If you’ve ever navigated SimplyBook.me’s pricing tiers, trying to figure out whether 3 custom features on Basic will suffice or if you’ll need Standard’s 8, while calculating whether 100 monthly bookings is enough for your salon or you’ll face overage charges, you know that feature-based pricing can feel like assembling a budget with constantly shifting variables.
SimplyBook.me has established itself as a comprehensive online booking platform, serving businesses across beauty, healthcare, fitness, and professional services with over 60 custom features.
The platform offers everything from booking websites and payment processing to HIPAA compliance and multi-location management. But as SimplyBook.me has expanded to serve diverse industries, its pricing structure has become increasingly complex, with booking limits, custom feature caps, and add-on costs that can significantly impact your monthly investment.
With that complexity in mind, I’ve analyzed SimplyBook.me’s pricing tiers, feature restrictions, and add-on costs. I believe it’s the ideal choice if:
- You need a cloud-based booking solution without managing your own hosting
- Your business spans multiple industries or locations requiring diverse feature sets
- You value having 60+ custom features available within a SaaS platform
- You prefer monthly billing flexibility over annual commitments
- You don’t already have a WordPress website you want to integrate with
However, SimplyBook.me’s pricing is not a good choice if:
- You run a salon or spa on WordPress and want native dashboard integration
- You prefer annual licensing without per-booking limits
- You want full control over your data through self-hosting
- Your booking volume might exceed tier limits during busy seasons
- You value a partnership relationship with responsive, personalized support over standardized SaaS service
- You need a specialist solution built specifically for the salon industry
In this case, you should consider Salon Booking System: a WordPress plugin designed specifically for hair salons, barbershops, spas, and beauty businesses. With 10 years on the market and annual licensing that includes all PRO features with no booking limits, it eliminates the complexity of tracking usage tiers while offering capabilities like multiple services and multiple assistants per booking built into the core system.
Because of that, I’ve included a detailed pricing comparison with Salon Booking System in this review, as the best choice for WordPress-based salons seeking predictable costs and native integration. A full pricing breakdown of Salon Booking System is included later in this review for easy comparison.
Table of contents
- SimplyBook.me Pricing Summary
- SimplyBook.me Pricing: In-Depth Overview
- Where SimplyBook.me Falls Short
- Best SimplyBook.me Alternative for WordPress Salons: Salon Booking System
- SimplyBook.me Feature Value Breakdown (vs Salon Booking System)
- SimplyBook.me Pricing FAQ
- Final Verdict: SimplyBook.me vs Salon Booking System
SimplyBook.me Pricing Summary
| SimplyBook.me | Salon Booking System | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | • 50 bookings/month
• 1 custom feature • 1 provider |
• Free version on wordpress.org
• Limited features • No online payments |
| Entry Plan | • Basic: €9.90/month
• 100 bookings/month • 3 custom features • 5 providers |
• Basic Branded: €89/year
• 1 website • All PRO features • Unlimited bookings |
| Mid-Tier | • Standard: €29.90/month
• 500 bookings/month • 8 custom features • 15 providers |
• Business: €139/year
• 2 websites • 40+ add-ons • Multiple locations |
| Agency | / | • Agency Pass: €299/year
• 10 installs • 40+ add-ons • Multiple locations |
| Premium | • Premium: €59.90/month
• 2,000 bookings/month • Unlimited features • 30 providers |
• Unlimited: €499/year
• Unlimited websites • White label • All features |
| Best For | Businesses across diverse industries wanting comprehensive SaaS booking with 60+ feature options | WordPress-based salons (1-10 employees) wanting native integration, personalized support, and predictable annual costs |
SimplyBook.me Pricing: In-Depth Overview
SimplyBook.me operates on a tiered, subscription-based pricing model where costs scale based on three primary factors: monthly booking volume, the number of custom features you can enable, and the number of service providers you can manage.
The platform offers both monthly and annual billing, with annual plans providing approximately 17% savings. Let’s examine each tier to understand the true cost of running your booking system on SimplyBook.me.
SimplyBook.me Free Plan: €0/month
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $0/month |
| Bookings | 50 per month |
| Custom Features | 1 |
| Providers | 1 |
| Core Features | Booking website, Admin App, WordPress widget |
The Free plan provides a genuine entry point for testing SimplyBook.me’s core booking functionality. Limited to 50 bookings monthly with only one custom feature enabled, it’s designed for initial evaluation rather than running an active salon. The single provider restriction means this tier works best for solo practitioners.
| Free Plan Pros | Free Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ No credit card required | ❌ Only 50 bookings monthly |
| ✅ Includes booking website | ❌ Single custom feature |
| ✅ Admin App access | ❌ One provider only |
| ✅ Good for testing | ❌ No payment processing |
The Bottom Line 👉 Free works for evaluating the platform or very low-volume solo services, but any active salon will need a paid plan immediately.
SimplyBook.me Basic Plan: €9.90/month or €8.25/month annually
| Feature | Monthly | Annual | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €9.90 | €8.25/month | 17% savings |
| Bookings | 100/month | 100/month | Overages available |
| Custom Features | 3 | 3 | Choose from 70+ custom features |
| Providers | 5 | 5 | Staff members |
Basic doubles the booking limit and adds payment processing capabilities, including deposits and tips. The jump to 3 custom features lets you enable essentials like payments, client login, and one additional feature. Note that basic email and SMS reminders are included as core features on all tiers. The 5-provider capacity accommodates small salon teams.
| Basic Plan Pros | Basic Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Client App included | ❌ Only 100 bookings monthly |
| ✅ Payment processing | ❌ Limited to 3 custom features |
| ✅ POS system access | ❌ Busy salons will exceed limits |
| ✅ Affordable entry price | ❌ No HIPAA compliance |
The Bottom Line 👉 Basic suits very small salons with predictable, low booking volumes, but the 100-booking cap creates a ceiling most active businesses will hit.
SimplyBook.me Standard Plan: €29.90/month or €24.90/month annually
| Feature | Monthly | Annual | Increase from Basic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €29.90 | €24.90/month | +200% |
| Bookings | 500/month | 500/month | +400% |
| Custom Features | 8 | 8 | +167% |
| Providers | 15 | 15 | +200% |
Standard represents the practical starting point for most salons, with 500 monthly bookings and 8 custom features. This tier adds branded client app capabilities, HIPAA compliance options, and SAML SSO for enterprise security needs. The 15-provider capacity supports medium-sized teams.
| Standard Plan Pros | Standard Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Branded Client App | ❌ Price triples from Basic |
| ✅ HIPAA compliance available | ❌ Custom features still limited |
| ✅ 500 bookings handles most salons | ❌ Growing businesses need Premium |
| ✅ SAML SSO | ❌ 15 providers may constrain larger teams |
The Bottom Line 👉 Standard delivers workable capacity for established salons, but businesses anticipating growth should calculate whether Premium’s unlimited features justify the jump.
SimplyBook.me Premium Plan: €59.90/month or €49.90/month annually
| Feature | Monthly | Annual | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €59.90 | €49.90/month | +100% from Standard |
| Bookings | 2,000/month | 2,000/month | +300% |
| Custom Features | Unlimited | Unlimited | No restrictions |
| Providers | 30 | 30 | +100% |
Premium removes the custom feature cap entirely, allowing access to all 70+ options including advanced payment features like refunds and vaulted cards. Integrations with QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and Xero streamline accounting. The white label option removes SimplyBook.me branding.
| Premium Plan Pros | Premium Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Unlimited custom features | ❌ 2,000 booking cap remains |
| ✅ Accounting integrations | ❌ €599+ annually |
| ✅ White label option | ❌ 30 providers still limits large operations |
| ✅ Advanced payment features | ❌ High-volume businesses need Enterprise |
The Bottom Line 👉 Premium makes sense for salons wanting full feature access, but the 2,000 booking limit means high-volume businesses still face constraints.
SimplyBook.me Add-On Costs
Beyond base subscriptions, several costs can impact your total investment:
- Booking Packages: 100 additional bookings for $4
- SMS Credits: 100 credits for $8
- WhatsApp Credits: 100 credits for $8
- Custom Domain + SSL: $119 one-time
- Full Setup Service: Starting at €450
Where SimplyBook.me Falls Short
While SimplyBook.me delivers a comprehensive feature set with over 70 custom features and multi-industry support, its pricing structure creates specific challenges for WordPress-based salons seeking predictable costs:
Booking Limits Create Growth Ceilings
- Standard plans cap monthly bookings, from 50 on Free to 2,000 on Premium (Enterprise tier offers custom limits)
- A busy salon with 4 stylists booking 15 clients daily hits 1,800 monthly bookings
- Exceeding limits requires purchasing booking packages or upgrading tiers
Custom Feature Restrictions Force Upgrades
SimplyBook.me’s custom feature system means salon-essential capabilities consume your limited feature slots.
For example, enabling Multiple Bookings (allowing clients to book more than one service before checkout) requires dedicating one of your 3 Basic or 8 Standard features to this single capability.
For salons where clients regularly book a haircut plus color, or a massage plus facial, this core business need competes with other features like intake forms, HIPAA compliance, or client login.
External Platform Dependency
- SimplyBook.me operates as a separate system from your WordPress site
- While widgets can embed the booking interface on your pages, your data and core management still live on SimplyBook.me’s servers
- Salon owners with existing WordPress investments may prefer full data ownership within their own database
Recurring Subscription Costs Accumulate
- Annual Premium costs approximately $599 before add-ons
- SMS and booking packages add ongoing variable costs
- Long-term ownership cost may exceed one-time alternatives depending on your needs
These limitations have led many WordPress-based salons to explore alternatives that offer native integration, predictable annual licensing, and the personalized support that large SaaS platforms managing thousands of customers often cannot provide…
Best SimplyBook.me Alternative for WordPress Salons: Salon Booking System
Salon Booking System is a WordPress plugin designed specifically for hair salons, barbershops, spas, and beauty businesses that want native integration with their existing WordPress website.
With 10 years on the market since its 2015 launch, the platform has built a reputation for stability and long-term client relationships, with many customers staying for 5-7+ years.
For salon owners frustrated by SimplyBook.me’s booking limits, feature restrictions, and external platform dependency, Salon Booking System addresses these gaps with annual licensing that includes all PRO features, unlimited bookings, and operation directly within your WordPress dashboard.
Unlike larger platforms managing tens of thousands of users, Salon Booking System maintains a deliberately smaller customer base focused on small to medium salons (typically 1-10 employees handling hundreds of reservations monthly).
This approach allows them to provide highly responsive support and position themselves as a genuine technology partner rather than just a software vendor.
A key differentiator is their custom development service, which allows even smaller salons to request specific features tailored to their unique needs. When these custom features benefit the broader customer base, they’re often integrated into the core plugin, meaning your investment can help shape the product’s future.
This level of personalized development is simply impossible for larger platforms managing massive user bases.
Salon Booking System Basic Branded: €89/year
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | €89/year |
| Websites | 1 installation |
| Bookings | Unlimited |
| Features | All PRO features included |
| Support | Monday-Friday email, monthly updates |
| Trial | 15-day free trial of paid version |
Unlike SimplyBook.me’s tiered feature restrictions, Basic Branded includes all PRO features from day one: staff mobile app, REST API, variable pricing by worker, Google Calendar sync, and full payment processing through Stripe or PayPal.
Notably, the ability to book multiple services and multiple assistants in a single booking session is built into the core system, not a feature that counts against a limit as with SimplyBook.me’s Custom Features approach.
| Basic Branded Pros | Basic Branded Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ All PRO features included | ❌ Single website only |
| ✅ No booking limits | ❌ Requires WordPress hosting |
| ✅ Multiple services + assistants per booking | ❌ Self-managed updates |
| ✅ Staff mobile app | ❌ No multi-location in this tier |
| ✅ Custom development available |
The Bottom Line 👉 Basic Branded delivers full PRO functionality for a single salon at roughly the same annual cost as SimplyBook.me Basic, but with no booking limits and salon-specific features like multiple services per booking built into the core.
Salon Booking System Business: €139/year
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | €139/year |
| Websites | 2 installations |
| Add-ons | 40+ included |
| Locations | Multiple locations management |
Business adds multi-location management and over 40 add-ons, including WooCommerce checkout integration, service packages, and advanced email marketing through the Communicator add-on.
| Business Plan Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ 40+ add-ons included | ❌ Only 2 website installations |
| ✅ Multiple locations | ❌ Still requires WordPress |
| ✅ WooCommerce integration | ❌ Learning curve for add-on setup |
| ✅ Comparable to SimplyBook.me Basic annual | ❌ No white label |
The Bottom Line 👉 Business suits salon owners with two locations or those wanting the full add-on library, all for less than SimplyBook.me Standard’s annual cost.
Salon Booking System Agency Pass: €299/year
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | €299/year |
| Websites | 10 installations |
| Add-ons | All add-ons included |
| Locations | Multiple locations management |
| White Label | Included |
| Target Audience | Web agencies and developers |
The Agency Pass bridges the gap between Business and Unlimited, designed specifically for web agencies and developers who build and manage booking systems for multiple salon clients. With 10 installations and all add-ons included, it provides the tools agencies need to deliver professional solutions at scale.
This tier includes white label capabilities, allowing agencies to remove Salon Booking System branding and present the booking system as part of their own service offering. The REST API enables custom integrations for clients with specific technical requirements.
| Agency Pass Pros | Agency Pass Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ 10 installations for client projects | ❌ Not refundable |
| ✅ All add-ons included | ❌ Limited to 10 sites (Unlimited needed beyond) |
| ✅ White label option | ❌ Requires WordPress expertise to deploy |
| ✅ REST API for custom integrations | ❌ Clients need separate support arrangements |
| ✅ Multiple locations per install |
The Bottom Line 👉 Agency Pass is ideal for web professionals managing multiple salon clients who need white label capabilities and full add-on access without committing to the Unlimited tier’s price point.
Salon Booking System Unlimited: €499/year
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | €499/year |
| Websites | Unlimited installations |
| Features | All add-ons, white label |
| Use Case | Agencies and multi-brand operations |
Unlimited removes all installation restrictions and includes white label capabilities, making it ideal for agencies managing multiple salon clients or franchises with numerous locations.
| Unlimited Plan Pros | Unlimited Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Unlimited installations | ❌ Highest annual cost |
| ✅ White label included | ❌ Non-refundable |
| ✅ All features and add-ons | ❌ Requires technical management |
| ✅ Cheaper than SimplyBook.me Premium annual | ❌ Self-hosted complexity at scale |
The Bottom Line 👉 Unlimited costs less annually than SimplyBook.me Premium while offering unlimited websites and white label capabilities.
SimplyBook.me Feature Value Breakdown (vs Salon Booking System)
Pricing Model Philosophy
SimplyBook.me’s Approach: SimplyBook.me uses a consumption-based model where you pay based on booking volume, custom features needed, and team size.
This creates predictable monthly costs at low volumes but introduces uncertainty as your business grows. Exceeding limits requires purchasing add-on packages or upgrading tiers.
Source: SimplyBook.me
Salon Booking System’s Approach: Annual licensing with all PRO features included eliminates the mental overhead of tracking booking counts and feature usage.
You pay once yearly and use the system without worrying about booking limits. The €0-€139 annual range provides clear, predictable budgeting, though note that the full 40+ add-on library requires the Business tier or higher.
Source: Salon Booking System
🪙 Value Verdict: Salon Booking System is better for salons wanting predictable annual costs without usage-based restrictions.
WordPress Integration Depth
SimplyBook.me’s Approach: SimplyBook.me offers WordPress widgets and embedding options that can display booking interfaces directly on your pages.
However, the core platform operates separately, with your booking website and client data stored on SimplyBook.me’s servers. While some administrative tasks can be performed through the WordPress plugin, full management requires using the SimplyBook.me dashboard.
Salon Booking System’s Approach: As a native WordPress plugin, Salon Booking System integrates directly into your WordPress dashboard.
Staff manage bookings from the same interface they use for the rest of the website. Data stays in your WordPress database with full ownership, and the plugin has evolved through continuous customer feedback, with many features developed as custom solutions for specific client needs before being integrated into the core product.
🪙 Value Verdict: Salon Booking System is better for salons already invested in WordPress who want unified management and customer-driven development.
Booking Flexibility
SimplyBook.me’s Approach: SimplyBook.me offers a Multiple Bookings custom feature that allows clients to book more than one service before checkout.
This is a genuinely useful capability, but it counts as one of your custom feature slots, meaning on Basic (3 features) or Standard (8 features), enabling this common salon need reduces your available features for other capabilities.
Source: SimplyBook.me
Salon Booking System’s Approach: Multiple services and multiple assistants per booking session is built into the core system.
Customers can select multiple services and even multiple assistants in a single booking without this counting against any limit. Additionally, the platform supports assigning multiple assistants to a single service, providing flexibility for team-based services like elaborate styling or spa treatments.
🪙 Value Verdict: Salon Booking System is better for salons where multi-service bookings are common and you don’t want this core capability competing with other features.
Support & Partnership Approach
SimplyBook.me’s Approach: As a large SaaS platform serving diverse industries, SimplyBook.me provides standardized support channels including live chat and email for all users. The platform’s scale means support is necessarily product-focused, helping users navigate the existing feature set.
Salon Booking System’s Approach: With a deliberately smaller customer base focused specifically on salons, Salon Booking System positions itself as a technology partner rather than just a software vendor.
The relationship-focused approach means highly responsive support and the ability to influence product development through custom feature requests, something larger platforms simply cannot offer at the individual business level.
🪙 Value Verdict: Salon Booking System is better for salon owners who value a genuine partnership relationship and want access to personalized support and custom development.
Long-Term Cost of Ownership
SimplyBook.me’s Approach: SimplyBook.me Premium at €49.90/month annually totals approximately €599/year before SMS credits, booking packages, or other add-ons. Costs scale with usage, potentially increasing as your business grows.
Salon Booking System’s Approach: Basic Branded at €89/year (approximately $97) includes all PRO features without booking limits.
Even the Unlimited tier at €499/year costs less than SimplyBook.me Premium while supporting unlimited websites. The platform’s 10-year track record demonstrates long-term viability, and many businesses have used the system for 5-7+ years.
🪙 Value Verdict: Salon Booking System is better for long-term cost efficiency, particularly for single-location salons seeking stability and predictable budgeting.
SimplyBook.me Pricing FAQ
Is SimplyBook.me free to use?
SimplyBook.me offers a permanent Free plan with 50 bookings monthly, 1 custom feature, and 1 provider. There’s also a 14-day free trial of paid features. However, the Free plan’s limitations make it suitable only for testing or extremely low-volume operations.
How much does SimplyBook.me cost per month?
Paid plans range from €9.90/month (Basic) to €59.90/month (Premium), with annual billing providing approximately 17% savings. Additional costs may include booking packages ($4/100), SMS credits ($8/100), and setup services (from $499).
Does Salon Booking System have booking limits?
No. All paid Salon Booking System plans include unlimited bookings. You pay an annual license fee (€89-€499) and use the system without tracking monthly booking counts or purchasing overage packages.
Can I try Salon Booking System before purchasing?
Yes. Beyond the free version available on WordPress.org, the paid version includes a 15-day free trial so you can test all PRO features before committing.
Which is cheaper long-term: SimplyBook.me or Salon Booking System?
For a single WordPress salon, Salon Booking System is typically cheaper.
Basic Branded at €89/year (approximately $97) costs less than SimplyBook.me Basic’s annual price (approximately $99/year) while including all PRO features and unlimited bookings. SimplyBook.me Basic limits you to 100 bookings monthly and 3 custom features.
Can I request custom features for Salon Booking System?
Yes. Salon Booking System offers custom development services where you can request specific features tailored to your salon’s needs. This service is accessible even for smaller operations, and beneficial custom features are often integrated into the core plugin for all users.
Can I use Salon Booking System without WordPress?
No. Salon Booking System is a WordPress plugin that requires a WordPress website and hosting. Salons without WordPress should consider SimplyBook.me or another SaaS platform that doesn’t require self-hosting.
Does SimplyBook.me integrate with WordPress?
SimplyBook.me offers widgets and embedding options for WordPress sites, but operates as a separate platform. Your booking calendar and client data live on SimplyBook.me’s servers rather than your WordPress installation.
Final Verdict: SimplyBook.me vs Salon Booking System
The choice between SimplyBook.me and Salon Booking System depends on your existing technology infrastructure, operational preferences, and the type of vendor relationship you’re seeking. Rather than claiming one is universally “the best,” the honest assessment is that each serves different needs well.
👍 SimplyBook.me is a comprehensive SaaS booking platform designed for businesses across diverse industries wanting cloud-hosted convenience.
With pricing from free to custom enterprise rates based on booking volume and features needed, it enables salons, healthcare providers, fitness studios, and professional services to accept online bookings without managing hosting or software updates.
This subscription model works best for businesses without existing WordPress websites, those wanting managed cloud hosting, operations requiring features across SimplyBook.me’s 70+ option library, and those comfortable with standardized SaaS support models.
Get started with SimplyBook.me here.
👉 Salon Booking System is a WordPress-native booking plugin built specifically for salons, spas, and beauty businesses that want full control and a genuine technology partnership.
With 10 years of market presence and annual licensing from €89-€499 including all PRO features and no booking limits, it eliminates the complexity of tracking usage tiers while providing capabilities like multiple services and assistants per booking built into the core system.
As a smaller player deliberately focused on the salon industry, Salon Booking System offers what larger platforms cannot: highly responsive support, custom development services accessible to businesses of any size, and long-term partnership relationships where your feedback can directly influence product development.
This makes it essential for WordPress salon owners wanting dashboard integration, businesses preferring annual licensing over monthly subscriptions, salons valuing personalized support and custom development options, and any salon that prioritizes data ownership, relationship-focused service, and long-term cost predictability.
Get started with Salon Booking System here.
The fundamental difference extends beyond platform philosophy. While SimplyBook.me asks “How can we serve diverse industries with flexible SaaS pricing?”, Salon Booking System asks “How can we be a genuine technology partner for WordPress salons, providing personalized service, custom development, and predictable costs?”
For salons that value that partnership approach, the choice becomes clear.
