The Best Alternative to DaySmart Body Art for Tattoo Shops

DaySmart Body Art has been part of the tattoo software market for a long time. Many studios know it as Inkbook, the platform it was before the DaySmart acquisition and rebrand. It has 44+ verified reviews on GetApp, a Capterra presence, and a user base that includes studios who have been on it for years.

So why are some of those studios looking for alternatives?

This post covers the honest reasons, what to look for in a replacement, and how Tattoo Studio Pro addresses the specific gaps that make studios consider switching.

Quick Comparison: Tattoo Studio Pro vs. DaySmart Body Art

Feature	Tattoo Studio Pro	DaySmart Body Art
Starting Price	From $29/mo (Solo)	$29/mo (Basic, 1 user)
Free Trial	30 days free	14 days
Digital Consent Forms	✅ Included (all plans)	✅ Deluxe+ ($69+)
Online Booking	✅	✅
POS / Payments	✅	✅
Portfolio / Website	✅ Free portfolio template + premium website templates	❌
Tattoo-Specific	✅ Built exclusively for tattoo studios	✅ Tattoo/body art

Why Studios Look for DaySmart Body Art Alternatives

Features are gated in ways that feel arbitrary. DaySmart’s pricing tiers lock off basic operational tools behind higher-tier plans:

Digital forms aren’t on the $29/month Basic plan. You need Deluxe at $69/month.
Two-way texting and text marketing require Deluxe Growth at $149/month.
QuickBooks Connect requires Premium at $199/month.

If you want to send two-way texts to clients, you’re paying $149/month for that feature set, even if you don’t need everything else in that tier. This kind of feature gating means you often pay for things you don’t need to access the one thing you do.

The Mac/desktop situation. DaySmart’s history is in Windows desktop software. The cloud version works on Mac and any browser, but Capterra reviewers have specifically noted that some features are only available on the Windows desktop client. Studios running on Macs, iPads, or tablets that want a fully featured experience find this limiting.

Mobile-first it isn’t. DaySmart was designed with a desktop workflow in mind. The mobile app exists, but studios that primarily operate on tablets (which is most studios today) tend to find the experience less native compared to platforms built mobile-first.

The rebrand confusion. The transition from Inkbook to DaySmart Body Art has created uncertainty for some users about the product’s direction, roadmap, and ownership priorities. DaySmart is a larger software company that serves multiple industries, and some tattoo-specific studios wonder how prioritized their needs are within that broader company.

Artist portfolio tools are absent. DaySmart handles appointment scheduling and business management well, but it doesn’t have portfolio gallery functionality for showcasing artist work to clients. For studios where artist portfolios are part of the booking decision, this is a real gap.

Fewer tattoo-specific details. DaySmart Body Art is more “tattoo industry” than purely tattoo-native. It doesn’t have some of the niche features that tattoo-specific platforms have developed around the booking flow, like consultation request workflows or flash presentation.

What to Look for in a DaySmart Body Art Alternative

All core features should be accessible at your price point. Look for a platform where you’re not constantly looking at your tier and wondering if you can afford the plan that includes the feature you actually need. Digital forms, SMS, and client communication should be standard, not premium.

Mobile-first design. If your studio operates primarily on a tablet, you want a platform designed for that. The mobile experience shouldn’t feel like a desktop interface squeezed onto a smaller screen.

Digital consent forms as a baseline. Any tattoo studio software should include proper digital waivers: e-signatures, medical releases, ID verification, and secure searchable storage. This is a compliance requirement, not a premium feature. The health and safety compliance chapter explains what’s at stake.

Artist portfolio management. Your artists’ work should be part of how clients choose who to book with. Look for a platform that includes portfolio galleries connected to the booking system. See the portfolio and marketing chapter.

SMS communication included. Automated appointment reminders reduce no-shows. You shouldn’t need a $149/month plan to text your clients. The appointment scheduling guide covers the impact of reminder systems.

CRM with real depth. Client records should be more than transaction history. Notes, preferences, full appointment history, communication logs, and the ability to build genuine long-term relationships. The client management chapter covers what this looks like.

A modern platform with ongoing investment. If you’re evaluating alternatives, look for a platform that is actively building for tattoo studios specifically, not one that has tattoo as one vertical among many.

Tattoo Studio Pro as a DaySmart Body Art Alternative

Tattoo Studio Pro is built mobile-first, includes all core features at every tier, and was designed specifically for tattoo studios from day one.

Every feature, every plan. Tattoo Studio Pro doesn’t gate digital forms, SMS reminders, portfolios, CRM, or analytics behind higher tiers. Solo plan at $29/month includes everything. Crew plan at $69/month includes everything for a multi-artist studio. You’re not paying $149/month to get two-way texting.

Digital consent forms on every plan. Tattoo Studio Pro’s forms include e-signatures, multilingual support, ID verification, and medical release templates. They’re searchable and securely stored. Included from $29/month, not an add-on tier.

SMS reminders on every plan. Automated text reminders go out without you having to manually trigger them. This is standard in Tattoo Studio Pro, not a $149/month feature.

Mobile-first design. Tattoo Studio Pro’s iOS and Android apps are the primary interface. The platform was built for tablets and phones, not ported from a desktop application. For studios that do everything from a tablet at the front desk, this feels different in practice.

Artist portfolio galleries. Tattoo Studio Pro’s portfolio system lets each artist showcase their work professionally and connects it to the booking flow. Clients can see who does what style before they book.

CRM depth for long-term client relationships. Tattoo Studio Pro stores complete client history: every appointment, every form signed, every note, preferences, and communication. For studios building a loyal client base, this depth matters. See the client records guide.

Analytics and financial reporting. Tattoo Studio Pro gives you revenue tracking, booking trend data, and business performance metrics. Making decisions about pricing, services, and staffing is easier with actual data. See the financial reporting chapter and the financial management guide.

Multi-location on Empire plans. For studio groups running multiple locations, Tattoo Studio Pro offers multi-location management on its Empire plans.

Pricing Comparison

DaySmart Body Art:

Basic: $29/month (1 user, scheduling, credit card processing, online booking, no digital forms)
Deluxe: $69/month (3 users, adds digital forms, employee management, email marketing)
Deluxe Growth: $149/month (adds text marketing, two-way texting, online reviews)
Premium: $199/month (6 users, QuickBooks Connect)
Premium Growth: Custom pricing (unlimited users, commission, expense tracking)
30-day free trial

Tattoo Studio Pro:

Solo: $29/month (1 staff, plus manager and health official accounts included, all features including digital forms and SMS reminders)
Crew: $69/month (up to 5 staff, plus manager and health official accounts included, all features)
Legion: $299/month (up to 25 staff, plus manager and health official accounts included, all features)
Annual billing: 30% off
30-day free trial

At the $29/month entry point, DaySmart Basic doesn’t include digital forms. Tattoo Studio Pro Solo at $29/month does. At $69/month, DaySmart Deluxe covers 3 users with forms but no texting. Tattoo Studio Pro Crew at $69/month covers multi-artist operations with all features including SMS. To get two-way texting on DaySmart, you’re paying $149/month. Tattoo Studio Pro includes SMS reminders from $29/month.

Who Should Make the Switch

Consider switching from DaySmart to Tattoo Studio Pro if:

You’re frustrated by feature gating across DaySmart’s price tiers
You primarily work on Mac or tablet and find the desktop-first design limiting
You want digital forms included at the entry price, not the mid tier
Artist portfolio management matters for your studio’s marketing
You want two-way texting without paying $149/month
A modern, mobile-first interface is important to how your team works
You’re a former Inkbook user evaluating whether to stick with DaySmart or find something newer

Consider staying on DaySmart if:

You’ve been on it for years, your team knows it well, and it’s working
QuickBooks integration is essential to your accounting workflow
You value the verified review history and established name in the market
A front desk kiosk setup is central to your operation and DaySmart’s kiosk mode works well for you

Making the Transition from DaySmart

Switching from DaySmart (or Inkbook) to Tattoo Studio Pro is straightforward in practice. The main steps:

Export your client database from DaySmart
Use Tattoo Studio Pro’s free client import service to move your records
Set up your booking page, consent form templates, and artist portfolios in Tattoo Studio Pro
Update your booking links anywhere clients find them (website, Instagram, Google listing)
Run a parallel period of 1-2 weeks while you confirm all active appointments are visible in Tattoo Studio Pro
Cancel DaySmart once you’re fully transitioned

Tattoo Studio Pro’s support team is available to help with the process. The goal is a clean handoff with no data loss.

FAQ

What is the difference between Inkbook and DaySmart Body Art?

Inkbook was the original platform. DaySmart acquired it and rebranded it as DaySmart Body Art. The core product shares DNA with Inkbook but has been updated and integrated into DaySmart’s broader software ecosystem.

Does Tattoo Studio Pro include QuickBooks integration?

Not currently. Tattoo Studio Pro has its own financial reporting built in, but a direct QuickBooks sync isn’t a current feature. If QuickBooks integration is critical to your accounting setup, this is worth factoring in.

Can I import my DaySmart client history into Tattoo Studio Pro?

Yes. Tattoo Studio Pro offers a free client import service. Your client records and history can be moved to Tattoo Studio Pro, so you’re not starting from zero.

How does Tattoo Studio Pro’s digital forms compare to DaySmart’s?

Tattoo Studio Pro’s digital consent forms are included from $29/month and include e-signatures, multilingual support, ID verification, and medical history questionnaires. DaySmart’s digital forms are available on the Deluxe plan at $69/month and above.

Is Tattoo Studio Pro harder to set up than DaySmart?

Most studios report being operational on Tattoo Studio Pro within a day of setup. The onboarding is guided and Tattoo Studio Pro’s support team is available. If you’ve set up DaySmart before, the process is comparable.

The Bottom Line

DaySmart Body Art is an established platform with real studios on it and real reviews behind it. If you’ve been using it for years and it works, there’s no emergency to switch.

But if you’re evaluating from a clean slate, or frustrated by feature gating, desktop-first design, or the lack of portfolio tools, Tattoo Studio Pro offers a mobile-first alternative where all features are included from $29/month. No stepping up to $149/month to text your clients.

See what the switch looks like at tattoostudiopro.com/switch/#from-daysmart and start your free 30-day trial.

For more on what modern studio management looks like, read the studio operations chapter and the team management guide.

For a direct comparison, see Tattoo Studio Pro vs DaySmart Body Art.