Mahi Time vs the booking platforms you are probably using now
Where each one is genuinely strong, where Mahi Time wins (AI first), what each costs with the date we checked, and how to move. No names left out, no straw men.
Timely is a good calendar with a Dunedin backstory and a Denver owner. Mahi Time is the New Zealand built platform where the AI phone receptionist, webchat and agent API are part of the product, not a partner directory. Flat price in NZD, with an approximate AUD figure beside it.
Fresha is a marketplace with a booking system attached. Every new client it sends you costs 20% of their first visit, and its AI Concierge is a NZ$249.95 per location add-on. Mahi Time charges a flat monthly fee, takes no commission on anyone, and ships the AI phone receptionist, webchat and agent API as part of the product.
Kitomba is the long-standing enterprise choice for big salons on both sides of the Tasman. Mahi Time is for the owner-operator and the one to five chair business that wants the same basics plus an AI receptionist, without a quote, a demo call or a data import invoice.
Setmore is a generous free scheduler from the United States. It is fine until you need EFTPOS, GST-ready reporting, payroll, or a receptionist that answers the phone at 7pm. Mahi Time is built here, prices in NZD with an AUD guide, and ships the AI receptionist as part of the product.
Square Appointments is a good free calendar if you already run Square payments in Australia. It is not available to New Zealand businesses at all. Mahi Time runs in both countries, bills a flat fee instead of per-location tiers, and includes the AI phone receptionist, webchat and agent API as part of the product.
Phorest is polished salon software from Dublin with a strong Australian presence and quote-only pricing. Mahi Time publishes its price, includes Xero and payroll, and ships the AI phone receptionist, webchat and agent API as part of the product rather than as add-ons.
Shortcuts has run Australian salon front desks for decades and is built for groups and franchises. Mahi Time is the self-serve option for the owner-operator and small team: published pricing, a 21-day trial, and an AI receptionist that answers the phone and books.
Mindbody is enterprise wellness software with a consumer marketplace and a 20% new-client fee. Mahi Time is for the salon, spa or studio that wants the AI receptionist Mindbody only sells on its top tier, at a flat price with no marketplace.
Every platform, one table
Vendor pricing and help pages checked 31 October 2026. Scroll sideways on a phone.
| Feature | Mahi Time | Timely | Fresha | Kitomba | Setmore | Square Appointments | Phorest | Shortcuts | Mindbody |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published. NZ$109 (approx A$100) flat | Per staff member, 3 tiers | Per team member plus add-ons | Quote only | Free, or US$5 per user annually | Free, A$40 or A$90 per location (AU only) | Quote only | Quote led | A$89 to A$369 per location |
| Commission on bookings | None, ever | None | 20% of first visit, min NZ$7, marketplace clients | None | None | None | None | None | 20% of first purchase, marketplace clients |
| AI phone receptionist that books | Built in, NZ$129 (approx A$119) | No | Add-on, NZ$249.95 per location | No | Live Receptionist US$99, US only | No | Front Desk AI add-on | No | Add-on on Core, included on Growth |
| AI webchat that books | Built in, NZ$49 (approx A$45) | No | Add-on, NZ$74.95 per location | No | No | No | Front Desk AI add-on | No | Add-on on Core, included on Growth |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes, platform MCP server | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Public REST API | Yes, public REST + webhooks | Partner programme only | Data Connector add-on, NZ$435 per location | Partner integrations only | Pro plan only | Square developer API | Partner API | Not public | Partner API |
| Built and supported in NZ and AU | Built in NZ, NZ and AU hours | Founded in NZ, owned by EverCommerce (US) | London based, global | Wellington, NZ and AU support | US based | US based, AU only, not in NZ | Dublin, AU office | Australian heritage | US based |
| Xero | Included | Yes | Add-on, NZ$19.95 per location | Pro package and up | Via Zapier | Via third-party connector | Add-on | Integration available | Via partner |
| Payroll and timesheets | Included | No | No | Staff time management on Pro | No | Separate Square Payroll (not AU) | No | Rosters, no payroll | Payroll reports only |
| EFTPOS and payments | Windcave EFTPOS (NZ), Stripe (NZ + AU) | TimelyPay (Stripe) | Fresha card processing only | Kitomba Pay | Square or Stripe online | Square readers only | PhorestPay | Integrated EFTPOS | Mindbody payments |
Migrate in an afternoon
CSV export from the old system, upload into Mahi Time, swap your booking link. 21-day free trial, no card, NZ$109 (approx A$100) a month after that.