Quick Overview
- 1#1: Booksy - Booksy provides mobile-first appointment booking, client management, and payment processing tailored for barbershops and salons.
- 2#2: Vagaro - Vagaro offers comprehensive scheduling, marketing tools, payments, and inventory management for barbershops.
- 3#3: GlossGenius - GlossGenius delivers an all-in-one platform with online booking, POS, and client retention features for barbers.
- 4#4: StyleSeat - StyleSeat enables pros to build online profiles, manage appointments, and accept payments directly from clients.
- 5#5: Square Appointments - Square Appointments provides free, easy scheduling with integrated POS and payment processing for small barbershops.
- 6#6: Fresha - Fresha offers free salon software for booking, reminders, and payments with no commissions.
- 7#7: Mangomint - Mangomint streamlines barbershop operations with advanced scheduling, payroll, and reporting tools.
- 8#8: Boulevard - Boulevard provides premium salon management with booking, retail, and analytics for growing barbershops.
- 9#9: Zenoti - Zenoti is an enterprise-grade platform for multi-location barbershops handling appointments, staff, and marketing.
- 10#10: Mindbody - Mindbody offers robust scheduling, client tracking, and business tools suitable for barbershops via its Booker product.
Tools were evaluated and ranked based on features (including scheduling, client management, and payment processing), ease of use, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they address the unique needs of barbershops, whether small or enterprise-sized.
Comparison Table
Effective appointment management is crucial for modern barber shops, and this comparison table explores top tools like Booksy, Vagaro, GlossGenius, StyleSeat, Square Appointments, and more. Readers will gain insights into features, pricing, and usability to identify the best fit for their shop's operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Booksy Booksy provides mobile-first appointment booking, client management, and payment processing tailored for barbershops and salons. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Vagaro Vagaro offers comprehensive scheduling, marketing tools, payments, and inventory management for barbershops. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | GlossGenius GlossGenius delivers an all-in-one platform with online booking, POS, and client retention features for barbers. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | StyleSeat StyleSeat enables pros to build online profiles, manage appointments, and accept payments directly from clients. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | Square Appointments Square Appointments provides free, easy scheduling with integrated POS and payment processing for small barbershops. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Fresha Fresha offers free salon software for booking, reminders, and payments with no commissions. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Mangomint Mangomint streamlines barbershop operations with advanced scheduling, payroll, and reporting tools. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Boulevard Boulevard provides premium salon management with booking, retail, and analytics for growing barbershops. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 9 | Zenoti Zenoti is an enterprise-grade platform for multi-location barbershops handling appointments, staff, and marketing. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 6.5/10 | 5.8/10 |
| 10 | Mindbody Mindbody offers robust scheduling, client tracking, and business tools suitable for barbershops via its Booker product. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | 6.1/10 |
Booksy provides mobile-first appointment booking, client management, and payment processing tailored for barbershops and salons.
Vagaro offers comprehensive scheduling, marketing tools, payments, and inventory management for barbershops.
GlossGenius delivers an all-in-one platform with online booking, POS, and client retention features for barbers.
StyleSeat enables pros to build online profiles, manage appointments, and accept payments directly from clients.
Square Appointments provides free, easy scheduling with integrated POS and payment processing for small barbershops.
Fresha offers free salon software for booking, reminders, and payments with no commissions.
Mangomint streamlines barbershop operations with advanced scheduling, payroll, and reporting tools.
Boulevard provides premium salon management with booking, retail, and analytics for growing barbershops.
Zenoti is an enterprise-grade platform for multi-location barbershops handling appointments, staff, and marketing.
Mindbody offers robust scheduling, client tracking, and business tools suitable for barbershops via its Booker product.
Booksy
specializedBooksy provides mobile-first appointment booking, client management, and payment processing tailored for barbershops and salons.
Booksy Marketplace, a discovery platform that puts barber shops in front of local clients searching for services
Booksy is a leading all-in-one appointment booking and management platform tailored for beauty and wellness professionals, including barber shops, offering seamless online scheduling, client communication, and business growth tools. It allows barbers to create customizable service menus for haircuts, shaves, and styling, while clients book 24/7 via a user-friendly app or website. The platform also handles payments, reminders, and marketing to reduce no-shows and boost revenue.
Pros
- Robust online booking and marketplace visibility that drives new clients to barber shops
- Integrated payments, reminders, and no-show protection for streamlined operations
- Mobile app with real-time calendar sync and client management on the go
Cons
- Commission fees on bookings can accumulate for high-volume shops
- Limited advanced reporting without premium upgrades
- Occasional glitches in the mobile app during peak hours
Best For
Busy independent barbers or multi-chair shops seeking online discoverability, automated scheduling, and client retention tools.
Pricing
Free plan with 2.5% + $1 per booking commission; premium plans start at $29.99/month for unlimited bookings and advanced features.
Vagaro
specializedVagaro offers comprehensive scheduling, marketing tools, payments, and inventory management for barbershops.
Vagaro Marketplace for client discovery and direct bookings from a vast online directory
Vagaro is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and barbershops, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It includes POS systems, payment processing, inventory tracking, and marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns to help barbershops streamline operations and boost revenue. With mobile apps for both clients and staff, it supports on-the-go management, making it efficient for busy barber environments.
Pros
- Robust online booking and calendar management with real-time availability
- Integrated marketing tools including automated reminders and loyalty programs
- Strong mobile app support for staff scheduling and client check-ins
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with additional staff members
- Advanced reporting features have a learning curve
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Multi-stylist barbershops seeking an all-in-one platform with marketing and client acquisition tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter) per location, up to $299/month (Pro), plus $10-35 per additional staff member and optional payment processing fees.
GlossGenius
specializedGlossGenius delivers an all-in-one platform with online booking, POS, and client retention features for barbers.
AI Boost automatically fills cancellations by notifying waitlist clients
GlossGenius is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for beauty and wellness pros, including barbershops, offering seamless online appointment scheduling, payment processing, and client CRM. It features a mobile app for easy calendar management, automated reminders, and marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns to boost bookings. For barbers, it supports service menus for cuts, shaves, and styling, plus POS for in-shop transactions and booth rental tracking.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile-first interface ideal for barbers on the move
- Commission-free bookings with integrated POS and payments
- AI-powered Boost and waitlist to minimize no-shows
Cons
- Pricing tiers escalate quickly for multi-provider shops
- Reporting lacks depth for advanced analytics
- Fewer third-party integrations than some competitors
Best For
Established barbers or small barbershops wanting a user-friendly, all-in-one tool for bookings, payments, and client retention without handling commissions.
Pricing
Lite ($24/mo), Core ($48/mo), Pro ($98/mo); plus 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction.
StyleSeat
specializedStyleSeat enables pros to build online profiles, manage appointments, and accept payments directly from clients.
The client discovery marketplace that allows barbers to be found and booked by users browsing for local services
StyleSeat is a comprehensive online booking platform tailored for beauty and grooming professionals, including barbers, enabling them to create customizable profiles, manage appointments, process payments, and market services. It features a robust marketplace where clients can discover and book barbers directly, streamlining the entire client journey from search to service completion. Barbers benefit from automated reminders, no-show protection, and integrated tools for promotions and client retention.
Pros
- Expansive client marketplace drives new bookings organically
- Seamless mobile app for managing appointments on the go
- Integrated payments with no-show protection and reminders
Cons
- High 20% commission on marketplace bookings reduces earnings
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Independent barbers or small shops seeking client acquisition through a marketplace while handling basic scheduling and payments effortlessly.
Pricing
Free to join with 20% + $1.99 service fee per marketplace booking; optional Pro membership at $40/month for priority support, lower fees, and advanced features.
Square Appointments
specializedSquare Appointments provides free, easy scheduling with integrated POS and payment processing for small barbershops.
Zero-fee booking and full integration with Square POS for instant payments, tips, and product sales during appointments
Square Appointments is a user-friendly online booking platform tailored for service businesses like barber shops, enabling 24/7 client self-scheduling via a customizable booking page. It integrates seamlessly with Square's POS system for handling payments, inventory tracking for products like pomades or clippers, and managing staff calendars. Key tools include automated text/email reminders, no-show protection, and basic client management to streamline daily operations for barbers.
Pros
- Free plan for solo barbers with unlimited appointments
- Seamless Square POS integration for payments and retail sales
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Customization options are basic for complex barber shop needs
- Extra fees for premium features in multi-staff setups
Best For
Solo barbers or small single-location shops needing simple, affordable scheduling with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for single location/solo use; Plus ($29/mo per location) adds unlimited staff and reminders; Premium ($69/mo) includes resource booking and advanced tools.
Fresha
specializedFresha offers free salon software for booking, reminders, and payments with no commissions.
Global marketplace that exposes your barber shop to millions of potential clients searching for local services
Fresha is a comprehensive booking and management platform designed for beauty and wellness businesses, including barber shops, offering online appointment scheduling, client management, POS payments, and marketing tools. It enables barbers to create customizable booking pages, manage staff schedules, send automated reminders, and process payments seamlessly. The platform stands out with its free core features and global marketplace visibility to attract new clients.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees, only commissions on online bookings
- Intuitive mobile app and easy-to-embed booking widget
- Integrated marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns and loyalty programs
Cons
- High commission rates (20% on new client bookings for first year)
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to premium competitors
- Less customization for barber-specific service workflows
Best For
Small independent barbers or multi-staff shops seeking a free, user-friendly online booking system with built-in client acquisition.
Pricing
Free Essentials plan with 20% commission on new online client bookings (first 12 months), 10% thereafter; optional paid subscriptions from $19/month for advanced features.
Mangomint
specializedMangomint streamlines barbershop operations with advanced scheduling, payroll, and reporting tools.
Advanced waitlist management that automatically fills cancellations with suitable appointments and notifies clients
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based management platform designed primarily for salons, spas, and beauty businesses, including barber shops, offering seamless appointment scheduling, client management, and integrated POS systems. It provides tools for online booking, automated reminders, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and marketing automation to streamline daily operations. With a focus on modern aesthetics and efficiency, it's suited for professional barber shops aiming to enhance client experiences and business growth.
Pros
- Intuitive, visually stunning interface that's easy to navigate
- Comprehensive automation for bookings, payments, and client communications
- Robust reporting and marketing tools to boost revenue
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter small or solo barbershops
- Some features feel more tailored to salons/spas than pure barber shops
- Limited free trial and onboarding can be sales-heavy
Best For
Multi-stylist barber shops seeking a polished, all-in-one platform for scaling operations and client retention.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Essentials, 1 location) up to $365/month (Pro); additional fees for extra locations and payment processing.
Boulevard
enterpriseBoulevard provides premium salon management with booking, retail, and analytics for growing barbershops.
Advanced clienteling and automated marketing suite for personalized retention and revenue growth
Boulevard is a robust, all-in-one management platform tailored for salons and barbershops, offering online appointment booking, POS payments, client relationship management, and inventory tracking. It excels in streamlining operations for growing businesses with features like automated marketing, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting. Ideal for professional service providers, it supports multi-location scaling while enhancing client retention through personalized experiences.
Pros
- Feature-rich platform with booking, POS, inventory, and marketing tools
- Scalable for multi-location barbershops
- Strong integrations and reporting capabilities
Cons
- Expensive pricing limits accessibility for solo operators
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Overkill for basic appointment scheduling needs
Best For
Multi-location barbershops or chains needing enterprise-level management and client retention tools.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $250-$500/month per location depending on features and scale.
Zenoti
enterpriseZenoti is an enterprise-grade platform for multi-location barbershops handling appointments, staff, and marketing.
Zenoti Intelligence AI-powered analytics for predictive insights on bookings, revenue, and client trends
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform primarily designed for salons, spas, and multi-location beauty businesses, offering appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS, inventory management, and marketing tools. For barber shops, it supports online booking, staff scheduling, automated reminders, loyalty programs, and detailed reporting to streamline operations. While feature-rich, its enterprise orientation makes it more suitable for scaled operations than small independent barbers.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including AI-driven analytics, multi-location support, and integrated marketing automation
- Robust mobile apps for staff scheduling and client self-service booking
- Strong inventory and POS integration for product sales and retail management
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface not ideal for small teams
- High custom pricing with limited transparency, often prohibitive for solo barbers
- Overkill for basic appointment needs, with many unused enterprise features
Best For
Growing barber shop chains or multi-location operations seeking an all-in-one enterprise solution.
Pricing
Custom pricing typically starts at $250+ per month per location, scaling with features, users, and add-ons; no public tiers.
Mindbody
enterpriseMindbody offers robust scheduling, client tracking, and business tools suitable for barbershops via its Booker product.
Integrated Mindbody Network for client discovery and cross-promotions with nearby wellness businesses
Mindbody is a robust business management platform primarily designed for fitness, wellness, and beauty industries, providing barber shops with online appointment booking, client management, payment processing, and staff scheduling tools. It supports customizable service menus for haircuts, shaves, and styling, along with automated reminders and reporting to optimize daily operations. While feature-rich, it's often better suited for larger salons than standalone small barber shops due to its complexity and cost.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with online booking and waitlist management
- Strong client CRM and marketing automation for retention and promotions
- Integrated payment processing and detailed analytics reporting
Cons
- High monthly costs make it less viable for small, single-chair barbershops
- Steep learning curve and interface overload for basic appointment needs
- Limited barber-specific customizations compared to niche tools
Best For
Growing barber shops or chains with multiple locations needing enterprise-level management alongside marketing and sales tools.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month per location (billed annually), plus 2.75-2.99% payment processing fees and add-ons; enterprise plans are custom.
Conclusion
Reviewing the top 10 tools highlights diverse strengths, ranging from mobile-first booking to POS integration and client retention features. Booksy stands out as the top choice, excelling in tailored appointment management, while Vagaro and GlossGenius are strong alternates—Vagaro for comprehensive operations and GlossGenius for all-in-one retention tools. Choosing the right fit, whether Booksy, Vagaro, or GlossGenius, can transform daily workflows and drive growth for barbershops.
Don't miss the chance to elevate your barbershop—start with Booksy to explore its intuitive, tailored platform and experience seamless booking, management, and success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
