Vagaro vs Helix
The Real Comparison for Permanent Makeup Artists

Vagaro
$50/mo ($600/yr)
VS
Helix
$279 once — own forever
or 3 payments of $99
Break even: 5.6 months. Save $1,734 over 3 years.
"I compared Vagaro and Helix side by side. The math wasn't even close. $2,013 over 3 years vs $279 once. Switched and never looked back."
— Permanent makeup artist, Helix customer

The verdict for permanent makeup artists: Vagaro is solid software, but at $50/month it costs $2,013 over 3 years. Helix does most of what Vagaro does for $279 once. For solo permanent makeup artists and small teams, Helix is the better deal.

Choose Helix if:

  • You're done paying monthly forever
  • You're a solo operator or small team (1-5)
  • You need scheduler, Connect CRM, Invoicing in one purchase in one tool
  • You're tired of price increases
  • You want to own your tools like you own your equipment

Choose Vagaro if:

  • You have a large team (10+) needing enterprise features
  • You're deeply invested in Vagaro's specific workflow
  • You need a feature Helix doesn't have yet

What Vagaro Actually Costs Permanent Makeup Artists

The 3-Year Damage

Year 1$600
Year 2 (+11.4% inflation)$668
Year 3$745
Total lost to Vagaro$2,013

Helix: $279. Once. You keep $1,734. And you own it — no more "we're updating our pricing" emails.

Your Vagaro subscription has cost you $0.00 since you opened this page.

Feature-by-Feature

FeatureVagaroHelix
Invoicing✓✓
Scheduling✗✓
CRM✗✓
Time Tracking✗✓
Full Accounting✗✓ (SIMPL)
Task Management✗✓
Price$50/mo$279 once
or 3 × $99
3-Year Total$2,013$279
You own it?No — stop paying, lose accessYes — forever
"The feature comparison convinced me. Helix does 90% of what Vagaro does — for 10% of the 3-year cost. And I actually own it."
— Permanent makeup artist

Calculate Your Full Stack

Vagaro plus whatever else you're paying for:

Email yourself this comparison?

Switching from Vagaro

1
Export your data — Go to Reports → export client list, appointment history, and sales data to CSV.
2
Set up Helix — 15-minute setup. Import your client list and set up your service categories.
3
Parallel run — Run both for 2 weeks. Update your booking link to Helix. Notify existing clients.
4
Cancel Vagaro — Cancel subscription. Redirect old booking URLs to your new Helix page.
✓ 30-day money-back guarantee. Zero risk.
Permanent Makeup Artists are switching from Vagaro every week.

The math doesn't lie.

What This Means for Permanent Makeup Artists

You have 3 appointments today: ombre brows initial ($500, 3 hours), lip blush touch-up ($150, 1.5 hours), and a consultation for eyeliner ($0, 30 min). Supplies per procedure: $40 in needles, pigment, and disposables. Your suite costs $1,400/month. The touch-up is half price but full supply cost. The consultation might not convert. You need to track per-procedure profitability but you're just checking your bank account.

Permanent Makeup Artists deal with unique challenges that generic software was not built for: Touch-up appointments at reduced rates 6-8 weeks after initial procedure. Supply costs per procedure are significant ($30-80 in disposables). Liability documentation and consent form management. Premium pricing justification requires portfolio and review management. Vagaro charges $50/month on top of these daily realities. The median permanent makeup artist earns $55,000/year — $600/year in software subscriptions is a significant percentage of that income, paid every year, forever.

Helix is $279 once. Invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, accounting — all connected, built for permanent makeup artists. You own it like you own your PMU machine and needles.

FAQ

Is Helix really a Vagaro replacement?

For solo permanent makeup artists and small teams, yes. invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, task management, and full accounting — all for $279 once. Vagaro may be better if you have a large team (10+) or need enterprise-specific features.

What does Vagaro do that Helix doesn't?

Vagaro has features like Affordable for salon/spa industry and Online booking marketplace that some businesses rely on. For most solo permanent makeup artists, these aren't dealbreakers.

How fast does Helix pay for itself?

At $50/month, Helix pays for itself in 5.6 months. After that: $600 saved every year.

Can I pay in installments?

Yes. Helix is $279 as a one-time payment, or 3 payments of $99 ($297 total). Either way it's a one-time purchase — no subscription, no recurring fees ever.

"$2,013 over 3 years to Vagaro. Or $279 once for Helix. I own my tools now. No more renting software."
— Permanent makeup artist, Helix owner

$2,013 Over 3 Years. Or $279 Once (or 3 × $99).

Own your tools. Stop renting your software.

Get Helix — $279 Once
or 3 payments of $99
✓ 30-day money-back — save $500 or full refund

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