Walk-in waitlist apps, compared
Waitwhile, NextMe, Waitlist Me, TablesReady, Qtrac, Qminder and NextUp compared on price per location, texts included and what's built for walk-in shops — so you can decide which fits your business.
| App | Starting price | Free plan or trial | Texts |
|---|---|---|---|
| NextUp | $29/month for your first location, $19 for each additional one | No free plan: a 14-day free trial of everything, card required (not charged for 14 days) | 1,000 per location every month, then $0.05 each |
| Waitwhile | $31/month (Starter) | Yes: 1 location, up to 50 visits a month | Bought separately, as prepaid message credits |
| NextMe | $49.99/month (Starter, billed yearly) | Yes: 1 location, 1 user, 100 messages a month | 3,000 a month per location on Starter |
| Waitlist Me | $34.99/month (Premium) | Yes, without text notifications | 1,000 a month on Premium, then $0.02 each |
| TablesReady | $39/month (Starter, billed annually) | Yes: 150 texts a month, up to 100 parties on the waitlist | Included in every plan; plans are tiered by monthly message volume |
| Qtrac | $59/location/month (Queue Management module, billed annually) | No | Requires the Interactive Messaging module, an additional $106/location/month |
| Qminder | $429/month (Starter, up to 10 users) | No; 14-day free trial only | Included for US locations on Business plan and higher ($869/month); international rates vary |
Other apps' figures are from their own pricing pages, checked September 2026; prices change, so check theirs for today's. Names are trademarks of their owners; NextUp isn't affiliated with them.
- NextUp$67
- WaitwhilePriced by locations and visits together, up to 10 locationsSee their pricing
- NextMeStarter, billed yearly: the price multiplied by your locations$149.97 $82.97 more
- Waitlist MePremium: a separate subscription for each location$104.97 $37.97 more
- TablesReadyPriced by monthly message volume, not per locationSee their pricing
- QtracQueue Management module only, billed annually (texts add $106/loc extra)$177 $110 more
- QminderPriced by user seats (10/25/50 users) across unlimited locationsSee their pricing
Each app's published monthly price, before taxes and texts; theirs as listed on their own pricing pages, checked September 2026. Prices change: check theirs for today's.
Detailed comparisons
Common questions
Is NextUp cheaper than Waitwhile or Waitlist Me?
NextUp starts at $29/month per location with 1,000 texts already included. Waitwhile starts at $31/month but sells texts separately as prepaid credits, and Waitlist Me charges $0.02 per text beyond its 1,000-message allowance. For a walk-in shop sending several hundred texts a month, NextUp typically costs less all-in.
Does NextUp have a free plan?
NextUp doesn't have a free plan. Every plan includes a 14-day free trial — card required, not charged until the trial ends. Every feature is live from day one: the TV display, door tablet, texts and insights, so you can test the complete setup before you pay anything.
What does NextUp include that other walk-in waitlist apps charge extra for?
Every NextUp plan includes a now-serving TV display, a door tablet for walk-ins without a phone, 1,000 texts per location per month, and your own branding throughout. Most competitors charge extra for SMS, require add-on modules for hardware-facing screens, or simply don't have them.
Can I switch to NextUp from Waitwhile, Waitlist Me or another app?
Yes. Setup takes about two minutes: add your services, download the QR code for the door and pair the TV display with a short code. NextUp keeps no ongoing customer records between visits, so there is nothing to migrate — you are live before your next walk-in.
Which waitlist app is best for a barbershop or salon?
NextUp is built specifically for walk-in trades: barbershops, salons, tattoo studios, nail salons, auto shops and groomers. It includes the features those businesses need — a door tablet for customers without a phone, a now-serving TV display for the waiting area, texts sent automatically, and a staff screen with service and stylist selection.
Try it on a Saturday
14 days free, every feature, card required (not charged until the trial ends). Set up a location in about two minutes.