NextMe or QLess?
Choosing the right waitlist and appointment software can be intimidating, especially if you work in complex industries like government, aviation, or higher education. Never fear, we’ve compiled some helpful pros and cons to help you decide between NextMe and QLess, two of the most popular queue management solutions on the market.
Key considerations
It’s important to note that QLess recently filed for bankruptcy so many current and prospective customers are uncertain about the future of the company and the reliability of their service. While it’s unclear what impact this will have in the future, please keep this context in mind when making your decision.
When comparing waitlist software, it’s important to evaluate their features, usability, pricing, and support to determine which might be the best fit for your particular business. Our team at NextMe has been helping SMBs make these decisions for years, and we’re constantly adapting to the latest advancements in waitlist technology. While we believe our waitlist solution is a great fit for many businesses, our goal is to provide an honest and balanced view of your options. We hope this article is helpful in making your decision.
Overview
| NextMe | QLess |
| A modern virtual waiting room that makes it simple for businesses to manage their waitlist and serve more customers. Eliminate long lines and create amazing first impressions, all while saving money on outdated technology. | QLess versatile queueing platform seamlessly blends physical and virtual visitor management for organizations, of any size, in any industry. Enhance customer experiences and streamline your operations with ease. |
Features
Both platforms offer a robust and comparable feature set. However, QLess does not offer a Virtual Waiting Room to engage with guests while they wait. NextMe, on the other hand, does not offer a standalone Android app at this time.
| Feature | NextMe | QLess |
| Industry Agnostic | ✅ | ✅ |
| Enterprise Friendly | ✅ | ✅ |
| SMS Messaging | ✅ | ✅ |
| Customizable Notifications | ✅ | ✅ |
| Customizable Queues and Fields | ✅ | ✅ |
| Appointment Scheduling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Self Check-in | ✅ | ✅ |
| Public Waitlist | ✅ | ✅ |
| Privacy Options | ✅ | ✅ |
| Repeat Guest Lookup | ✅ | ✅ |
| Estimated Wait Times | ✅ | ✅ |
| Web App | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS App | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android App | ❌ | ✅ |
| Virtual Waiting Room | ✅ | ❌ |
| Table Management | ❌ | ❌ |
Usability
Ranks 4.9 out of 5 for ease of use based on Capterra reviews. NextMe is easy to use and train and this is a common source of praise relative to other competing tools. Usability is a frequent theme in NextMe’s positive reviews.
Ranks 4.2 out of 5 on G2. Compared to NextMe and other waitlist solutions on the market, the QLess interface feels quite dated which carries through in customer reviews. However, if a modern UI is not hugely important to your business, you may be fine with the experience they offer.
Pricing
Compared to QLess, NextMe is less expensive and offers a two week free trial to test drive all of the core features, along with a free version for small businesses. Overall, you’ll likely pay less for NextMe with the added confidence of having tried things out beforehand.
| Plan | NextMe | QLess |
| 14-Day Free Trial | ✅ | ❌ |
| Free | ✅ Up to 170 visits per month | ❌ |
| Starter | $49.99/mo when billed annually | Starting at $60/mo |
| Business | $79.99/mo when billed annually | No mid-tier plan pricing listed online |
| Enterprise | Varies | Varies |
Support
NextMe offers quick and reliable phone and chat support along with a robust help center. QLess requires you to reach out via a contact form and doesn’t seem to offer a publicly available knowledge base.
| Support | NextMe | QLess |
| Help Center | ✅ | ❌ |
| Chat Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Phone Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Personal Demos | ✅ | ✅ |
Conclusion
NextMe and QLess each have their own pros and cons as waitlist platforms. NextMe is ideal for businesses that need an easy to use, feature-rich solution with reliable human support. While QLess has a strong track record, the company is undergoing some significant financial challenges which may end up impacting existing customers. This risk, combined with no trial or free version, makes QLess a tough sell in this environment.
Ultimately, the choice will depend on your specific business needs, budget, and the complexity of the queuing system required. We hope this was comparison was a helpful tool in informing your decision. If you’re a current QLess customer, we’d be happy to waive our onboarding fee ($1500 value) to help you quickly and seamlessly transition to NextMe. Reach out to us today to learn more.