VersaSpa and Mystic Tan are two of the most widely available automated spray tan booths in the US, and if you have walked into a Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, or a dedicated tanning salon recently, you have almost certainly seen one or both. They look similar from the outside, but there are meaningful differences in results, solution options, timing, and booth experience that are worth understanding before you step inside.
Overall, VersaSpa is generally considered the stronger option — it offers more solution choices, a more natural-looking result, and greater booth versatility. But Mystic Tan has genuine advantages of its own, particularly for beginners, people who value a faster session, or those who prefer a warmer, fully enclosed booth feel.
Here is the full comparison so you can choose the right one for you.
Key Takeaways
- Both VersaSpa and Mystic Tan are automated spray tan booths that use DHA-based solutions to develop colour
- VersaSpa is generally considered the better overall booth for results, solution variety, and natural finish
- Mystic Tan tends to produce a slightly more orange or golden-toned result; VersaSpa leans more pink and natural
- The Mystic booth is fully enclosed and feels warmer; VersaSpa is more open in design
- Mystic sessions are shorter — a genuine advantage for beginners or anyone short on time
- VersaSpa offers four standing position options versus Mystic’s two, improving overall body coverage
- Mystic’s standard solution contains no bronzer — adding one costs extra. VersaSpa lets you choose bronzer at no added cost
- Both tans last a similar amount of time — typically five to seven days with good aftercare
What Are VersaSpa and Mystic Tan?
Both VersaSpa and Mystic Tan are automated spray tanning booths — freestanding units found in salons and fitness clubs where you step inside, follow a set of position instructions, and receive an all-over spray tan application without needing a human technician. They both use DHA-based tanning solutions applied through automated nozzles, but differ in formulation, booth design, session timing, and available options.
Neither is the same as airbrush tanning, where a trained technician applies the solution manually and can adapt coverage in real time. If you are comparing booths to airbrush, our guide to airbrush tan vs spray tan booth covers those differences in full. For a broader look at your sunless tanning options — including at-home self-tanning — check our complete spray tan vs self tan comparison.
Results and Tan Quality
The most important question is how the tan actually looks — and this is where the two booths differ most noticeably.
VersaSpa is generally regarded as producing a more natural-looking result with a pinkish or neutral undertone that suits a wide range of skin tones. The spray coverage is considered consistent, and the range of available solution options allows for a more personalised outcome.
Mystic Tan tends to produce a result with a slightly more orange or golden undertone. For many people this is exactly the look they want — a classic, warm bronzed appearance. For others, particularly those with fairer skin tones, the orange cast can feel less natural than they hoped. As we cover in our article on why spray tans sometimes turn orange, DHA interacts differently with different skin types, and darker formulas are more prone to orange-toned results on lighter complexions.
Winner: VersaSpa — for most skin tones and those looking for the most natural-looking result.
Solutions and Formula Options
This is one of the most practically important differences between the two booths.
Mystic Tan’s standard solution is clear, meaning it contains no cosmetic bronzer. You will not see any immediate colour change when you step out of the booth — the colour develops fully over the following hours as the DHA reacts with your skin. If you want an instant bronzer added — so you can see coverage immediately and check for any missed areas — most salons charge an additional fee for this.
VersaSpa gives you the choice of solution with or without bronzer at no extra cost. This flexibility is a meaningful advantage. A bronzed formula helps you see where you have been covered during the session, reduces the chance of missed patches, and gives you immediate visible colour for occasions when you cannot wait the full development period.
Winner: VersaSpa — more flexibility with formula options and no added cost for bronzer.
Session Timing and Speed
Mystic Tan sessions are notably shorter than VersaSpa sessions. A Mystic session typically takes around one to two minutes inside the booth, making it one of the fastest automated spray tan options available. This is a real advantage for people who are time-pressed or who simply find the booth experience uncomfortable and want to get it done quickly.
VersaSpa sessions run slightly longer — typically around three to four minutes — to accommodate the additional standing positions and more comprehensive coverage.
Winner: Mystic — for people who value speed and a faster in-booth experience.
Booth Design and Experience
The physical experience inside each booth is noticeably different and often comes down to personal preference.
Mystic Tan’s booth is fully enclosed when in use, creating a warmer, more contained environment. Many people find this more comfortable — there is less cold air exposure from the spray, and the enclosed space can make the session feel more complete. The enclosed design also helps the solution settle without being disrupted by airflow.
VersaSpa has a more open design and can feel cooler and more airy during the session. Some people prefer this; others find the open format slightly less comfortable, particularly if they are used to the Mystic experience. Both booths guide you through the standing positions via clear audio instructions.
Winner: Mystic — for those who prefer a warmer, more enclosed booth environment.
Standing Positions
VersaSpa offers four different standing position options during the session, giving more comprehensive coverage and better targeting of difficult areas like underarms and the sides of the body. Mystic Tan typically offers two positions.
In practice, both booths deliver full-body coverage — the additional positions in VersaSpa mainly help ensure more consistent results across harder-to-reach areas. For most users the difference will be subtle, but for those who have experienced missed patches with Mystic, this is worth factoring in.
Winner: VersaSpa
Price
Pricing varies by salon and location, but VersaSpa sessions are typically priced slightly higher than Mystic Tan sessions. The gap is usually small — often just a few dollars per session — but it adds up for regular tanners. As we found in our research into how much a spray tan costs, automated booth tans are significantly more affordable than airbrush tanning regardless of which booth you choose.
Winner: Mystic — marginally cheaper on average.
Longevity
Both booths produce tans of broadly similar longevity — typically five to seven days with good aftercare. As we explain in our guide to how long spray tans last, longevity is driven far more by your skin preparation, aftercare routine, and skin type than by which specific booth or formula you used. Moisturising daily and keeping showers short and lukewarm makes the biggest practical difference regardless of which booth you choose.
Which Is Better for Beginners?
Mystic Tan’s shorter session time and simpler two-position process makes it a slightly more accessible starting point for complete beginners. The faster session means less time to overthink your positioning, and the enclosed booth can feel more natural and less exposing. That said, VersaSpa is also very beginner-friendly — the audio instructions walk you through every step clearly and at a comfortable pace.
If you are completely new to spray tanning, the most important thing is what you do after your appointment. Check our full spray tan aftercare guide — how you look after your tan in the 24 hours after the session matters more than which booth you choose.
Which Is Better for Sensitive Skin?
VersaSpa’s wider range of solution options makes it easier to select a formula suited to sensitive or acne-prone skin. If this is a concern for you, ask the salon about fragrance-free or sensitive-skin-specific formulas before your session. For a full guide to spray tanning with acne-prone skin, check our dedicated article on spray tanning with acne.
VersaSpa vs VersaPRO
If you are considering VersaSpa, it is also worth knowing that a premium version — the VersaPRO — exists in some higher-end salons and clubs. The VersaPRO offers enhanced spray technology and additional customisation options over the standard VersaSpa. We cover all the differences in our dedicated guide to VersaSpa vs VersaPRO.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VersaSpa better than Mystic Tan?
Overall, VersaSpa is generally considered the better booth for results, formula flexibility, and natural-looking colour. However, Mystic Tan has real advantages in session speed and booth comfort that make it a strong choice for many people — particularly beginners or those who want the fastest possible session.
How long does a VersaSpa tan last?
A VersaSpa tan typically lasts five to seven days with good aftercare. Moisturising daily and keeping showers short and lukewarm are the most impactful things you can do to extend your result.
Does Mystic Tan turn you orange?
Mystic Tan does tend to produce a slightly more golden or orange-toned result than VersaSpa, and this can be more noticeable on very fair skin or with a darker formula setting. Choosing a lighter setting and opting for bronzer so you can monitor coverage helps reduce the risk of an unwanted orange outcome.
What do you need to do before a spray tan booth session?
Preparation is the same as any spray tan regardless of the booth. Exfoliate two to three days before your appointment, shave the day before, and arrive at the salon with clean, dry skin — free of moisturiser, deodorant, and perfume. These products create a barrier that interferes with even DHA development and can lead to patchiness.
Can I go to the sauna or gym after a VersaSpa or Mystic tan?
No — not in the first 24 hours. Sweating during the development window can cause streaking and uneven results. Wait until after your first rinse and ideally a full 24 hours have passed before any activity that causes significant sweating. Our guide to sweating after a spray tan covers this in full detail.
Can I use Mystic Tan or VersaSpa if I have sensitive skin?
Yes, but VersaSpa’s broader formula selection makes it easier to find a sensitive-skin-friendly option. Ask the salon about the specific solutions available before your session and request a fragrance-free or hypoallergenic formula if needed.
Conclusion
Both VersaSpa and Mystic Tan are solid automated spray tan booth options, and either will deliver a good result when used correctly. VersaSpa has the edge overall — particularly for natural-looking results, solution flexibility, and more comprehensive body coverage. Mystic Tan is a genuinely strong choice if you want a faster session, prefer the enclosed booth feel, or want to keep costs down slightly.
For the most professional spray tan result overall — where a trained technician can personalise coverage and handle every difficult area — airbrush tanning remains the gold standard. Find out more in our complete guide to airbrush tanning. And if you are still deciding between a salon spray tan and doing it yourself at home, our full spray tan vs self tan breakdown has everything you need to make the right call.