How to choose appointment software in Spain
There are dozens of platforms and almost all of them come from abroad. This guide explains the 6 real criteria to decide: language, tax, support, GDPR, price and commissions.
Free plan forever. No credit card required.
Sound familiar?
If you manage appointments, these problems hit you every single week.
International platforms that do not speak Spanish
Support replies in English, client emails arrive half-translated and the tax model assumes 19 % VAT instead of 21 %. You find out late, at the cost of real problems.
Hidden 5-15 % commissions
The advertised price is €0. Later you discover they charge a percentage on every booking. By month-end that "free" plan costs you more than a flat paid plan.
Data on servers outside the European Union
Client data ends up in the United States. For sectors like dental, physio or psychology that is a legal and reputational risk under GDPR and local data-protection law.
How Marai solves it
Real features, already shipped. No waitlists, no promises.
Ask which language they work in
Support in Spanish, interface in Spanish, client messages in Spanish. WhatsApp templates designed for Spain. Marai is built here, in Spain.
Compare total price, not the advertised one
Add up plan + per-booking commission + extras. A "free" platform with 5 % commission on 100 appointments/month at €50 average is €250 a month. Marai charges a flat plan.
Verify GDPR and EU servers
Ask where the servers live. Marai hosts all data in the European Union, encrypts at rest and applies GDPR natively. No international data transfers.
How does Marai differ from Fresha and Calendly?
| Criterion | Marai | Fresha | Calendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin and support | Spain (es) | United Kingdom (en) | United States (en) |
| Pricing model | Flat monthly plan | Free + commissions | Per-seat plan |
| AI WhatsApp bot | Included in Pro | Not native | Not native |
| Deposit charging | Stripe with no extra fee | Yes, with commission | Basic Stripe |
| EU servers | Yes, native GDPR | United Kingdom | United States |
| Real free plan | Yes, no expiry | Only with commission | 14 days |
Your business is not on its own
Marai integrates with official platforms and meets European regulation from day one.
- Stripe Built-in online payments
- WhatsApp Business Official Meta API
- Google Calendar OAuth sync
- Microsoft 365 Calendar OAuth
- GDPR · AEPD-ready Native compliance
- AES-256 · EU Encrypted on EU servers
Try it in under 5 minutes
No credit card, no installs. Create your account and set up your schedule, services and WhatsApp bot.
Marai is appointment-management software with an AI WhatsApp bot, automated reminders and Stripe payments. Built for Spain and the EU, with native GDPR compliance and 0 % booking commissions.
Frequently asked questions
What sets a Spanish SaaS apart from an international one?
A Spanish SaaS understands 21 % VAT, invoices with a CIF tax ID, knows the local public holidays, supports you in Iberian business hours and applies local data-protection law alongside GDPR. The difference shows up day to day.
How much should I pay per month for appointment software?
For a small business with one professional, a free plan or a €25-30/month basic plan is reasonable. For multi-professional with a WhatsApp bot, expect €50-100/month. Anything offered as "free with commission per booking" usually ends up more expensive.
Does it matter that the WhatsApp bot uses the official Meta API?
Yes. Grey automations (WhatsApp Web clones) are fragile, break platform policy and can get your number banned. Always ask whether the provider uses the official WhatsApp Business API.
How do I verify the provider’s GDPR compliance?
Ask for two things: where the servers are located and a signed Data Processing Agreement. If they do not give it to you signed, do not sign with them. Marai delivers both at contract signing.
Is it worth switching platforms if I already use one?
Only if it pays off. Add up what you pay each month (plan + per-booking commission + extras) and compare. For many businesses, moving from a commission platform to Marai pays for itself in under 2 months.
The most common questions
The questions we get every week — answered straight, no fluff.
Do I need a credit card to start?
No. The free plan is permanent and never asks for a card. You can be live in under 5 minutes with just your email and a mobile number.
How long does setup take?
Around 5 minutes. Import your services, connect your WhatsApp Business number and publish your booking portal. No installs, no training required.
Will I lose my data when migrating?
No. We offer a guided migration from Fresha, Booksy, Calendly and spreadsheets. Clients, services and appointment history all carry over.
Is it hard for my team to use?
No. Marai is designed for non-technical staff: a clear interface, human support and onboarding included. Your team gets it on day one.
Is it GDPR compliant?
Yes. EU-hosted servers, AES-256 encryption at rest, processing records ready for the data protection authority, and digital consent for your clients.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. No lock-in, no penalty. One click to cancel and you can export all your data as CSV at any time.
Your business
on autopilot.
Get started for free today. The AI that books, charges, and retains for you in under 10 minutes.
Get started free now