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Beauty · head to head

Merlua vs StyleSeat

Merlua logo

Merlua

Beauty

Booking software built for beauty salons

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
StyleSeat logo

StyleSeat

Beauty

Book beauty appointments instantly

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; StyleSeat single tier pricing model with no lower-cost options
  • They diverge on capability: Merlua covers Guest online booking, StyleSeat covers Online booking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Merlua and StyleSeat actually diverge.

Attributes where Merlua and StyleSeat differ
AttributeMerluaStyleSeat
Pricing modelfreemiumtransaction
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, WordPressWeb, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 StyleSeat

  • Online booking
  • Professional profiles
  • Client management
  • Payment processing
  • Marketing tools
  • Reviews & ratings
  • Mobile app
  • Calendar management

What people use each for

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

Merlua

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

StyleSeat

  • Client acquisitionnot Merlua
  • Online bookingnot Merlua
  • Personal brandingnot Merlua
  • Payment collectionnot Merlua
  • Client retentionnot 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.

StyleSeat

  • Single tier pricing model with no lower-cost options
  • No published information on free trial length

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

StyleSeat

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Online booking
    • Client management
    • Professional profile
  • Pro$35/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Smart pricing
    • No-show protection

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 StyleSeat if

  • You need online booking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want professional profiles.
StyleSeat review

Questions people ask

Is Merlua or StyleSeat better?
Neither clearly leads. Merlua starts at Free and StyleSeat at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Merlua or StyleSeat?
Merlua starts at Free and StyleSeat at Free.
Does Merlua or StyleSeat run on more platforms?
Merlua runs on Web, iOS, Android, WordPress. StyleSeat runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Merlua for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 StyleSeat is typically brought in for.
What can Merlua do that StyleSeat cannot?
Merlua covers Guest online booking, Services and staff, Calendar and availability, Deposits and payments. StyleSeat covers Online booking, Professional profiles, Client management, Payment processing.

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
StyleSeat: How much does StyleSeat cost?

StyleSeat costs $35 per month flat with no hidden fees or add-ons included.

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
StyleSeat: What is included in the StyleSeat subscription?

The $35 monthly fee includes advanced booking features, marketing automation with automated reminders, a booking page, promotions, secure payment processing, and client management tools.

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
StyleSeat: Is there a free trial?

Yes, StyleSeat offers a free trial, though the specific trial duration is not published on the pricing page.

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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