GlossGenius vs. Booksy: Which is Best for Your Salon?

By STAFF
Booksy vs GlossGenius

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.

How Much Does GlossGenius Cost?

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.

How Much Does Booksy Cost?

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.

GlossGenius vs. Booksy: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Online Booking Experience

Booksy

Clients can book appointments 24/7, fill out intake forms, and pay in advance. Booksy supports custom availability, buffer times, and recurring appointments.

Gloss Genius

GlossGenius provides a user-friendly, branded booking site with automatic appointment confirmations.


Stores client history, payment details, and past purchases. Features include automated marketing campaigns and birthday discounts.

Payments & POS

Booksy

Accept payments via Stripe or Booksy’s built-in payment system. Booksy also offers mobile payment options and cancellation fees for no-shows.

Gloss Genius

Includes card readers, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pay without needing third-party processors.

Calendar & Scheduling

Booksy

Syncs with Google Calendar and allows real-time updates to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Supports staff profiles, service-specific availability, and commission tracking. However, built-in payroll features are limited and may require external software.

Gloss Genius

An integrated calendar syncs appointments with built-in availability settings.

Client Reminders & No-Show Reduction

Booksy

Automated SMS, email, and push notifications help reduce no- shows—SMS is included in all Booksy plans, unlike many competitors.

Gloss Genius

Unlimited SMS and email reminders are included at no extra cost.

Reporting & Analytics

Booksy

Provides visual dashboards for appointment tracking and revenue, though more advanced reports may be limited.

Gloss Genius

Tracks revenue, appointment trends, client retention, and inventory in-app.

Inventory & Retail Sales

Booksy

Booksy offers basic inventory management and lets businesses sell retail products through their profile.


Gloss Genius

Tracks product stock, sends low-stock alerts, and generates sales reports.

Loyalty & Client Retention

Booksy

Offers tools for client loyalty and rebooking incentives, depending on the plan.

Gloss Genius

Businesses can offer automated rewards and discounts based on client visits.

Booking Widget Support

Booksy

For an additional fee, businesses can get a branded version of Booksy to strengthen their client experience.

Gloss Genius

Every user gets a free, customizable booking website with no extra setup.

Social Media Integration

Booksy

Strong Instagram and Facebook integrations make it easy for clients to book directly through social platforms.

Gloss Genius

Allows Instagram and Facebook bookings directly within the platform.

GlossGenius vs. Booksy: Final Thoughts

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.