Quick Overview
- 1#1: Booksy - Mobile-first booking, scheduling, and payment platform tailored for barbers and salons.
- 2#2: Vagaro - Comprehensive salon management software with online booking, POS, and marketing tools.
- 3#3: Fresha - Free cloud-based booking and management system for barbershops and beauty businesses.
- 4#4: StyleSeat - Marketplace and scheduling app connecting barbers with clients for bookings and payments.
- 5#5: GlossGenius - Modern all-in-one platform for booking, invoicing, and client management in salons.
- 6#6: Square Appointments - Simple scheduling and POS solution integrated with payments for small barbershops.
- 7#7: Mangomint - Premium salon software with automation, payroll, and reporting features.
- 8#8: Boulevard - Advanced enterprise platform for multi-location salon and barbershop management.
- 9#9: Zenoti - Cloud-based operations platform for large-scale beauty and barber businesses.
- 10#10: Phorest - CRM and management software focused on client retention and marketing for salons.
We ranked these tools by prioritizing key features (including scheduling, payment processing, and client management), user-friendly design, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they deliver tangible benefits across diverse barbershop scales.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores leading barber shop software tools such as Booksy, Vagaro, Fresha, StyleSeat, and GlossGenius, aiming to guide you in selecting the right solution for streamlining bookings, client management, and daily operations. It highlights differences in key features, pricing models, and user experience, helping you identify the best fit for your barber shop's unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Booksy Mobile-first booking, scheduling, and payment platform tailored for barbers and salons. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Vagaro Comprehensive salon management software with online booking, POS, and marketing tools. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | Fresha Free cloud-based booking and management system for barbershops and beauty businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | StyleSeat Marketplace and scheduling app connecting barbers with clients for bookings and payments. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 5 | GlossGenius Modern all-in-one platform for booking, invoicing, and client management in salons. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Square Appointments Simple scheduling and POS solution integrated with payments for small barbershops. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 7 | Mangomint Premium salon software with automation, payroll, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Boulevard Advanced enterprise platform for multi-location salon and barbershop management. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Zenoti Cloud-based operations platform for large-scale beauty and barber businesses. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 9.0/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 |
| 10 | Phorest CRM and management software focused on client retention and marketing for salons. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
Mobile-first booking, scheduling, and payment platform tailored for barbers and salons.
Comprehensive salon management software with online booking, POS, and marketing tools.
Free cloud-based booking and management system for barbershops and beauty businesses.
Marketplace and scheduling app connecting barbers with clients for bookings and payments.
Modern all-in-one platform for booking, invoicing, and client management in salons.
Simple scheduling and POS solution integrated with payments for small barbershops.
Premium salon software with automation, payroll, and reporting features.
Advanced enterprise platform for multi-location salon and barbershop management.
Cloud-based operations platform for large-scale beauty and barber businesses.
CRM and management software focused on client retention and marketing for salons.
Booksy
specializedMobile-first booking, scheduling, and payment platform tailored for barbers and salons.
Booksy Marketplace, connecting businesses to a massive pool of local clients searching for barber services.
Booksy is a leading all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, including barber shops, enabling 24/7 online appointment scheduling, client management, and automated reminders. It features a robust mobile app for on-the-go access, integrated POS for payments, and marketing tools like promotions and loyalty programs to boost revenue. Barber shops particularly appreciate its no-show protection and marketplace visibility to attract new clients effortlessly.
Pros
- Seamless 24/7 online booking and marketplace exposure
- Integrated POS, payments, and no-show protection
- Intuitive mobile app with client history and marketing tools
Cons
- Commission-based fees can accumulate on high-volume bookings
- Advanced reporting locked behind premium plans
- Occasional sync issues between app and web dashboard
Best For
Busy independent barber shops or small chains seeking effortless online bookings, client retention, and marketplace growth without complex setup.
Pricing
Solo plan free with 50% commission per booking; Team plans from $29.99/month + 1.9-2.9% commission; custom Enterprise pricing available.
Vagaro
specializedComprehensive salon management software with online booking, POS, and marketing tools.
Vagaro's AI-powered marketing suite with automated review requests and loyalty programs
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon and spa management software tailored for barber shops, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and POS capabilities. It includes client management, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns to boost retention and revenue. With a mobile app for both clients and staff, it enables on-the-go management and contactless check-ins.
Pros
- Highly customizable online booking with client self-check-in
- Powerful marketing automation and reporting dashboards
- Strong mobile app for staff scheduling and payments
Cons
- Higher-tier plans needed for advanced features like unlimited staff
- Transaction fees on top of subscription can increase costs
- Steeper learning curve for inventory and reporting modules
Best For
Growing barber shops or chains needing integrated marketing and multi-location support.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month (Essentials, 1 user/location) up to $105+/month (Team/Plus plans), plus payment processing fees (~2.75%) and optional add-ons.
Fresha
specializedFree cloud-based booking and management system for barbershops and beauty businesses.
Built-in global marketplace that connects your barber shop to millions of clients searching for services
Fresha is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, including barber shops, offering online appointment scheduling, POS systems, client CRM, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. It enables barbers to manage appointments, process payments, send reminders, and build loyalty programs through a user-friendly interface accessible via web and mobile apps. The software stands out with its free entry point, making it accessible for small operations to scale without initial costs.
Pros
- Free plan with no upfront subscription costs, only commission on online bookings
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for on-the-go management
- Integrated marketplace for client discovery and marketing
Cons
- 20% commission on free plan can add up for high-volume shops
- Limited advanced reporting and customization without upgrades
- Customer support can be slower for free users
Best For
Small to medium-sized barber shops seeking an easy-to-use, cost-effective solution for online bookings and daily operations.
Pricing
Free plan (20% commission on prepaid online bookings); paid subscriptions from $49/month per location with reduced fees (2.19% + $0.20 per transaction).
StyleSeat
specializedMarketplace and scheduling app connecting barbers with clients for bookings and payments.
The StyleSeat marketplace, which exposes barbers to millions of potential clients searching for local services.
StyleSeat is a comprehensive online platform tailored for beauty and wellness professionals, including barbers, offering tools for scheduling appointments, managing clients, processing payments, and marketing services. It features a user-friendly booking widget, mobile app, and a discovery marketplace that helps barbers attract new clients. While versatile for solo operators, it supports basic shop management but lacks depth for larger multi-chair barber shops.
Pros
- Powerful marketplace for client discovery and bookings
- Intuitive mobile app and easy online scheduling
- Integrated payments with no-show protection
Cons
- 30% commission on bookings without Pro subscription
- Limited reporting and inventory management for shops
- Better suited for individuals than multi-provider shops
Best For
Independent barbers or small shops prioritizing client acquisition through an online marketplace and simple booking tools.
Pricing
Free plan with 30% booking commission; Pro plan $45/month for unlimited commission-free bookings.
GlossGenius
specializedModern all-in-one platform for booking, invoicing, and client management in salons.
One-click website builder that creates a professional booking-enabled site in minutes
GlossGenius is an all-in-one management platform tailored for beauty and wellness professionals, including barbershops, providing online booking, payment processing, client CRM, and marketing tools. It enables seamless appointment scheduling, automated reminders, and integrated POS for in-shop transactions, helping barbers streamline daily operations. The software also offers website building and email/SMS campaigns to attract and retain clients, though it lacks deep barber-specific features like advanced inventory for clippers or booth rental tracking.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app and easy setup for quick adoption
- Integrated payments with no extra hardware needed
- Built-in marketing tools like automated texts and emails
Cons
- Limited inventory management for barber supplies
- Advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
- Less customization for multi-chair barbershop workflows
Best For
Solo barbers or small shops seeking simple booking, payments, and client communication without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $24/month for solo users (Essentials), $48/month (Premium), $165+/month for teams (Plus), with transaction fees on payments.
Square Appointments
specializedSimple scheduling and POS solution integrated with payments for small barbershops.
Built-in Square payments processing with no additional transaction fees beyond standard rates
Square Appointments is a streamlined scheduling and booking platform from Square, tailored for small service businesses like barber shops, enabling online appointment booking, calendar synchronization, and client management. It integrates seamlessly with Square's POS for handling payments, retail sales of products like pomades or clippers, and no-show protection. The tool emphasizes simplicity with mobile access, automated reminders, and basic reporting to keep operations smooth for barbers.
Pros
- Free plan for solo barbers with unlimited appointments
- Seamless integration with Square POS for payments and inventory
- Intuitive mobile app and automated SMS/email reminders
Cons
- Limited customization for barber-specific services like haircut styles or color tracking
- Basic reporting lacks advanced analytics for multi-stylist shops
- No built-in marketing tools or loyalty programs
Best For
Solo barbers or small shops prioritizing easy scheduling and integrated payments over advanced customization.
Pricing
Free for single location/solo user; Plus $29/month per location (up to 5 staff); Premium custom pricing.
Mangomint
specializedPremium salon software with automation, payroll, and reporting features.
Advanced marketing automation with targeted email/SMS campaigns and booth rental management
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based management platform tailored for salons and barbershops, providing comprehensive tools for appointment scheduling, online booking, POS transactions, and client relationship management. It excels in automation with features like automated marketing campaigns, waitlists, and two-way texting to streamline operations. The software's modern, intuitive interface helps barbershops enhance efficiency and client retention while supporting multi-location growth.
Pros
- Stunning, modern user interface that's highly intuitive
- Powerful automation for marketing, reminders, and waitlists
- Seamless integrations with Stripe, QuickBooks, and Review platforms
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for solo barbers
- Feature set can feel overwhelming for very small operations
- Limited highly specialized barber shop templates or customizations
Best For
Growing barbershops or chains seeking a scalable, premium all-in-one solution with strong marketing and automation capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Basic, 1 location), $245/month (Pro), $345/month (Elite); annual discounts and custom enterprise plans available.
Boulevard
enterpriseAdvanced enterprise platform for multi-location salon and barbershop management.
Frictionless Payments that automates tip handling and deposits funds directly into staff accounts
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and barbershops, offering seamless online booking, client relationship management, and payment processing. It streamlines daily operations with staff scheduling, inventory tracking, and marketing automation tools. The software provides robust reporting and analytics to help barbershops optimize revenue and client retention.
Pros
- Modern, intuitive interface with strong mobile app support
- Integrated payments and online booking with waitlist management
- Comprehensive reporting and client CRM for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for small single-chair shops
- Less tailored for ultra-niche barber-specific customizations
- Setup and onboarding can require time investment
Best For
Multi-location or growing barbershops needing a scalable, professional all-in-one platform.
Pricing
Starts at approximately $275/month per location (custom quotes), plus 2.6% + $0.15 per transaction fee.
Zenoti
enterpriseCloud-based operations platform for large-scale beauty and barber businesses.
Zenoti Intelligence, an AI-powered analytics dashboard providing actionable insights on revenue, client trends, and operations.
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform primarily designed for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering barber shops tools like appointment scheduling, POS integration, client CRM, inventory management, and marketing automation. It excels in handling complex operations across multiple locations with features such as staff scheduling, online booking, and detailed reporting. While powerful for scaling enterprises, it may feel bloated for simpler barber shop needs.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including POS, CRM, and analytics
- Scalable for multi-location barber chains
- Strong marketing and client retention tools
Cons
- High cost with custom enterprise pricing
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- Overfeatured for small, single-location shops
Best For
Multi-location barber shop chains or growing businesses needing enterprise-level scalability and analytics.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $200–$500/month per location plus setup fees and add-ons for advanced modules.
Phorest
specializedCRM and management software focused on client retention and marketing for salons.
Advanced marketing automation with AI-driven SMS/email campaigns and automated client journeys
Phorest is an all-in-one salon and spa management platform that provides barber shops with online booking, POS systems, client CRM, inventory management, and marketing automation tools. It excels in client retention through personalized campaigns and reputation management, making it suitable for barbershops seeking growth. While versatile for service-based businesses, its feature set is more comprehensively tailored to salons, which may include extras beyond basic barber needs.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation for client retention and rebooking
- Seamless online booking and walk-in management
- Integrated POS with contactless payments
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small independent barbershops
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features
- Interface feels more salon/spa-oriented than barber-specific
Best For
Growing barber shops or chains focused on marketing, client loyalty, and multi-location management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $129/month per location plus setup fees and add-ons for premium features.
Conclusion
The reviewed barber shop software tools present varied yet impactful solutions, from booking and scheduling to full-scale management and client retention. Leading the pack is Booksy, a top pick for its mobile-first design that streamlines daily operations. Close behind are Vagaro, offering comprehensive features, and Fresha, a standout free cloud-based option for simplicity and accessibility.
Explore the top-ranked tool—Booksy—to elevate your barbershop’s efficiency, or consider Vagaro or Fresha for tailored needs, and take the first step toward smoother management today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison