# Gloss vs BackBar Pro

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BackBar Pro at 100% against Gloss's 53%. BackBar Pro also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Gloss's advantage is ratings volume (623 vs 7). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Gloss sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. BackBar Pro asks for nothing beyond the download.

BackBar Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gloss has 623 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Gloss's written reviews are positive against 100% of BackBar Pro's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gloss | BackBar Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (623 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gloss-save-formulas-and-clients/id1212498579/reviews) | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbar-pro/id6790622991/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **623** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 52.6% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Size | 62 MB | 117 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.4** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rentroom Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1844911345) | [Backbar HQ LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6790622993) |

## What reviewers say

### Gloss

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gloss-save-formulas-and-clients/id1212498579)

This app helps hair colorists and stylists manage client information and save hair color formulas. It allows for easy client import, photo capture, and communication, streamlining salon operations for professionals.

**Highlights:** Save color formulas, Manage client details, Import/add clients, Snap appointment photos, Track client charges, Contact clients, Set birthday reminders

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gloss | $3.99 | per month |
| Gloss | $35.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Data restoration
- 👍 Great customer service
- 💡 Useful for hairstylists and nail techs
- 🚀 Efficient app
- 👍 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Lost data and formulas
- 🐛 Glitchy updates
- 🐛 Freezing and crashing issues
- 🐛 Compatibility issues
- 💰 Subscription-based model

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect date and time stamps after updates
- Inability to access client data and formulas after updates
- Login and account access issues
- Syncing and data loss problems

**Requested features**

- Ability to edit client names and delete clients
- Improved note formatting and display
- Ability to print or export formulas
- Support for multiple currencies
- Android app version


### BackBar Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbar-pro/id6790622991)

Manage client information, hair formulas, and appointments for your salon business. Streamline booking, payments, and track expenses and income to understand your business's financial health.

**Highlights:** Unlimited client profiles with history, Digital intake forms and waivers, Formula vault for color mixing, Online booking page, Integrated payment processing, Expense and income tracking, Appointment reminders

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Gloss free?

Gloss is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is BackBar Pro free?

BackBar Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Gloss or BackBar Pro?

BackBar Pro is rated higher. Gloss averages 4.6 out of 5 from 623 ratings, while BackBar Pro averages 5.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do Gloss or BackBar Pro have ads?

Neither Gloss nor BackBar Pro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Gloss or BackBar Pro?

Gloss ships an update every 10 days, and BackBar Pro every 10 days. Most recently, Gloss was updated on October 26, 2026 and BackBar Pro on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*