Gildra vs StyleSeat
The StyleSeat alternative for the gilded era.
StyleSeat charges a monthly plan plus up to $50 per new client. Gildra is built for independent artists — every client costs the same.
$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
New client or regular — same fee, every time.
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
StyleSeat
$35/mo
standard Premium price (new pros are offered $19/mo), plus fees.
- ◆New Client Connection: 30% of a first appointment, capped at $50
- ◆Smart Pricing: 5.5% of the service, up to $16.50
- ◆Clients pay a $2.35 booking fee
Side by side
Gildra vs StyleSeat, line by line.
| Feature | Gildra | StyleSeat |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | ✓$0, ever | —$35/mo standard ($19/mo new-pro offer) |
| Platform fee | ✓$0.99 per transaction | —Clients pay a $2.35 booking fee |
| Card processing | ✓2.9% + 30¢ per card (Stripe, at cost) | ✓2.5% + $0.30 in person; 2.6% + $0.30 card on file |
| New-client commission | ✓None | —30% of first appointment, up to $50 |
| Client marketplace | ✓Clients search by service, city, and date | ✓StyleSeat marketplace search |
| Online booking site | ✓gildra.xyz/@you — portfolio + live calendar | ✓Booking page; custom website +$10/mo |
| Cancellations & rescheduling | ✓Your cancellation policy + rescheduling | ✓Cancellation policies and no-show protection |
| Reminders | ✓SMS confirmations and reminders | ✓Automated reminders |
| Find & rent a chair or suite | ✓Chairs, suites, rooms — hourly to monthly | —Not offered |
| Booth rent collection (salon owners) | ✓Automatic, on your schedule | —Not offered |
FAQ
Making the switch from StyleSeat
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 StyleSeat cost compared to Gildra?
StyleSeat Premium is $35 per month at its standard price (new pros are currently offered $19 per month), plus card processing, a 30% New Client Connection fee capped at $50, and a $2.35 booking fee paid by clients. 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 Gildra charge a new-client fee like StyleSeat?
No. StyleSeat charges 30% of a new marketplace client’s first appointment, up to $50. On Gildra, clients who find you by searching cost the same as every other booking: $0.99 plus Stripe card processing.
Can I move my clients from StyleSeat 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.
Does StyleSeat help booth renters find a chair?
StyleSeat is a booking marketplace for services; it does not list salon spaces for rent. Gildra lets artists search and rent chairs, suites, and rooms by the hour, day, week, or month, and salon owners collect 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 Square · Gildra vs Vagaro
StyleSeat pricing and features as published by StyleSeat and checked September 2026; they can change at any time, so confirm on StyleSeat pricing, StyleSeat help: how much does StyleSeat cost. StyleSeat, 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.