makeabook.ing vs GlossGenius
GlossGenius bundles POS, payments and marketing into one platform. makeabook.ing is just the booking link. A comparison for independent beauty pros deciding how much software they actually need.
TL;DR: GlossGenius is a full booking-plus-payments-plus-marketing platform built for independent beauty professionals, and it's genuinely well regarded for that. makeabook.ing does one part of that job — the booking link — deliberately, without the rest. Which one fits depends on whether you want a platform to run your business on, or a link to stop DMing about appointments.
At a glance
| GlossGenius | makeabook.ing | |
|---|---|---|
| Core job | Booking, POS, payments and marketing in one platform | A booking link with services, prices and hours |
| Built for | Independent beauty and grooming professionals | Any solo service business |
| Payment processing / POS | Built in | Not included — service prices are shown, payments are collected separately |
| Marketing tools | Included (campaigns, rebooking prompts, etc.) | Not included |
| Pricing model | Subscription tiers, typically bundling more features at higher cost | Flat monthly fee, free up to 20 bookings/month |
| Market focus | Primarily US | Global, priced in GBP |
| Setup effort | More to configure (POS, payment processing, marketing) | List services, set hours, share link |
Where they actually differ
GlossGenius was built specifically for independent hairstylists, estheticians, nail techs and barbers, and it shows — the booking flow, the in-app payment processing, the built-in marketing campaigns are all tuned for that world. If you want one platform handling scheduling, taking card payments in the chair, and nudging clients to rebook, it's a strong, purpose-built option.
makeabook.ing takes a narrower slice of that same job. It's the booking link — services, prices, availability, one clean page to share — without the POS, without the card reader, without the marketing automation. That's not a missing feature so much as a different bet: that a lot of solo pros already have a way to take payment in person or via a separate app, and mainly need the booking-and-DM problem solved without paying for a bundle of tools they won't use.
What "bundled" actually means day to day
Choosing GlossGenius typically means choosing its card reader (or compatible hardware) for in-person payments, learning its POS flow for retail add-on sales, and setting up its marketing campaigns if you want automated rebooking nudges — all genuinely useful, all part of what you're paying for at the higher tiers. It's a real platform to run a business on, not just a booking page.
Choosing makeabook.ing means none of that comes with it. You still need a way to take payment — a card reader of your choice, cash, bank transfer — and if you want rebooking reminders, that's currently a manual message rather than an automated campaign (our booking message templates cover exactly that gap). What you get in exchange is a lighter, cheaper tool doing one job well, rather than a platform doing several jobs at a higher cost.
Pricing and market fit
GlossGenius pricing typically scales with the tier of features you want — payment processing and marketing tools usually push you toward higher subscription levels. It's also primarily built around the US market; worth checking directly whether it currently serves your country and currency.
makeabook.ing is priced in GBP, free for the first 20 bookings a month, then a flat £19/month for unlimited bookings — no tiers to compare, no feature-gating to work out.
Who GlossGenius is best for
Independent beauty and grooming professionals in the US who want one platform for booking, in-person payments and client marketing, and are happy to pay a higher subscription for that breadth. If POS and built-in payment processing are things you actually need day to day, that bundled approach can be worth it.
Who makeabook.ing is best for
Solo service pros — not limited to beauty — who want the booking link solved simply, already have a way to take payment, and don't want to pay for marketing automation or POS tooling they won't touch. Also the more straightforward fit if you're outside the US and want pricing in GBP without checking whether a US-built platform serves your market.
Switching over
There's no client database to export — set up your services and hours on makeabook.ing and start sharing the new link. If you're keeping GlossGenius (or any card reader) purely for in-person payments, that's a reasonable split: booking and pricing on makeabook.ing, payment collection however you already handle it.
FAQ
Is GlossGenius available outside the US?
Its primary market has historically been the US — worth confirming current availability directly with GlossGenius if you're based elsewhere. makeabook.ing is built for a global audience with GBP pricing.
Does makeabook.ing include payment processing like GlossGenius?
makeabook.ing shows service pricing but doesn't include an integrated card-payment or POS system the way GlossGenius does. If in-person card processing is essential to your workflow, factor that into the comparison.
Is makeabook.ing cheaper than GlossGenius?
Likely, for a solo pro who doesn't need POS or marketing tools — but compare current GlossGenius tiers directly, since bundled pricing varies by feature level. makeabook.ing's flat £19/month unlimited plan, or free for 20 bookings, is the full comparison point.
Can I use makeabook.ing alongside a card reader for in-person payments?
Yes — makeabook.ing handles the booking and the pricing shown to the client, and how you actually take payment on the day, card reader included, is entirely separate and up to you.
Does GlossGenius include marketing tools makeabook.ing doesn't have?
Yes — automated rebooking campaigns and client marketing are part of GlossGenius's bundle. On makeabook.ing, the closest equivalent today is sending a manual rebooking message — see our booking message templates for ready-to-use wording.
If you just need the booking link, not the whole platform: create your free booking link and see what's actually included.