the short version
- $0is enough to start. goldie, square and bookedin all have free plans.
- 5things to check: deposits, reminders, an intake form, calendar sync, and the phone app.
- 5 of 6don't find you new clients. pair one with a marketplace that does.
prices checked october 9, 2026, on each company's own pricing page. they change, so check before you sign up.
what to look for
a good booking app does five things for you
- 1takes depositsthe client pays to hold the date, so you aren’t chasing anyone.
- 2sends reminders on its owna text or email the day before. fewer missed appointments.
- 3has an intake formidea, placement, size, reference photos. you get it all before you reply.
- 4syncs with your calendarso a guest spot or a day off never gets double booked.
- 5works well on your phoneyou’ll run most of it between sessions, not at a desk.
the apps
six booking apps tattoo artists use, side by side
starting price for one artist
prices from each company's own pricing page, october 9, 2026.
which one fits who
just starting, not many bookings yet: goldie's free plan takes deposits, which most free plans don't. bookedin and square are free too.
you want it built for tattooing: porter is made for tattoo artists and studios, with consent forms on the pro plan.
you already take cards with square: square appointments keeps everything in one place.
a shop with a few artists: vagaro and fresha both price per extra calendar or team member.
what to do with this
- pick one with deposits on the plan you can afford. that one feature saves the most headaches.
- try two side by side for a week. most have a free plan or a free trial.
the gap
booking apps run the clients you have. they don't find you new ones
everything above helps once someone already wants to book you. none of it puts your work in front of a person who's never heard of you. the one exception is fresha, which also runs a marketplace: it charges 20% once on a new client who found you there ($6 minimum), and nothing on returning clients or your own link.
for new people, you need a marketplace next to your booking app. we compared them, fees and all, in apps that actually bring tattoo artists new clients.
goodwork, next to your booking app
goodwork is southern california only. keep your booking app for regulars; use goodwork to get found.
what to do with this
- keep your booking app for regulars and the people already in your DMs.
- add a marketplace so new people can find you by your work and your prices.
on goodwork
a booking page that also finds you clients
requests, deposits and your prices in one place, plus socal clients browsing by style. free to list. 15% only on the first booking of a new client goodwork finds for you. repeats and your own link are 0%.
list free on goodwork