GlossGenius vs. Booksy: Which is Best for Your Salon?
15 january 2026 • BY LC
GlossGenius and Booksy solve the same problem in completely different ways.
Both platforms help beauty and wellness professionals manage bookings, payments, and clients, but one is built to help you build a brand, while the other is built to help you get found. If you’re choosing between the two, the difference isn’t in the basics, it’s in the strategy behind them.
This comparison cuts through the marketing fluff to show how GlossGenius and Booksy really stack up.
GlossGenius uses straightforward, tiered pricing designed to scale from solo professionals to larger beauty and wellness teams. All plans include a 14-day free trial, allowing you to test the platform before committing.
Here’s how GlossGenius's pricing breaks down:
Standard Plan — $24/month (billed annually, or about $28 month-to-month)
This entry-level plan covers the essentials: a branded booking website, 24/7 online booking, built-in payment processing, unlimited SMS and email reminders, client profiles, inventory tracking, and basic marketing tools. It’s well-suited for independent pros who want an all-in-one system without extra complexity.
Gold Plan — $48/month (billed annually, or about $56 monthly)
Designed for growing businesses, the Gold plan adds features like waitlists, intake forms and waivers, time tracking, Google integrations, and expanded marketing capabilities. It’s a strong middle ground for small teams or busy solo providers scaling up.
Platinum Plan — $148/month (billed annually, or about $168 monthly)
Built for larger or fast-growing businesses, this plan includes unlimited team members, enhanced analytics, higher marketing limits, and priority support. It’s best suited for salons and studios that need deeper operational insights and team management tools.
Across all plans, Gloss Genius charges a flat 2.6% payment processing fee on transactions, which is competitive with industry standards and consistent across payment types.
What to factor in: Payroll is offered as a paid add-on, and hardware such as card readers is typically purchased separately.
Overall, GlossGenius’s pricing is transparent and predictable. Most core features are included in the monthly subscription, making it easier for business owners to understand their costs as they grow, without juggling multiple third-party tools.
Booksy uses a flat-rate pricing model that includes all the core business features in one monthly subscription, with costs scaling primarily by team size rather than feature access.
Here’s Booksy's how pricing works:
Base Subscription — $29.99 per month
This monthly fee includes full access to Booksy’s platform: online and mobile booking, calendar and client management, automated reminders, basic marketing tools, reporting dashboards, and a listing in Booksy’s client-facing marketplace. There are no tiered plans, every user gets the same feature set at this base price.
Additional Staff Members — $20 per month, per user
Businesses with multiple providers pay an added fee for each additional staff profile. This makes Booksy affordable for solo professionals, but costs can increase quickly as teams grow.
Free Trial — 14 days
Booksy offers a two-week free trial, similar to Gloss Genius, with no long-term contract, allowing businesses to test the platform before committing.
Payment processing fees are separate from the subscription cost. Rates vary based on payment method but typically fall around 2.69% + $0.30 per transaction for standard mobile payments, with slightly lower rates available for in-person card reader or tap-to-pay transactions. Faster payout options, such as same-day or 30-minute deposits, are available for an additional fee.
There are no feature-gated tiers or usage limits, unlimited bookings and marketplace visibility are included in the base subscription.
Overall, Booksy’s pricing is easy to understand, with a flat monthly cost that scales by staff count and predictable processing fees, making it a practical option for solo pros and small teams focused on visibility and booking volume.
Offers 24/7 online booking with custom availability, buffer times, recurring appointments, intake forms, and optional prepayments. Booking happens either through a business’s booking link or Booksy’s marketplace app.
Provides a fully branded booking website with automatic confirmations. The experience feels more polished and client-facing by default, without relying on a third-party marketplace.
A major differentiator. Booksy’s client-facing marketplace app allows users to browse, book, and review local professionals—helping businesses attract new clients organically.
Does not offer a marketplace. Discovery is driven by your own marketing, social media, and direct booking links.
Supports payments via Stripe or Booksy’s built-in processor, including mobile payments and cancellation fees for no-shows. POS functionality is solid, but not its primary focus.
Includes a built-in POS with card readers, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pay—no third-party processor required. Payments feel more seamlessly integrated into the overall platform.
Syncs with Google Calendar and updates in real time to prevent double bookings. Supports multi-staff scheduling with service-specific availability and buffer times.
Uses a smart, built-in calendar with availability rules baked directly into scheduling. Simple, clean, and tightly integrated with booking and payments.
Automated SMS, email, and push notifications are included in all plans—SMS being a standout perk compared to many competitors.
Unlimited SMS and email reminders are included at no extra cost, making it easy to reduce no-shows without worrying about message limits.
Offers basic client profiles, booking history, and notes. Functional, but more limited compared to platforms with deeper CRM tools.
Includes a built-in CRM that stores client history, payment details, past purchases, and preferences—plus automated marketing features like birthday discounts.
Provides visual dashboards for appointments and revenue tracking, though advanced reporting options may feel limited for data-heavy businesses.
Delivers comprehensive in-app reporting for revenue, appointment trends, client retention, and inventory—all in one place.
Supports basic inventory management and allows businesses to sell retail products through their Booksy profile.
Offers stronger inventory tools, including low-stock alerts, product sales tracking, and detailed retail reports.
Loyalty tools and rebooking incentives are available depending on the plan, but may require more manual setup.
Built-in loyalty programs automate rewards and discounts based on client visits—no extra tools needed.
Strong Instagram and Facebook integrations, plus marketplace visibility for client acquisition.
Direct Instagram and Facebook booking integrations, paired with a free customizable booking website for every user.
Offers a branded app option for an additional fee, allowing businesses to create a more customized client experience.
Branding is baked in from the start—custom booking pages and a cohesive client-facing experience are included with all plans.
Booksy and GlossGenius solve two very different problems, and the better choice comes down to how you plan to grow.
Booksy is built for discovery. Its marketplace model gives businesses a built-in way to get found, which can be a real advantage for newer pros or anyone trying to fill empty slots fast. If visibility, mobile booking, and automated reminders are your top priorities—and you’re comfortable competing alongside other local providers—Booksy delivers solid value.
GlossGenius, on the other hand, is built for control. It prioritizes brand ownership, polished client experiences, and an all-in-one system that replaces multiple tools at once. With built-in POS, CRM, marketing automation, and inventory tracking, GlossGenius feels less like a booking app and more like a business operating system.
The takeaway is simple: choose Booksy if you want clients to find you. Choose GlossGenius if you want to build something that’s unmistakably yours.