Vagaro is salon/studio booking software. Cadence is dedicated coaching software.
If you're a personal trainer using Vagaro because you needed a way to take payments and book appointments — but you've outgrown booking-as-the-product and need real programs + check-ins + client coaching — read on.
4 ways Cadence differs from Vagaro
Cadence isn't a feature-fork of Vagaro. Different category — built for coaching delivery, not studio booking.
Coaching-first vs booking-first
Vagaro is built for studios that book appointments and sell products. Coaching is bolted on. Cadence is the inverse — programs, check-ins, AI memory, client tracking are core, not afterthoughts.
Flat-fee vs per-employee
Vagaro charges per-employee ($10/mo each beyond the first). Cadence charges flat $79/mo for the whole practice — solo or studio.
Custom-branded coaching app vs Vagaro-branded marketplace
Vagaro pushes traffic to its own marketplace where competitors are 1 click away. Cadence is structurally white-label — your subdomain, your icon on the home screen, zero platform branding visible to clients.
0% platform fees vs 2.75% + $0.25 per transaction
Vagaro takes a swipe fee on every transaction. Cadence uses Stripe Connect direct — you're the merchant of record, 0% platform fees on top of standard Stripe rates.
Pricing comparison at a typical coach's MRR
Vagaro: $30 – $90/mo (1 to 4+ employees). Plus payment processing fees (2.75% + $0.25 per swipe), email marketing add-on ($10/mo), and online store add-on ($10/mo).
| Tier | Base | Extras / Fees | All-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vagaro Standard (1 employee) | $30/mo | + 2.75% + $0.25 per swipe | $30 + ~$140 fees at $5K MRR |
| Vagaro Pro (2-4 employees) | $60/mo | + swipe fees + email add-on $10 | $60 + ~$150 at $5K MRR |
| Cadence Coach | $79/mo flat | 0% platform fees (Stripe Connect direct) | $79/mo at any MRR |
| Cadence Founding (25 spots) | $39/mo locked | 0% platform fees, locked for life | $79/mo at any MRR |
Common questions
Is Cadence a Vagaro replacement for studios?
If your primary need is appointment booking + salon-style retail — stay on Vagaro. If your primary need is delivering coaching programs, check-ins, and progressive client outcomes, Cadence is a better fit. Many coaches end up running both during the transition.
Can I do appointment booking on Cadence?
Cadence isn't a replacement for hairdresser-style timed slots. We integrate with Stripe and external schedulers (Cal.com, Calendly). For coaching practices, this is sufficient — most coaching is async + program-based, not appointment-based.
How do clients pay?
Cadence uses Stripe Connect direct. The coach is the merchant of record on every charge. No platform-as-merchant model — the funds flow direct from client to coach via Stripe.
Can I migrate my Vagaro client list?
Yes. Export your Vagaro client roster as CSV → import into Cadence via /migrate. The roster ports cleanly. Programs need to be rebuilt since Vagaro doesn't store them as program structures.
Want us to run the math on YOUR setup?
Free 15-min audit. We compute your real cost on Vagaro (subscription + add-ons + transaction fees) vs Cadence at your roster. No pitch.
Book the audit →