Comparison

STX vs Gloss

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

STX

This mobile app extends the functionality of a purchased desktop installation, allowing users to manage appointments, view guest information, and access service history on the go. It connects seamlessly to the desktop application to enhance team efficiency and profitability.

Highlights
  • View booked appointments
  • Graphical appointment book
  • View financial transactions
  • Edit and add appointments
  • Edit guest information
  • Add guest pictures
  • Guest check-in notifications
Features
Read full description

THIS APPLICATION REQUIRES A PURCHASED STX DESKTOP INSTALLATION. IT IS NOT A STAND-ALONE MANAGEMENT APPLICATION. CALL US TO CONFIRM that you have purchased and are running a compatible STX desktop installation with an active iPhone module. Already enjoying the benefits of STX for the desktop? Extend your reach with STX for iOS. Increase efficiency and have your guests' information at your fingertips. STX for iOS allows you to view and modify appointments, tickets, service and retail history and much more. Now you can seamlessly connect to your STX desktop application while on the road. With all the most often used features of STX built into this app, your team can be more efficient, more informed and more profitable. You'll love what STX for iOS can do for you. Features: Display a list of booked appointments Display your appointment book graphically Display a list of financial transactions Edit and Add Appointments Edit guest information Add guest pictures Get notified automatically upon guest check-in

About

Gloss

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
Read full description

For hair colorists and stylists who are tired of index cards and makeshift salon appointment solutions, Gloss is the simple way to save hair color formulas and client info. Unlike other apps, it is easy-to-use and designed specifically for the hair industry. Gloss is the essential app for the modern hair colorist. “Exactly what I was looking for.” - Colorist, Serge Normant at John Frieda “My favorite new app.” – Harry Josh Here's the deal: -Save color formulas and client details -Import existing clients or add new ones -Snap photos for each appointment -Keep track of what you charge each client -Contact clients via email or phone -Send mass emails to multiple clients -Share photos via social media -Set birthday reminders -Get a daily reminder to enter formulas -Keep supplies lists -Use the app on multiple devices Got feedback? We’re all ears. Hit us up at: info@glossapp.club --- Join free for a month. Then, it's only $2.99/month* when you purchase an annual subscription ($35.99/year) or $3.99/month with a monthly subscription. If you enjoy your Gloss trial, your membership will automatically continue for as long as you choose to remain a member. Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Manage your subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. View our Terms of Use here: https://glossapp.club/terms-of-use *Price may vary in countries outside the US including Canada and Australia due to Apple’s tax treatment policy.

Screenshots

STX4 screens
Gloss4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Gloss at 4.6 against STX's 2.0. Gloss also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (53% vs 25%). STX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.4). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gloss holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gloss has 623 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of STX's written reviews are positive against 53% of Gloss's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

STX ships an update every 5 months, Gloss every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
STX versus Gloss: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSTXGloss
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (9 ratings)4.6 (623 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews52.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9623 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.4
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB62 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSalon Transcripts, Inc.Rentroom Inc.

Customer experience

STX

All ratings9 ratings
Positive11.1%
Neutral11.1%
Negative77.8%
Written reviews92 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral14.1%
Negative60.9%

Gloss

All ratings623 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral2.2%
Negative7.2%
Written reviews95 reviews
Positive52.6%
Neutral9.5%
Negative37.9%

Bugs and requests

STX

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Gloss

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

In-app purchases

None

STX

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Gloss

Subscriptions2
  • Gloss1 Month trial$3.991 Month
  • Gloss1 Month trial$35.991 Year

Questions

Is STX free?
STX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gloss free?
Gloss is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, STX or Gloss?
Gloss is rated higher. STX averages 2.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Gloss averages 4.6 from 623 ratings.
Do STX or Gloss have ads?
Neither STX nor Gloss shows ads.
Which is updated more often, STX or Gloss?
STX ships an update every 5 months, and Gloss every 10 days. Most recently, STX was updated on October 21, 2026 and Gloss on October 26, 2026.

Other comparisons