SalonBot vs Booksy: Honest comparison for salons (2026)
SalonBot and Booksy are two very different solutions for salons. SalonBot is B2B management software: you own your clients and your data. Booksy, on the other hand, works as a marketplace that connects consumers with salons — meaning it controls the client relationship and charges commissions per booking.
This fundamental difference shapes everything: the pricing model, who controls the client relationship, available features, and which type of salon each serves best. It's not about which is objectively better, but which is better for your specific situation.
Booksy excels at acquiring new clients. SalonBot excels at comprehensive management and client retention. Let's break it down.
Feature comparison
| Feature | SalonBot | Booksy |
|---|---|---|
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.model.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.model.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.model.competitor |
| Monthly price | €34/month flat fee | ~€30/month + commissions |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.commissions.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.commissions.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.commissions.competitor |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.ownership.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.ownership.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.ownership.competitor |
| Included modules | 18+ modules | ~10 modules |
| WhatsApp Business | ✓ Native (official API) | ✗ Not available |
| Calendar & appointments | ✓ Complete | ✓ Complete |
| Client CRM | ✓ Advanced with history | ✓ Basic |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.captacion.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.captacion.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.captacion.competitor |
| Cash register & invoicing | ✓ Integrated POS | ✗ Not in all plans |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.inventario.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.inventario.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.inventario.competitor |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.informes.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.informes.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.informes.competitor |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.workflows.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.workflows.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.workflows.competitor |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.soporte.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.soporte.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.soporte.competitor |
| vsBooksyPage.table.rows.espanol.feature | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.espanol.salonbot | vsBooksyPage.table.rows.espanol.competitor |
Where Booksy wins
Booksy has strengths worth recognizing:
Consumer marketplace: Booksy has millions of consumers browsing for salons in their app. If you want new clients to find you without marketing effort, the marketplace effect is real.
Established brand: Booksy is one of the most recognized names in salon booking globally. Some clients specifically look for salons on Booksy.
Consumer app experience: The Booksy consumer app is well-designed and makes it easy for clients to browse, book, and manage their appointments.
No-show protection: Booksy offers a no-show protection feature that can charge clients who don't show up for their appointments.
Where SalonBot wins
You own your clients: With SalonBot, your client data is yours. Booksy controls the client relationship through their marketplace — if you leave, you may lose access to those clients.
Zero commissions: SalonBot charges a flat €34/month with no per-booking commissions. Booksy charges variable commissions on top of the monthly fee, which can add up fast.
Native WhatsApp Business: SalonBot integrates the official WhatsApp Business API with automated reminders and a booking chatbot. Booksy doesn't offer this integration.
Complete management: SalonBot covers invoicing, inventory, staff commissions, financial reports, and more. Booksy focuses on scheduling and marketplace presence.
Which one is right for you?
Choose Booksy if...
- •Your main goal is getting new clients through a marketplace
- •You're okay with paying commissions on marketplace bookings
- •You don't need advanced invoicing or inventory management
- •You want to leverage Booksy's consumer app for discovery
Choose SalonBot if...
- •You want to own your client relationships and data
- •You need a flat-fee solution with no per-booking commissions
- •WhatsApp is central to how you communicate with clients
- •You want complete salon management: invoicing, inventory, staff, reports
FAQ: SalonBot vs Booksy
Does Booksy charge commissions?
Yes. Booksy charges variable commissions on bookings made through their marketplace, on top of the monthly subscription fee. These commissions can significantly increase your effective monthly cost, especially for busy salons.
Do I own my clients with Booksy?
Partially. Clients who find you through the Booksy marketplace are primarily Booksy users. If you decide to leave the platform, you may lose access to those client relationships. With SalonBot, your client data is always yours.
Which is better for a salon that already has a client base?
If you already have an established client base, SalonBot is usually the better choice. You'll benefit more from comprehensive management tools, WhatsApp integration, and client retention features than from marketplace discovery.
Can I use both at the same time?
Technically yes, but it means managing two separate platforms, which can be confusing. You'd also be paying two subscriptions. Most salons find it more efficient to choose one platform that covers all their needs.
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