GlossGenius has earned its reputation: the booking sites look great, setup is simple, and the flat 2.6% card rate is easy to understand. But it isn't cheap once you need team features, it has no free plan, and it does little to turn first-time clients into regulars beyond reminders and marketing messages.
Here's what GlossGenius costs in 2026 and the best GlossGenius alternatives for solo artists, nail and lash techs, and small salons.
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What GlossGenius costs in 2026
| Plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $24/month | $28/month |
| Gold | $48/month | $56/month |
| Platinum | $148/month | $168/month |
Card payments are a flat 2.6% with no fixed fee per transaction. Instant payouts cost extra, card readers are sold separately, and payroll is a paid add-on. Every plan comes with a 14-day free trial, and there's no free plan. Multi-location businesses need Platinum.
Why people look for a GlossGenius alternative
- No free plan. New and part-time techs pay from day one.
- The jump to team plans. Gold and Platinum cost two to six times as much as Standard.
- Payments are locked in. You process through GlossGenius at its rate.
- Retention is mostly reminders, marketing messages and memberships.
The best GlossGenius alternatives compared
| Tool | Starting price (US) | Free plan | New-client fees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loop | Free to start | Yes | 0% commission | A branded booking site with loyalty and posting rewards |
| Square Appointments | Free | Yes, for individuals | None | Solo pros who already use Square |
| Fresha | $19.95/month solo | No | 20% on marketplace clients | Salons that want marketplace exposure |
| Booksy | $29.99/month | No | 30% on Boost clients, capped at $100 | Barbers and stylists who want a marketplace |
| Vagaro | Scales with team size | No | Optional marketplace | Salons and spas that need fuller management |
US list prices checked November 2026. Confirm on each vendor's site before switching.
1. Loop
Loop is the closest match to what people like about GlossGenius, a good-looking booking site in your own name, without the monthly fee to start. It builds the site from your Instagram, so your work, services and prices are there from the start.
Where it goes further is bringing clients back:
- Rebooking reminders when a fill, set, cut or facial is due.
- A loyalty card on their phone, like "6th fill free".
- Posting rewards: clients earn points for sharing their nails, lashes or hair and tagging you.
- "Look of the month" photo competitions where clients invite friends to vote.
- Deposits with your own cancellation policy.
It's free to start with no card needed and 0% commission. It's not a full salon management suite, so if you need payroll or stock control, look at Vagaro or Square.
2. Square Appointments
Free for individuals, with online booking and reminders. Plus is $49 a month and Premium $149 a month per location for teams. Card-present payments on paid plans are 2.5% + 10¢.
3. Fresha
$19.95 a month solo or $14.95 per team member, plus a 20% fee on new marketplace clients. Cheaper than GlossGenius's team plans, but you pay for the marketplace clients it sends. More in our Fresha alternatives guide.
4. Booksy
$29.99 a month plus $20 per extra team member, with an optional Boost marketplace that charges 30% of a new client's first visit. See our Booksy alternatives guide.
5. Vagaro
Broader salon and spa software with a marketplace, worth comparing if you're outgrowing a simple booking tool. Read our Vagaro review.
Clients who rebook and post for you
A free booking site with a phone loyalty card and rewards for clients who share your work. 0% commission.
Build my free booking siteWhich one should you pick?
- Solo and just starting: Loop or Square Appointments, both free to start.
- Love GlossGenius but need to cut costs: Loop keeps the branded booking site and adds loyalty.
- Need marketplace clients: Fresha or Booksy, but budget for the new-client fees.
- Growing team with payroll and stock: Vagaro or Square Premium.
Nail and lash techs, see also our guides to nail tech booking software and nail salon booking apps.