OpenChair and Timely, compared carefully.
OpenChair is built for Australian salons and barbershops that want published capped pricing, direct branded booking, and operator-reviewed salon workflows. Based on Timely's public pricing, product, and help pages reviewed on 19 June 2026, Timely is a mature salon platform with consultation forms, TimelyPay, SMS and email messaging, Textie Bestie, and smart automations.
Our Take
OpenChair's positioning is direct: capped per-venue pricing, a venue-branded storefront, and operator-reviewed workflows across Smart Replies, Booking Replies, Smart Nudges, Reconnect, Style Match, Processing Gaps, and waitlist opportunities. Timely is a polished, mature platform with consultation forms, TimelyPay, SMS and email messaging, mobile apps, Textie Bestie, and smart automations. Timely's public pricing is staff-based with plan-based SMS allowances and excess SMS pricing; OpenChair Pro starts at A$34.95 per active venue and caps each venue at A$199/month. Timely may suit teams that value Timely's established consultation, payment, messaging, and automation workflows; OpenChair may suit teams that want capped pricing and staff-approved salon actions in one product.
Feature Comparison
Fit Notes for Timely
A practical summary of where Timely is well represented publicly, and where OpenChair is positioned differently.
- OpenChair publishes capped AU/NZ/GB pricing; teams comparing Timely should model staff-based subscription pricing, SMS usage, payment processing, and plan level
- OpenChair Pro includes SMS and email allowances with Wallet overages; Timely's public SMS help materials say SMS allowance depends on plan and excess SMS rates apply
- OpenChair presents Assistant actions, Smart Replies, Booking Replies, Smart Nudges, Reconnect, Style Match, Processing Gaps, and waitlist opportunities as named operator-reviewed workflow surfaces
- OpenChair is focused on salon booking, client communication, gap filling, and team actions; Timely publishes broader consultation, payment, messaging, mobile, and automation workflows
- Timely publishes consultation forms, client intake, and automated Consult workflows
- Textie Bestie and smart automations are part of Timely's public AI story
- TimelyPay supports online and in-person payments, deposits, cancellation fees, gift vouchers, and regional processing rates
- SMS and email messaging are documented in Timely's public help centre
- Timely has mobile apps and a long-standing AU/NZ salon presence
Making the Switch from Timely
Switching software feels daunting — but it doesn't have to be. Here's exactly how the transition works.
Export your data from Timely
Export the clients, appointments, services, and other records you need from Timely, then email the files to support@openchairpro.com so our team can review the import.
Import into OpenChair
We'll import the available Timely data into OpenChair, map your services, pricing, staff, and client details, then help you review anything that needs adjustment before you move your booking link.
Configure your SMS and marketing
On OpenChair Pro, SMS reminders and campaigns are included up to your plan allowance, with overages handled through Wallet. Set up reminder timing, Reconnect automations, Smart Replies, and email campaigns before you move your booking link.
Go live and compare your costs
After your first month on OpenChair, compare your total cost to your last Timely invoice, including subscription, SMS usage, payment processing, and the plan level you needed for your workflows.