BridalLive is a capable, long-established system with thousands of shops — no argument. But it's browser-based and US-centric, the bride portal is a paid add-on, and hardware comes as a lease. BoutiqueHQ is native on iPhone, iPad & Mac, with the portal included on every plan and no lock-in.
Compiled July 2026 from public information. We built this page, so read it with a pinch of salt — then try both. Tell us if anything's out of date.
The things that actually change a bridal or prom shop's day — and the one place they still pull ahead.
| What matters to your shop | BoutiqueHQ | BridalLive |
|---|---|---|
| Native iPhone & iPad app | Yes, first-class | Web / older app |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone | Yes | — |
| Bride portal | Every plan | +$110/mo add-on |
| Wallet pass on her phone | Yes | — |
| Alterations | Full workflow — photos, seamstress queue | Status tag only |
| Keep your own card machine | Yes, no penalty | Hardware lease |
| Free data migration | Free, white-glove | Paid |
| Pricing published, no sales call | Yes | Call sales |
| Years of mature reporting | Newer, growing | Mature |
✓ where each pulls ahead. BridalLive genuinely wins on reporting depth — we're catching up. Correct one? Tell us, we'll fix it same-day.
Don't take our word for it — or theirs. Spin up a free BoutiqueHQ shop, pre-loaded with a demo boutique, and feel it in five minutes. No card, free migration.