Vagaro vs. Square Plus: Which is Best For Your Business?

Choosing the right software for your salon, spa, or wellness business can be the deciding factor between whether you take home a paycheck at the end of the day or not. Between managing bookings, payments, marketing, and client relationships, the last thing you need is a platform that slows you down or forces you to jump between tools. That’s why comparing top contenders like Vagaro and Square Plus is essential: each promises to simplify your workflow, but which one truly fits your business style?

Why don't we take a closer look at exactly what Vagaro brings to the table.

Vagaro Key Features

When it comes to running a salon, spa, or wellness business, Vagaro is built to handle more than just appointments—it’s a full-service platform designed to streamline every corner of your operation.

Cost: Vagaro’s pricing is straightforward, starting at $23.99/mo based on the size of your team and the features you need. Vagaro bundles scheduling, payments, marketing, and reporting, for a low monthly cost, making it a strong all-in-one investment.

Customization: Vagaro allows you to personalize your digital presence from the ground up, whether it’s a branded website or mobile app to custom logo, giving your business a professional edge without a steep learning curve.

Features: Beyond scheduling, Vagaro covers POS, inventory management, automated reminders, staff management, and client tracking, all from a single dashboard.

Integrations: Vagaro integrates with a wide range of tools, including accounting software and review apps, so your workflow stays seamless.

Online Booking: Clients can flexibly book online with a sleek, mobile-friendly interface. Customizable options let you control availability, service types, and pricing, keeping your schedule efficient.

Calendar: A built-in, color-coded calendar keeps staff schedules and service bookings organized, with syncing options for Google Calendar, iCal, and Outlook.

CRM: Vagaro’s CRM captures client preferences, visit history, and purchase behavior, giving you the data to personalize experiences and drive loyalty.

Reminders: Automated email and text reminders reduce no-shows and keep clients engaged with timely updates.

Reporting: From sales analytics to staff performance and client trends, Vagaro’s reporting tools give you the insights to make smart business decisions.

Inventory: Track retail and service supplies with robust inventory management, including alerts for low stock and reporting on best-selling products.

Loyalty Program: Reward repeat customers with a built-in, easy-to-use loyalty program, turning casual clients into devoted regulars.

Website Builder: Vagaro includes a streamlined website builder, letting you showcase services, sell products, and accept bookings, all seamlessly integrated with the platform.

POS/Payment Processing: Vagaro’s in-house POS system handles payments with ease, supporting multiple payment types, including Tap to Pay, and giving you fast, secure transactions.

Marketing: Email campaigns, promotional offers, and social media integration make it easy to keep your business top-of-mind and attract new clients.

Software Summary: Vagaro

If you’re looking for a flexible, all-in-one platform that can handle every aspect of your salon, spa, or wellness business, Vagaro delivers. From scheduling and POS to marketing, client management, and payment processing, it’s designed to keep your operations smooth without juggling multiple tools.

Vagaro strikes a balance between power and simplicity. Its customizable booking pages, automated reminders, and robust reporting tools give you control and insight, while seamless integrations let your business work the way you want it to. Whether you’re just launching or expanding, Vagaro is a reliable, full-featured solution that helps you run your business efficiently and professionally.

Square Plus Key Features

Square Plus is an individual, paid tier of Square’s base software. It’s built to cover all the essentials. From booking and payments to client management and marketing, it offers a streamlined platform that helps you run your business smoothly without overwhelming you with complexity.

Cost: Square Plus offers $49/mo subscription, however, Square still has its free and $149/mo plans available if needed.

Customization: Square Plus lets you tailor your online booking pages, service menus, and receipts to match your brand, giving clients a professional, cohesive experience.

Features: Beyond scheduling, Square Plus includes POS, invoicing, client management, and inventory tracking capabilities.

Integrations: Square Plus connects with social media and booking apps to keep booking with your business accessible.

Online Booking: Clients can book appointments through your Square booking website and booking integrations of your choosing.

Calendar: A color-coded calendar makes managing staff schedules, appointments, and availability simple.

CRM: Track client histories, preferences, and purchase patterns to personalize service and strengthen client relationships.

Reminders: Automated email and text notifications help reduce no-shows and keep clients engaged with your business.

Reporting: Access real-time insights on sales, appointments, and client behavior to make data-driven decisions for your business.

Inventory: Manage products and supplies efficiently, with alerts for low stock and reports on best-sellers.

Loyalty Program: Reward repeat clients with a built-in loyalty system that’s easy to set up and manage.

Website Builder: Create a branded website or enhance an existing one with integrated booking and retail options, all without needing a developer.

POS/Payment Processing: Square Plus handles secure, fast payments in-person or online, supporting multiple payment types to suit your clients.

Marketing: Promote your business via email campaigns, SMS messaging, and social media integrations to attract new clients and retain current ones.

Software Summary: Square Plus

If you’re looking for a platform that can handle the essentials of your salon, spa, or wellness business, Square Plus is a strong contender. With a free entry-level option and scalable plans, it gives go-getters access to powerful tools like POS, online booking, CRM, and built-in payment processing without breaking the bank.

Square Plus keeps things simple without sacrificing capability. Its intuitive interface, solid reporting features, and broad integrations make managing appointments, payments, and client relationships straightforward. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, Square Plus is a reliable solution that lets you focus on your business instead of the tech.

The Final Verdict

When it comes to choosing the right software for your salon, spa, or wellness business, it ultimately depends on your priorities—but Vagaro clearly stands out for those looking to grow and scale. With its highly customizable platform, advanced reporting, marketing tools, and full-service features, Vagaro not only handles the solo-pro essentials but also gives you the insights and flexibility to take your business to the next level.

Square Plus is a solid, budget-friendly option that covers core needs like bookings, payments, and client management, making it a great choice for smaller operations or those just starting out. However, for businesses ready to invest in a platform that can expand with them and provide deeper control over every aspect of operations, Vagaro is the more robust, long-term solution.