The Timely alternative
for colour-heavy salons.
Timely is a good booking tool. But if colour is most of your revenue, you need formulas, grams and stock in the same place as the calendar. Here's the honest diff — and how to move over this week.
Timely vs HueSuite
at a glance.
| What matters | Timely | HueSuite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per bookable staff: $26 / $39 / $47 USD a month (Build / Elevate / Innovate) | From €9.99/mo per calendar seat. Pro €30 includes 1 calendar seat + formula vault & inventory for 5 members |
| 3-stylist salon | $78–$141 USD/mo depending on plan | €29.97/mo (Link) · €49.98/mo (Pro) |
| Booking commission | No new-client fees | 0% on bookings, ever |
| Online payment fees | 1.95% + 25c per online payment | 1% HueSuite commission + Stripe's standard processing fee |
| Colour formulas | Client notes; photo & document storage from Elevate | Dedicated formula vault: brand, shade, grams, developer, photos, full history — searchable |
| Stock | Stock level management | Gram-level stock, auto-deducts from every formula, low stock → 2-click supplier order |
| AI | — | HueAI colour advisor · AI Messages booking chat (add-ons) |
| Languages | — | Full UI in 15 languages incl. Greek, Russian, Ukrainian |
| Free trial | 14 days, no card | 7 days, no card |
Timely figures from gettimely.com/pricing as displayed on 5 October 2026, excl. VAT. "—" = not listed on Timely's public pricing page. Timely changes its plans from time to time — always check directly.
Switch if colour
runs your salon.
Switch to HueSuite if…
Colour is a big share of your revenue, you're tired of formulas living in notes and phone photos, your team is growing and per-staff pricing keeps climbing, or you want a Greek- or Russian-language interface.
Stay on Timely if…
You're mainly a beauty or spa business with little colour work, your team is small, and the per-staff cost works for you. A tool that fits is worth keeping.
Four steps.
One afternoon.
Export your Timely clients
Download your client list as a CSV from Timely, or ask Timely support for an export. Keep it for step 3.
Start a HueSuite trial
7 days free, no credit card. Add your services, stylists, opening hours and salon details — about 15 minutes.
Import clients
Drop the CSV into the importer. Duplicates are detected automatically. Move any colour notes into the formula vault as you go.
Share your new booking link
Put your HueSuite booking page on Instagram, Google Business and your website. AI Messages answers and books clients on it automatically.
Timely questions,
answered.
Is HueSuite a good Timely alternative?
For hair salons that do a lot of colour, yes. Timely is a solid booking tool priced per staff member ($26–$47 USD per staff/month). HueSuite starts at €9.99/mo per calendar seat (Pro €30) and adds colour-specific tools Timely doesn't focus on: a searchable formula vault, gram-level stock that auto-deducts from every formula, and an AI colour advisor. Migration help is free.
How much would a 3-stylist salon pay?
On Timely, 3 bookable staff cost $78/mo on Build, $117 on Elevate or $141 on Innovate (USD, as listed on Timely's pricing page, October 2026). On HueSuite, 3 calendar seats cost €29.97/mo on Link, or €49.98/mo on Pro (which also includes the colour formula vault and inventory for up to 5 team members). Prices exclude VAT and payment fees.
How long does moving from Timely to HueSuite take?
An afternoon for most salons. Export your client list from Timely as a CSV (or ask Timely support for an export), import it into HueSuite — duplicates are detected automatically — then set up services, staff and opening hours. We offer free hands-on migration help from a real person.
What does HueSuite charge on payments?
0% commission on bookings, cash, walk-ins and in-person card payments. HueSuite takes 1% only on online payments (deposits and online checkouts) made through Stripe; Stripe's own processing fee is separate. Timely lists 1.95% + 25c for online payments.
Will my clients need a new app or account?
No. Clients book through your salon's HueSuite booking page — a simple link you share on Instagram, Google and your website. No app to install and no account required. AI Messages can answer questions and book them in 15 languages.
Is there a contract or setup fee?
No. HueSuite is monthly, cancel any time. Setup, migration and onboarding are free, and you can try it for 7 days with no credit card.
Comparing more options? See the best salon software compared, Fresha vs Booksy or the Salonized alternative.
Formulas, stock and bookings — finally in one place.
Free migration help from a real person. From €9.99/mo, 0% booking commission.