Neither model is always cheaper. Per-staff pricing can cost less for a small team that rarely changes, but the bill rises every time you hire, add part-timers or keep accounts for staff who have left. Per-branch pricing keeps the bill steady as your team changes and only rises when you open a new branch, which is why it is usually easier for a growing salon chain to plan. MyBMS Pro is priced per branch, per month, not as one fixed fee for the whole group.
The two common ways salon software is billed
Most salon systems charge in one of two ways, sometimes with extras on top:
- Per branch. You pay a monthly fee for each outlet. The number of staff in that outlet does not change the fee.
- Per staff (per user). You pay for each person who needs an account, such as therapists, consultants and front desk staff.
Both can be fair. The right one depends on how your business is shaped and how it will change.
I prefer pricing that never makes an owner think twice about giving a new therapist her own login. When everyone has an account, commission and performance records stay accurate.
William Tang, Founder, MyBMS Pro
Per-branch pricing: when it works better
- Your headcount moves. Therapists join and leave, and you add part-timers before festive seasons. Under per-branch pricing, none of this changes the bill.
- You want every staff member in the system. When every therapist has an account, commission, bookings and staff status are recorded properly. Nobody shares a login to save money.
- You plan by outlet. Each branch has its own rent and its own sales target, so a fixed system cost per branch is easy to put into each branch’s budget.
- The cost rises with a new branch, not with a new hire. That is a natural moment to add cost, because a new branch also brings new revenue.
Per-staff pricing: when it can cost less
- You run one small shop with a stable team. If only a few people use the system and the team rarely changes, paying per person can be the smaller bill.
- Only some staff need the system. If therapists never touch the system, you may only pay for the front desk.
Watch for the hidden cost. When staff accounts cost money, owners are tempted to share logins. Then the system cannot tell who did each session, and hands-on commission and staff performance become guesswork.
Questions to ask before you compare prices
Before you compare two quotes, make sure you are comparing the same thing:
- What exactly is charged? Per branch, per staff, or a flat fee? Is HQ charged separately?
- What happens when we open a new branch? Is the new branch billed from day one or aligned with the existing billing date?
- What happens when staff leave or join? Do you pay for inactive accounts?
- Which features are in which plan? Check that commission, cross-branch redemption and stock control are included in the plan you are quoted.
- What is charged outside the monthly fee? Ask about setup and onboarding, data migration and training.
- Is there a free trial or a demo? Know which one you are being offered.
An example (illustrative)
A salon chain has Branch A and Branch B and plans to open Branch C next year. Before every festive season, both branches hire part-time therapists for a few weeks. Under per-staff pricing, the bill goes up each season and the owner has to remember to close accounts afterwards. Under per-branch pricing, the bill stays the same through the season, and it changes only when Branch C opens. The owner chooses per-branch pricing, because the cost follows the decision she controls: opening a branch.
How MyBMS Pro is billed
MyBMS Pro is priced per branch, per month:
- Starter: RM250 per branch per month
- Pro: RM399 per branch per month
- Enterprise: RM499 per branch per month
A salon chain runs group HQ on Enterprise and each branch on Pro. Each branch is billed separately, and when you open a new branch, its billing period is prorated to align with HQ. There is a free demo, not a free trial. For the full breakdown, read how much MyBMS Pro costs. For a wider checklist, see what to compare when choosing salon software for a chain, and if you are planning your next outlet, read what to prepare before opening a second salon branch.
FAQ
Is per-branch or per-staff pricing cheaper for a salon?
It depends on your team. Per-staff pricing can be cheaper for a small, stable team. Per-branch pricing is usually easier to plan for a salon chain whose headcount changes, because hiring does not change the bill.
Does MyBMS Pro charge per staff?
No. MyBMS Pro is priced per branch, per month: Starter RM250, Pro RM399 and Enterprise RM499 per branch.
Is MyBMS Pro one fixed monthly fee for my whole group?
No. Each branch is billed. A chain usually runs HQ on Enterprise and each branch on Pro, with each branch billed separately.
What happens to billing when I open a new branch?
The new branch is billed on its own, and its billing period is prorated to align with HQ.
Is there a free trial?
No. MyBMS Pro offers a free demo, not a free trial.
Work out the cost for your own branches
How many branches will you run next year? Book a free demo and we will walk through how MyBMS Pro would be billed for your HQ and each branch.
See how MyBMS Pro runs bookings, POS, memberships and staff commission in one system — built for salons, spas, clinics and car grooming businesses in Malaysia.
Written by
William Tang · Founder & CEO, BMS Solution Sdn. Bhd.
William Tang is the founder of BMS Solution Sdn. Bhd., the Malaysian company behind MyBMS Pro. He works hands-on with salons, spas, clinics and car-grooming businesses across Malaysia, helping them move bookings, POS, memberships and staff management onto one cloud platform.