in-one platform that helps small salons and solo pros streamline operations and attract clients. While occasional slowdowns and extra feature costs exist, its ease of use, affordability, and integrated tools make it a solid choice for most beauty businesses.
If you found this review helpful, you’ll love what’s coming next. Follow along with the Beauty Playbook for more honest breakdowns, smarter tools, and insights built for beauty pros.