Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon and spa software for online booking, payments, marketing, inventory, and staff management.
- 2#2: Mindbody - Comprehensive management platform for salons, spas, and fitness businesses with scheduling, payments, and client CRM.
- 3#3: Fresha - Free booking and management software for salons and spas handling appointments, payments, and POS.
- 4#4: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, analytics, and marketing automation.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Modern salon management system with intelligent booking, payments, retail, and client retention tools.
- 6#6: Mangomint - Commission-free salon software for scheduling, invoicing, payroll, and automated marketing.
- 7#7: DaySmart Salon - Cloud-based salon software for appointments, POS, inventory, and reporting.
- 8#8: Phorest - Salon and spa management with CRM, online booking, reputation management, and targeted marketing.
- 9#9: Square Appointments - Integrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for salons with payments and reminders.
- 10#10: Schedulicity - Online scheduling platform for salons with booking, payments, and client management features.
Tools were evaluated based on feature depth, usability, reliability, and value, ensuring a balanced selection that caters to diverse needs, from solo practices to multi-location operations.
Comparison Table
Salon and spa operations rely on robust all-in-one software, and choosing between options like Vagaro, Mindbody, Fresha, Zenoti, Boulevard, and more can be challenging. This comparison table simplifies the process by outlining key features, pricing structures, and usability to help you find the best fit for your business. Readers will gain clarity on tools tailored to different needs, from client management to reporting, streamlining their decision-making.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon and spa software for online booking, payments, marketing, inventory, and staff management. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Mindbody Comprehensive management platform for salons, spas, and fitness businesses with scheduling, payments, and client CRM. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Fresha Free booking and management software for salons and spas handling appointments, payments, and POS. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, analytics, and marketing automation. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Modern salon management system with intelligent booking, payments, retail, and client retention tools. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Mangomint Commission-free salon software for scheduling, invoicing, payroll, and automated marketing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | DaySmart Salon Cloud-based salon software for appointments, POS, inventory, and reporting. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Phorest Salon and spa management with CRM, online booking, reputation management, and targeted marketing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Square Appointments Integrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for salons with payments and reminders. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Schedulicity Online scheduling platform for salons with booking, payments, and client management features. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
All-in-one salon and spa software for online booking, payments, marketing, inventory, and staff management.
Comprehensive management platform for salons, spas, and fitness businesses with scheduling, payments, and client CRM.
Free booking and management software for salons and spas handling appointments, payments, and POS.
Enterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, analytics, and marketing automation.
Modern salon management system with intelligent booking, payments, retail, and client retention tools.
Commission-free salon software for scheduling, invoicing, payroll, and automated marketing.
Cloud-based salon software for appointments, POS, inventory, and reporting.
Salon and spa management with CRM, online booking, reputation management, and targeted marketing.
Integrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for salons with payments and reminders.
Online scheduling platform for salons with booking, payments, and client management features.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon and spa software for online booking, payments, marketing, inventory, and staff management.
Integrated marketing automation with email/SMS campaigns, loyalty programs, and 'Boost' tools for automated client retention and upselling
Vagaro is a comprehensive all-in-one salon management software tailored for beauty, wellness, fitness, and salon businesses, offering online booking, appointment scheduling, POS systems, client management, inventory tracking, marketing automation, payroll, and reporting tools in a single platform. It streamlines daily operations, enhances client retention through automated communications, and provides mobile accessibility for on-the-go management. With integrations for payments, calendars, and third-party apps, Vagaro empowers businesses to scale efficiently while boosting revenue.
Pros
- All-in-one platform eliminates need for multiple tools, covering booking, POS, marketing, and payroll seamlessly
- Intuitive mobile app and customizable online booking widget drive client acquisition and convenience
- Robust analytics, reporting, and automated marketing tools help optimize operations and increase revenue
Cons
- Higher-tier plans and add-ons can become costly for very small salons
- Advanced features like payroll require premium subscriptions
- Customer support response times can vary during peak hours
Best For
Ideal for medium to large salons, spas, and wellness studios seeking a scalable, feature-packed solution to manage all aspects of their business.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter, 1 user), Pro $65/month, Premium $105/month, Ultimate $235+/month; plus 1% + $0.20 per credit card transaction and optional add-ons.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive management platform for salons, spas, and fitness businesses with scheduling, payments, and client CRM.
The Mindbody consumer app and marketplace, which drives direct client bookings and discovery across a vast network of businesses.
Mindbody is a robust all-in-one software platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing tools for online booking, client management, point-of-sale transactions, staff scheduling, marketing, and analytics. It streamlines daily operations while offering a consumer-facing app that allows clients to discover and book services seamlessly. With extensive integrations via its App Marketplace, it supports scalability for growing businesses.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including booking, POS, marketing, and reporting
- Vast App Marketplace with hundreds of integrations
- Strong focus on client retention through automated marketing and loyalty programs
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to complex interface
- Pricing can be expensive with add-on fees accumulating quickly
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Mid-sized salons and spas seeking scalable operations with advanced marketing and integration capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for core software (billed annually), plus per-client and add-on fees; custom enterprise pricing available.
Fresha
specializedFree booking and management software for salons and spas handling appointments, payments, and POS.
Integrated global marketplace that exposes businesses to millions of app-using clients searching for local beauty services
Fresha is a comprehensive all-in-one salon management software tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and beauty businesses worldwide. It streamlines operations with features like online booking, client CRM, POS payments, staff scheduling, inventory management, automated marketing, and detailed reporting. The platform stands out for its free core access model, enabling businesses to manage everything from a modern web dashboard and mobile apps without upfront subscription costs.
Pros
- Free core software with no monthly fees
- Intuitive interface and mobile apps for clients and staff
- Built-in marketplace to attract new customers
Cons
- Payment processing fees add up for high-volume businesses
- Limited customization options for advanced users
- Customer support relies heavily on tickets and self-help
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons and independent beauty professionals looking for an affordable, user-friendly platform to handle bookings, payments, and marketing.
Pricing
Free plan with no subscription fees; payment processing at approximately 2.19% + $0.30 per transaction (varies by region); optional premium add-ons.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, analytics, and marketing automation.
AI-powered business intelligence for revenue optimization and predictive analytics
Zenoti is a comprehensive all-in-one software platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing end-to-end management including appointment scheduling, POS, client CRM, inventory tracking, marketing automation, and staff management. It excels in multi-location operations with robust analytics, loyalty programs, and online booking capabilities. Designed for scalability, it helps streamline operations and boost revenue through data-driven insights.
Pros
- Extensive feature set covering all salon operations
- Strong multi-location and enterprise scalability
- Advanced analytics and reporting tools
Cons
- High pricing with custom quotes only
- Steep learning curve for smaller teams
- Overkill for single-location small salons
Best For
Multi-location salon chains and growing enterprises needing robust, scalable management tools.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $200–$500+ per month per location depending on features and scale.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon management system with intelligent booking, payments, retail, and client retention tools.
Visual booth rental marketplace for easy stylist-client matching and independent scheduling
Boulevard is a premium all-in-one salon management software tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and multi-location businesses. It provides online booking, POS integration, staff scheduling, inventory management, client CRM, reporting, and marketing automation in a unified platform. The software excels in delivering a modern, client-facing experience with features like visual booth booking and seamless checkouts.
Pros
- Robust booth rental management for independent stylists
- Intuitive mobile app for staff and clients
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics dashboard
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for small salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited free trial period and setup support
Best For
Multi-location salons, spas, or booth-rental operations needing scalable, high-end management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $275/month per location (billed annually), plus 2.6% + $0.15 per transaction and optional add-ons.
Mangomint
specializedCommission-free salon software for scheduling, invoicing, payroll, and automated marketing.
Award-winning, consumer-app-like UI/UX that delivers an unmatched intuitive experience
Mangomint is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing seamless online booking, POS payments, staff scheduling, and client management. It features powerful marketing automation, inventory tracking, reporting analytics, and a mobile app for on-the-go access. With its modern, intuitive design, it helps streamline operations and boost client retention through personalized experiences.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive and visually appealing interface
- Robust automation for marketing and reminders
- Strong reporting and analytics tools
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for small salons
- Fewer third-party integrations than some competitors
- Advanced features require some setup time
Best For
Mid-sized salons and spas seeking a premium, user-friendly platform with advanced automation.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Starter plan) billed annually, up to $485/month (Pro plan); custom enterprise pricing available.
DaySmart Salon
specializedCloud-based salon software for appointments, POS, inventory, and reporting.
Advanced booth rental management with automated rent collection and commission splitting
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based all-in-one management software tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and multi-location businesses. It provides appointment scheduling, POS transactions, client CRM, inventory management, staff scheduling, and automated marketing tools like email and SMS campaigns. The platform emphasizes scalability with features for booth renters and robust reporting to help owners streamline operations and boost revenue.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one tools including POS and marketing automation
- Strong online booking and kiosk options for client self-service
- Detailed reporting and booth rental management for multi-staff salons
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly with add-ons and locations
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited integrations compared to top competitors
Best For
Medium to large salons or spas with multiple stylists needing scalable booth rent tracking and robust reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Salon Starter (1 user), up to $199+/month for Enterprise plans; additional fees for add-ons like online booking ($19.95/month).
Phorest
specializedSalon and spa management with CRM, online booking, reputation management, and targeted marketing.
Advanced marketing suite with automated SMS/email campaigns and integrated reputation management via PhorestBuzz.
Phorest is a comprehensive all-in-one salon software platform designed for salons, spas, and multi-location beauty businesses, offering online booking, POS, CRM, inventory management, and advanced reporting. It excels in client communication and marketing automation through tools like SMS/email campaigns, automated rebooking, and reputation management. The software also includes staff scheduling, payroll integration, and e-commerce capabilities to streamline operations and drive revenue growth.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation and client retention tools
- Strong analytics and customizable reporting
- Dedicated support with PhorestUniversity training
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for single-location salons
- Interface feels dated and has a learning curve
- Limited flexibility in some customizations
Best For
Growing salon chains and spas prioritizing marketing and client engagement over basic scheduling.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at ~$99/month per location, scaling with users and features (demo required).
Square Appointments
specializedIntegrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for salons with payments and reminders.
Zero-fee online booking with automatic Square payment processing and instant deposits
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling and booking platform from Square, tailored for service-based businesses like salons, offering online booking, calendar management, and seamless payment processing. It provides tools for client management, reminders, and basic reporting to streamline daily operations. While strong in core scheduling and payments, it serves as a solid entry-level all-in-one solution but lacks depth in advanced salon-specific features like comprehensive inventory or marketing automation.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square payments for instant processing and deposits
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-the-go management
- Free plan for solo users or single-location salons
Cons
- Limited advanced features like booth rental tracking or deep inventory management
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to salon-specific competitors
- Customization options are minimal for complex multi-staff operations
Best For
Small salons, solo stylists, or startups needing simple, affordable scheduling with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for single location/solo; Plus $29/month per location; Premium custom pricing.
Schedulicity
specializedOnline scheduling platform for salons with booking, payments, and client management features.
Marketplace discovery tool that connects providers with new clients searching locally
Schedulicity is an online scheduling platform tailored for salons, spas, fitness studios, and other service-based businesses, offering tools for appointment booking, client management, and payment processing. It features customizable booking pages, automated reminders, and marketing automation to streamline operations. While it excels in client self-scheduling, it integrates with payment processors like Square but lacks deeper salon-specific tools like inventory tracking.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Robust online booking widget for 24/7 client access
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- No native inventory or retail POS management
- Customer support primarily email-based with variable response times
Best For
Small to medium salons or solo practitioners seeking affordable, user-friendly online booking without complex enterprise needs.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month for Launch plan (1-3 staff), $69/month for Accelerate (unlimited staff), plus 1.75% per transaction fee; free trial available.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed tools, Vagaro emerges as the top choice, integrating online booking, payments, marketing, inventory, and staff management seamlessly. Mindbody follows with its robust CRM and scheduling, perfect for multi-service operations, while Fresha stands out as a free, user-friendly option for appointments and POS. Each of the top three addresses key salon needs, ensuring tailored solutions for diverse business goals.
Start with Vagaro to elevate your salon’s efficiency and client engagement—your business deserves the best.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison