Vagaro pricing: A complete breakdown of costs for 2026

   .ao-table { border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; }
   .ao-table th, .ao-table td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 4px 6px; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; }
   .ao-table th { font-weight: bold; }
   .ao-table tr td:first-child, .ao-table tr th:first-child { text-align: left; }
   .ao-table tr:first-child td, .ao-table tr:first-child th { font-weight: bold; }
   

Key takeaways

• Vagaro pricing operates on a base subscription model for a single staff member, with additional monthly fees required for each extra calendar added to the account.
• Payment processing fees vary based on your monthly processing volume and the specific payment method used for each transaction.
• Essential business management features like text marketing, forms, and website builders require paid add-on costs beyond the base subscription.
• Instead of losing revenue to confusing, tiered processing fees or spending extra on separate software options, GlossGenius offers a flat rate for payment processing and includes comprehensive marketing tools in its base subscription plan.

How much does Vagaro cost?

Vagaro costs $30 per month (current promo pricing at $23.99) for a single staff member at one location, with each additional staff member adding $10 per month to your subscription.

The following article will dive into Vagaro’s various features, pricing tiers, hardware fees, and more to help you decide if it’s the best option for your beauty, wellness, and health business needs. It doesn’t matter if you’re a salon owner, yoga studio owner, or other independent business owner — we want to break down whether Vagaro is right for you.

Ultimately, Vagaro has a lot of bells and whistles, but their expensive add-on costs and high payment processing fees can compound — especially for small business owners.

Because additional staff members cost more and processing fees are specifically higher for businesses making less than $4,000 per month, Vagaro is probably not the most cost-effective choice for your business.

In contrast, businesses see, on average, a 26%+ increase in revenue within their first year on GlossGenius.

To gain a broader understanding of the business management software market, including an analysis of offerings that may be more cost-effective, check out our resource center and see how GlossGenius compares to Vagaro.

Vagaro monthly subscription pricing by staff size

Let’s take a quick look at the base of how much Vagaro will cost you depending on how many staff members you want to onboard:

Vagaro pricing for multiple locations

If you operate out of multiple locations, Vagaro charges an extra $10 monthly fee per location. Your base subscription price will also scale based on the total number of bookable calendars you need across all of your business locations.

What are Vagaro payment processing fees?

Vagaro payment processing fees range from 2.2% + $0.19 to 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction, depending on your monthly processing volume and payment method.

These payment processing fees are charged on top of your base subscription fee. With Vagaro, they change based on the size of your business and how the client pays.

Small merchant vs large merchant rates

Small merchants (processing volume of less than $4,000 per month) pay 2.6% + $0.10 per swiped or dipped transactions (plus an additional $0.06 for tap purchases).

Large merchants (processing volume of more than $4,000 per month) pay 2.2% + $0.19 per swiped or dipped transactions (plus an additional $0.06 for tap purchases). Plus, a $10 monthly fee.

Vagaro add-on costs and premium features

Vagaro charges additional monthly fees for features many businesses consider essential, including text marketing, forms, and website builders.

Surprise add-on costs, unfortunately, are more common than you'd think across salon booking apps in the beauty, wellness, and health world. Taking a bird’s-eye view of Vagaro’s features, you’ll quickly see that pretty crucial ones require additional monthly costs that can quickly add up.

Marketing add-ons

• Text Marketing: Quickly connect with your clients for updates, send automated marketing campaign texts, and arrange special promotional texts with ease.
• Email Marketing: Easily send out customized email marketing campaigns. You can automate or schedule them and add recipient filters to ensure they go to the right clients.
• Get Featured: Easily attract new clients and promote your business. Get Featured ranks you higher on their marketplace when clients are searching for services in your local area.

Business tools add-ons

• Forms: Quickly establish automated online forms, customize them as needed, and create custom SOAP Notes.
• Online Shopping Cart: Seamlessly retail products, gift cards, memberships, and packages, and set up automatic credit card capture or deposits.
• Vagaro MySite: An easy-to-use website builder that is connected to your Vagaro account and automatically updates whenever you make changes.
• Payroll: Pay your employees quickly using Vagaro’s reliable payroll system, all done in just a few minutes ($34/mo + $5/mo per employee).
• Branded App: Your own branded app creates a uniform, branded experience for your clients ($100/mo).
• Vagaro Drive: Store all your files and photos in one spot.
• Check-In App: Simplify this process by allowing clients to check themselves in for a class or session by scanning a QR code.

How Vagaro processing fees compare to competitors

Check out this comprehensive table that pits Vagaro’s processing rates against competitors in the space. Businesses on GlossGenius reported saving up to $5,000 on payment processing fees since switching from their previous platform.

Vagaro hardware pricing

If you need physical point-of-sale equipment, Vagaro has several POS hardware devices available for purchase.

• PayPro POS - $380
• PayPro Mini - $370
• PayPro Duo - $750
• Credit Card Reader - $100
• Pay Swivel Stand - $59
• Cash Drawer - $205

What features are included in Vagaro's base plan?

Vagaro's subscription plan includes online booking, calendar management, client database, basic reporting, and email marketing messages.

Just like GlossGenius, Vagaro comes with data transfer from any previous booking software for beauty, wellness, and health businesses you might be using.

Vagaro gives you access to a suite of advanced analytics, automations, and live phone service. Vagaro also comes with a marketplace to list your business and promote discounts and special offers. For medspas, Vagaro is HIPAA and EMR-compliant software.

[CTA_MODULE]

Total cost of ownership: What Vagaro really costs

The total annual cost of Vagaro ranges from approximately $360 for an independent stylist with no add-ons to significantly more for a 5-person staff using common premium features.

To calculate your total cost of ownership, you need to follow these steps:

1. Start with the core $30/month subscription.
2. Add $10/month for every additional staff member who needs a calendar.
3. Add the monthly cost of any premium features (like text marketing, forms, or a website builder).
4. Multiply by 12 for your annual software cost.
5. Factor in your estimated payment processing fees based on your monthly volume.

Cost example: Independent stylist

For an individual business owner who only needs the base software without any premium add-ons, the cost is straightforward. You will pay the standard $30 monthly fee, totaling $360 annually.

If you process under $4k monthly, you will also be subject to the Small Merchant processing rate of 2.6% + $0.10 per card present transaction.

Cost example: Small salon with 3 staff

For a growing salon with three staff members, the base subscription increases. You pay $30 for the first staff member, plus $20 for the two additional calendars, bringing your base software cost to $50 per month ($600 annually).

If you decide to add premium features like text marketing, forms, and a custom website builder, your monthly add-on costs will increase your total bill by at least $480.

Is Vagaro worth the cost for beauty, wellness, and health businesses?

Where Vagaro pricing makes sense

The platform's cost structure could also be viable if you’re running an independent business since you have to pay an extra $10 for each team member. That racks up to an extra $40 monthly if you have a staff of five.

Where Vagaro may be less cost-effective

We mentioned above how this fee model could be a fit if you’re a one-location, individual business owner looking for a basic set of features.

Consider this — even if that is the case, you might be better off looking into software that services those basic needs with a free plan, like Square Appointments.

With Vagaro, payment processing fees are high, but what’s even more noteworthy is how they are significantly higher for businesses generating under $4k monthly.

Pair that with fairly standard features for most personal care and fitness brands being locked behind add-on prices, and it starts to feel like Vagaro is tailored more for enterprise solutions rather than small businesses.

Businesses who made the switch to our platform have noted keeping up to $5,000 more in their pockets on payment processing fees since migrating. Solutions like GlossGenius offer specialized features for the self-care industry at more affordable subscription prices.

If you're tired of unpredictable costs eating into your hard-earned profits, GlossGenius ensures you’ll only ever pay a 2.6% flat rate processing fee, with no add-on fees or different rates based on payment type or appointment volume.

[CTA_MODULE]

Why GlossGenius is a cost-effective alternative to Vagaro

Clear pricing with no hidden fees

Time and time again, one of the most common complaints we hear from small business owners in the salon and wellness space has to do with surprise fees and generally foggy pricing.

Vagaro at least is somewhat transparent about the add-ons you’d need to purchase on its pricing page, but add-ons can be expensive nonetheless.

Here are some quick links to GlossGenius’ pricing and features.

GlossGenius features simple, clear pricing with no hidden fees. Email and text marketing, for example, are featured on GlossGenius’ base plan, while Vagaro charges additional monthly fees for similar tools.

GlossGenius doesn’t treat core marketing features to service-based businesses as optional. Businesses using GlossGenius typically experience a 26%+ boost in earnings during their first twelve months.

GlossGenius offers powerful features in its Standard plan starting at $24/month (billed annually).

Lower, fixed payment processing fees

Fixed pricing is key to GlossGenius’ pricing. Processing fees are no different.

While Vagaro features some of the highest processing fees — even higher for smaller businesses — GlossGenius offers a 2.6% flat rate processing fee.

In fact, many users have cut their transaction costs by as much as $5,000 after migrating to our system.

To help you stop losing hours to manual booking and build a professional online presence that attracts clients, GlossGenius offers specialized features for the salon and spa sector, like stylish credit card readers, modern and customizable booking site templates, easy-to-use waitlists (available on Gold and Platinum plans), a forms and waivers builder (available on Gold and Platinum plans), and marketing tools.

Unlimited staff at no extra cost

Between being charged more for earning under $4k monthly or charging an extra $10 per team member, Vagaro is simply not built for small businesses.

Rather than being penalized with mounting software costs every time you hire a new team member, GlossGenius does not charge additional fees per staff member on its Gold plan, supporting teams up to 9 without additional fees.

You don’t deserve to be penalized for growing your business, or for unforeseen fluctuations in your staff size.

Businesses on GlossGenius reported GlossGenius saved their staff 10+ hours on administrative tasks each week, and businesses on GlossGenius have a 75%+ rebooking rate.

Vagaro pricing calculator

If you want to understand how much Vagaro might cost you and your business, try out this calculator:

[CALC_MODULE]

Ready to grow your business with transparent pricing?

Choosing the right software for your service-based business comes down to finding a platform that supports your growth without penalizing you with hidden fees or complex processing rates.

While Vagaro offers a variety of tools, the mounting costs of premium add-ons and tiered processing fees can quickly eat into your hard-earned profits.

If you're spending more time on admin than actual client work, GlossGenius is built to help you grow more with less busywork, offering a flat 2.6% processing rate, unlimited staff on the Platinum plan, and powerful marketing tools included in your subscription.

Take control of your business and keep more of what you earn. Start free trial today and see the difference for yourself.

Read more: Frequently asked questions

Is Vagaro free?

Vagaro does not offer a free plan. Vagaro pricing starts at $30 per month for one location, with a base card-present transaction fee of 2.6% + $0.10 for small merchants. Each additional staff member is $10 a month.

How much is Vagaro per month?

Vagaro offers one basic pricing tier starting at $30 per month. As we mentioned above, each staff member is an extra $10 monthly. Beyond the base pricing, premium features must be purchased for additional monthly fees.

Does Vagaro offer a free trial?

Yes, Vagaro offers a 30-day free trial period for new businesses to test the platform before committing to a paid subscription. You can cancel your subscription at any time during your free trial.

What's better than Vagaro?

GlossGenius is a strong Vagaro alternative that offers lower payment processing fees (a 2.6% flat rate), comprehensive booking features, marketing tools, staff management, and more.

How much does Vagaro cost for a salon with multiple stylists?

A salon with 5 stylists would pay $70/month for the base subscription ($30 + $40 for 4 additional calendars), plus payment processing fees and any add-on costs.

Does Vagaro charge per employee?

Yes, Vagaro charges $10 per additional staff member per month for each employee who needs their own calendar beyond the first staff member. After paying for seven licenses, you can add new employees to your account at no additional charge.

What are Vagaro's hidden fees?

Vagaro's main hidden fees include add-on costs for features like text marketing, forms, and website builders, as well as higher processing rates for small merchants handling under $4k in monthly card transactions.

How does Vagaro payment processing compare to Square?

Vagaro's payment processing fees (2.2% to 2.6% + per-transaction fees) are generally comparable to Square's 2.6% + $0.15 for card present transactions. Both Vagaro and Square charged 3.5% + $0.15 for manually keyed-in payments.

Can I use Vagaro without paying for payment processing?

Yes, you can use Vagaro's scheduling features without using their payment processing, but you would need a separate payment solution to collect deposits or charge cancellation fees.

This information is provided for general educational purposes only. For legal, cybersecurity or compliance advice specific to your business or situation, please consult a professional.

All prices and feature comparisons are as of March 2026. GlossGenius has no affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement with the other companies mentioned in this article or their affiliates. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners.