This comparison is published by Velixa, one of the services discussed. It is not an independent review. Check the provider’s official website before making a purchasing decision.
Quick comparison
| Area | Velixa | Phorest |
|---|---|---|
| Entry route | Self-service signup; trial shown on live pricing | Personalised demo and quote request |
| Team pricing | All team members included in displayed plan | Unlimited staff stated across plans |
| Onboarding | Business-led setup | Setup, migration and training available |
| Operational depth | Booking, retention, website and optional POS | Extensive salon/clinic suite including POS and stock |
Pricing and commercial model
Compared with a quote-led setup, Velixa currently shows £12.95 per month plus a one-off £19.95 setup fee, with all team members included.
Phorest publishes Starter, Grow, Ultimate and Elite plan names but asks businesses to request a quote rather than showing a universal UK monthly price. It says its plans include unlimited devices and unlimited staff, and it offers a personalised demo rather than a conventional free trial.
Online booking and diary
Both providers offer online booking, deposits and staff scheduling. Velixa provides a hosted booking site and widget; Phorest’s Starter plan lists scheduling, online bookings with deposits and staff rostering.
Payments and no-show protection
Velixa supports card on file, payment after an appointment and eligible cancellation/no-show charges. Phorest lists stored cards, cardless checkout and payment links; verify how PhorestPay, terminals and any associated terms apply to your particular plan.
Staff and team management
Velixa includes staff diaries, rotas, time off, per-stylist prices and multi-location tools. Phorest states unlimited staff and devices across plans, with staff goals on higher tiers, and can be attractive where assisted rollout matters.
Client management
Velixa combines customer notes, history, intake forms and consent-aware marketing. Phorest lists smart client cards, consultation tools, referrals and review features across its plan range.
Reminders and marketing
Velixa includes email reminders and uses prepaid credits for optional SMS. Phorest includes automated email/SMS reminders and publishes different SMS allowances or rates by plan, so check the current tier comparison.
Memberships, loyalty, gift cards and packages
Velixa includes memberships, packages, gift cards and loyalty. Phorest lists loyalty, gift cards and online vouchers on lower tiers, with memberships and advanced loyalty/reward tools on higher plans or as plan-dependent options.
POS and inventory
Velixa’s Inventory & POS is an optional paid add-on. Phorest positions POS, stock management and retail tools as core parts of its salon platform, which can be important for established retail operations.
Website, booking page and widget
Velixa provides a hosted website and widget as standard. Phorest provides online booking and branded booking-app capabilities on higher plans; confirm the exact web and app presentation available to your tier.
Marketplace and client discovery
Phorest’s pricing page is not presented as a consumer Marketplace acquisition product. Velixa currently operates as a direct-booking platform, but plans to release a Marketplace; no launch date has been set. Businesses primarily seeking a large marketplace today should assess providers that explicitly offer that channel.
Mobile access
Velixa offers merchant apps for iOS and Android. Phorest offers PhorestGo and mobile access for salon operations.
Who Velixa may suit
Velixa may suit an independent or growing business wanting a self-service starting point, direct online bookings and a flat displayed subscription.
Who Phorest may suit
Phorest may suit an established salon or aesthetic clinic that values a quote-led rollout, training, migration support, POS and deeper operational tooling.
Switching checklist
For a Phorest move, scope data migration, team training, retail stock, consultation records, payment terminals and any existing integrations. These are more important than a simple calendar export.
Frequently asked questions
Is Velixa an alternative to Phorest?
Yes. Both are appointment-management platforms, but their pricing and onboarding models differ: Velixa is self-service with a displayed flat price, while Phorest is quote-led with assisted setup available.
Does Phorest offer a free trial?
Phorest says it does not offer a conventional free trial and instead provides a personalised product demo. Check current onboarding terms directly.
Does Phorest include unlimited staff?
Phorest’s pricing page says all plans include unlimited staff and devices. Confirm any plan-specific feature limits in your quote.
Sources & verification
Official provider pricing, feature and help pages used for the factual statements above. Open the relevant source pages to verify the details directly. Information was last checked 25 August 2026 and can change.
Phorest is a trade mark of its respective owner. Velixa is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Phorest. Information on this page is based on publicly available information and was last checked on 25 August 2026. Pricing, features and terms can change. Please visit Phorest’s official website directly for current information before making a purchasing decision.