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SoftalonvsVagaro

Softalon vs Vagaro

Vagaro is an all-in-one platform with a marketplace and a long list of paid add-ons. Softalon is built around your salon: your brand and domain, the AI Receptionist and automations in your plan, and no commission on any client.

Prices and features checked in November 2026.

Quick Verdict

Which One Fits Your Salon?

Choose Softalon if

  • Most of your clients message you on Instagram or WhatsApp.
  • You'd rather have one plan than a list of paid add-ons.
  • You want bookings under your own brand and domain.
  • You want clients to book without creating an account.
  • You want to send reminders and notifications whenever and however you like.

Stay with Vagaro if

  • You want a marketplace that brings you new clients, paying only when a deal books.
  • You want the lowest starting price.
  • You need card terminals and other hardware from your software company.
  • You want payroll, forms and a branded app from the same company.

Key Differences

What Sets Softalon Apart

The three things salons switching from Vagaro notice first.

An AI That Lives in Your DMs

Softalon's AI Receptionist answers Instagram DMs and WhatsApp messages and books the appointment in the chat. Vagaro's Vera Receptionist answers the chat on your Vagaro page and text messages, and over text it sends a link instead of booking.[5]

One Plan, Not a List of Add-Ons

On Softalon, the AI Receptionist, your own domain and automations come with the plan. On Vagaro, Vera Receptionist is $10 a month plus a text plan from $20, the website is $20 a month and online deposits need the $10 Online Shopping Cart.[2][5][17]

Your Brand, Your Clients

Your booking site runs on your domain with your logo and colors, and clients book without an account. On Vagaro, clients sign in to a Vagaro account to book, and Vagaro can send them its own marketing.[9][10][15]

REPLY INSTANTLY, 24/7

AI Receptionist

Answers your clients on Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and live chat, and books, reschedules and takes deposits right in the chat, 24/7.

Booking in the Chat

Clients see open times and book without leaving the conversation. The AI only offers your real services, prices and free slots.

Reschedule & Cancel

Clients who booked in the chat can move or cancel in the same thread, following your cancellation policy. The freed slot opens up right away.

Deposits in the Chat

When a service needs a deposit, the AI sends a secure payment link, so the appointment is secured before the visit.

3 more...

Side by Side

Softalon vs Vagaro

Included, paid add-on, limited, planned or not available, with the source for every Vagaro claim.

Overview
Commission on new clients
Softalon
0%On every booking
Vagaro
20% of the first booking[3][4]For new clients from Fill My Books or Daily Deals
Subscription
Softalon
From $49 a monthFlat price per plan
Vagaro
From $23.99 a month[1]Intro rate for the first 6 months
Price per team member
Softalon
None, flat plan priceUp to 3, 7 or 15 team members by plan
Vagaro
$10 each[2]Per extra calendar, up to 7
AI Receptionist
Softalon
IncludedAccelerate and Ultimate, replies use the plan's credits
Vagaro
Paid add-on[5][2]$10 a month, plus a text plan from $20
AI Receptionist
Instagram DMs
Softalon
IncludedBooks in the chat
Vagaro
Not available[6]Book button on your profile
WhatsApp
Softalon
IncludedBooks in the chat
Vagaro
Not available[7]Not listed
Book, reschedule and cancel
Softalon
Included
Vagaro
Limited[5]In the chat on your Vagaro page, not over text
Takes payment in the chat
Softalon
IncludedDeposit or full payment
Vagaro
Not available[5]Not listed
Replies in the client's language
Softalon
Included
Vagaro
Not available[5]Not listed
Phone calls
Softalon
PlannedNot available yet
Vagaro
Not available[5]Not listed
Calendar & Scheduling
Two-way calendar sync
Softalon
IncludedGoogle and Outlook
Vagaro
Limited[8]Google only for new connections
Online Booking
Book without an account
Softalon
IncludedAny browser or chat, no app or password
Vagaro
Not available[9][10]Clients sign in to a Vagaro account
Booking widget for your website
Softalon
Included
Vagaro
Included[11]
Custom domain
Softalon
IncludedAccelerate and Ultimate
Vagaro
Paid add-on[12][13]MySite, $20 a month
Remove branding
Softalon
IncludedUltimate
Vagaro
Not available[2]Not listed
Review requests to Google
Softalon
IncludedWith Google Reviews connected
Vagaro
Not available[14]Reviews on Vagaro only
Client Management
Clients stay yours
Softalon
IncludedThey book with your salon
Vagaro
Limited[15][3]Vagaro can send them its own marketing and other salons' deals
Payments & Finances
Online card payments
Softalon
2.7% + $0.30With Softalon Payments
Vagaro
3.5% + $0.19[16]Every online payment, including deposits
Payment when booking
Softalon
IncludedDeposit or full payment, set per service and location
Vagaro
Paid add-on[17][2]Online Shopping Cart, $10 a month
Card terminals
Softalon
Not availableRecord in-person payments
Vagaro
Included[1][4][16]Free reader with a 12-month term, 2.6% + $0.10 in person
Automated Workflows
Ready-made reminders and confirmations
Softalon
IncludedReady to use, every one editable
Vagaro
Included[7]
Edit every message
Softalon
Included
Vagaro
Limited[7]Timing per message
Your own automations
Softalon
Included40+ triggers, delays and conditions
Vagaro
Not available[14]Not listed
Notifications
Channels
Softalon
Email, SMS, WhatsApp and web push
Vagaro
Email, SMS and push[7]
WhatsApp from your own number
Softalon
Included
Vagaro
Not available[7]Not listed
Integrations
Third-party integrations
Softalon
17 integrationsIncluding Google Calendar, Outlook, Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Stripe and PayPal
Vagaro
QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto and more[2]QuickBooks and Xero $10 each
Developers
Public API and webhooks
Softalon
IncludedUltimate
Vagaro
Paid add-on[2]From $10
IncludedPaid add-on / LimitedPlannedNot available

Fair Comparison

Where Vagaro Is the Better Fit

No software is right for every salon. Here's when Vagaro makes more sense.

A Marketplace That Charges per Result

Listing on the Vagaro marketplace is free in the US, and you pay only when Fill My Books or a Daily Deal brings in a booking. Over 100,000 businesses rely on Vagaro every day.[1][3][18]

Low Starting Price

$23.99 a month for the first 6 months, and team members past the seventh paid calendar cost nothing extra.[1][2]

Everything From One Company

Payroll, forms, a branded app, a website builder, card terminals and an API, all available from Vagaro as add-ons.[2]

FAQ

Your Questions, Answered.

Anything else, just ask.

Sources

  1. Vagaro pricing, United States (archived October 22, 2026): https://web.archive.org/web/20261022082111/https://www.vagaro.com/pro/pricing
  2. Vagaro help center, Plans, Pricing, and Premium Features: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/22781768988187-Vagaro-Plans-Pricing-and-Premium-Features
  3. Vagaro help center, Grow Your Business with Vera Fill My Books: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/18977275777947-Market-Your-Business-with-Vera-Fill-My-Books
  4. Vagaro Customer Participation Agreement: https://www.vagaro.com/pro/vagaro-customer-participation-agreement
  5. Vagaro help center, Set Up A Chatbot with Vera Receptionist: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/31806231306779-Set-Up-A-Chatbot-for-Your-Business-with-Vera-Receptionist
  6. Vagaro help center, Instagram Integration: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005432413-Instagram-Integration
  7. Vagaro help center, Send Notifications and Reminders to Your Customers: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000439594-Send-Notifications-and-Reminders-to-Your-Customers
  8. Vagaro help center, Sync Vagaro with Google Calendar: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/31275501148699-Sync-Vagaro-with-Google-Calendar
  9. Vagaro help center, Create a Vagaro Account for Customers: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003685133-Create-a-Vagaro-Account-for-Customers-of-a-Vagaro-Business
  10. Vagaro help center, Book a Service Appointment for Customers: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003521813-Book-a-Service-Appointment-for-Customers-of-a-Vagaro-Business
  11. Vagaro help center, Add the Booking Widget to Your Site: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/204347860-Add-the-Booking-Widget-to-Your-Site
  12. Vagaro help center, MySite Pricing: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/26688722409243-Vagaro-MySite-Pricing
  13. Vagaro help center, MySite Domain Troubleshooting and FAQ: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/35429779370395-MySite-Domain-Troubleshooting-FAQ
  14. Vagaro help center, Features Included in Your Base Subscription: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/18977274427803-Vagaro-Features
  15. Vagaro Privacy Policy: https://www.vagaro.com/pro/privacy
  16. Vagaro help center, United States Credit Card Processing Rates and Fees: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000595607-United-States-Credit-Card-Processing-Rates-and-Fees
  17. Vagaro help center, Require a Customer Deposit for Online Booking: https://support.vagaro.com/hc/en-us/articles/17733255383707-Require-a-Customer-Deposit-for-Online-Booking
  18. Vagaro, About Us: https://www.vagaro.com/pro/about-us

Vagaro is a trademark of its owner. Softalon is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Vagaro. Information about Vagaro comes from its public website and help center, checked in November 2026. Prices and features change, so check Vagaro's website for the latest. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

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See How Softalon Fits Your Salon

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