The real decision
Most operators are not choosing “features vs no features.” They are choosing who owns the system of record for bookings, clients, and payments.
- Rent SaaS when you want the vendor to run everything and you accept monthly rent plus lock-in.
- Self-host when you want the booking app and data on your WordPress or Node hosting, with licence economics you can plan around.
Savvi Web is a UK software company. It is not SavvyWeb, not Mybooking.es, and not other companies named Savvi.
Self-hosted vs SaaS at a glance
| Point | Self-hosted (Savvi pattern) | Typical SaaS diary |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Your WordPress or Node hosting | Vendor cloud account |
| Data control | On your stack | In the vendor tenancy |
| Ops burden | You (or Savvi for Nord deploy) | Vendor handles hosting |
| Cost shape (GBP) | Yearly licence (+ Nord setup fee) | Ongoing monthly rent |
| Best when | Ownership and brand control matter | Zero-ops beats ownership |
When SaaS wins
Be honest: SaaS is the right buy if you have no appetite for hosting, no WordPress or Node preference, and you value a turnkey login over long-term ownership. You trade control for convenience. That is a valid trade.
If that is you, do not force a self-hosted stack. Rent the diary and move on.
When self-hosted wins
Choose self-hosted booking software when you want bookings, clients, and payments tied to your site and server, not a rented multi-tenant account you never own.
- Chauffeur / taxi operators who need dispatch on their brand domain
- Salons and clinics that already run WordPress (or want Nord deploy without WordPress)
- Teams that prefer yearly GBP licences over open-ended SaaS rent
How Savvi Web maps to the choice
| Product | Stack | From (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Aura | WordPress chauffeur / taxi plugin | £229.99 / year |
| Aura Nord | Standalone Node.js; Savvi deploys | £249.99 / year + £200 setup |
| MyBooking | WordPress appointments plugin | £149.99 / year |
| My Booking Nord | Standalone appointments; Savvi deploys | £299 / year + £200 setup |
| Savvi Bot | Hosted AI chat (not booking core) | From £49 / month |
Nord products go live in 2 to 3 business days after hosting access. Full Stripe checkout links: pricing. Aura vs Nord detail: Aura Nord guide.
Decision tree
- Need zero hosting forever? Prefer SaaS.
- Already on WordPress? Start with Aura or MyBooking.
- Want no WordPress? Use Aura Nord or My Booking Nord.
- Need website chat, not the booking core? Add Savvi Bot.
FAQ
What is self-hosted booking software?
Self-hosted booking software runs on hosting you control (WordPress or a standalone Node.js server). You keep the application and booking data on your stack instead of only renting a multi-tenant SaaS login. Savvi Web sells self-hosted booking for chauffeurs and salons.
When is SaaS booking better than self-hosted?
SaaS is usually better if you want zero hosting work, no deploy step, and you accept ongoing rent plus vendor lock-in. Choose self-hosted when data control, brand ownership, and long-term licence economics matter more than a turnkey rented diary.
Does Savvi Web only sell self-hosted products?
No. Aura, Aura Nord, MyBooking, and My Booking Nord are self-hosted booking products. Savvi Bot is a hosted AI chat agent for any website and is not a WordPress booking plugin.
How long does Aura Nord or My Booking Nord take to go live?
After you buy the licence and share hosting access, Savvi deploys Nord products in 2 to 3 business days. WordPress plugins (Aura and MyBooking) install on your existing WordPress site without a Nord-style deploy.
Next step
Pick the product path, then confirm live GBP checkout on pricing.