If you're managing a salon, spa, or wellness brand, the right software can either simplify your life—or complicate it. Two platforms that stand out are WAJ and Shortcuts, but they serve very different business models and user expectations.

Below is a direct comparison between the two, highlighting why WAJ is becoming the go-to choice for fast-scaling, tech-savvy salons in the UAE, GCC, and beyond.

Core Focus & Business Fit

WAJ: Created specifically for independent salons, boutique spas, and multi-location wellness centers. The platform is modern, mobile-friendly, and built for rapid implementation with smart automation tools.

Shortcuts: One of the older players in the market, celebrating 30 years in business, focused more on established salons and traditional workflows. Offers a wide set of features but requires longer onboarding and is often more complex for new users.

Pricing & Commissions

WAJ: No booking commissions, no surprise fees. One flexible subscription includes all premium features: AI, WhatsApp integration, inventory, payroll, CRM, and more.

Shortcuts: Uses tiered pricing starting from $29/month, and many features such as advanced marketing, client apps, or integrations are add-ons. Costs increase significantly as your business grows.

Key Features Comparison

WhatsApp & Client Communication

WAJ: Comes with native WhatsApp integration—you can send appointment confirmations, reminders, marketing campaigns, and bulk offers directly from the dashboard.

Shortcuts: Focuses primarily on SMS and email. WhatsApp support requires third-party integration and additional cost/setup.

AI Tools & Smart Automation

WAJ:

AI assistant to automate tasks

Smart upselling suggestions during booking

Marketing segmentation powered by AI

Shortcuts:

Automation is mostly focused on reminders and rebooking prompts

Lacks dynamic AI service recommendations or live operational suggestions

Inventory, Payroll, and Reporting

WAJ: Includes real-time dashboards, inventory usage per service, payroll + commissions, and full business analytics—no plugins needed.

Shortcuts: Strong analytics features, but requires training to use effectively. Inventory is separate from payroll and harder to connect with actual services performed.

Multi-Location & Staff Access

WAJ:

Unlimited team members and device access

Full multi-branch reporting

Attendance tracking

Role-based permission control

Shortcuts:

Designed for larger operations, but requires separate licenses per location

User limits and access often come at a cost

Strong enterprise-level features for large chains

Client & Staff Experience

WAJ: Clients get mini profiles to manage bookings, digital consultation and consent forms, team member service profiles, and automated Google review requests.

Shortcuts: Offers a branded app (add-on), but not all features are native. Client experience varies depending on which features are active.

Setup & Support

WAJ: Fast onboarding, in-person support in Dubai, 24/7 live chat and WhatsApp assistance.

Shortcuts: Longer setup cycles, primarily online ticket-based support. Training is required for many features. Some users report mixed experiences with customer support quality since their acquisition.

Final Verdict: Choose WAJ for Simplicity, Smart Tools, and Scalable Growth

While Shortcuts has been around for decades and offers robust features for established salons, WAJ brings a modern, AI-powered, and fully integrated solution designed for the way today’s beauty businesses operate.

If you’re looking for fast onboarding, WhatsApp-first client communication, smart AI recommendations, all-inclusive pricing, and local support and flexibility, then WAJ is the better choice—especially for businesses in the UAE, GCC, or any salon ready to grow without complexity.

Making the Right Choice

Choose WAJ if you want: modern AI automation, native WhatsApp integration, transparent all-inclusive pricing, fast setup and local support, and a platform designed for growing beauty businesses.

Choose Shortcuts if you’re: an established salon with complex workflows, comfortable with traditional software approaches, don’t mind longer implementation times, and prefer working with a company with 30 years of industry experience.