Choosing the right booking software can transform your tattoo business. This guide compares the leading options to help you make an informed decision.
What Makes Tattoo Booking Software Different?
Generic booking tools (Calendly, Acuity) work for basic scheduling but miss critical tattoo-specific features:
- Deposit collection: Essential for reducing no-shows
- Consent forms: Legal requirement for every tattoo
- Reference image upload: Clients share inspiration at booking
- Multi-hour appointments: Tattoo sessions aren’t 30-minute blocks
- Artist-specific booking: Each artist has different availability
Top Tattoo Booking Software Options
MyTattoo.Software
Best for: Studios wanting an all-in-one solution
Key Features:
- Online booking with deposit collection
- Digital consent forms
- Client management with reference image storage
- SMS and email reminders
- Multi-artist support
Pricing: Flat monthly fee, no per-booking charges
Pros:
- Built specifically for tattoo studios
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Responsive customer support
- Regular feature updates
Cons:
- Newer platform (less name recognition)
Square Appointments
Best for: Studios already using Square for payments
Key Features:
- Free basic tier available
- Integrated payment processing
- Calendar management
- Basic client records
Pricing: Free tier available; Plus tier ~$30/month per location
Pros:
- Free option for solo artists
- Strong payment integration
- Established platform
Cons:
- Not tattoo-specific
- No built-in consent forms
- Limited reference image handling
- Per-location pricing can add up
Vagaro
Best for: Large studios wanting comprehensive features
Key Features:
- Booking and scheduling
- Marketing tools
- Inventory management
- Payroll features
Pricing: Starts ~$30/month, scales with features and users
Pros:
- Comprehensive feature set
- Good for larger operations
- Strong reporting
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming
- Not tattoo-specific
- Higher learning curve
Booksy
Best for: Studios wanting marketplace exposure
Key Features:
- Booking with marketplace listing
- Client discovery features
- Mobile app for clients
- Basic business management
Pricing: ~$30-50/month depending on features
Pros:
- Client discovery through marketplace
- Good mobile experience
- Growing platform
Cons:
- Marketplace can commoditize your service
- Not tattoo-specific
- Competitive listing environment
TattooPro
Best for: Studios wanting industry-specific tools
Key Features:
- Tattoo-specific booking
- Consent form management
- Portfolio integration
- Studio management
Pricing: Varies by plan
Pros:
- Built for tattoo industry
- Understands unique needs
- Industry-focused features
Cons:
- Smaller company
- May have fewer resources
- Limited integration options
Feature Comparison
| Feature | MyTattoo | Square | Vagaro | Booksy | TattooPro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Booking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposits | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Consent Forms | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Reference Images | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Limited | ✓ |
| SMS Reminders | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Hour Booking | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | Limited | ✓ |
| Tattoo-Specific | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
How to Choose
For Solo Artists
Priority: Simple, affordable, essential features
Recommendation: Start with a tattoo-specific platform that includes deposits and consent forms. Avoid paying for enterprise features you won’t use.
For Small Studios (2-5 Artists)
Priority: Multi-artist scheduling, shared client database, reasonable per-artist pricing
Recommendation: Look for platforms that scale reasonably with your team size without punishing growth.
For Large Studios (6+ Artists)
Priority: Advanced permissions, reporting, integration capabilities
Recommendation: Consider platforms with comprehensive management features, but ensure they handle tattoo-specific needs (deposits, consent forms, long appointments).
Key Questions to Ask
Before choosing any platform:
- How does deposit collection work? Can you require deposits at booking?
- Are consent forms included? Digital forms that link to appointments?
- How are multi-hour appointments handled? Real sessions, not 30-minute blocks?
- What’s the pricing model? Flat fee vs. per-booking vs. per-artist?
- What’s the mobile experience? Both for you and clients?
- Can clients upload reference images? At booking, not just via DM?
- Is there a free trial? Test with real scenarios before committing?
Red Flags
Per-booking fees: Punishes success as you grow busier.
No deposit collection: The most valuable feature for reducing no-shows.
No consent forms: You’ll need a separate system.
No free trial: How will you know it works for you?
Complicated setup: If it takes days to configure, it’s probably too complex.
Making the Switch
If you’re switching from another platform:
- Export your data: Client lists, appointment history
- Plan the transition: Pick a slow period
- Communicate with clients: Update booking links everywhere
- Train your team: Everyone needs to know the new system
- Run parallel for a week: Catch any issues
- Fully commit: Don’t maintain two systems long-term
Our Recommendation
For most tattoo studios, we recommend choosing a tattoo-specific platform that includes:
- Deposit collection at booking
- Digital consent forms
- Reference image upload
- SMS reminders
- Flat monthly pricing
Generic tools require bolting on separate solutions for consent forms and may not handle the unique aspects of tattoo booking well.
The “best” software depends on your specific needs, but the wrong choice costs you time, money, and clients. Take advantage of free trials, test with real scenarios, and involve your team in the decision.
Related: Tattoo Booking Software Guide | Tattoo Studio Software
