ChairBook vs Square Appointments
Which is better, ChairBook or Square Appointments?
Choose Square Appointments if you want clients to book online and you plan to take card payments through the same system; choose ChairBook if you just want a clean appointment book and client notes on your iPhone. Square's free plan includes unlimited appointments, payments and bookkeeping, and reviewers name it the best overall pick for independent stylists, but SMS reminders and no-show protection need the paid Plus plan and processing fees apply. ChairBook has day and week views, a service menu with prices and durations, client visit history and notes, and revenue reports. Reminders are cards you send through your own messaging apps. ChairBook's free use is limited, and Pro is $19.00 monthly, $149.00 yearly or $399.00 lifetime (US App Store, Nov 2026). It is iPhone only.
ChairBook and Square Appointments side by side
| ChairBook | Square Appointments | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | iOS | iOS, Android, Web |
| Price to download | Free to download | Free to download |
| Store rating | — | 4.9 (195,331 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| What it is | An appointment book and client file for one professional | Booking, payments and bookkeeping in one platform [source] |
| Free use | Free with limited usage; Pro for unlimited appointments | Free plan with unlimited appointments [source] |
| Reminders | Reminder cards you share through your own messaging apps | SMS reminders on the paid Plus plan [source] |
| Client records | Contact details, visit history and notes | Basic client management on the free tier [source] |
| Payments | Not a payment processor | Card payments built in, with processing fees on every plan [source] |
| Reports | Appointment history and revenue reports | Bookkeeping included [source] |
Choose ChairBook if
- You book clients by text or phone and only need a reliable calendar
- You want detailed notes and visit history for each client
- You prefer to send reminders yourself, in your own words
Choose Square Appointments if
- You want clients to book themselves online
- You want to take card payments in the same app
- You want a free plan with unlimited appointments
- You use Android or need a web dashboard
Questions
Is Square Appointments free for a solo stylist?
Square Appointments has a free plan with unlimited appointments, but SMS reminders and no-show protection need its paid Plus plan and card processing fees apply. ChairBook is free with limited usage, and Pro removes the limit.
Does ChairBook send SMS reminders like Square?
No. ChairBook creates a reminder card that you send through your own messaging apps. Square Appointments sends SMS reminders on its Plus plan.
Sources: costbench.com, heygoldie.com, apps.apple.com