GlowBook vs Optios: Belgian booking software alternative
Optios is Belgium's largest salon-software vendor with 3,500+ salons across six countries. Solid choice — but for solo practitioners and small teams in Belgium and the Netherlands, you quickly end up paying €49–79/mo for features GlowBook includes as standard in its €19 plan. Here's exactly where the gap is.
Why switch to GlowBook
WhatsApp reminders are standard, not an extra
Optios only supports SMS and email. WhatsApp is opened three times more often than email — and in Belgium and the Netherlands, it's the default channel for salon appointment communication. With GlowBook you get automatic WhatsApp confirmation + 24-hour reminder, no add-on required.
Bancontact & iDEAL as the primary payment methods
GlowBook runs on Stripe Connect and puts Bancontact (Belgium) and iDEAL (Netherlands) at the top of the deposit checkout — the methods your clients actually use. Optios uses its own Optios Pay system whose rates aren't published — you have to request a quote. With us: standard Stripe rates, no hidden layer.
Every feature in one plan — no staircase upgrades
Deposits, loyalty and intake forms are only available in Optios Advanced at €79/mo. In GlowBook Solo (€19) it's all bundled, plus discount codes, gift cards and waitlist. Upgrading to Team (€39) is only needed for multi-staff and newsletter.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | GlowBook From €19/month | Optios €29–79/mo |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp reminders | ✓ | ✕ |
| Bancontact & iDEAL-first checkout | ✓ | ✕ |
| Deposits | €19 plan | €79 plan |
| Intake forms | ✓ | ✕ |
| Waitlist with auto-notify | ✓ | ✕ |
| Loyalty & points | €19 plan | €79 plan |
| Multi-staff | €39 plan | €29–79 per-seat |
| Supported languages | NL/FR/EN | NL/FR/DE/EN |
| 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?
Run the numbers: a solo beauty professional on Optios pays at minimum €29/mo for Essential, but deposits aren't included — you need Advanced (€79/mo), i.e. €948/year. GlowBook Solo is €19/mo = €228/year, with deposits, WhatsApp, waitlist and loyalty bundled. Savings: €720 per year on a solo account.
When is Optios the better choice?
- You have 5+ staff and need integrated stock management, point-of-sale and an HR module — GlowBook deliberately doesn't ship those.
- You already have a running Optios install with POS hardware and don't want to migrate.
- You work in Germany and need a German UI — GlowBook supports NL/FR/EN, not DE.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import my client list from Optios?+
Yes. GlowBook reads CSV files with name, email and phone. Export your clients from Optios and upload the file at /dashboard/klanten — ready in under a minute.
Does GlowBook work for multi-staff or chain salons?+
The Team plan (€39/mo) supports up to 5 staff members with individual calendars and availability — suitable for a small salon. More than 5 staff or multiple locations? Message us, we'll take a look.
Does GlowBook include a till / POS like Optios?+
No. GlowBook deliberately focuses on booking, reminders and deposits — not POS or stock. Many of our customers use a separate till and export GlowBook bookings to their accountant via CSV.
What about the Optios mobile app? GlowBook doesn't have one.+
Correct — GlowBook runs in any browser on your phone, tablet and laptop, no download. Add 'glowbook.biz/dashboard' to your home screen for an app-like experience. Less maintenance, automatic updates, no App Store wait.