GlowBook vs Combell (SimplyBook.me): the salon-first choice
Combell sells an 'Online booking system' as a hosting add-on, but it's actually a white-labeled version of SimplyBook.me — an Icelandic horizontal scheduler serving everyone from dentists to yoga studios. GlowBook is a vertical SaaS for BE/NL beauty. Here's the difference in detail.
Why switch to GlowBook
No per-feature quotas
SimplyBook.me uses 'custom feature slots': each feature (deposit, intake, gift card, Google Calendar) counts against your quota. Need more → pricier plan. In practice you quickly hit ~€50/mo. GlowBook bundles everything in Solo (€19), no slots, no upsells.
Built for salons, not 20 verticals at once
SimplyBook.me serves dentists, classes, medical, rentals. The UI is therefore generic, with no salon-specific concepts: no treatment buffer, no rebook intervals, no deposit-based no-show protection tuned to hair or beauty work.
WhatsApp, Bancontact, iDEAL and trilingual — as standard
Combell/SimplyBook: no WhatsApp, Bancontact and iDEAL only via a Stripe intermediate layer without salon-focused UX, multilingual widget but not dashboard. GlowBook: WhatsApp reminders included, Bancontact and iDEAL as the primary payment methods, both dashboard AND booking page fully NL/FR/EN.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | GlowBook From €19/month | Combell / SimplyBook €9.90–49.90/mo |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp reminders | ✓ | ✕ |
| compare.features.bancontact | ✓ | via Stripe |
| Deposits | €19 plan | feature quota |
| Intake forms | ✓ | feature quota |
| Waitlist with auto-notify | ✓ | ✕ |
| Loyalty & points | €19 plan | feature quota |
| Referral programme | ✓ | ✕ |
| Newsletter | €39 plan | ✕ |
| No commission on bookings | ✓ | ✓ |
Based on publicly available information as of 2026-04-21. If you think something's wrong, let us know — we'll adjust.
What does it really cost?
Combell customers see 'add a booking system' in their hosting panel and click out of habit. SimplyBook Standard costs €29.90/mo, but a realistic salon feature set (deposits + forms + gift cards + Google Calendar) requires Premium (€49.90/mo). GlowBook Solo €19/mo, all features bundled — less than half the price.
When is Combell / SimplyBook the better choice?
- You're already a Combell hosting customer and prioritize single-invoice convenience over the best salon product.
- You run a non-beauty vertical (yoga, rentals, classes) and want one tool for multiple booking types.
- You need Zapier / GA4 / Mailchimp integrations that SimplyBook provides and GlowBook doesn't.
Frequently asked questions
Is Combell really the same as SimplyBook.me?+
Yes. Combell sells a branded variant, but the software, features and pricing structure are identical to SimplyBook.me. Customer support goes through Combell (Dutch-speaking), but product decisions happen in Reykjavík.
Can I export my client base from SimplyBook?+
SimplyBook supports CSV export. Export your clients and import them into GlowBook via /dashboard/klanten. If you hit export issues, get in touch — we'll help with migration.
Does GlowBook have a Zapier integration?+
Not directly today. Integrations are possible via webhooks, and the most-requested ones are on the roadmap. SimplyBook's 100+ integrations are largely not salon-specific.
What about class bookings or group reservations?+
GlowBook is optimized for 1-on-1 appointments (beautician, hairdresser, nail tech). Group classes and courses are not a core feature — if that's your main use case, SimplyBook is a better fit.