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Beauty · head to head

Merlua vs Shortcuts Software

Merlua logo

Merlua

Beauty

Booking software built for beauty salons

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shortcuts Software logo

Shortcuts Software

Beauty

Salon & spa business success

From
$89/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Merlua has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Shortcuts Software pricing not published online
  • They diverge on capability: Merlua covers Guest online booking, Shortcuts Software covers Appointment booking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Merlua and Shortcuts Software actually diverge.

Attributes where Merlua and Shortcuts Software differ
AttributeMerluaShortcuts Software
Starting priceFree$89/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, WordPressWeb, Windows, Ios, Android, Api
FoundedUnknown1990

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 Merlua

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

Only in Shortcuts Software

  • Appointment booking
  • Client management
  • Point of sale
  • Inventory management
  • Marketing automation
  • Staff rostering
  • Loyalty programs
  • Business analytics

What people use each for

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

Merlua

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

Shortcuts Software

  • Salon operationsnot Merlua
  • Inventory controlnot Merlua
  • Client loyaltynot Merlua
  • Marketing campaignsnot Merlua
  • Business intelligencenot Merlua

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Shortcuts Software

  • Pricing not published online
  • Regional variation in pricing and features
  • Requires demo or sales contact to obtain pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Shortcuts Software

$89/month
  • Essential$89/month
    • Appointment booking
    • Client management
    • Basic POS
  • Professional$159/month
    • Everything in Essential
    • Online booking
    • Marketing tools
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Professional
    • Multi-location
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Shortcuts Software if

  • You need appointment booking.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want client management.
Shortcuts Software review

Questions people ask

Is Merlua or Shortcuts Software better?
Neither clearly leads. Merlua starts at Free and Shortcuts Software at $89/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Merlua or Shortcuts Software?
Merlua has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Merlua and $89/month for Shortcuts Software.
Does Merlua or Shortcuts Software run on more platforms?
Merlua runs on Web, iOS, Android, WordPress. Shortcuts Software runs on Web, Windows, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use Merlua for free?
Yes. Merlua has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Shortcuts Software starts at $89/month.
What is Merlua best used for?
Merlua is most often used for taking salon bookings without forcing client accounts, cutting no-shows with deposits and reminders, coordinating several staff members' availability, running a branded booking page from an existing website. Of those, taking salon bookings without forcing client accounts and cutting no-shows with deposits and reminders are not what Shortcuts Software is typically brought in for.
What can Merlua do that Shortcuts Software cannot?
Merlua covers Guest online booking, Services and staff, Calendar and availability, Deposits and payments. Shortcuts Software covers Appointment booking, Client management, Point of sale, Inventory management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Shortcuts Software: How much does Shortcuts software cost?

Shortcuts does not publish pricing online. To obtain pricing information, you must contact their regional sales teams: Australia & New Zealand (1300 667 374), USA & Canada (888 246 8408), or UK (0161 972 4900), or book a demo.

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
Shortcuts Software: Does Shortcuts offer different pricing for Fusion vs Aire products?

Shortcuts offers two product tiers: Shortcuts Fusion for full-featured salon management and Shortcuts Aire for solo operators and small businesses. Pricing varies by region and product tier but is only available by contacting sales.

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
Shortcuts Software: Is there a trial or demo available for Shortcuts?

Yes, Shortcuts offers demos that can be booked through their website. The demo is the primary way to discuss pricing, features, and which product tier fits your business needs.

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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