Instant Payout Showdown: Vagaro vs. GlossGenius, StyleSeat & More

Tired of waiting the usual 1-3 business days to receive your hard-earned money? If the answer’s yes, then you need to know about one of Vagaro’s latest (and possibly best!) features: Instant Payout.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not the first to think of instant payout—and we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel either—but we may just be the best do it…

Join us as we explore how Vagaro’s Instant Payout stacks up against some of the other notorious options out there, like GlossGenius, StyleSeat, Venmo, and Cashapp.

Let's start with the basics:

What IS Instant Payout

Understanding instant payout is simpler than you might think! Instead of waiting however long you’re used to for your funds, you can receive them—well—instantly. Some of the first apps to adopt this feature were Cashapp, Venmo, and Zelle, all services originally meant for peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions and payouts. But now, things are getting shaken up as more and more software are starting to offer instant payout for business use. It’s no longer something meant only for the consumer. Business owners can have a piece of the instant payout pie, too.

Why You’ll Want Instant Payout

Cash flow is the lifeline of your business, and instant payout simply helps keep it moving. Whether you need to cover any same-day expenses, pay staff, restock inventory, or just want the peace of mind that comes with fast access to your earnings, instant payout has you covered. No more waiting. No more juggling your schedule around bank processing times. It's speed, convenience, and control, rolled into one.

So, who’s offering it—and how do they compare? Let’s take a look at some of the top platforms with instant payout features, starting with one that’s built specifically with businesses like yours in mind:

Vagaro Instant Payout

Payout Speed: May take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Fees: 1.75% per deposit.

Limit: Up to $2,500 per day, with a minimum of $25.

Requirements:

• Your business must be located in the United States.

• You must have processed a minimum of 100 credit card transactions for at least the last four months.

• Your financial institution must either support Real-Time Payments or FedNow.

Extras: All-in-one platform— no need to juggle multiple apps. Instant Payout is merely part of a larger, more robust ecosystem.

GlossGenius Instant Payout

Payout Speed: Same day.

Fees: 1.8% per deposit.

Limit: Up to $9,999 per payout.

Requirements: Good standing with Glossgenius’ payment processor, Stripe, and continuing to process card payments.

Extras: Fee is slightly higher; no standalone option—must use their hardware/payment system.

StyleSeat Instant Payout

Payout Speed: Same day.

Fees: Flat $0.50 cents fee per deposit.

Limit: $50 - $500, once a day.

Requirements:

• Set up payments and be approved for next-day payments.

• Minimum of $50.50 to deposit.

• Must not have changed bank account in the last 24 hours.

• Have not issued another Instant Payout in the last 24 hours - one Instant Payout per day.

Extras: Instant Payout optional; potentially lower flexibility in other features like reporting, marketing, and inventory.

Venmo Instant Payout

Payout Speed: May take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Fees: 1.75%, with a minimum of $0.25 and a maximum of $25.

Limit:

• Up to $5,000.00 per individual transfer.

• Up to $19,999.99 per week.

Requirements: Instant transfers only work with U.S. bank accounts.

Extras: Consumer-focused; terms restrict explicit business use.

Cashapp Instant Payout

Payout Speed: Instant, may take a few minutes.

Fees: Between 0.5% - 1.75%, minimum $0.25.

Limit: $1,000 daily.

Requirements: Linked debit card with instant transfer support.

Extras: Consumer-focused; terms restrict explicit business use.

The Final Comparison: Pros and Cons

Instant payout is quickly becoming a standard feature across payment platforms—but not all tools are built with business in mind. Take Cash App and Venmo: while convenient, they actually prohibit business use. In contrast, platforms like Vagaro, GlossGenius, and StyleSeat are designed to support business owners with full-featured tools tailored to your growth.

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that fits your needs—but why settle for less? If you’re looking for instant payouts and a powerful business toolkit, Vagaro is ready when you are. Try it free for 30 days and experience the difference of software built to help you thrive.