Choosing between Vagaro and Mindbody is a common dilemma for salon, spa, and fitness business owners. Both offer powerful booking and management features, but at very different price points. Here is our complete comparison.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Vagaro | Mindbody |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $25/mo | $129/mo |
| Best For | Small-mid salons | Large studios/franchises |
| Online Booking | Included | Included |
| Marketplace | Vagaro.com | Mindbody app |
| Processing Fee | 2.2% + 19¢ | 2.75% |
| Our Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
Pricing Comparison
Vagaro Pricing
- 1 User: $25/mo
- 2 Users: $35/mo
- 3 Users: $45/mo
- 7+ Users: $85/mo (max)
Mindbody Pricing
- Starter: $129/mo
- Accelerate: $269/mo
- Ultimate: $499/mo
- Ultimate Plus: $699/mo
When to Choose Vagaro
- You are budget-conscious
- You have fewer than 10 staff members
- You need solid features without enterprise complexity
- You want lower payment processing fees
- You run a single-location salon or spa
When to Choose Mindbody
- You run a large fitness studio or franchise
- You need advanced marketing automation
- You want access to the Mindbody app marketplace
- You have multiple locations
- You need enterprise-grade features
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vagaro | Mindbody |
|---|---|---|
| Online Booking | Yes | Yes |
| Client App | Yes | Yes (larger) |
| Email Marketing | Yes | Yes (advanced) |
| Memberships | Yes | Yes |
| Payroll | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Location | Limited | Excellent |
| Integrations | Good | Excellent |
Our Verdict
For most salons and spas, Vagaro is the better choice. It offers 80% of Mindbody features at 20% of the cost. Mindbody is only worth it for large fitness studios, franchises, or businesses that need enterprise-level marketing and multi-location management.
Quick Facts: Salon POS
Expert Tips for Choosing a POS System
Start with a Free Trial
Never commit to a POS system without testing it first. Most reputable providers offer 14-30 day free trials. Use this time to run real transactions, train your staff, and identify any workflow issues before signing a contract.
Calculate Total Cost of Ownership
The monthly software fee is just the beginning. Factor in hardware costs, payment processing fees, add-on modules, support tiers, and potential early termination fees. A "$0/month" system might cost more than a $100/month system when you add everything up.
Prioritize Integration Capabilities
Your POS should connect with your accounting software, e-commerce platform, delivery apps, and loyalty program. Poor integrations lead to manual data entry, errors, and wasted time. Ask vendors about their API and native integrations.
New to POS Systems?
Start with our quick guide for business owners
Get StartedFrequently Asked Questions
A cash register simply records sales and stores money. A POS (Point of Sale) system is a comprehensive business management tool that processes payments, tracks inventory, manages employees, generates reports, and integrates with other business software. Modern POS systems provide data-driven insights that help you make better business decisions.
POS costs vary widely. Software ranges from $0-$200+ per month. Hardware costs $500-$2,000 for a basic setup. Payment processing fees are typically 2.3%-2.9% plus $0.10-$0.30 per transaction. Consider the total cost of ownership over 3 years, including add-ons and upgrades.
Some POS systems are processor-agnostic, allowing you to choose your payment processor. Others require you to use their integrated processing. Locked-in processing can be convenient but may limit your ability to negotiate rates. Always ask about processing flexibility before committing.
Data portability varies by provider. Most systems allow you to export sales history, customer data, and inventory lists. However, the format may not be directly importable to a new system. Always ask about data export options and consider this when choosing a POS.