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Keep the Fees vs Square Appointments: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Keep the Fees and Square Appointments comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: Square Appointments is our overall pick for meeting scheduling workflows. Pick Keep the Fees if you need practice management.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Jun 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

Keep the Fees

The all-in-one solution for tattoo studios to manage appointments, commissions, and eliminate processing fees.

Best for you if:

  • • You need practice management features specifically
  • All-in-one management system for tattoo studios.
  • Eliminates payment processing fees to maximize earnings.

Square Appointments

Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.

Best for you if:

  • • You want to try before committing
  • • You need meeting scheduling features specifically
  • Provides free online booking and scheduling for appointments and classes.
  • Integrates payment processing, automated reminders, and no-show protection.
At a Glance
Keep the FeesKeep the Fees
Square AppointmentsSquare Appointments
Starts at
$69.99/moIndividual
FreeFree tier available
Best For
Practice ManagementMeeting Scheduling
Rating
-4.4/5

Choose Keep the Fees or Square Appointments?

Keep the Fees

Choose Keep the Fees if

The all-in-one solution for tattoo studios to manage appointments, commissions, and eliminate processing fees.

  • Eliminates credit card processing fees, maximizing studio revenue.
  • Tailored specifically for tattoo and piercing studios, addressing unique industry needs.
  • Automates multiple administrative tasks, reducing manual effort and potential errors.
  • Your work is practice management-shaped, not meeting scheduling-shaped
Square Appointments

Choose Square Appointments if

Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.

  • Booking software
  • Square integration
  • Fair pricing
  • Your work is meeting scheduling-shaped, not practice management-shaped
FeatureKeep the FeesSquare Appointments
Pricing ModelPaidFreemium
User RatingNo ratings yet
4.4/5
281 reviews
Categories
Practice ManagementAccounting
Meeting SchedulingPayment Processing

In-Depth Analysis

Keep the FeesKeep the Fees

The all-in-one solution for tattoo studios to manage appointments, commissions, and eliminate processing fees.

Strengths

  • +Eliminates credit card processing fees, maximizing studio revenue.
  • +Tailored specifically for tattoo and piercing studios, addressing unique industry needs.
  • +Automates multiple administrative tasks, reducing manual effort and potential errors.
  • +Provides detailed insights and reports for data-driven business decisions.
  • +Offers a mobile app for flexible management from any device.

Weaknesses

  • -Pricing is subscription-based, which may be a recurring cost for smaller studios.
  • -Specific details on payment processor integration or compatibility are not explicitly detailed.

Key features

Zero Fee ProcessingSmart Scheduling with SMS/Email RemindersAutomated Commission TrackingCustom Digital Intake FormsReal-time Inventory ManagementComprehensive Analytics & Reports
Starts at $69.99/mo

Square AppointmentsSquare Appointments

Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.

Strengths

  • +Booking software
  • +Square integration
  • +Fair pricing
  • +Good features
  • +Active development

Weaknesses

  • -Square ecosystem
  • -Per-staff pricing
  • -Better alternatives exist
  • -Feature gaps
  • -Support varies

Key features

Online bookingCalendar managementAutomated remindersStaff schedulingPayment integrationClient management
Starts at Free

Pricing: Keep the Fees vs Square Appointments

PlanKeep the FeesSquare Appointments
Tier 1
$69.99 /month
Individual
Free
Free
Tier 2
$99.99 /month
Mid-Sized
$29/month/location monthly
Plus
Tier 3
$129.99 /month
Large Studio
$69/month/location monthly
Premium
Tier 4
Contact Sales
Extra Locations
N/A

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Keep the Fees pricing and Square Appointments pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Square Appointments has a free tier. Keep the Fees is paid only.

Go with: Square Appointments

Want the highest-rated option?

Square Appointments is rated 4.4/5. Keep the Fees has no ratings yet.

Go with: Square Appointments

Value user reviews?

Keep the Fees: no ratings yet. Square Appointments: 281 reviews (4.4/5).

Go with: Square Appointments

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Keep the Fees is paid. Square Appointments is freemium. Square Appointments lets you start free.

2

What's your use case?

Keep the Fees is a practice management tool. Square Appointments is in meeting scheduling. Pick the category that matches your needs.

3

How important are ratings?

Square Appointments is rated 4.4/5; Keep the Fees has no ratings yet.

Key Takeaways

Square Appointments

  • Free tier available
  • Our pick for this comparison

Keep the Fees

  • Better fit for practice management

The Bottom Line

Square Appointments is our pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Keep the Fees or Square Appointments better?

Square Appointments is rated in our evaluation. Keep the Fees is paid and Square Appointments is freemium.

What are Keep the Fees and Square Appointments used for?

Keep the Fees: The all-in-one solution for tattoo studios to manage appointments, commissions, and eliminate processing fees.. Square Appointments: Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software..

What does Keep the Fees cost vs Square Appointments?

Keep the Fees is a paid tool. Square Appointments is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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