In 2024, many businesses have gained extensive experience with various online booking and business automation solutions. However, owners notice these platforms often direct customers to their own sites or apps, promoting competitors. We reviewed the world’s five most widely used solutions: Mindbody, Vagaro, Booksy, Altegio, and Treatwell, and investigated which of them build their business on ‘cannibalizing’ customer bases.

Most services offer core functionalities for small business management

• Schedule and Appointment Management: Manage schedules, client profiles, and history with enhanced fields for segmentation and comments.
• Customer Base Management: Find lost customers, retain regulars, and manage customer data effectively.
• Notifications: Automatically send messages via WhatsApp, SMS, or email to confirm and remind appointments, and collect feedback.
• Chain Management: Manage multiple locations centrally. Only Altegio, Mindbody, and Vagaro offer this feature.
• Reports and Analytics: Get reports on customer return rates, staff appraisals, and occupancy rates.
• Loyalty Programs: Create and manage loyalty programs or memberships.

Integrations:

• Maps and Social Networks: Easy integration with Google Maps, Instagram, and Facebook for direct bookings.
• Point-of-Sale Equipment: Integrate with POS terminals for flexible payment and regulatory compliance.
• Communication Services: Email, WhatsApp, SMS, and other messengers

Altegio

• Website: https://alteg.io/ 
• Founded: 2022 
• Headquarters: Budapest, Hungary 
• Price Starts From: USD 11/month 
• Number of Clients: Over 10,000 clients in 84 countries 
• Business Model: Subscription without hidden fees

Altegio is a new solution on the market that immediately stood out from the crowd as the only booking and scheduling application that does not “cannibalize” the customer base. Although the company promotes its own mobile app to your customers, they can’t find your competitors or any other business they haven’t booked yet. This is unlike other platforms that promote their apps with unlimited offers from various, even competing businesses.

Key Features:

Altegio stands out as the only booking and scheduling app that doesn't "cannibalize" the customer base. Although it promotes its own app to your customers, they can’t find your competitors or other businesses they haven't booked yet.

Key Features:

• Fast and customizable online booking widget.
• Easy to match brand style, customers won’t know it’s third-party.
• Optimized booking interfaces for quick customer use.
• Integrated with Google Maps, Instagram, Facebook.
• Direct payment through the widget.
• Promote special offers and discounts.
• Supports multiple languages for international customers.

Aunio – Altegio’s Free Mobile App:

• Allows customers to repeat bookings in two clicks.
• Send unlimited free notifications.
• Purchase and renew memberships or gift cards.
• Configure and display cashback balances.
• Promotional stories on company cards with booking buttons.

Chain Management:

• Centralized Management: Manage all branches or service points through one platform.
• Unified Online Booking: Single link for booking across different locations.
• Centralized Customer Database: Track visit history, preferences, and manage loyalty programs.
• Consolidated Analytics and Reporting: Powerful tools for data analysis and reporting for each store and the entire network.

Customer Service:

• Proactive support from registration to full launch.
• Free training for staff.
• Multi-channel support: WhatsApp, phone, social media, email.
• Fast response time: average 3 minutes.

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Treatwell

• Website: https://www.treatwell.co.uk/
• Founded: 2008
• Headquarters: London, UK
• Price starts from: EUR 30 per month
• Number of Clients: Over 25,000 businesses in Europe
• Business Model: Up to 20% booking commission + subscription for advanced accounting functionality

Treatwell is an online marketplace for booking beauty salons and spa treatments. However, business users cited high booking commissions and the need to offer significant discounts to attract new customers.

Key Features:

• Wide range of services from hairdressing to spa treatments.
• Paid listings for increased visibility.
• Payment processing with commissions deducted.
• Reviews and ratings to help new users choose.
• Frequent promotions and discounts.

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Booksy

• Website: https://booksy.com
• Founded: 2014
• Headquarters: Warsaw, Poland
• Price starts from:  EUR 34,99 per month
• Number of Clients: No information available
• Business Model: Subscription for software + commission for bookings from the marketplace + commission on payments

Booksy promotes its app through customer bases and competing offers. It doesn't charge a commission for repeat bookings.

Key Features:

• Map search for finding nearby salons.
• Convenient booking through the app or website.
• Reviews and ratings to help customers choose.
• Variable commission depending on the region.

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Vagaro

• Website: https://www.vagaro.com
• Founded: 2009
• Headquarters: California, USA
• Price starts from: USD 30 per month
• Number of Clients: Over 50,000 businesses
• Business Model: Subscription for software + commission for bookings from the marketplace + commission on payments

Vagaro offers an appointment scheduling platform for beauty salons, fitness studios, and wellness centers. It promotes its app less intrusively.

Key Features:

• Service promotion tools to attract new customers.
• Integrated payment processing.
• Customer management tools.
• Reporting and analytics.

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Mindbody

• Website: https://www.mindbodyonline.com
• Founded: 2000
• Headquarters: California, USA
• Price starts from: USD 120 per month
• Number of Clients: Over 60,000 businesses
• Business Model: Subscription for software + commission for bookings from the marketplace + commission on payments

Mindbody focuses on the fitness and wellness industry, promoting its marketplace and ClassPass.

Key Features:

• Wide range of services from gyms to beauty salons.
• Commission varies by region and business type.
• Detailed analytics and customer management.
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Conclusion

Most services charge commissions and act as marketplaces, risking customer diversion to competitors. Only Altegio is designed to protect your customer base, ensuring your clients enjoy features without exposure to competing ads or notifications. With Altegio, maintain customer loyalty and grow your business without losing clients to competitors.

For more insights on email marketing, read the article "Top 10 Drag-and-drop Email Builders in 2024."

Additionally, explore "Top 7 no-code website builders in 2024" for an easy way to build or redesign your website.

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