MassageBook vs. Vagaro: Why Massage Therapists Choose Us

Robust massage therapy software empowers massage therapists to make a living doing what they love. The right solution will support your needs, from scheduling appointments to payment processing to marketing.

Compared to Vagaro, MassageBook edges out the competition. Our software is uniquely suited to the needs of massage practitioners, from new independent businesses to larger multi-location, multi-staff clinics—making your busywork a breeze so you can focus on the bodywork.

MassageBook's software interface shown on three mobile phones

MassageBook vs. Vagaro: How Do They Compare?

Built for Massage Therapists

Price Point

User Experience

Payment Processing

Built for Massage Therapists

MassageBook Built by massage therapists, for massage therapists
Vagaro Serves beauty, fitness, and wellness businesses

While having many features in your massage business software may seem like a bonus, they actually only help if they’re applicable to your small business. Vagaro serves many types of businesses in the beauty, fitness, and wellness industries, which means this platform comes with tools your massage business will likely never use.

MassageBook, on the other hand, was originally built by a massage therapist specifically for massage therapists. Practice confidently, knowing that all our features are tailored to support your unique massage business needs.

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A MassageBook website on a laptop screen

Price Point

MassageBook Transparent pricing that starts at $20/month
Vagaro Starts at $23.99/month, and becomes more costly with add-ons

Vagaro’s solutions start at $23.99/month for a solo practitioner and go up from there. However, this base fee only provides access to a limited selection of Vagaro’s tools. For add-on capabilities, you’ll need to pay additional monthly fees. For instance, access to Vagaro’s website builder and hosting platform costs an additional $20/month. These hidden costs can make Vagaro very expensive, very quickly.

MassageBook starts at $20/month and offers discounts for AMTA and ABMP members, making it much more affordable for massage businesses of all sizes. We transparently list our costs on our pricing page, helping practices like yours make the best choice for your budget.

Mockup of MassageBook's Stripe tap-to-pay

User Experience

MassageBook Simple, streamlined software with an easy learning curve
Vagaro Complex software with a steep learning curve

Although Vagaro offers many useful features for beauty, fitness, and wellness businesses, its extensive capabilities create a convoluted solution that massage therapists may struggle with. Certain features may also feel clunky, disjointed, or irrelevant to massage therapists, leading to a less positive user experience. Furthermore, Vagaro has a steep learning curve and long implementation times.

For a stellar user experience, look no further than MassageBook. Our intuitive platform requires no previous software experience. With its easy learning curve, you’ll be up and running in minutes!

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Payment Processing

MassageBook Flexible payment processing through Stripe and Square
Vagaro Payment processing through Vagaro only

Vagaro offers secure payment processing through its integrated system, which accepts credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. It also sells hardware, such as card readers and receipt printers. However, being locked into proprietary hardware limits your payment processing flexibility. Additionally, some customers complain about hardware reliability issues, high costs, and a lack of support for payment issues.

MassageBook offers payment processing through Stripe and Square integrations. Like Vagaro, we accept credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets. Our software also enables tap-to-pay or contactless payments. MassageBook’s payment integrations are secure, transparent, and flexible, making them a perfect fit for massage practices of all sizes, from solo therapists to multi-staff clinics.

MassageBook's payment processing features

MassageBook vs. Vagaro: FAQs

Who are the typical users of MassageBook vs. Vagaro?

MassageBook’s typical users include massage practices of all sizes, from solo practitioners just starting out to multi-staff and multi-location massage clinics.

Vagaro’s typical users are businesses in the beauty, fitness, and wellness industries, including salons, spas, aesthetic clinics, and personal trainers. Its audience consists mostly of small- to medium-sized businesses, with some large single- or multi-location businesses.

What makes MassageBook easier to use than Vagaro?

MassageBook is purpose-built for massage therapists and doesn’t require previous software experience. Our software has an easy learning curve and a simple implementation process. We provide a streamlined experience by focusing on meeting massage therapists’ core needs and making booking straightforward for your clients. We also offer robust onboarding and customer support to provide assistance when you need it.

What are MassageBook’s key capabilities?

MassageBook’s key features include in-office and online scheduling and booking, an all-in-one website builder, marketing tools to attract clients and increase repeat visits, SOAP notes that simplify intake and client documentation, membership management tools to secure reliable income, and staff management capabilities to keep multi-staff clinics running smoothly.

Watch our video to learn more about our massage therapy software and hear from our happy customers!

Vagaro charges per additional staff member. Does MassageBook?

No. MassageBook’s Clinic plan offers unlimited staff seats.

Do I have to buy new credit card readers if I leave Vagaro?

Because Vagaro requires proprietary hardware, switching software forces you to buy new equipment.

MassageBook takes a more flexible approach. We integrate with Stripe and Square, giving you access to affordable hardware that fits your business. We even offer a hardware-free solution: simply use your smartphone to accept tap-to-pay via the MassageBook Manager app.

What type of support is available with MassageBook?

MassageBook offers support via an online help desk, phone, email, live chat, and mobile app. Our dedicated support team is here to answer any questions you may have about our software and quickly resolve any issues.

Grow Your Business with MassageBook

Hear From MassageBook’s Happy Customers

Kimo Williams

Danzan Therapeutics

Prior to MassageBook I had been looking for a software to run all the components of my practice

Mary Helen C. Thorne

Health Impact

I'm over the moon pleased with how easy and convenient it is

Explore Our Testimonials

Get Set Up in Minutes with MassageBook

Start your free trial today and discover firsthand how MassageBook elevates the client experience and helps your practice thrive. Our team is here to help you transition from another platform or an analog system. Select the plan that works for your massage business now, whether you’re just starting your practice or managing a multi-staff clinic, and MassageBook will grow alongside you.