Brelio vs Booksy – Which Salon Software Is Right for You in 2026?
Why Salon Owners Are Leaving Booksy
Booksy is one of the most recognisable booking platforms in Europe and the US. It has a large marketplace that helps new salons gain visibility, a polished mobile app, and broad name recognition. So why are thousands of salon owners actively looking for alternatives?
The answer almost always comes down to one thing: the commission model. Booksy charges approximately 3% on every appointment booked through the platform. For a salon doing 150 appointments a month at an average of 120 PLN, that is 540 PLN leaving your account every single month — forever, no matter how loyal your clients become.
Beyond the commission, owners cite three recurring frustrations:
- Competitor visibility. When a client searches for a haircut on Booksy, your salon appears next to your competitors on the same page. You are paying to be on a platform that actively promotes alternatives.
- Limited marketing automation. Mass SMS or WhatsApp campaigns, win-back sequences, and birthday automations are either missing or locked behind higher-tier plans.
- Pricing unpredictability. As your salon grows and processes more revenue, your Booksy costs grow too — with no ceiling.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Brelio | Booksy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat monthly fee | Subscription + ~3% commission |
| Starting price | 49 PLN / month (1 staff) | Variable — depends on volume |
| Online booking calendar | Yes | Yes |
| SMS / WhatsApp reminders | Yes — included | Limited / extra cost |
| Marketing campaigns | Yes — SMS, WhatsApp, email | Basic / higher tiers only |
| CRM & client history | Yes | Yes |
| Financial reports | Yes | Basic |
| Mobile app (iOS & Android) | Yes | Yes |
| Marketplace (client discovery) | No | Yes — with competitor ads |
| Commission on bookings | Zero | ~3% per visit |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card | Trial available |
Pricing Breakdown
Brelio uses a simple, predictable flat-fee structure:
- Starter – 49 PLN/month: 1 staff member, all core features included.
- Pro – 99 PLN/month: up to 5 staff members.
- Business – 149 PLN/month: unlimited staff.
There are no commissions, no transaction fees, and no surprise charges. A busy salon with 5 staff processes bookings for a fixed 99 PLN per month — forever. With Booksy's commission model, the same salon could easily pay 3–5x that amount as revenue grows.
When Booksy Is Still the Right Choice
We want to be honest: Booksy has a genuine advantage for one specific situation. If you are opening a brand-new salon with zero existing clients and zero social media presence, Booksy's marketplace can accelerate client discovery. The platform has millions of users actively searching for salons, and appearing in those results has real value at the start.
Once you have a stable client base — typically after 6–12 months — the commission becomes a pure cost with no corresponding benefit, because your returning clients are already loyal to you, not to Booksy.
Who Should Switch to Brelio
Brelio is the better choice if:
- You already have a regular client base and do not need a marketplace to find new clients.
- You want predictable monthly costs that do not scale with your revenue.
- You want to run your own SMS and WhatsApp marketing campaigns without relying on a third-party platform.
- You manage 2–15 staff and need multi-calendar management at a fair price.
- You operate a barbershop, nail salon, cosmetic studio, or tattoo studio.
How to Migrate from Booksy to Brelio
Switching is straightforward. Brelio's onboarding team can help you import your client list, configure your services and pricing, and set up your booking link. Most salons complete the switch within one working day. The 14-day free trial lets you run both platforms in parallel so there is no risk of losing bookings during the transition.
Try Brelio Free for 14 Days
No credit card required. No commission. No lock-in. Set up your salon in minutes and see exactly what you pay before committing to anything.