Booking Software Review and Comparison 2024

“What is the best booking software for massage?”

This question, which we first tackled in 2015 and been updating regularly ever since, remains crucial for massage and wellness professionals.

An easy and efficient booking calendar is vital for your clients who book online, and it is also the backbone of organising your time and services.

As a business coach and mentor with 24 years of experience in the massage industry, I (Elicia) have guided 100s of massage therapists through growth and success. And I remember the early days of treating only a handful of clients with gaps between appointments, and the anxiety of seeing a sparse schedule for the upcoming week!

While smaller numbers are easy enough to handle manually... it doesn't take long before you're too busy to spend time organising and communicating all of that the long way.

That's when booking software comes in!

I have used booking software myself since 2003. The Chiropractic clinic and day spa I was working at both had their own systems, but in my practice I used some pre-purchased salon software... this was before "the cloud" so everything was stored on my reception computer, which worked fine until the appointment disaster of 2012 where we lost all our appointments 😳

So I moved to Power Diary - YAY - which at the time was one of only a handful of online options that did everything I needed.

Fast forward to NOW and there are dozens of really good options, all having their own features and benefits, and the challenge can be knowing which one is the BEST to choose!

So I've researched and reviewed all the ones I could lay my hands on - after polling and reading in the groups I manage...

I've listed the TOP 5 massage booking software options below AND added a comparison table which shows all 19 of my top picks and lays out the features and benefits of each.

Why Booking Software is Essential

Booking software is a critical component of business for massage, bodyworkers and other service-based health professionals. It manages your appointments, reduces admin time, and cuts down errors.

Some of the most popular also have more sophisticated features and handle other parts of practice management like confidential client records, staffing and payment processing.

1. Efficiency and Time Management

Online booking software lets clients book themselves into your services, and makes it easier for you or your team to handle manual bookings. It also automates all the rescheduling, reminders, and confirmations. This reduces no-shows and is a massive time saver.

2. Better Client Experience

Modern booking platforms often include client portals where clients can book, reschedule, and cancel appointments on their own. This added flexibility improves client satisfaction and can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business.

3. Data Management and Insights

Most current booking software can show analytics and report on things like appointment volume, revenue, cancellations, and client retention. These insights help you make more strategic decisions as you grow.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

As your practice expands, your software should adapt to your growing needs. Many booking systems offer additional features like team members, multiple locations, or new service offerings – without needing a complete overhaul.

What can you do with online booking software?

Having an app or software to help with bookings and practice management is actually one of the simplest ways for massage therapists to get more freedom in our business and lives.

The great thing about it is that it can often grow with you, and if it doesn't you can change! While no one should jump around between platforms willy nilly – the better ones will allow you download your information and move to another platform if you choose to.

So there are different reasons that people choose software, and these change at different stages of your business. If you are just starting out then you might be very budget conscious and not need so many features. Whereas if you have a bigger clinic or more complex needs, you might want a more robust and sophisticated software to match that.

There really is no one size fits all. Which is why this question will continue to be controversial in every Facebook group. Forever.

The Founders

Why do people create booking software? There are really only two types of people who set out to do this (both are truly crazy - I asked them!)

Maybe they are a software developer who knows a therapist who can't find something to meet their needs - so the developer builds something more perfect.

OR

Maybe they are a Massage Therapist (or Myotherapist, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor etc) and for the same reason – they see a gap and want to create something for themselves that others can use too (usually these people partner with someone amazing who is way techier than they are).

I'm lucky enough to have interviewed a number of Founders of booking software for Season 5 of our podcast, and I literally asked them WHY they started their company. At the time of writing this, those episodes are still upcoming - but as they are released we will to link them in this post so that you hear the story and heart beat behind the software you all love so much (people get VERY passionate about the software they choose and love).

Top 5 Booking Software Options for Massage Therapists

Based on my research and comparison, here are my top five picks for booking software in the massage industry right now, in no particular order: Power Diary, Cliniko, Timely, My Appointments and Clinicsense. There's a full comparison table with 19 options further down below.

1. Power Diary

Pros of Power Diary

Power Diary has comprehensive practice management features – including client records, appointment scheduling, and payment integration. It offers customisable templates for reminders and confirmations, which can enhance client communication. The system’s user-friendly interface and robust reporting tools make it ideal for managing a growing practice.

Cons or Power Diary

While Power Diary offers a comprehensive set of features, this can make it overwhelming for new users. Also, some users may find its pricing to be on the higher side compared to more basic systems. The learning curve for navigating all the available features might be steep.

2. Cliniko

Pros of Cliniko

Cliniko stands out for its intuitive design and powerful features. It offers appointment scheduling, client management, and integrated payments all in one platform. Cliniko’s customizability allows you to tailor the system to your specific needs, and its extensive reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into your practice’s performance. It is a very popular system for practices with multiple team members.

Cons of Cliniko

Cliniko’s customization options can be complicated, which might be a challenge for those who want a simpler approach. Some users have reported that Cliniko’s customer support could be more responsive, and the system is on the pricier side for solo therapists or smaller practices.

3. Timely

Pros of Timely

Timely has a visually appealing and user-friendly interface. It connects well with other tools and platforms, making it a good option for businesses who are using other software for other parts of their practice. Timely’s smart scheduling features and time-tracking capabilities are modern and clever.

Cons of Timely

Timely’s interface is visually appealing but may not be as intuitive for all users. Some people have reported occasional glitches and limitations in the integration with other systems. Aldo, Timely’s pricing model may not be ideal for smaller practices or those with tight budgets.

4. My Appointments

Pros of My Appointments

My Appointments is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It provides a simple way to do scheduling and client management – without a bunch of overwhelming features. This is perfect for smaller practices or those new to practice management software. Its cost-effective solution offers essential tools without unnecessary complexity.

Cons of My Appointments

The simplicity of My Appointments makes it easy to use, but it may lack advanced features that larger practices require. And it has limited customisation options right now which might not suit if you are looking for more robust practice management tools.

5. ClinicSense

Pros of ClinicSense

ClinicSense has lots of features including easy online booking, automated reminders, and a customisable client portal. It has some helpful marketing tools built in, and also offers integrated payment processing, client records, and reporting. The interface is user-friendly and there is a mobile app to help you manage your practice on the go.

Cons of ClinicSense

This software is targeted to USA/CAN because SMS is not available in Australia. Also, like many of the other providers I've reviewed here, ClinicSense's many features can mean a steep learning curve for new users. Advanced features can require additional setup time and t he pricing may also be higher, so if you're on a tight budget then check what you need to have included.

Comparative Table:

I found 19 different software options that are currently being used by therapists in my membership or in the Massage Business Support Network on Facebook questions.

I couldn't review ALL of those in depth, but I did want to make it WASY to compare the features so you can see which one will suit YOU then best!

Things therapists care about include: do they sync with google calendar, can you turn off online bookings, do they include a website, do they take payment, and can they handle a waitlist or sell gift cards easily.

So I've made this for you - click the link to access it as a spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UYqEesRkR-6firzv9_YXdDwJ3OxYCLnXK170CxOnQXc/edit?usp=sharing

(It's ok - you don't need a Google account - you should be able to click the link and see the table)

Here is what it it looks like - click the image to see a larger version.

Disclaimer - the boring stuff that we have to put here

The information provided in this blog post is based on the latest data available at the time of writing.

However, features and functionalities of booking software can change frequently as updates and new versions are released. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date comparisons, we cannot guarantee that the details will remain current or complete over time. For the most accurate and comprehensive information, including any recent updates or changes, we recommend scheduling a trial or demo of the software before making a final decision. Always verify features and pricing directly with the software provider to ensure it meets your specific needs.

About Us

Here at The Health Leader Co. we are passionate about improving the career longevity and joy of massage and bodywork professionals. We understand that many practitioners face burnout – whether from their body, mind, or finances – and our mission is to make a difference by delivering pioneering hands-on training and industry-specific business coaching. So you can truly love your practice!