Software · head to head
Kitomba vs Shortcuts
The short version
- Only Shortcuts has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Kitomba no plan price is published; pricing depends on package, features and staff count and is only given after a demo and a discovery call with a Kitomba consultant; Shortcuts shortcuts (salon and spa management software) is sold via phone inquiry rather than published pricing, and its own marketing frames it as the only solution built for chain or franchise businesses specifically rather than for independent single-location salons (archived homepage, 14 September 2012)
- They diverge on capability: Kitomba covers Appointment booking, Shortcuts covers Online booking platform.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kitomba and Shortcuts actually diverge.
Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Kitomba
- Appointment booking
- Point of sale
- Stock management
- Client management
- Marketing tools
- Business analytics
- Mobile apps
- Online booking
Only in Shortcuts
- Online booking platform
- Business profile
- Appointment management
- Payment processing
- Mobile app
- Analytics dashboard
- Reviews management
Both cover
- PCI DSS
- SSL encryption
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
- English language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kitomba
- Salon and spa appointment booking with staff rosteringnot Shortcuts
- Salon point of sale and stock managementnot Shortcuts
- Client marketing and reporting for hair and beauty businessesnot Shortcuts
Shortcuts
- Client acquisitionnot Kitomba
- Multi-vendor bookingnot Kitomba
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Kitomba
- No plan price is published; pricing depends on package, features and staff count and is only given after a demo and a discovery call with a Kitomba consultant
- Advertised per user pricing is based on 3 staff, so the quoted figure does not apply at other headcounts
- Xero, Mailchimp, REACH.ai, Salon Pay and Vish integrations all carry separate charges outside the software fee
- Data migration and live education carry additional charges
- Kitomba Pay EFTPOS terminal rental is available in Australia only
Shortcuts
- Shortcuts (salon and spa management software) is sold via phone inquiry rather than published pricing, and its own marketing frames it as the only solution built for chain or franchise businesses specifically rather than for independent single-location salons (archived homepage, 14 September 2012)
Pricing, plan by plan
Kitomba
79/month- Starter$79/month
- Appointment booking
- Client management
- Basic reporting
- Business$149/month
- All Starter features
- POS system
- Stock management
Shortcuts
Free- FreeFree
- Online booking
- Business profile
- 20% commission
- Premium$99/month
- Everything in Free
- 10% commission
- Advanced analytics
Which should you pick?
Choose Kitomba if
- You need appointment booking.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want point of sale.
Choose Shortcuts if
- You need online booking platform.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want business profile.
Questions people ask
- Is Kitomba or Shortcuts better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kitomba starts at 79/month and Shortcuts at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Kitomba or Shortcuts?
- Shortcuts has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at 79/month for Kitomba and Free for Shortcuts.
- Does Kitomba or Shortcuts run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Shortcuts for free?
- Yes. Shortcuts has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Kitomba starts at 79/month.
- What is Kitomba best used for?
- Kitomba is most often used for salon and spa appointment booking with staff rostering, salon point of sale and stock management, client marketing and reporting for hair and beauty businesses. Of those, salon and spa appointment booking with staff rostering and salon point of sale and stock management are not what Shortcuts is typically brought in for.
- What can Kitomba do that Shortcuts cannot?
- Kitomba covers Appointment booking, Point of sale, Stock management, Client management. Shortcuts covers Online booking platform, Business profile, Appointment management, Payment processing. Both handle PCI DSS, SSL encryption, Cloud deployment, Web support.
Related pages
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- Shortcuts vs StyleSeat
- Shortcuts vs Treatwell
- Shortcuts vs Belliata
- Shortcuts vs Bookeo
- Shortcuts vs DaySmart Salon
- Shortcuts vs Envision
- Shortcuts vs Goldie
- Shortcuts vs Insight Salon Software
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- Shortcuts vs Meevo
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