Commission or subscription: the two models
There are two ways to pay for a booking tool.
- The fixed subscription. The salon pays the same amount every month, however many appointments it takes. Everything it takes in stays with it. That is the CYB model.
- Commission on bookings. The platform takes a fee per booking, often limited to the “new customers” it considers it brought in. The busier the salon, the more it pays. A loyal customer who books through the platform may, depending on the terms, be counted as new.
Some offers combine both: a subscription and a commission. This is the most expensive option, and the hardest to read on an invoice.
How to check what you really pay
Three lines to look for in your contract or terms and conditions:
- “Fee per new customer” or “referral fee”: that is the commission, even if the word does not appear.
- The definition of “new customer”: is a customer who already knows you but books through the platform for the first time charged for?
- Paid extras: featured placement, position in the directory, SMS beyond a quota.
The simplest approach is to take your last invoice and add up everything that is not the basic subscription.
Do the maths with your own figures
Take your number of appointments per month and the share of “new customers” as your platform counts them. Multiply by the unit fee stated in your terms. Add the subscription and extras.
| Item | Fixed subscription (CYB) | Subscription + commission |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | 29 € to 89 € excl. VAT / month depending on the plan | Varies by platform |
| Per booking | 0 € | Unit fee × bookings charged |
| Text reminders | 0 € with the gateway on the salon's phone | Often charged per message beyond a quota |
| What you keep | 100% of your takings | Takings − commissions |
The right-hand columns describe a model, not any particular platform: check the amounts in your own terms.
What CYB includes, plan by plan
CYB Essentiel (29 € excl. VAT / month) opens 24/7 online booking with a showcase website and a schedule. CYB Pro (59 € excl. VAT / month) adds the touchscreen till, stock, staff and SMS reminders. CYB Ultimate IA (89 € excl. VAT / month) adds a voice receptionist that answers the phone and takes bookings. No plan takes a commission, and all can be cancelled in one click.
Frequently asked questions
Does CYB take a commission on new customers?
No. CYB makes no distinction between customers: no booking, new or loyal, incurs a commission. The salon pays its monthly subscription, nothing else.
Is a fixed subscription always better value?
Not necessarily for a salon with very few online bookings: a commission on zero bookings costs zero. As soon as online booking becomes a habit — a few dozen appointments a month — the fixed subscription becomes cheaper, and above all predictable.
What is the minimum cost of CYB?
29 € excl. VAT per month, no commitment, with the showcase website, online booking, the schedule and the customer database. Hosting and the domain name are included.
Try the software, no account needed
Other guides
- How can I send free SMS reminders to my salon's customers?
- Directory-style booking platform or independent software: which should I choose for my salon?
- How much does an online booking website cost for a barber?
- How can a barbershop reduce missed appointments?
The prices quoted are those currently in force, read from the database at the time of display.