Whoopa vs Booksy
Which booking platform is better for Australian salons?
Booksy is a popular booking platform for hair salons, barbers, nail technicians, and beauty businesses. It offers a marketplace where clients can discover new businesses and book directly. Whoopa takes a different approach — instead of a shared marketplace, Whoopa gives you a fully branded, private booking experience that lives under your business name. No marketplace. No shared directory. No competitor businesses appearing alongside yours.
No credit card required · Cancel any time
The core difference
The core difference — marketplace vs your own brand
Whoopa
Whoopa gives your business its own dedicated booking page — your logo, your colours, your domain. Clients book directly with you. There is no marketplace, no directory, and no competitor businesses sharing space with yours. Your booking form looks like you designed it, because you did.
Booksy
Booksy operates as a marketplace. Clients can find your business through the Booksy app — but they can also find your competitors right next to you. Your booking page exists within Booksy's ecosystem, and Booksy branding is present throughout the experience.
Side by side
Feature comparison
Feature
Whoopa
Booksy
Monthly pricing model
Flat monthly fee from $29 AUD
Subscription — varies by market
Marketplace / directory listing
No — direct booking only
Yes — Booksy marketplace
Branded booking forms
Yes — all plans
Booksy branding present
No watermarks
Yes — all plans
Booksy branding on booking pages
SMS appointment reminders
Built-in — credits apply
Available
Client self-service portal
Yes — my.whoopa.au
Yes — Booksy app
Group bookings & capacity limits
Yes
Limited
Built-in waitlist
Yes
Limited
Roster with QR check-in
Yes
No
PIN-protected attendance kiosk
Yes
No
Embed on your own website
Yes
Limited
AUD native pricing
Yes
Varies
Built for Australian businesses
Yes — ABN at signup
International platform
30-day free trial
Yes — no credit card
Trial available
Pricing
What it actually costs
Whoopa
Basic
2 staff, 3 services
$29 AUD/month
Business
5 staff, 10 services
$49 AUD/month
Pro
10 staff, unlimited bookings
$99 AUD/month
Enterprise
Unlimited everything
Custom
No commission. No per-booking fees. Ever.
Booksy
Booksy pricing varies by market and plan. Monthly subscription fees apply and additional charges may apply for certain features. Check Booksy's current Australian pricing directly for the most accurate comparison.
Your brand vs their brand
When a client books through Booksy, they are booking through the Booksy platform. The Booksy logo, colours, and interface are present throughout. When a client books through Whoopa, they are booking through your business. Your logo. Your colours. Your booking page URL. The client's relationship is entirely with you — Whoopa is invisible infrastructure.
Marketplace — advantage or risk?
Booksy's marketplace is a genuine advantage if you are a new business trying to attract first-time clients through discovery. The risk is visibility alongside competitors. When a potential client searches for a hair salon in your suburb on Booksy, your competitors appear in the same results. Whoopa does not offer a marketplace — your booking link is shared directly with your clients through your own channels. You own the client relationship entirely.
Roster & attendance — Whoopa only
Whoopa includes a built-in roster with QR code check-in, name-list kiosk, and PIN-protected kiosk mode. Booksy does not offer attendance tracking. For salons running group beauty events, workshops, or classes, this is a significant operational advantage.
An honest answer
Which is right for you?
Choose Whoopa if…
- Your brand is established and you do not need marketplace discovery
- You want a booking page that looks 100% like your business
- You want flat AUD pricing with no per-booking fees
- You run group events, workshops, or classes alongside individual appointments
- You want to embed your booking form directly into your own website
Choose Booksy if…
- You are a new salon or barbershop trying to attract first-time clients through discovery
- You want to be listed in a directory where potential clients search for nearby services
- Your client acquisition strategy relies on marketplace visibility
- You already have a strong Booksy client base and reviews built up
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does Whoopa have a marketplace like Booksy?
No. Whoopa is a direct booking platform. Clients book with you through your own branded booking page. There is no shared marketplace or directory. You own the client relationship entirely.
Can I remove Whoopa branding from my booking forms?
There is nothing to remove — Whoopa has no watermarks on any plan. Every booking form, including forms embedded on your own website, carries only your logo and your colours. No "Powered by Whoopa" branding anywhere your clients can see.
Can I switch from Booksy to Whoopa?
Yes. Whoopa supports CSV import of client data so you can migrate your existing client list.
Does Whoopa work for barbers and nail technicians?
Yes. Whoopa is used by hair salons, barbers, nail technicians, lash artists, brow artists and a wide range of beauty businesses across Australia.
Step into your client's shoes.
The best way to understand Whoopa is to book an appointment the way your clients would. This is a fully working demo booking form — try it now and feel how simple the experience is.
No signup · No account · Just a real form you can try
Initial Consultation
Dr. Sarah Mitchell · 30 min
AUD
$150
July 2026
Wed, 1 July · available times
Your brand. Your clients. Your booking page.
No credit card · No lock-in · No per-booking fees · No watermarks
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