Vagaro vs. Gloss Genius. Software you won’t outgrow.
While Gloss Genius limits users with tiered pricing and annual commitments, Vagaro gives you the flexibility to scale on your terms. No forced upgrades. No long-term contracts, just the tools you need, when you need them.
As featured in
See how Vagaro stacks up against Gloss Genius pricing
*Your profit calculation is based on Vagaro's monthly average of 6 new customer bookings per staff member per month (at $100 per booking). *** Marketplace value minus subscription cost
Featured offered compared to GlossGenius
Based on Gloss Genius reviews and real user feedback, here are the areas where the platform falls short, and where Vagaro becomes the clear hero for your business.
“Why I decided to leave GlossGenius and switch over to Vagaro.”
Krystal Harris
Owner and Cosmetologist, Coiled Salon
Hair Salon in Woodbridge, CT
More than basic marketing
Marketing automation
Both Vagaro and GlossGenius offer client messaging tools, but the depth of automation is where the difference shows. GlossGenius focuses on basic notifications and one-off messages, while Vagaro provides a fully automated marketing system including campaigns like Lost Customer re-engagement, Before-Visit preparation, and After-Visit follow-ups, allowing businesses to stay connected throughout the entire customer journey.
Customization & brand control
GlossGenius supports simple client communications, but those options are limited. Vagaro gives businesses more control over how their brand shows up across email and text. With Vagaro, you can attach images to text messages, design beautifully branded email layouts, and tailor messaging to match your business’ style. This level of customization helps beauty professionals present a more polished, consistent brand experience.
Why a marketplace matters for your business
Hear from business owners who made the switch from Gloss Genius to Vagaro
“Glossgenius made it difficult to put a card on file unless booking online. Vagaro is so user friendly for us in the salon and for our clientele. Everyone loves the simplicity of online booking and the reminders.”
“Gloss Genius does not provide enough options for me as an esthetician. I have used Vagaro and several other CSM services and I always go back to Vagaro because they are intuitive and update their CSM often. They provide a variety of options even at the least expensive level that allows me to customize the app for my business. This app has saved me time and money in other areas of my business.”
“Great product! I love that [Vagaro] has a lot of options to use for booking online etc. because Glossgenius didn’t have as many options on usage and they only allow one person to use it.”
GlossGenius is a registered trademark of GlossGenius. Comparison based on data as of 01/01/2026.
Vagaro vs. GlossGenius FAQ
- Is Vagaro better than Gloss Genius for growing businesses?
For businesses planning to scale, yes. Vagaro supports advanced scheduling, marketing automation, team management, reporting, and client acquisition through its marketplace—features Gloss Genius has the very basic version of. Vagaro is built to grow with your business, not limit it.
- What is Gloss Genius?
Gloss Genius is a booking and payment platform designed mainly for independent beauty professionals, offering basic scheduling, payments, and client management tools. Compared to Gloss Genius, Vagaro goes further by supporting not only solo pros but also growing salons, barbershops, spas, and multi-location businesses with deeper features, automation, and customization.
- How much is Gloss Genius?
Gloss Genius uses tiered pricing, meaning the cost increases as you need more features—and lower pricing often requires committing to a yearly contract. Vagaro, on the other hand, offers flexible pricing where you only pay for the tools you actually use, making it more cost-effective as your business grows.
- Is Gloss Genius free?
Gloss Genius is not free. While it may offer a trial period, ongoing use requires a paid subscription. Vagaro also does not offer a fully free plan, but it delivers significantly more value in their free trial through advanced marketing tools, marketplace exposure, payment processing and operational features that help businesses generate more revenue.
- How much is Gloss Genius a month?
Gloss Genius monthly pricing varies by tier, with higher costs if you don’t commit to an annual plan. In comparison, Vagaro’s monthly pricing is more flexible, allowing businesses to start small and scale up without being locked into long-term contracts.
- How does Vagaro compare to Gloss Genius?
While Gloss Genius focuses on simplicity, Vagaro provides a more robust all-in-one platform. Vagaro includes automated marketing campaigns, a built-in marketplace for new client discovery, customizable workflows, and lower payment processing rates—giving businesses more control and growth potential than Gloss Genius.