Vagaro Vs. GlossGenius: Which is Best for Your Business

The Vagaro platform allows customers to make appointments across all devices. Beyond desktop booking options, Vagaro's dedicated customer app makes the booking and rebooking process remarkably straightforward. Client convenience is enhanced through additional features such as self-check-in capabilities, personalized appointment notifications, and a customizable waitlist system.

GlossGenius provides an equally efficient, user-friendly booking interface with color-coded organization. The platform shares many functionalities with Vagaro, including waitlist management, appointment reminders, and client note capabilities. The key distinction is that GlossGenius does not offer a separate app for clients. Depending on your perspective, this could be considered either a limitation or a benefit for clients who prefer not to download additional applications to their devices.

The Vagaro platform allows customers to make appointments across all devices. Beyond desktop booking options, Vagaro's dedicated customer app makes the booking and rebooking process remarkably straightforward. Client convenience is enhanced through additional features such as self-check-in capabilities, personalized appointment notifications, and a customizable waitlist system.

GlossGenius provides an equally efficient, user-friendly booking interface with color-coded organization. The platform shares many functionalities with Vagaro, including waitlist management, appointment reminders, and client note capabilities. The key distinction is that GlossGenius does not offer a separate app for clients. Depending on your perspective, this could be considered either a limitation or a benefit for clients who prefer not to download additional applications to their devices.

Vagaro offers schedule management across both desktop and mobile through their Vagaro Pro App, enabling users to handle appointments and related tasks from any device. Their calendar system is user-friendly and adaptable, allowing for client information storage and automated recurring appointment scheduling. The platform automatically synchronizes service providers' calendars to prevent double-bookings and errors, while featuring a customizable automated waitlist that prioritizes clients based on user preferences.

Vagaro includes automated cancellation and no-show policy enforcement to protect time and revenue. Additionally, service providers can personalize their availability and easily reserve time off when needed.

GlossGenius provides calendar functionality comparable to Vagaro's, though certain features require upgrading to their Gold Membership, including staff calendar synchronization. Similar to Vagaro, GlossGenius offers protection against scheduling disruptions through what they term their No-Show Protection Stack (including client deposits and stored payment information). Their waitlist feature is also available but requires upgrading to Gold Membership. GlossGenius users can similarly customize their schedules and block personal time as needed.

Vagaro's client-facing application makes the booking and rebooking process exceptionally straightforward for customers. The client experience is further enhanced with features including self-check-in capabilities and personalized notifications such as appointment reminders. Client profiles contain detailed information ranging from contact details and payment methods to appointment history, service preferences, booking patterns, liability documentation, and special notes. Service providers can access these profiles directly from their calendar interface.

Additionally, Vagaro offers a two-way client communication platform called Connect, allowing service providers to engage with clients in real time through SMS messaging. 

GlossGenius also provides comprehensive CRM functionality, including automated text and email communications for appointment reminders, confirmations, thank you messages, and follow-ups. Similar to Vagaro, GlossGenius client profiles store comprehensive information including contact details, payment methods, appointment history, service preferences, booking patterns, liability documentation, and special notes. The platform features a distinctive tool that asks clients how they discovered the business during the online booking process.

Currently, GlossGenius does not offer a dedicated client communication platform like Vagaro's Connect.

Vagaro offers a custom forms builder that includes ready-made templates or allows users to create forms from scratch. The system features intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, basic modules for text and image integration, and a visual preview option. Vagaro's forms are HIPAA-compliant and securely store client information in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. While widely utilized, this feature is available as a premium add-on (+$10) rather than in the standard package.

GlossGenius similarly provides a comprehensive and user-friendly forms and waivers creation tool. Their form builder can automatically generate questions based on the service provider's specialty and allows customization of completion frequency requirements for clients. Like Vagaro, GlossGenius fully integrates forms into the booking process. Access to the forms feature requires an upgrade to GlossGenius's Gold Plan.

Vagaro provides integrated inventory tracking that monitors stock levels with automatic low-stock alerts and reordering capabilities. The platform includes performance reports covering sales trends, stock turnover rates, and inventory valuation. These analytics help businesses optimize inventory levels, identify best-selling products, and make informed purchasing decisions.

GlossGenius delivers comprehensive inventory management tools integrated with its point-of-sale (POS) and client management systems. Features include automatic quantity updates at checkout, barcode scanning functionality, quick item lookup, low-stock alerts, and detailed inventory reports.

Vagaro offers a range of marketing features, including automated branded emails—providing businesses with 1,000 free emails per month as part of an add-on feature. Client list segmentation based on demographics, purchase history, and preferences enables targeted marketing efforts. Text message marketing is also available as an add-on.

Additionally, Vagaro includes a “Free Marketplace” where customers can discover and book services without added fees to the business. The platform also provides the “MySite” branded website builder for creating a customized online presence

GlossGenius includes many of the same marketing features as Vagaro, such as email and text marketing, as well as a custom website builder. However, unlike Vagaro, these tools are included in its Standard Plan rather than as add-ons. Businesses that upgrade to the Gold Plan also gain access to an advanced AI-powered email tool designed to streamline email marketing efforts.

While GlossGenius does not offer a “Marketplace” feature, its built-in marketing tools provide businesses with multiple ways to engage clients and promote services.

Vagaro includes a free Contactless Card Reader (with Merchant Services) and offers flexible payment processing rates that scale with a business’s size. Rates start as low as *2.2% + 19¢ per transaction, catering to high-volume merchants.

GlossGenius takes a different approach with a flat 2.6% processing fee on all transactions, which can simplify financial planning for businesses as they grow.

Credit card processing is included in GlossGenius’s Standard Plan, but some key features—such as chargeback protection for card reader transactions and Tap to Pay on iPhone—are only available with the Gold Plan.

Vagaro’s integrated POS system offers a range of features, including deposit collection, sales tracking, inventory and gift card management, and invoicing for both services and retail products. It supports all major payment types, including chip cards, contactless (NFC) cards, Tap-to-Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Additionally, businesses can securely store customer card information for faster checkouts.

For businesses looking to offer flexible payment options, Vagaro Pay Later allows clients to split purchases into four interest-free installments while the business receives full payment upfront. (Currently available in the U.S. only.)

Vagaro also provides hardware solutions:

• PayPro: A full-featured device compatible with Vagaro’s card reader, barcode scanner, and printer.
• PayPro Mini: A compact, portable tablet with built-in payment processing and docking capabilities, effectively serving as a self-checkout kiosk.

GlossGenius’s POS system also supports all major payment types, including chip credit and debit cards, contactless (NFC) cards, iPhone Tap-to-Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Businesses can also securely store customer card information for streamlined transactions.

Unlike Vagaro, GlossGenius focuses on a mobile-first approach, enabling businesses to process contactless payments exclusively through a mobile device and card reader. This minimalist setup may appeal to businesses looking for a sleek, hardware-free front desk.

As of this review, GlossGenius does not offer a Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) option.

Vagaro’s built-in payroll system automates wage calculations, custom commissions, and deductions. It tracks employee hours, including overtime and breaks, while also managing staff leave requests and PTO balances (vacation days, sick leave, and other types of leave).

The system supports multiple payout structures—including hourly, commission-based, booth rental, or hybrid models—as well as payment methods such as direct deposit and check. Additionally, Vagaro automates payroll tax filings, reducing compliance burdens for businesses.

GlossGenius also offers a built-in payroll solution that syncs automatically with appointments, tips, commissions, and employee timesheets, minimizing the need for manual entry. Like Vagaro, it supports various payment structures, including commission, booth rental, and hybrid models.

Employees have self-service access to digital pay stubs, and the system handles payroll tax calculations and filings. GlossGenius also provides team management tools, including synced staff calendars, customizable permissions, and commission reporting. However, many of these advanced features are available only with the Gold Plan.

Vagaro’s team management features allow employees to view, update, and manage their schedules from any device. Managers have full visibility into staff schedules, including appointments, breaks, and time-off requests, all in real time.

Performance tracking tools provide data-driven insights into key metrics such as revenue generation, client retention, appointment efficiency, and service quality. These insights help managers assess performance and identify areas for growth.

Additionally, Vagaro Connect serves as both a client communication tool and an internal messaging platform, enabling direct messaging between employees and group chats.

GlossGenius offers similar team management features, including shared team calendars, multi-device scheduling access, and customizable roles and permissions. Visual performance reports highlight top-performing employees, and managers can track progress in real time.

However, as of this review, GlossGenius does not offer a built-in messaging platform for employee communication.

Vagaro’s Rent Collection feature addresses a key challenge for salon owners by providing tools to automate and manage booth rental payments. The system allows businesses to charge booth renters, set up recurring payments, store digital rental agreements, and deduct commissions from rent as needed.

As of this article, GlossGenius does not offer a built-in rent collection feature.

Vagaro provides a suite of multi-location management tools, including:

• Centralized appointment scheduling across locations
• Employee and payroll management for multi-location teams
• Enterprise-level security features for data protection
• Fast data import & onboarding to streamline transitions
• Dedicated customer success manager for personalized support

These features allow businesses to manage multiple locations seamlessly within a single Vagaro account.

As of this review, GlossGenius does not support multi-location management within a single account and does not offer the same level of multi-location functionality as Vagaro.

Vagaro offers Vagaro Capital, a business funding program that provides approved businesses with cash advances ranging from $1,000 to $300,000 within 48 hours. The repayment structure is determined during the application process and is based on a percentage of daily credit card transactions, making payments proportional to business revenue.

As of this article, GlossGenius does not offer business funding options.

Vagaro's pricing starts at $30/30 per month for a single user, with an additional $10/10 per month for each extra calendar. However, the cost caps at seven calendars, meaning additional users beyond that are included at no extra charge. This flexible pricing model is designed to accommodate businesses of different sizes.

Vagaro's standard plan includes most core business management features, but some tools—such as email and text marketing and digital forms—are offered as à la carte add-ons rather than bundled into tiered plans. This allows businesses to customize their subscription based on specific needs.

GlossGenius's pricing follows a simplified tiered structure with three plans:

• Standard Plan - $24/month
• Gold Plan - $49/month
• Platinum Plan - $149/month

Many essential features are included in the Standard Plan, making it a cost-effective option for solo professionals or small teams. However, advanced employee management tools require an upgrade to the Gold or Platinum plans. Some businesses may prefer this straightforward, tiered membership structure over an à la carte model.