Comparison for small salons
Vagaro Alternative for Small Salons: $7.99/mo
Compare Vagaro and Separalo costs for a small salon, their limits and the steps to move appointments by hand. Try Separalo for 14 days.
By the Separalo team
Updated
Short answer
If clients already find you through Instagram or referrals, compare the cost of taking bookings with the cost of running the whole salon. Separalo advertises $7.99 USD a month for the owner and up to three additional team members per business. Vagaro normally charges $30 a month for the first US calendar. Keep Vagaro if you use its POS, inventory, forms or packages. Separalo does not replace those tools. In Colombia, arrange client payments separately. US businesses can enable Stripe payments, with a platform fee on those payments.
- Separalo sends email confirmations and, when enabled, a reminder around the day before eligible appointments. It does not send WhatsApp or SMS or sync Google Calendar or Outlook.
- In Colombia, Separalo does not process appointment payments or deposits in Colombia. US businesses can optionally take deposits or prepayments through Stripe, with a platform fee on those payments. In Colombia, arrange payment separately with the client. It does not include a POS.
Illustration of Luna Studio. Service prices are examples in USD.
Who should switch and who should not
Separalo fits if
- You work alone or with up to three other people at the same business.
- Clients reach you through Instagram, WhatsApp, your website or referrals, not a marketplace.
- An email confirmation and a day-before email reminder are enough for you.
Stay on Vagaro if
- You rely on Vagaro's POS or Affirm pay-later plans.
- You sell memberships, packages or gift certificates, or track inventory.
- You use consent or intake forms before appointments.
- Vagaro's marketplace or booking links bring you new clients. Check where they come from before closing that channel.
- You need text-message notices instead of email.
- Your business has more than four people taking bookings.
Illustrated booking example. The selected time is 11:30.
What each one costs in a year
| Team | Separalo | Vagaro |
|---|---|---|
| One person, if eligible for the offer | $95.88 ($7.99 × 12) | $323.94 (6 × $23.99 + 6 × $30) |
| One person, later years | $95.88 | $360 ($30 × 12) |
| Three people, regular price | $95.88 | $600 (($30 + 2 × $10) × 12) |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
Prices in USD, before tax. Checked on . Vagaro US pricing, as of Oct 2026
These totals cover twelve paid subscription months, before tax, processing and extras. Separalo advertises $7.99 a month; $95.88 is twelve monthly payments, not an annual plan. Vagaro offers $23.99 a month for the first six months, subject to exclusions. If you qualify, twelve payments total $323.94; without the offer they total $360. Each additional calendar costs $10 a month, capped at seven paid licenses per location. Confirm eligibility and the extras you use before calculating savings.
What you give up by moving to Separalo
| Need | In Separalo |
|---|---|
| Reminders | Confirmation and day-before reminder by email. It does not send WhatsApp or SMS. |
| In-person POS | In Colombia, Separalo does not process appointment payments or deposits in Colombia. US businesses can optionally take deposits or prepayments through Stripe, with a platform fee on those payments. In Colombia, arrange payment separately with the client. It does not include a POS. |
| Outside calendar | It does not sync with Google Calendar or Outlook. Block those times by hand in Separalo. |
| Packages, memberships and gift certificates | It does not sell them or track balances. |
| New clients | There is no marketplace. Clients book from your link or QR code. |
| Team | The owner and up to 3 more team members per business, with up to 2 businesses. |
Clients open your link, select a service and time, and verify their email. The appointment confirms or awaits your approval, based on your settings. The buffer between appointments applies to the whole business.
How to move your appointments from Vagaro
Separalo does not import data from Vagaro. Allow time to copy upcoming appointments and check them before changing your public link. Balances, forms and documents you kept in Vagaro need a separate archive or system.
Illustrated owner calendar with example appointments. The blue appointment is selected.
Switch steps
- Start the trial and add your services with price and length, each person's hours, breaks and the buffer after appointments.
- Save what you will need from Vagaro: client contact details and the list of upcoming appointments, using whatever your account lets you export or write down.
- Pick a cutover date. In Separalo, add each appointment after that date with New booking so those times are blocked.
- On that date, stop taking new online bookings in Vagaro.
- With old-system bookings closed, reconcile every future appointment again. Add new bookings and apply changes and cancellations made since your first copy. Check availability before publishing your Separalo link.
- Replace the link in your Instagram bio, Google Business Profile and website, and swap printed QR codes for the Separalo QR code.
- Keep Vagaro until open packages, gift certificates and deposits are settled. Then cancel the subscription.
Illustrated switching steps. Reconcile both calendars before publishing your Separalo link.
See the booking example for an independent hairstylist.
See how to present a nail service menu and share its booking link.