The verdict for acupuncturists: Vagaro is solid software, but at $50/month it costs $2,013 over 3 years. Nexa does most of what Vagaro does for $279 once. For solo acupuncturists and small teams, Nexa is the better deal.
Nexa: $279. Once. You keep $1,734. And you own it — no more "we're updating our pricing" emails.
| Feature | Vagaro | Nexa |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scheduling | ✗ | ✓ |
| CRM | ✗ | ✓ |
| Time Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Full Accounting | ✗ | ✓ (SIMPL) |
| Task Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Price | $50/mo | $279 once or 3 × $99 |
| 3-Year Total | $2,013 | $279 |
| You own it? | No — stop paying, lose access | Yes — forever |
Vagaro plus whatever else you're paying for:
Email yourself this comparison?
The math doesn't lie.
Acupuncturists deal with unique challenges that generic software was not built for: Charting a full tongue-and-pulse diagnosis plus point prescription for every visit without it eating into the next patient's slot. Insurers that reimburse 97810/97811 for some plans and flatly deny acupuncture on others, forcing eligibility checks before each appointment. Selling and drawing down 6- and 10-session packages while patients drift off after feeling better at visit three. Tracking which points and herbal formulas were used last time so a returning patient isn't re-treated blindly. Vagaro charges $50/month on top of these daily realities. The median Acupuncturist earns $65,000/year — $600/year in software subscriptions is a significant percentage of that income, paid every year, forever.
Nexa is $279 once. Invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, accounting — all connected, built for acupuncturists. You own it like you own your Sterile single-use filiform needles in assorted gauges (0.16-0.30mm).
She unlocks the clinic around 8:30, switches on the diffuser, and warms the room because patients won't relax on a cold table. The first patient is a recurring lower-back case; she checks the tongue, takes the pulse at both wrists, and notices it's wirier than last week. She inserts a dozen needles, clips on the e-stim leads, dims the lights, and leaves him to rest for twenty-five minutes while she preps the next room and lights a moxa stick for an arthritis patient. Between treatments she's refilling the sharps container, restocking cotton balls, and answering a text from someone asking if their insurance covers dry needling. Midday a new patient fills out a long intake; she spends the consult mapping symptoms to a TCM pattern before a single needle goes in. The afternoon is back-to-back, and she's quietly counting how many sessions remain on each patient's prepaid package in her head. After the last patient she sits down to write up SOAP notes she didn't have time for between visits, reconciles two superbills, and wipes down every table. She closes the sharps log, turns off the TDP lamp, and reminds herself to reorder 0.20mm needles before Thursday.
Real acupuncturists near you who run their business on Nexa — book directly, no platform fee. Are you an acupuncturist? Post your business and get found in your area — $2.99 one-time. Or browse every acupuncturist on Nexa →
For solo acupuncturists and small teams, yes. invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, task management, and full accounting — all for $279 once. Vagaro may be better if you have a large team (10+) or need enterprise-specific features.
Vagaro has features like Affordable for salon/spa industry and Online booking marketplace that some businesses rely on. For most solo acupuncturists, these aren't dealbreakers.
At $50/month, Nexa pays for itself in 5.6 months. After that: $600 saved every year.
Yes. Nexa is $279 as a one-time payment, or 3 payments of $99 ($297 total). Either way it's a one-time purchase — no subscription, no recurring fees ever.
Own your tools. Stop renting your software.
Get Nexa — $279 Once