Mindbody and Vagaro represent opposite ends of the studio software spectrum: Mindbody is the premium, full-featured powerhouse; Vagaro is the affordable, comprehensive workhorse. This comparison helps you decide which makes more sense for your budget and needs.
Price Comparison
The cost difference between Mindbody and Vagaro is dramatic:
| Metric | Mindbody (Accelerate) | Vagaro (5 staff) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | $279 | $70 |
| Processing rate | 2.75% | 2.75% |
| Processing on $10K | $275 | $275 |
| Total monthly | ~$554 | ~$345 |
| Annual total | ~$6,648 | ~$4,140 |
| Annual savings | — | $2,508 |
For a smaller studio on Mindbody Starter ($139/mo) vs. Vagaro (2 staff, $40/mo):
- Annual difference: ~$1,188
Over 3 years, a mid-size studio saves $7,500+ by choosing Vagaro over Mindbody.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mindbody | Vagaro |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Payment processing | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Marketing | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Reporting | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Consumer marketplace | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Staff management | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Payroll | No (separate) | Built-in |
| Branded app | Yes ($499+ plan) | Add-on |
| Forms/waivers | Add-on | Built-in |
| POS system | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| API access | Yes (Ultimate+) | Limited |
| Multi-location | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
Where Mindbody Wins
- Marketplace reach — 3.5M+ consumers vs. Vagaro’s smaller marketplace
- Reporting depth — 100+ reports with custom builder
- Multi-location management — Enterprise-grade centralized control
- Brand recognition — Members know and trust the Mindbody name
- API and integrations — More extensive third-party ecosystem
Where Vagaro Wins
- Price — $70/month vs. $279/month for a 5-person studio
- Built-in payroll — Saves $50-100/month on separate payroll
- All features included — No tier-based feature gating
- Forms and waivers — Included at no extra cost
- No contracts — Month-to-month billing flexibility
- 30-day free trial — vs. Mindbody’s no-trial approach
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: New Yoga Studio (1 instructor, 30 members)
- Mindbody Starter: $139/mo + processing ≈ $180/mo
- Vagaro: $30/mo + processing ≈ $70/mo
- Winner: Vagaro — saves $1,320/year with comparable features
Scenario 2: Growing Gym (8 instructors, 200 members)
- Mindbody Accelerate: $279/mo + processing ≈ $629/mo
- Vagaro: $100/mo + processing ≈ $450/mo
- Winner: Vagaro — saves $2,148/year. But if marketplace discovery brings 20+ members/year, Mindbody’s ROI may justify the premium.
Scenario 3: Multi-Location Chain (3 locations, 15 instructors)
- Mindbody Ultimate: ~$499/mo per location ≈ $1,500+/mo
- Vagaro: ~$200/mo per location ≈ $600/mo
- Winner: Mindbody — multi-location management is significantly better. But cost-conscious chains should evaluate Vagaro first.
Who Should Choose Mindbody?
- Studios in competitive urban markets where marketplace drives significant new business
- Multi-location businesses needing enterprise management
- Studios with 200+ members that can absorb premium pricing
- Businesses needing extensive custom reporting
Who Should Choose Vagaro?
- Budget-conscious studios of any size
- Studios that need built-in payroll
- New studios watching every dollar
- Single-location businesses with 1-10 staff
- Studios that don’t rely on marketplace for discovery
Our Recommendation
For 80% of studios, Vagaro provides better overall value. The money saved ($2,000-5,000/year) can be reinvested in marketing, equipment, or instructor compensation.
Choose Mindbody only if the marketplace consistently drives enough new members to justify the premium, or if you need enterprise multi-location management that Vagaro can’t match.