Honest comparison
How Strandly compares to other salon software
Most salon tools make money in one of three ways. Here's how they differ — and where Strandly fits.
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| Model | You pay | Cut of sales | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Flat subscription, no cut e.g. Strandly, Vagaro, GlossGenius, Mangomint | A fixed monthly fee | No commission on your services | Keeping 100% of your revenue with a predictable cost |
Commission / new-client fees e.g. StyleSeat, Booksy marketplace | Per new client or per booking, on top of (or instead of) a subscription | Yes — a fee or percentage on some bookings | Stylists who value marketplace discovery over margin |
Free, marketplace-monetized e.g. Fresha | $0 base | Via new-client fees + payment processing | A free starting point if you're OK with marketplace fees |
We built Strandly, so we're biased — but the models above are the honest part. Providers change pricing and features often; check each company's current terms before deciding.
Where Strandly is different
Keep all your sales
One flat $29/stylist/month. No commission, no per-client fees, no payment markup.
A real client book
Color formulas, allergies, before/after photos, visit history, and custom per-client pricing — not an afterthought bolted onto a calendar.
Simple by design
Built for solo stylists and small salons, not enterprise spas. Set up in a minute; clients book from one link with no app.
Cash & Venmo friendly
Take deposits and card at checkout, or mark cash/Venmo — you're not forced into one payment rail to use the software.
New to the category? Start with what salon booking software does →
Head-to-head comparisons
Verified against each platform's official pricing page, with dates and sources on every claim.
Frequently asked
Which salon software doesn't take a cut of your sales?
Flat-subscription tools like Strandly, Vagaro, GlossGenius, and Mangomint charge a monthly fee and don't commission your service revenue. Marketplace and new-client-fee models like StyleSeat, Booksy, and Fresha make money from your bookings or new clients instead. Strandly is a flat $29/stylist/month and takes 0% of your sales.
What's the difference between a subscription and a commission model?
With a subscription you pay a predictable monthly price and keep everything you earn. With a commission or new-client-fee model, the cost scales with how much you book — the software takes a percentage or a per-client fee, which can cost far more as you grow.
Is Strandly a good StyleSeat or Booksy alternative?
If you want to stop paying per-booking or new-client fees and keep 100% of your revenue, yes. Strandly trades marketplace discovery for a flat price, a deeper client book (formulas, photos, per-client pricing), and simplicity for solo stylists and small salons.
Does Strandly work for a small salon, not just solo stylists?
Yes — it supports multiple stylists with per-stylist calendars, availability, and services, while staying simple to run. Pricing is per stylist.
Try Strandly free for 30 days
Set up your salon, take real bookings, and keep 100% of what you earn. No card required, cancel anytime.
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