Gildra vs Square
The Square alternative for the gilded era.
Square is a checkout system built for every kind of business. Gildra is built for independent artists — your cancellation policy included, no paid plan.
$0.99 + card processing per transaction · No subscription, ever
Built for independents
Out with the old. In with the gilded.
Most salon software is built for the salon that employs you. Gildra is built for the artist who rents a chair and runs their own book.
Built for the salon
Booksy · Vagaro · Boulevard
- ✕Built around payroll and commission splits
- ✕A monthly bill, booked or not
- ✕Artists left to find a chair on their own
Your chair. Their system.
Built for the artist
Gildra
- ◆Pay only when you get paid
- ◆Clients find you, commission-free
- ◆Rent a chair, or collect rent on autopilot
Your chair. Your business.
Pricing
Your cancellation policy shouldn’t be an upgrade.
Gildra
$0.99
per transaction, plus Stripe card processing of 2.9% + 30¢. $0 per month.
- ◆On a $100 service: $4.19 in fees. You keep $95.81
- ◆No subscription, tiers, or add-ons
- ◆Cancellations, rescheduling, and reminders included
Square
$0–$149/mo
per location, plus card processing that depends on your plan.
- ◆No-show and cancellation fees need Plus ($49/mo)
- ◆Online card payments: 3.3% + 30¢ on Free
- ◆Card-on-file charges: 3.5% + 15¢ on every plan
Side by side
Gildra vs Square, line by line.
| Feature | Gildra | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | ✓$0, ever | ✓Free plan; Plus $49/mo, Premium $149/mo per location |
| Platform fee | ✓$0.99 per transaction | ✓None beyond processing |
| Card processing | ✓2.9% + 30¢ per card (Stripe, at cost) | ✓2.4%–2.6% + 15¢ in person; 2.9%–3.3% + 30¢ online; 3.5% + 15¢ card on file |
| New-client commission | ✓None | ✓None — Square Go is free |
| Client marketplace | ✓Clients search by service, city, and date | ✓Square Go app (iOS) + Reserve with Google |
| Online booking site | ✓gildra.xyz/@you — portfolio + live calendar | ✓Free booking site + Book Now buttons |
| Cancellations & rescheduling | ✓Your cancellation policy + rescheduling | Cancellation policy and no-show fees need Plus ($49/mo) |
| Reminders | ✓SMS confirmations and reminders | ✓Text and email reminders; confirmations need Plus |
| Find & rent a chair or suite | ✓Chairs, suites, rooms — hourly to monthly | —Not offered |
| Booth rent collection (salon owners) | ✓Automatic, on your schedule | —General recurring invoices only; no booth-rent tools |
FAQ
Making the switch from Square
Exactly how much does Gildra charge?
Two things, only when you get paid: a $0.99 Gildra fee per transaction, and Stripe’s card processing fee of 2.9% + 30¢, which we pass through at cost. On a $100 service that’s $0.99 + $3.20 = $4.19, and you keep $95.81. No monthly fee, no setup fee, and no commission on new clients.
How much does Square Appointments cost compared to Gildra?
Square has a Free plan, plus Square Plus at $49 per month and Square Premium at $149 per month, each per location. Card processing depends on your plan and how the card is taken: 2.4%–2.6% + 15¢ in person, 2.9%–3.3% + 30¢ online, and 3.5% + 15¢ for card-on-file charges. Gildra has no subscription. Each transaction costs $0.99 plus Stripe card processing of 2.9% + 30¢, passed through at cost — so on a $100 service you pay $4.19 in total and keep $95.81.
Does Square charge for no-shows and late cancellations?
Only on a paid plan. Square’s cancellation policy and no-show fees need Square Plus ($49 per month per location) or Premium, and those card-on-file charges process at 3.5% + 15¢. On Gildra, your cancellation policy and rescheduling are included — there’s no plan to buy.
Can I move my clients from Square to Gildra?
Yes. Set up your Gildra booking site at gildra.xyz/@yourname, add your services, prices, and hours, then share the link with your clients.
Can salon owners collect booth rent with Square?
Square has general recurring invoices, which some owners use to bill rent, but no booth-rent tools and no way for artists to find a chair. Gildra lists your spaces for artists to rent by the hour, day, week, or month, and collects rent automatically.
It’s time for a modern makeover
Would it be crazy to keep more of every appointment?
Drivers got Uber and Lyft. Hosts got Airbnb. Independent artists get Gildra.
Made by salon owners, for salon owners.
More comparisons: Gildra vs Booksy · Gildra vs GlossGenius · Gildra vs StyleSeat · Gildra vs Vagaro
Square pricing and features as published by Square and checked September 2026; they can change at any time, so confirm on Square Appointments pricing, Square fees, Square Go. Square, Booksy, Vagaro, Boulevard, Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb are trademarks of their respective owners; Gildra is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. Gildra’s only fee is $0.99 per transaction. Card processing (2.9% + 30¢) is charged by Stripe and passed through at cost; other payment methods, such as bank transfers, have different Stripe rates.