Decision method
Subscription price is not the full cost of a booking system.
Compare the same period, function scope and assumptions. Your model should separate fixed cost, usage cost, internal work and the value of customer acquisition.
This is a calculation method, not a savings promise. Use values from your invoices and contracts. If a marketplace brings new clients, account for that benefit separately.
1. Choose a horizon and one comparison formula
A twelve-month horizon is practical for a small salon. Total cost is subscription plus usage charges, messages, implementation, internal work, add-ons and expected exit cost. Do not subtract customer-acquisition value without a separate, evidenced assumption.
Working formula: TCO = fixed fees + usage fees + implementation + staff time + add-ons + exit cost. Use net or gross amounts consistently.
2. Separate fixed and variable costs
Subscription is easy to compare, while commission grows with appointment value and count. SMS may be bundled, resold by the system or billed directly to the salon. Record the rate, event count and seasonal range.
Do not assume every directory appointment carries commission or that every booking is a new client. Use the specific agreement and separate acquisition from service of the salon's own audience.
- subscription per location and active-person limits
- commission on first or every visit according to the agreement
- SMS, email and other communication channels
- paid integrations, devices and additional storage
- payment-processing cost where applicable
3. Price staff time and operational errors
Implementation takes service setup, schedules, permissions, import and training. Multiply actual hours by the full hourly cost of the person doing the work. Add recurring reconciliation time when the system cannot represent shared resources or schedule conflicts.
Base error cost on events that actually occur: double-booked equipment, empty gaps, missed appointments or manual data corrections. Do not enter an arbitrary amount without history or an explicit scenario.
4. Include exit cost and channel ownership
Check whether clients, services, staff and future appointments can be exported in a reusable format. Exit cost includes export, cleaning, link replacement and staff time for another migration.
A marketplace can create value as an acquisition channel. An owned system serves clients acquired by the salon. A sound decision may combine both instead of pretending they are identical.
Operational gate
Inputs for your calculation
Collect them from invoices, the contract and four representative weeks.
- Plan price, billing period, location count and active-person limit.
- Appointments subject to commission and the contractual rate.
- Message count by channel and unit price.
- Hours for setup, import, training and monthly administration.
- Integration, payment, device and add-on charges.
- Export cost and contract termination conditions.
- Separately: clients and value genuinely acquired through a marketplace.
Auditability
Comparison table without hidden assumptions
Every line needs a source. If a value is unknown, record a range rather than zero.
| Item | Source | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Price list or quote | Monthly × 12 or annual price |
| Commission | Agreement and invoices | Covered visits × value × rate |
| Messages | Channel price list | Message count × unit price |
| Internal work | Owner estimate | Hours × full hourly cost |
| Exit | Export terms | Export + cleaning + channel changes |
Verify product assumptions
The Ariveno calculator shows only a simple commission scenario. Use the full method above for a purchasing decision.
Use your own figures
Compare twelve months and retain the source for every number.
Ariveno uses a fixed plan per location. Add messaging, implementation and internal work on both sides of your comparison.