Mindbody vs Vagaro
Which yoga studio management software is right for your studio?
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Quick Summary
Mindbody and Vagaro are both popular with fitness and wellness studios, but they serve very different market segments. Mindbody targets mid-to-large studios and franchises. Vagaro's sweet spot is solo practitioners and small studios who want solid functionality without enterprise-level pricing. Here's how to choose.
At a Glance
| Mindbody | Vagaro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $179–$599+/month | $30–$85/month |
| Founded | 2001 | 2009 |
| Businesses Served | 50,000+ | 60,000+ |
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mindbody | Vagaro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (monthly) | $179/mo | $30/mo | Vagaro |
| Per-Location Pricing | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Mindbody Marketplace | Mindbody | ||
| Vagaro Marketplace | Vagaro | ||
| Class Scheduling | Tie | ||
| Membership Management | Tie | ||
| Online Booking | Tie | ||
| Branded Client App | Add-on ($) | Add-on ($) | Tie |
| Email Marketing | Tie | ||
| Payroll Management | Vagaro | ||
| Ease of Setup | Complex | Easy | Vagaro |
| Free Trial | No | Yes (30 days) | Vagaro |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Mindbody if...
- Your studio has 3+ instructors and complex scheduling requirements
- You want exposure through the Mindbody Marketplace
- You need enterprise-level reporting and multi-location management
- You're in a market where Mindbody is the default and clients expect it
Choose Vagaro if...
- You're a solo instructor or have under 3 staff
- Budget is a top priority — Vagaro can save $1,200–$1,800/year vs Mindbody Starter
- You want an all-in-one that includes payroll management
- You want to test the platform before committing (30-day free trial)
- You run a salon or spa alongside your yoga studio
Vagaro wins for solo instructors and small studios with under 3 staff. Its pricing is dramatically lower and its feature set handles 90% of what a growing yoga studio needs. Mindbody makes sense when you have multiple instructors, complex scheduling needs, and want exposure through the Mindbody Marketplace. Don't pay Mindbody prices until you genuinely need Mindbody's scale.
Our Top Pick: WellnessLiving
For most yoga studios, WellnessLiving delivers Mindbody-level features at 40–60% of the cost. Includes branded client app, automated marketing, livestream classes, and best-in-class Mindbody migration support.
Get WellnessLiving Free Demo →Frequently Asked Questions
Can Vagaro handle a yoga studio's class scheduling needs?
Yes. Vagaro handles class scheduling, recurring memberships, class packs, waitlists, automated reminders, and online booking. It lacks some of Mindbody's advanced automation features but covers everything a studio with under 10 instructors needs. The interface is also considerably easier to learn than Mindbody.
Does Vagaro have a client marketplace like Mindbody?
Vagaro has its own marketplace (vagaro.com) where clients can discover and book local services. It's primarily used by salon and spa clients, so yoga-specific discovery is less robust than Mindbody's. However, Vagaro's social media booking integration and Google Reserve support can compensate for marketplace gaps.
Which is easier to set up — Mindbody or Vagaro?
Vagaro is significantly easier to set up. Most solo instructors are fully operational within a day or two. Mindbody's setup is more complex and often requires scheduling an onboarding call with their team. If you're not tech-savvy and want to be up and running fast, Vagaro is the clear choice.