Tilavon vs Mindbody
See how Tilavon compares to Mindbody for your nail salon. We break down the real costs, hidden fees, and feature differences.
What Tilavon Has That Mindbody Doesn't
Tilavon offers 20+ exclusive features built specifically for nail salons that no competitor provides.
Color & Formula Tracking
Record exact polish colors, gel brands, and formulas per client per visit
Live Service Timers
Real-time duration tracking per technician to identify bottlenecks
Smart Tip Suggestions
Client-facing tip screen with customizable presets that increase gratuity 15-30%
Turn Management
Fair technician rotation system for walk-ins
AI Business Assistant
Built-in AI chat for business insights and recommendations
Win-Back Automation
Automatically re-engage lapsed clients with targeted campaigns
QR Code Check-In
Contactless client self-check-in via QR code
Dynamic Pricing
Time-based, demand-based, and seasonal pricing rules
Mindbody
Enterprise fitness and wellness platform
Monthly Pricing
Processing Fees
2.75% + $0.25
Mandatory Mindbody Payments
Estimated Annual Cost
$9,378
Based on $15k/mo revenue, Accelerate plan
Tilavon
Built specifically for nail salons
Monthly Pricing
Processing Fees
~1.8%
Helcim (in-person interchange-plus rate)
Estimated Annual Cost
$3,948
Based on $15k/mo revenue, Pro plan
The Hidden Costs of Mindbody
Mindbody Hidden Fees
- Setup fee: $0 - $2,000+ depending on plan
- Add-on modules charged separately (marketing, branded app)
- Staff app access: Extra charge per user
- Two-way texting: Additional monthly fee
- Branded mobile app: $195+/month
- Early termination fee if you cancel
- Rate increases are common at renewal
Tilavon - No Hidden Fees
- No setup fees - start using immediately
- No contracts - cancel anytime
- No per-message SMS charges
- No extra fees for features
- No marketplace commission cuts
- No rate increases at renewal
- Free data import assistance
- Setup in under 20 minutes
Complete Feature Comparison
See exactly what you get with each platform
Tilavon-Exclusive Nail Salon FeaturesOnly in Tilavon
Core POS Features
Scheduling & Booking
Client Management
Employee Management
Inventory & Products
Reporting & Analytics
Setup & Support
Language & Accessibility
Advanced Features
Why Mindbody May Not Be Right for Nail Salons
- Designed for fitness studios, not nail salons
- Overly complex for single-location salons
- Steep learning curve for staff
- Long-term contracts often required
- No Vietnamese language support
Annual Cost Breakdown
Based on a salon with $15,000/month in credit card revenue
| Cost Category | Mindbody | Tilavon | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Fees | $3,228 | $708 | $2,520 |
| Payment Processing | $4,950 | $3,240 | $1,710 |
| Hidden Fees & Add-ons | $1,200 | $0 | $1,200 |
| Total Annual Cost | $9,378 | $3,948 | $5,430 |
Learn More About Tilavon
Frequently Asked Questions About Salon Software
Yes. Tilavon offers 20+ exclusive features that Mindbody lacks, including color and formula tracking, live service timers, smart tip suggestions, turn management, AI business assistant, and win-back automation. Plus, switching from Mindbody to Tilavon saves approximately $5,430/year based on a salon processing $15,000/month.
Tilavon includes nail-salon-specific features no competitor offers: color and formula tracking per client per visit, live service timers for efficiency tracking, smart tip suggestion screens, fair turn management for walk-ins, QR code check-in, dynamic pricing rules, floor plan management, built-in payroll with tax calculations, win-back automation, AI business assistant, and a client-facing mobile PWA.
Tilavon Pro costs $59/month with all features included. By comparison, Mindbody often costs significantly more once you factor in add-ons, premium features, and hidden fees. Based on total cost of ownership for a salon doing $15k/month, you save approximately $5,430/year by switching to Tilavon.
Yes. Tilavon offers free data migration assistance to import your client records, appointment history, and inventory from Mindbody. Most salons complete the transition in under a week with zero downtime. Our team guides you through every step.
Yes. Tilavon is the only salon software with built-in color and formula tracking. Record exact polish colors, gel brands, and formulas for each client on every visit. Technicians can instantly look up what was used last time — ensuring consistency and saving time.
No. Mindbody does not offer Vietnamese language support. Tilavon is fully translated in Vietnamese, English, Spanish, and Chinese — built specifically for the US nail salon industry where over 50% of salons are Vietnamese-owned.
Mindbody has several fees beyond their advertised price, including add-on charges, per-message SMS fees, and premium feature surcharges. Tilavon includes all 60+ features in every plan with no setup fees, no contracts, and no hidden charges.
Yes. Tilavon includes built-in payroll with W-2 and 1099 classification, automatic federal and state tax calculations, and export to QuickBooks, Gusto, or ADP. Most competitors either lack payroll entirely or charge $39-50+/month extra for a basic payroll add-on.