AI that answers the phone and books
Kitomba does not offer an AI phone receptionist. Mahi Time's is NZ$129 (approx A$119) a month, answers after hours and mid-colour, and books into the same calendar your team uses.
How the AI receptionist works
Mahi Time vs Kitomba
New Zealand and Australia
The Kitomba alternative with published pricing and AI built in
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.
Who Kitomba is right for
Kitomba suits multi-site groups and larger salons that want a consultant-led onboarding, deep reporting and industry partnerships, and do not mind quote-only pricing.
Where Kitomba is strong
- More than 20 years in NZ and AU salons, with Wellington and Australian support teams.
- Strong reporting and staff targets, and a well-regarded education programme.
- Industry partnerships with Hair and Barber NZ and the beauty associations.
- Enterprise tier for groups that need one financial view across every site.
Where Mahi Time wins
AI first, because it is the gap none of the incumbents have closed. Then price, then the local details.
The price is on the website
NZ$109 (approx A$100) for two people, NZ$21 (approx A$19) per extra. No sales call, no quote that depends on how many chairs you admit to.
Imports and support included
Kitomba's pricing page notes that data imports and live education carry additional charges. Mahi Time's CSV importer is self-serve and free, and if you would rather we did it, we do it for you.
API and MCP for the tools you already use
Your website, POS and AI assistants can read and write bookings through the public REST API and the MCP server, included in the plan.
Pricing, side by side
Kitomba
Quote only. Lite, Grow, Pro and Enterprise packages priced on features and staff count; Plus variants bundle Kitomba Pay for 20% off software fees. Data imports and live training cost extra.
Mahi Time
NZ$109 (approx A$100) for the first 2 team members, NZ$21 (approx A$19) per extra member. No commission, no per-booking fee.
AI phone receptionist NZ$129 (approx A$119), AI webchat NZ$49 (approx A$45). 21-day free trial, no card.
Worked example: Three staff, one month
- Kitomba: priced on request. NZ owner forums report roughly NZ$200 to NZ$400 per location per month depending on package.
- Mahi Time: NZ$130 per month, every feature included. With the AI phone receptionist: NZ$259.
Kitomba publishes no prices (kitomba.com/pricing, checked 31 October 2026). The forum range is indicative only.
Kitomba prices checked 31 October 2026 on the vendor's public pricing page. Mahi Time prices exclude GST; AUD figures are an approximate guide, billing is in NZD.
Mahi Time vs Kitomba, side by side
| Feature | Mahi Time | Kitomba |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published. NZ$109 (approx A$100) flat | Quote only |
| Commission on bookings | None, ever | None |
| AI phone receptionist that books | Built in, NZ$129 (approx A$119) | No |
| AI webchat that books | Built in, NZ$49 (approx A$45) | No |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes, platform MCP server | No |
| Public REST API | Yes, public REST + webhooks | Partner integrations only |
| Built and supported in NZ and AU | Built in NZ, NZ and AU hours | Wellington, NZ and AU support |
| Xero | Included | Pro package and up |
| Payroll and timesheets | Included | Staff time management on Pro |
| EFTPOS and payments | Windcave EFTPOS (NZ), Stripe (NZ + AU) | Kitomba Pay |
The detail
| Feature | Mahi Time | Kitomba |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing published | Yes | Quote only |
| Self-serve signup | 21-day trial, no demo call | Demo and sales call |
| AI phone receptionist | Built in | Not offered |
| AI webchat that books | Built in | Not offered |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes | No |
| Public REST API | Yes | Partner integrations only |
| Xero | Included | Pro package and up |
| Payroll and timesheets | Included | Staff time management on Pro |
| Data import | Free, self-serve or done for you | Charged extra |
| Multi-location | Yes | Yes |
| Review automation | Post-visit SMS and email | REACH.ai, charged extra |
| Import from this platform | Generic CSV mapper, or we do it for you | n/a |
See the full table against every platform on the Why Mahi Time page.
Moving from Kitomba
Kitomba exports a client list as a spreadsheet; bookings and services are not in that file. Bring the client list across with the generic CSV mapper, rebuild your service menu (or paste your Kitomba booking page URL and let our AI extractor read it), and we will help map anything else by hand.
Importer source to pick: Other / generic CSV. Settings > Import data, mapping preview, unmatched staff warning, run. Re-runs update rows instead of duplicating them.
Kitomba alternative: questions
When does it make sense to stay with Kitomba?
If you run several locations with more than 15 staff, rely on a Kitomba-specific partnership, or want consultant-led onboarding, Kitomba's depth is hard to beat. Mahi Time targets the simpler, cheaper end of the same market with AI the enterprise tools do not have.
How much will I save switching from Kitomba?
Kitomba does not publish prices, but NZ owners report around NZ$300 a month for a three-chair salon. Mahi Time is NZ$130 a month for the same team, with Xero, payroll and the API included.
Can I import my Kitomba data?
Clients, yes: export the client list from Kitomba and upload it with the generic CSV mapper. Services can be read from your public Kitomba booking page by our extractor. Historical appointments depend on what your Kitomba package lets you export, so get in touch before you start and we will map it with you. The guide is at /migrate/kitomba.
Is the AI receptionist the same thing as REACH.ai?
No. REACH.ai automates review requests after a visit. Mahi Time's AI receptionist answers your inbound calls and website chat and books the appointment during the conversation. Mahi Time also sends post-visit review requests by SMS and email.
Try it beside Kitomba for 21 days
No card. Import your data, forward your phone to the AI receptionist, and see which one your clients prefer.
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