Tattoo Studio Pro vs. DaySmart Body Art: A Straight-Up Comparison

DaySmart Body Art has been around longer than most tattoo studio software. It started as Inkbook, and many studios that have been using it for years know it as that. The rebrand to DaySmart Body Art came with an ownership change, and the product has evolved, but its roots are in an older era of desktop-first studio management software.

Tattoo Studio Pro came later, built from the ground up as a mobile-first platform for the way studios actually work today: on tablets, on the go, without a dedicated desktop computer in every studio.

This comparison looks at both platforms honestly, including where DaySmart’s experience and review site presence genuinely matter.

Feature 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)
Pricing Model	Per staff tier, all features included	Tiered ($29/$69/$149/$199)
Free Trial	30 days free	14 days
Digital Consent Forms	✅ Included (all plans)	✅ Deluxe+ ($69+)
Online Booking	✅	✅
POS / Payments	✅	✅
Client Management	✅	✅
Portfolio / Website	✅ Free portfolio template + premium website templates	❌
Reporting	✅	✅
Mobile App	✅ iOS + Android	✅
Tattoo-Specific	✅ Built exclusively for tattoo studios	✅ Tattoo/body art

Quick Overview

DaySmart Body Art is a tattoo and body art studio management platform formerly known as Inkbook. It covers appointment scheduling, online booking, digital forms (on Deluxe and above), credit card processing, employee management, email and text marketing, and QuickBooks integration. It has a desktop/cloud hybrid history and has 44+ reviews on GetApp and Capterra.

Tattoo Studio Pro (Tattoo Studio Pro) is an all-in-one tattoo studio management platform covering booking, digital consent forms, client CRM, artist portfolios, SMS reminders, payments, analytics, and team management. It’s built mobile-first, with iOS and Android apps as the primary interface.

Where DaySmart Body Art Shines

DaySmart has real strengths worth acknowledging.

Established name with verified reviews. DaySmart Body Art has 44+ reviews on GetApp, a solid Capterra listing, and a presence on multiple software review platforms. When studio owners are researching options, DaySmart shows up. Those reviews include real feedback from real studios, which is more than most newer platforms can say. One reviewer specifically chose it because “DaySmart made tattoo/piercing software” rather than a generic salon tool.

Feature range at mid-tier pricing. The Deluxe plan at $69/month covers 3 users with employee management, digital forms, and email marketing. The platform’s feature set across the pricing tiers is comprehensive, and studios that have grown up with it tend to know it well.

QuickBooks integration. For studios that already use QuickBooks for accounting, DaySmart’s Premium plan includes a direct integration. This is a practical tool for bookkeepers and accountants who want data flowing into their existing system.

Front Desk Kiosk. DaySmart includes a kiosk mode for front desk check-in, which works well for studios with dedicated reception staff or a physical check-in flow.

Loyalty points system. DaySmart includes a loyalty points feature, which helps studios reward repeat clients.

Text and email marketing on higher tiers. The Deluxe Growth plan adds two-way texting and text marketing, which gives studios more communication options for reaching clients.

Where DaySmart Falls Short for Growing Studios

DaySmart’s history as a desktop-first product shows up in specific places.

Digital forms are gated behind the Deluxe plan. DaySmart’s Basic plan at $29/month doesn’t include digital forms. You need to step up to Deluxe at $69/month to get them. For a solo artist who needs digital consent forms and health questionnaires, the $29 entry point doesn’t actually cover what you need.

Texting requires the Deluxe Growth plan at $149/month. Two-way texting and text marketing aren’t available on Basic or Deluxe. You’re paying $149/month before you get SMS communication beyond basic reminders. Tattoo Studio Pro includes SMS reminders on every plan. Automated SMS reminders reduce no-shows by 40-60%, which is a meaningful operational impact.

The Mac limitation. DaySmart Body Art has desktop software roots. Capterra reviews note that Mac users are limited to the cloud version, and some features aren’t available across all access modes. For studios running on Macs or primarily on tablets (which is most studios today), this creates workflow friction.

The mobile experience is functional but not first-priority. DaySmart’s mobile app exists and works, but the platform was designed with desktop workflows in mind first. Studios that primarily work on tablets or want an app that feels native to mobile tend to find the experience less intuitive.

Artist portfolios aren’t a core feature. DaySmart handles scheduling and business management well, but it doesn’t have a portfolio gallery system for showcasing artist work to clients. Portfolio management is increasingly important as a marketing and booking tool.

The rebrand creates some uncertainty. Going from Inkbook to DaySmart Body Art has created some confusion in the market, and some long-time users have been uncertain about the product’s direction and ownership. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s context worth having.

Where Tattoo Studio Pro Shines

Mobile-first design. Tattoo Studio Pro was built for tablets and phones from day one. The iOS and Android apps are the primary interface, not an afterthought. For studios that do everything on a tablet at the front desk, the experience is noticeably different.

Digital consent forms on every plan. Tattoo Studio Pro includes digital consent forms, e-signatures, and secure storage starting at the $29/month Solo plan. There’s no need to step up a tier to access this core consent compliance feature. The health and safety compliance guide explains why this matters beyond just convenience.

SMS reminders on every plan. Tattoo Studio Pro’s automated SMS reminders are included at every tier. No need to pay $149/month to text your clients.

Artist portfolio galleries. Tattoo Studio Pro includes portfolio management as a core feature. Artists can showcase their work, clients can browse styles, and it’s all connected to the same platform as booking. See the portfolio and marketing chapter for more on why this matters for bookings.

CRM depth. Tattoo Studio Pro’s client management tracks complete history: every appointment, every signed form, every note, preferences, communication history. For building repeat business and personalizing the client experience, this depth makes a difference. See the client management chapter.

Cleaner pricing structure. Tattoo Studio Pro’s pricing is based on team size, and every plan includes every feature. There’s no feature gating that forces you to pay more to access tools you need for basic operations. Understanding your real software cost means looking at what each tier actually includes.

Flat monthly cost. Tattoo Studio Pro’s pricing is based on team size with all features included at every plan level. For larger studio groups looking to manage multiple locations, Tattoo Studio Pro’s Empire plans support that.

Where Tattoo Studio Pro Could Improve

DaySmart’s QuickBooks integration is ahead of Tattoo Studio Pro’s. If your studio runs QuickBooks and your accountant expects data there, DaySmart’s built-in integration is useful. Tattoo Studio Pro’s financial reporting is solid but QuickBooks sync isn’t currently a feature.

DaySmart has more review site presence. When studio owners search “tattoo studio software reviews” on Capterra, GetApp, or G2, DaySmart shows up with real reviews. Tattoo Studio Pro’s review site presence is building but hasn’t reached DaySmart’s volume yet.

DaySmart’s kiosk mode is a real feature. For studios with dedicated reception areas, DaySmart’s front desk kiosk flow is polished. Tattoo Studio Pro handles check-in but doesn’t have the same dedicated kiosk interface.

Pricing Comparison

DaySmart Body Art:

Basic: $29/month (1 user, scheduling, credit card processing, online booking, 500 texts/month, 1,000 emails/month)
Deluxe: $69/month (3 users, adds digital forms, employee management, email marketing, 1,000 texts/month)
Deluxe Growth: $149/month (adds text marketing, two-way texting, online reviews, 2,500 texts/month)
Premium: $199/month (6 users, adds QuickBooks Connect, 10,000 emails)
Premium Growth: Custom pricing (unlimited users, expense tracking, sliding scale commission)
30-day free trial, no credit card required

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)
Tribe: $119/month (up to 10 staff, plus manager and health official accounts included, all features)
Clan: $179/month (up to 15 staff, plus manager and health official accounts included, all features)
Guild: $239/month (up to 20 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
Full plan details at tattoostudiopro.com/pricing

The key comparison: DaySmart’s Basic plan and Tattoo Studio Pro’s Solo plan both start at $29/month. But DaySmart Basic doesn’t include digital forms or advanced texting. To get digital forms on DaySmart, you need Deluxe at $69/month. Tattoo Studio Pro’s Solo at $29 includes digital forms. To get two-way texting on DaySmart, you need $149/month. Tattoo Studio Pro includes SMS reminders on the $29 plan.

For a 3-artist studio comparing DaySmart Deluxe ($69/month, 3 users, digital forms) to Tattoo Studio Pro Crew ($69/month, multi-artist, all features including texting), the price is the same but the included features are different.

Which One Fits Your Studio?

Choose DaySmart Body Art if:

You’ve been using Inkbook/DaySmart for years and your team knows the system
QuickBooks integration with your accounting setup is essential
You want the credibility of a platform with 44+ verified Capterra/GetApp reviews
A front desk kiosk workflow is important to your studio’s operation

Choose Tattoo Studio Pro if:

You’re on tablets and want a mobile-first experience that feels native
You need digital consent forms without paying for a mid-tier plan
SMS reminders are essential and you don’t want to pay $149/month for texting
Artist portfolio galleries matter for your studio’s marketing
You want a modern platform with a clean, current interface
You’re planning multi-location growth and want a platform with Empire plan support for that

FAQ

What happened to Inkbook? Is DaySmart Body Art the same product?

DaySmart Body Art is the renamed and evolved version of Inkbook, which DaySmart acquired. The core product is similar, though it has been updated and integrated into DaySmart’s broader software ecosystem. Users who knew Inkbook will recognize the DNA.

Does DaySmart Body Art work on Mac?

DaySmart has a cloud version that works on Mac through a browser, but Capterra reviewers have noted that some features are only available on the Windows desktop version. Studios running entirely on Mac or iPad may find this limiting.

How does Tattoo Studio Pro handle digital forms compared to DaySmart?

Tattoo Studio Pro’s digital consent forms are built into every plan and include e-signatures, multilingual support, ID verification, and secure searchable storage. DaySmart’s digital forms are available on Deluxe and above at $69/month.

Can I import my client data from DaySmart to Tattoo Studio Pro?

Tattoo Studio Pro offers a free client import service for studios switching from other platforms. Your client history and records don’t have to stay locked in DaySmart if you decide to move.

Does Tattoo Studio Pro have a QuickBooks integration?

Not currently. Tattoo Studio Pro has its own financial reporting and analytics built in, but a direct QuickBooks sync isn’t a current feature. This is worth factoring into your decision if your accounting workflow depends on QuickBooks.

The Bottom Line

DaySmart Body Art has real strengths: verified reviews, a long history in the tattoo software market, and a feature set that covers the basics well. If you’re already on it and it’s working, there’s no emergency reason to switch.

But if you’re evaluating from scratch, Tattoo Studio Pro’s modern mobile-first design, included digital forms and SMS at the entry price point, portfolio galleries, and cleaner feature access make a compelling case. The platforms start at the same entry price, but what’s included at that price is different.

Thinking about switching from DaySmart? See the full comparison and start your free trial at tattoostudiopro.com/switch/#from-daysmart.

For more on what to look for when choosing studio software, see the studio operations chapter and the client records guide.

Considering other options? See the best DaySmart Body Art alternative for tattoo shops.