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Beauty · head to head

Genbook vs Merlua

Genbook logo

Genbook

Beauty

Online booking and business growth for salons

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Merlua logo

Merlua

Beauty

Booking software built for beauty salons

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Merlua has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Genbook limited documentation and onboarding tutorials for new users; Merlua plan prices are not published. The pricing page renders its comparison table client side and no amounts are visible on it as of September 2026, so the cost of Standard or Premium is not knowable before signup.
  • They diverge on capability: Genbook covers Online booking, Merlua covers Guest online booking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Genbook and Merlua actually diverge.

Attributes where Genbook and Merlua differ
AttributeGenbookMerlua
Starting price$29/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb, iOS, Android, WordPress
Founded2006Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Beauty).

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 Genbook

  • Online booking
  • Review collection
  • Client management
  • Payment processing
  • Marketing campaigns
  • Reputation management
  • Calendar sync
  • Mobile apps

Only in Merlua

  • Guest online booking
  • Services and staff
  • Calendar and availability
  • Deposits and payments
  • Email and SMS reminders
  • Branded booking page
  • Staff and client apps

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Genbook

  • Getting more clientsnot Merlua
  • Managing reviewsnot Merlua
  • Online bookingnot Merlua
  • Building reputationnot Merlua

Merlua

  • Taking salon bookings without forcing client accountsnot Genbook
  • Cutting no-shows with deposits and remindersnot Genbook
  • Coordinating several staff members' availabilitynot Genbook
  • Running a branded booking page from an existing websitenot Genbook
  • Giving staff their schedule and earnings on their phonenot Genbook

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Genbook

  • Limited documentation and onboarding tutorials for new users
  • Customer support responsiveness can be slow or unreliable
  • Limited flexibility in rebooking timeframes and appointment management
  • Competitors offer additional features like HIPAA-compliant SOAP notes at lower prices

Merlua

  • Plan prices are not published. The pricing page renders its comparison table client side and no amounts are visible on it as of September 2026, so the cost of Standard or Premium is not knowable before signup.
  • Stripe is the only payment processor named, so a salon banking elsewhere has no alternative route.
  • Built for beauty specifically. A clinic, a gym or a barber chain wanting inventory, POS or memberships will find those absent.
  • The integration list is short next to established salon platforms: Stripe, WordPress and SMS, with no accounting, marketing or POS connections listed.
  • A new vendor with no independent review coverage, so the reliability claims rest on the vendor's own material.

Pricing, plan by plan

Genbook

$29/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Genbook review.

Merlua

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Core scheduling with no time limit
    • Basic booking management
  • Standard and Premium$undefined/month
    • 14-day full-feature trial, no card required
    • No Merlua booking transaction fees
    • Monthly or annual billing, switchable at any time

Which should you pick?

Choose Genbook if

  • You need online booking.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want review collection.
Genbook review

Choose Merlua if

  • You need guest online booking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, WordPress.
  • You also want services and staff.
Merlua review

Questions people ask

Is Genbook or Merlua better?
Neither clearly leads. Genbook starts at $29/month and Merlua at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Genbook or Merlua?
Merlua has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $29/month for Genbook and Free for Merlua.
Does Genbook or Merlua run on more platforms?
Genbook runs on Web, Mobile. Merlua runs on Web, iOS, Android, WordPress.
Can I use Merlua for free?
Yes. Merlua has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Genbook starts at $29/month.
What is Genbook best used for?
Genbook is most often used for getting more clients, managing reviews, online booking, building reputation. Of those, getting more clients and managing reviews are not what Merlua is typically brought in for.
What can Genbook do that Merlua cannot?
Genbook covers Online booking, Review collection, Client management, Payment processing. Merlua covers Guest online booking, Services and staff, Calendar and availability, Deposits and payments.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Genbook: What does Genbook cost?

Genbook starts at $29 per month with different tiers available for businesses with varying needs.

Source
Merlua: Is there a free plan?

Yes. Merlua states it offers "a robust free tier with core scheduling capabilities so you can manage basic bookings without a time limit", separate from the paid trial.

Source
Genbook: What support options are available?

Genbook offers email/help desk, FAQ/forum, knowledge base, phone support, 24/7 live representative, and chat support.

Source
Merlua: How does the free trial work?

Fourteen days of full access to all premium features with no credit card required upfront. At the end you either pick a plan or continue on the free tier.

Source
Merlua: Does Merlua charge booking transaction fees?

No hidden booking transaction fees on the Standard or premium tiers. Standard payment processing fees from your gateway, such as Stripe, still apply.

Source
Merlua: Do clients need an account to book?

No. Clients complete bookings as guests without creating a password or a permanent account.

Source
Merlua: What happens if I cancel?

Premium features stay active until the end of the current billing period, and plans can be upgraded, downgraded or switched between monthly and annual at any time from billing settings.

Source
Merlua: What can I install it on?

A web dashboard, mobile apps for staff and clients, a WordPress plugin, and an embeddable booking widget for any site.

Source
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