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Boulevard and Mindbody have become go-to platforms for salons, spas, and wellness businesses looking to streamline their day-to-day operations. While both offer appointment scheduling, client management, and marketing tools, their overall approach—and how those features are delivered—can feel worlds apart. Boulevard positions itself as a modern, user-first solution built specifically for the beauty industry, while Mindbody has a broader wellness focus with deep roots in fitness and yoga studios.
For business owners, that difference matters. The right platform can make client check-ins smoother, boost retention, and reduce time spent on backend tasks. But with different pricing models, interfaces, and support experiences, picking between Boulevard and Mindbody isn’t always straightforward.
In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between Boulevard and Mindbody to help you decide which one is the better fit for your business.
Boulevard and GlossGenius are two prominent platforms in the salon management software space, each catering to different segments of the beauty and wellness industry.
Boulevard has established itself as a robust, all-encompassing solution designed for growth-oriented salons and spas. As a testament to its rapid expansion and market acceptance, Boulevard was ranked No. 163 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America in 2024. The platform has impressive stats to back up its claims:
Boulevard serves as a comprehensive client experience platform with features that streamline operations and enhance customer interactions. It's built for multi-location salons, spas, and recently, medical spas, showing its adaptability across various beauty and wellness segments.
GlossGenius has carved out its niche as an all-in-one platform that prioritizes simplicity and user experience. This approach makes it particularly appealing to independent beauty pros and small salons. While specific user numbers weren't available in the research, GlossGenius has gained a reputation for its:
GlossGenius makes salon management accessible and straightforward, especially for those who aren't tech wizards or don't need complex features.
Though both platforms serve the beauty and wellness industry, they differ significantly in business size focus, feature depth, scalability, integration capabilities, and pricing structure.
Let's look at how Boulevard vs GlossGenius stack up against each other feature-wise. Think of this as comparing a Swiss Army knife to a specialized tool set—both useful, but designed for different purposes.
Both platforms cover the basics for running a salon or spa:
Boulevard offers a comprehensive suite of advanced features:
Boulevard's integrated payment solution is seamlessly built into the software, providing a unified experience for both businesses and clients.
Additionally, Boulevard's highly customizable calendar system taps into AI-powered calendar management to streamline scheduling processes and reduce manual workload. For businesses looking to automate meeting scheduling, Boulevard enhances efficiency with advanced features comparable to tools like Calendly, allowing businesses to improve client experience.
Boulevard takes the lead with integrations. The platform connects with over a dozen essential business applications, including QuickBooks for accounting, Instagram for social media marketing, and Shopify for e-commerce. For instance, if you wish to integrate HubSpot with your calendar, Boulevard's robust integration capabilities can facilitate that connection.
GlossGenius takes a "less is more" approach with user-friendly essentials:
GlossGenius is known for its stylish card readers that support tap, insert, and swipe payments, enhancing the client checkout experience.
For on-the-go professionals, mobile access is crucial. GlossGenius shines here with a 4.7 rating on the Apple App Store. Users consistently praise the app's performance and reliability.
In contrast, Boulevard's mobile app has some catching up to do. Reviews indicate that the app can be buggy and has received lower ratings on both iOS and Android platforms.
GlossGenius, while powerful in its core offerings, has more limited integration capabilities. Some users have expressed frustration over the lack of integrations with platforms like Wix, Instagram, or Facebook.
Money talks, and when choosing between Boulevard vs GlossGenius, you need to know what you're paying for.
Boulevard operates on a tiered pricing model, with base packages ranging from $176 to $195 per month, and higher tiers reaching up to $455 per month before any add-ons. Think of Boulevard as premium software for established businesses with specific management needs.
In contrast, GlossGenius offers a more accessible entry point, with plans starting at $24 per month for the Standard Plan and $48 per month for the Gold Plan. This makes GlossGenius particularly appealing to independent beauty professionals and smaller salons.
Beyond the base subscription fees, consider these additional costs:
The impact of pricing varies significantly based on business size and transaction volume. For a small salon processing $45,000 monthly:
That's a difference of $282 per month or nearly $3,400 annually—real money for small businesses.
For larger operations needing advanced features, Boulevard's higher cost might make sense. Its intelligent POS system, customizable calendar, detailed client data management, and extensive third-party integrations can deliver substantial value for growing businesses.
Boulevard's contract terms typically require a 12-month commitment, with free trials being rare. That's a big commitment if you're not sure it's the right fit.
When weighing Boulevard vs GlossGenius, consider your current business size, growth plans, transaction volume, feature needs, budget, and potential ROI from advanced features in terms of client retention and operational efficiency.
The software you choose needs to work for you, not against you. This is where user experience matters.
User feedback reveals what people actually think about using these platforms:
For Boulevard, users often comment that the interface is "more intuitive than others and easier on the eyes". Many find it "user friendly and easy to learn and teach to others" with "a nice visual layout" that is reliable. Clients seem to love it too, with one user noting, "My clients LOVE using it and there's nothing better than those to serve being the ones who ENJOY the experience from booking to checking them out."
GlossGenius, while praised for its beautiful design and simplicity, faces some challenges. Users report that it can be "very hard to ring up retail" and that the "flow/UX needs work." Some also mention that it's "hard for clients to find without a referral link."
The mobile experience creates a clear dividing line between the two. GlossGenius excels with its highly-rated mobile app allowing professionals to run their salon business from anywhere. Boulevard's mobile app hasn't quite reached the same level, with reviews indicating that the app can be buggy and lower ratings on both iOS and Android platforms.
These differences reflect the platforms' distinct target markets. GlossGenius delivers a streamlined, pretty experience that works well for independent professionals and small salons. Boulevard offers a feature-rich environment designed for larger operations and complex workflows, even if it means a steeper initial learning curve.
Even the best software sometimes needs a helping hand. Here's how Boulevard vs GlossGenius support their users.
Boulevard provides a well-designed and easily-searchable help center that many users find valuable for self-service support. Their comprehensive knowledge base helps salon owners quickly find answers and troubleshoot issues independently. This works well for larger salons or those with tech-savvy staff who prefer solving problems on their own.
When direct help is needed, Boulevard's support team offers a personal touch. One user described the experience as having "a feel like you are asking a friend to help you", highlighting their approachable and patient support staff.
GlossGenius has built its reputation on highly personalized customer support. Users frequently mention receiving quick responses and appreciate how accessible their support team is. This fits perfectly with GlossGenius's focus on simplicity and user experience, making it appealing to independent beauty professionals and small salons who might need more hands-on help.
For training and onboarding, the approaches differ. Boulevard typically requires a more comprehensive onboarding process due to its feature-rich nature. They provide detailed training materials to help users navigate the platform's extensive capabilities.
GlossGenius, with its focus on simplicity, offers a faster onboarding process designed to get users up and running quickly. This can be a huge advantage for busy salon owners or independent stylists who need to start using the software right away.
It's worth noting that Boulevard's contract terms typically require a 12-month commitment, with free trials being rare. This long-term commitment might be a dealbreaker if you prefer to thoroughly test a platform before committing. GlossGenius often offers more flexible terms, which appeals to smaller businesses or those just starting out.
Not all salons are created equal, and neither are salon software solutions. Let's look at which business types match best with each platform.
Boulevard works best for:
Boulevard processes over $2 billion in payments yearly and facilitates more than 1 million appointments monthly, showing it can handle high-volume operations. Its comprehensive suite of features makes it excellent for salons looking to optimize operations and drive growth.
GlossGenius shines for:
GlossGenius's user-friendly interface and streamlined features make it attractive for smaller operations. Its competitive pricing structure, starting at just $24 per month for the Standard Plan, appeals to independent professionals and small salons looking for an affordable yet effective solution.
Environment Type Boulevard Excels GlossGenius Excels Multi-location/multi-employee salons Yes No Solo stylists/independent practitioners Limited Yes Businesses prioritizing brand experience Yes Basic Need for advanced analytics and reporting Yes Basic only Fast, low-effort setup No Yes Embedded marketing and communications tools Advanced (customizable) Essentials only Automated memberships and revenue tracking Yes Limited/no Budget-conscious startups Higher investment More budget-friendly
When deciding between Boulevard vs GlossGenius, consider your business size and complexity, growth plans, technical comfort, integration requirements, and budget.
The salon software landscape keeps evolving, and both Boulevard and GlossGenius are adapting to stay competitive.
Boulevard is showing serious momentum, ranking No. 163 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America as of 2024. Their numbers are impressive: processing over $2 billion in payments yearly and facilitating more than 1 million appointments monthly across various self-care businesses.
Boulevard's future focus appears concentrated on:
Boulevard positions itself as a comprehensive solution for growth-oriented salons and spas. The platform's focus on being "utilitarian" despite "marketing so luxurious" balances practical functionality with premium features.
For GlossGenius, while specific future plans weren't detailed in the research, their market position suggests continued focus on serving independent beauty professionals and small salons. Their strength lies in providing a user-friendly, affordable solution with essential features for day-to-day operations.
These contrasting approaches reflect the diverse needs within the salon industry:
As the personal care services industry is projected to grow significantly faster than the average for the total economy, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both platforms are well-positioned to capture different segments of this expanding market.
Your salon's unique needs should guide your software choice. Boulevard works best for larger, growth-focused businesses that need comprehensive features and extensive customization. Its advanced tools for client management, marketing, and analytics suit salons and spas looking to scale operations and enhance client experiences.
GlossGenius works beautifully for independent professionals and small salons that value simplicity and affordability. Its user-friendly interface and streamlined features provide essential functionality without unnecessary complexity.
As you decide between Boulevard vs GlossGenius, consider:
The right software choice can dramatically improve your business efficiency, client satisfaction, and growth potential. Try demos or free trials when possible to experience each platform firsthand. By matching your choice to your salon's specific needs and goals, you'll set yourself up for success in the competitive beauty industry.
Boulevard and GlossGenius serve different needs in the salon world. Boulevard is built for established or growing salons that need advanced features, detailed analytics, and strong integrations—especially useful for multi-location businesses. GlossGenius, on the other hand, is ideal for independent stylists and small salons looking for a simple, user-friendly platform that covers the essentials without a steep learning curve.
Your choice depends on what matters most: robust capabilities and scalability, or ease of use and affordability. The best software isn't always the most expensive—it's the one that supports your workflow today and your growth tomorrow.
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