Every spa owner knows the daily chaos. Missed appointments. Lost payments. The front desk phone never stops ringing. You didn’t start your business to drown in paperwork. You started it to make people look and feel amazing.
The right spa software should make your life easier, not harder. Wellyx has been a reliable choice. It handles bookings, payments, and client records. But many spa owners say it’s clunky. Some find it too expensive. Others wish it had better spa tools.
But 2025 brings even better options. Some save money, and some are built just for spas.
Let’s explore the top 5 alternatives, so you can spend less time managing and more time on what you love.
1. Fresha
Fresha is a favorite when you want to save money. It is free for a single-location spa owner. Instead of a monthly fee, you pay a small fee when a client pays you. This choice is great if you want to keep costs low.
Here’s why Fresha is attractive:
- Cost savings: No monthly fee means you save money.
- Easy bookings: Clients can book appointments online all day and night.
- Spa-friendly tools: It lets you track treatments, manage rooms, and schedule therapists.
Key details about Fresha
- It has a $0 monthly fee for all.
- You only pay a small payment processing fee (about 1.99% plus $0.25 per transaction).
- It makes it easy for clients to book appointments online at any time.
Pricing details
- No monthly fee, perfect for solo with unlimited appointments.
Best for: Small spas that want to keep their expenses low while getting good features.
2. Vagaro
Vagaro is built for both spas and salons. It is popular among many owners because it covers many needs in one tool. Vagaro has features that help with online booking, tracking treatments with SOAP notes, and even managing retail sales.
Key points of Vagaro
- SOAP notes: These help track details of each client’s treatment. This feature is good for keeping clear records.
- Room management: You can assign different rooms for services like massages or facials.
- Memberships: Vagaro makes setting up recurring billing for loyal clients easy.
Pricing for Vagaro
Pricing plan for Vagaro depends on the number of locations and bookable calendars.
- Just me: $30 per month
- 7+ bookable calendars: $90 per month
Best for: Spas that need detailed treatment tracking and room scheduling. It is a strong option for spa owners who want everything in one place.
3. GlossGenius
GlossGenius is known for its sleek design and speed. Many beauty professionals like its clean and simple look. It is designed for those who want a tool that feels modern and works fast.
spa owners like GlossGenius because
- Smart reminders: These help reduce missed appointments by about 30%.
- Built-in marketing: You can send promotions and reminders without using extra apps.
- Easy checkout: With tap-to-pay, clients can pay quickly and easily.
Pricing information
- Standard plan: $24/month
- Platinum plan: $148/month
Best for: Small spas that want an easy-to-use and stylish system. GlossGenius is especially good for owners who value a smooth client experience and clear reports.
4. Mindbody
Mindbody is well-known in the world of beauty and wellness. Many large spas, chains, and high-end spas use Mindbody. It has many advanced features that help with class scheduling, loyalty programs, and more.
What makes Mindbody stand out
- Class scheduling: This is very useful for workshops and group classes.
- Loyalty programs: These help keep clients coming back.
- Marketing listing: Your spa can get listed on Mindbody’s booking network for extra exposure.
Pricing for Mindbody
You have to request a quote to know about the pricing plan of Mindbody.
Best for: High-end spas and salons with more than one location. Mindbody is best if you are ready for a professional, full-featured tool.
5. Square Appointments
Square Appointments is very simple and works well. It is easy to set up, and many spa owners use it to keep things clear and direct. It also works nicely with Square’s payment system.
Key features of Square Appointments
- Free for solo users: A free plan exists if you work alone.
- Instant deposits: You get paid faster.
- Inventory tracking: This helps manage and track the products you sell.
Pricing options:
- Free plan: $0/month.
- Premium plan: $69/month
Best for: Square appointments work best if you want a simple tool that fits well with Square payments.
Why some spas stick with Wellyx
While the 5 best alternatives are covered, Wellyx remains the first choice of many spa owners. Its deep feature set gives spa/salon hybrids unique strategic advantages.
Key competitive edges:
- All-in-one control: Manage appointments, retail sales, and spa online booking in one dashboard.
- Access control: Keyless entry integration for 24/7 spa facilities (rare in spa software)
- Built-in POS: Process payments and sell products without third-party tools.
- Loyalty programs: Automated rewards that increase repeat visits by up to 63%.
Best fit for:
- Spa/salon combos with membership models.
- Businesses are expanding into wellness services.
- Owners who want to minimize the use of multiple software systems.
Final thoughts
Spa owners face daily chaos, missed appointments, and consistent hassle. The best salon software can ease stress and boost business growth.
While Wellyx still works for many, its limitations drive the search for better tools. Fresha saves money, Vagaro offers complete spa tracking, and GlossGenius excels in style and ease of use.
Switching to an ideal system can benefit spa owners by allowing smoother operations and happier clients. Explore these alternatives and choose the tool that best suits your unique business needs.