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Beauty · head to head

Merlua vs Zolmi

Merlua logo

Merlua

Beauty

Booking software built for beauty salons

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zolmi logo

Zolmi

Beauty

Cloud salon booking and management software with two flat plans

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.; Zolmi additional staff members cost $3 to $5 each per month depending on plan, on top of the base $20 or $30 monthly fee, as of August 2026
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Merlua and Zolmi actually diverge.

Attributes where Merlua and Zolmi differ
AttributeMerluaZolmi
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, WordPressWeb

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 Zolmi

Nothing recorded that Merlua does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Merlua

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

Zolmi

  • Managing hair salons with online booking and appointment remindersnot Merlua
  • Operating nail salons with staff scheduling and client managementnot Merlua
  • Running spa and medi-spa businesses with service inventorynot Merlua
  • Managing massage therapy practices with client records and billingnot Merlua
  • Operating tattoo shops with appointment management and product trackingnot 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.

Zolmi

  • Additional staff members cost $3 to $5 each per month depending on plan, on top of the base $20 or $30 monthly fee, as of August 2026
  • Stock management, reporting and the website builder are locked to the PRO plan at $30 per month, as of August 2026

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

Zolmi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic salon management
  • START$20/month
    • Online calendar
    • Appointment reminders
    • Online booking
  • PRO$30/month
    • All START features plus
    • Business reporting
    • Stock management

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 Zolmi if

  • You want to start without paying.
Zolmi review

Questions people ask

Is Merlua or Zolmi better?
Neither clearly leads. Merlua starts at Free and Zolmi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Merlua or Zolmi?
Merlua starts at Free and Zolmi at Free.
Does Merlua or Zolmi run on more platforms?
Merlua runs on Web, iOS, Android, WordPress. Zolmi runs on Web.
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 Zolmi is typically brought in for.
What can Merlua do that Zolmi cannot?
Merlua covers Guest online booking, Services and staff, Calendar and availability, Deposits and payments.

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
Zolmi: Can I cancel Zolmi anytime or am I locked into a contract?

You can downgrade and cancel Zolmi plans at any time with no setup costs or contract required. Annual billing saves up to 30% compared to monthly.

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
Zolmi: Does Zolmi require a credit card to start the free plan?

No, Zolmi's free tier is available with no credit card required. You can upgrade to paid plans whenever you need advanced features.

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
Zolmi: How is customer support handled for Zolmi?

Zolmi offers customer support available 7 days a week. Your data is automatically backed up via Dropbox or Google Drive.

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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