Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Tattoo Studio Software

Linework vs inkStar

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Linework #3 in Tattoo Studio Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Linework
inkStar #5 in Tattoo Studio Software 8.7/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit inkStar

Linework leads on 1 check, inkStar on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLinework · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly Linework
  • Free trialonly inkStar

Linework scores higher on our rubric for tattoo studio software: 8.9 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Linework offers free plan; inkStar doesn't.

Linework is the better fit for tattoo artists focused on payments and financial reporting. inkStar is the better fit for growing studios needing integrations and offline access.

  • Linework fits best

    Tattoo artists focused on payments and financial reporting

  • inkStar fits best

    Growing studios needing integrations and offline access

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Linework 8.9/10 Visit ↗ inkStar 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.7
Ranking #3 in Tattoo Studio Software #5 in Tattoo Studio Software
Best for Tattoo artists focused on payments and financial reporting Growing studios needing integrations and offline access
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $19/mo €8.99/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Linework 4/4 · inkStar 4/4
Online booking ✓ ✓
Digital intake forms ✓ ✓
Deposit collection ✓ ✓
Artist scheduling ✓ ✓
Specs
Client record limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Collect deposits through online booking pages and send payment-link invoices.
  • Track card and cash payments, client histories, commissions and booth rent.
  • Create tax-ready financial reports; use the service on web, iOS and Android.
  • Combines online booking, client records, deposits and appointment reminders.
  • Offline access with automatic syncing supports work away from reliable internet.
  • Plus and Pro add e-signatures, reporting, team schedules and commission tracking.
Cons
  • Free plans charge 6% per transaction.
  • Pro plans add a $19 monthly fee as well as Stripe’s 2.9% + 30¢ fee.
  • Stripe is the only listed integration; support is by email.
  • Starter lacks digital contracts, SMS notifications and report dashboards.
  • Multi-location setup and role-based permissions require the €99/month Pro plan.
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published as a monthly amount.
Our verdict

Linework brings online booking, client records, payments and studio administration into one service for independent tattoo artists and multi-artist studios. Booking pages can collect deposits, while a shared calendar offers day, week and…

Read the review →

inkStar brings booking, calendars, client records, deposits, forms and reminders into one studio-management platform for solo tattoo artists and multi-artist studios. Its web, iOS and Android access, plus offline mode with automatic…

Read the review →
  1. LineworkTattoo Studio Software 8.9Free plan
  2. inkStarTattoo Studio Software 8.77-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Linework — where it wins

    • Collect deposits through online booking pages and send payment-link invoices.
    • Track card and cash payments, client histories, commissions and booth rent.
    • Create tax-ready financial reports; use the service on web, iOS and Android.

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plans charge 6% per transaction.
    • Pro plans add a $19 monthly fee as well as Stripe’s 2.9% + 30¢ fee.
    • Stripe is the only listed integration; support is by email.

  • inkStar — where it wins

    • Combines online booking, client records, deposits and appointment reminders.
    • Offline access with automatic syncing supports work away from reliable internet.
    • Plus and Pro add e-signatures, reporting, team schedules and commission tracking.

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter lacks digital contracts, SMS notifications and report dashboards.
    • Multi-location setup and role-based permissions require the €99/month Pro plan.
    • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than published as a monthly amount.
  • Linework8.9/10 · Free plan

    A booking and studio-management tool with free plans and a $19 monthly Pro tier.

    Visit LineworkFull verdict →
  • inkStar8.7/10 · 7-day trial

    Booking, records, payments and scheduling, with plans for solo artists through enterprise studios.

    Visit inkStarFull verdict →

More comparisons

All tattoo studio software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update