Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon and spa management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free booking and management software for beauty salons and spas with integrated payments and marketplace discovery.
- 3#3: Mindbody - Comprehensive management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses featuring scheduling, CRM, and reporting.
- 4#4: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade cloud platform for salons and spas with booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Modern salon software optimizing client bookings, retail sales, and personalized marketing experiences.
- 6#6: Mangomint - Streamlined salon management system with automated booking, payments, and no-commission marketing tools.
- 7#7: Phorest - Salon software emphasizing marketing automation, client retention, and performance analytics.
- 8#8: GlossGenius - All-in-one booking and payment platform designed for beauty professionals and small salons.
- 9#9: Square Appointments - Simple appointment scheduling software with integrated payments tailored for service-based businesses like salons.
- 10#10: Schedulicity - Online booking and scheduling tool for beauty and wellness pros with client management and reminders.
We evaluated these tools based on key factors including feature robustness (booking, payments, marketing, and analytics), user-friendliness, performance stability, and value for money, ensuring they align with the diverse needs of modern beauty and wellness businesses
Comparison Table
Choosing the right beauty salon booking software can streamline operations, and this table breaks down top tools like Vagaro, Fresha, Mindbody, Zenoti, Boulevard, and more. Readers will find key details including features, pricing, and unique capabilities to match their salon’s specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon and spa management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free booking and management software for beauty salons and spas with integrated payments and marketplace discovery. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | Mindbody Comprehensive management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses featuring scheduling, CRM, and reporting. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 4 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade cloud platform for salons and spas with booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Modern salon software optimizing client bookings, retail sales, and personalized marketing experiences. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Mangomint Streamlined salon management system with automated booking, payments, and no-commission marketing tools. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Phorest Salon software emphasizing marketing automation, client retention, and performance analytics. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 8 | GlossGenius All-in-one booking and payment platform designed for beauty professionals and small salons. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Square Appointments Simple appointment scheduling software with integrated payments tailored for service-based businesses like salons. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 10 | Schedulicity Online booking and scheduling tool for beauty and wellness pros with client management and reminders. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
All-in-one salon and spa management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools.
Free booking and management software for beauty salons and spas with integrated payments and marketplace discovery.
Comprehensive management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses featuring scheduling, CRM, and reporting.
Enterprise-grade cloud platform for salons and spas with booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support.
Modern salon software optimizing client bookings, retail sales, and personalized marketing experiences.
Streamlined salon management system with automated booking, payments, and no-commission marketing tools.
Salon software emphasizing marketing automation, client retention, and performance analytics.
All-in-one booking and payment platform designed for beauty professionals and small salons.
Simple appointment scheduling software with integrated payments tailored for service-based businesses like salons.
Online booking and scheduling tool for beauty and wellness pros with client management and reminders.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon and spa management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools.
Vagaro Marketplace, which exposes salons to millions of active users searching for local beauty services, driving new bookings effortlessly.
Vagaro is a comprehensive all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses. It offers online appointment scheduling, client management, POS integration, inventory tracking, and automated marketing tools to streamline daily operations. With features like SMS/email reminders, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting, Vagaro helps salons boost efficiency, retain clients, and drive revenue growth.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including online booking, payments, and marketing automation
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go management
- Vagaro Marketplace for client discovery and growth
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for very small salons
- Payment processing fees add to ongoing costs
- Slight learning curve for advanced reporting tools
Best For
Mid-sized to large beauty salons and spas seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform for bookings, client management, and business growth.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter) per location, scaling to $199/month (Ultimate), plus 2.75% + $0.30 per transaction; annual billing discounts available.
Fresha
specializedFree booking and management software for beauty salons and spas with integrated payments and marketplace discovery.
The Fresha consumer app and marketplace, which drives new client bookings by connecting businesses to millions of users searching for local beauty services.
Fresha is a comprehensive booking and management platform designed specifically for beauty salons, spas, barbershops, and wellness businesses. It offers seamless online booking, staff scheduling, client CRM, point-of-sale, inventory tracking, and marketing automation tools. The platform stands out with its free core features, enabling businesses to manage operations without monthly subscriptions while integrating with a consumer app for client discovery.
Pros
- Free core platform with no monthly fees for essential features
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for easy staff and client management
- Integrated marketing tools including automated emails and loyalty programs
Cons
- Payment processing fees (around 2.19% + fixed fee per transaction)
- Advanced reporting and customizations require premium upgrades
- Customer support response times can vary for free-tier users
Best For
Small to medium-sized beauty salons and spas looking for a cost-effective, all-in-one solution to handle bookings, payments, and client retention without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free forever for core features; Premium subscriptions start at $19/month per location; card processing fees of 2.19% + 20¢ per transaction.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses featuring scheduling, CRM, and reporting.
Integrated Mindbody marketplace and consumer app for effortless client discovery and direct bookings
Mindbody is a robust, all-in-one business management platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering online booking, appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS, and marketing automation. It enables salons to manage staff schedules, process payments, send automated reminders, and track performance through detailed reporting. With its extensive marketplace integration, salons can attract new clients via the Mindbody app, making it ideal for scaling operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including booking, marketing, and analytics
- Large consumer network for client discovery and bookings
- Seamless integrations with POS, email, and third-party apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- High pricing that may overwhelm small salons
- Occasional reports of slow customer support response
Best For
Mid-sized to large beauty salons and spas seeking an enterprise-level platform for growth and client acquisition.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Starter plan, with Essential at $229/month and Ultimate at $429+/month; additional fees for premium features and per-client transactions.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade cloud platform for salons and spas with booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support.
AI-powered revenue management and personalized client journey automation
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, excelling in online appointment booking, client relationship management, and operational automation. It offers seamless scheduling with features like waitlists, recurring appointments, and no-show protection, integrated with POS, inventory, and staff scheduling. Beyond bookings, it provides marketing tools, analytics, and multi-location support to drive business growth.
Pros
- All-in-one platform with advanced booking, CRM, and analytics
- Scalable for single or multi-location salons
- Strong mobile apps and integrations with payment gateways
Cons
- High pricing can be prohibitive for small salons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Custom quotes lack upfront pricing transparency
Best For
Multi-location beauty salon chains or growing businesses needing enterprise-grade tools beyond basic booking.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $250-$500/month per location, scaling with users, modules, and features.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon software optimizing client bookings, retail sales, and personalized marketing experiences.
Unified Beauty Commerce platform that seamlessly integrates booking, POS, retail, and payroll in one system
Boulevard is an all-in-one salon management platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, streamlining online booking, scheduling, client management, and payments. It features a modern POS system, inventory tracking, marketing automation, and reporting tools to help salons operate efficiently. The software emphasizes a seamless client experience with mobile apps for both staff and customers.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including real-time booking, POS, and marketing tools
- Visually appealing, intuitive interface with strong mobile support
- Robust integrations and excellent customer support
Cons
- Premium pricing can be steep for small salons
- Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers
- Occasional learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
Best For
Mid-sized beauty salons and spas seeking a scalable, all-in-one management solution with premium features.
Pricing
Starts at $299/month per location for the Essentials plan, with Professional ($450+) and Enterprise tiers; additional per-user fees and custom quotes available.
Mangomint
specializedStreamlined salon management system with automated booking, payments, and no-commission marketing tools.
Beautiful, mobile-first interface with integrated two-way texting for seamless client communication
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering seamless online booking, POS integration, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and automated marketing. It stands out with its modern, intuitive interface that streamlines operations and enhances client experience through features like two-way texting and customizable client intake forms. Designed to automate repetitive tasks, it helps salon owners focus on growth with advanced reporting and business intelligence dashboards.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive and visually appealing interface
- Powerful automation for bookings, reminders, and marketing
- Comprehensive reporting and booth rental management
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers limit accessibility for very small salons
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors
- No free trial, only demos available
Best For
Mid-sized beauty salons and spas prioritizing a premium user experience, automation, and client retention tools.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Starter) for one location, up to $385/month (Pro); annual billing required, additional fees for extra locations.
Phorest
specializedSalon software emphasizing marketing automation, client retention, and performance analytics.
Integrated marketing suite with behavior-triggered campaigns and automated rebooking workflows
Phorest is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and barbershops, providing online booking, client management, POS, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling in one platform. It excels in marketing automation with targeted email/SMS campaigns and reputation management to boost client retention and reviews. Advanced reporting and analytics help owners optimize operations and revenue across single or multi-location businesses.
Pros
- Powerful marketing automation for client retention and rebooking
- Comprehensive all-in-one tools including POS and inventory management
- Strong multi-location support with centralized reporting
Cons
- Higher pricing can be steep for small independent salons
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Custom setup and onboarding can take time
Best For
Established beauty salons or multi-location chains prioritizing advanced marketing, client analytics, and scalability.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting around $150-$300/month per location, including all features, training, and support; scales with size.
GlossGenius
specializedAll-in-one booking and payment platform designed for beauty professionals and small salons.
Gorgeous, fully customizable booking pages that match your brand and boost online conversions
GlossGenius is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for beauty and wellness professionals, including salons, spas, and independent stylists. It offers online scheduling, client management, payment processing, POS, inventory tracking, and automated marketing tools like email and SMS campaigns. The software stands out with its sleek, customizable booking pages that integrate seamlessly with a salon's website, providing a professional client experience from any device.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app and drag-and-drop scheduling
- Beauty-specific tools like no-show protection and waitlists
- Built-in marketing automation for client retention
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with multiple staff members
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Independent beauty professionals and small salons seeking a user-friendly, visually appealing booking solution with marketing features.
Pricing
Starts at $24/month per provider (solo or team plans), billed annually; additional providers at $24/month each, with transaction fees on payments.
Square Appointments
specializedSimple appointment scheduling software with integrated payments tailored for service-based businesses like salons.
Built-in payment processing with deposit collection and no-show fees, eliminating the need for separate gateways.
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling platform from Square, tailored for service businesses like beauty salons, enabling online booking, staff management, automated reminders, and seamless payment processing. It integrates tightly with Square's POS hardware for in-person transactions and supports client profiles for personalized service histories. While versatile for small operations, it emphasizes simplicity over advanced salon-specific tools like booth rentals or inventory tracking for products.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square payments for deposits and no-show protection
- Intuitive mobile app and online booking widget that's easy to set up
- Free plan for solo users or single-location salons
Cons
- Lacks advanced beauty salon features like booth rental management or service packages
- Reporting and analytics are basic on lower tiers
- Customization for branding and workflows is somewhat limited
Best For
Small beauty salons, solo stylists, or independent contractors seeking simple, affordable booking with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for 1 user/location; Plus at $29/month per location; Premium at $69/month per location (annual discounts available); payments processing fees apply (2.6% + 10¢ in-person).
Schedulicity
specializedOnline booking and scheduling tool for beauty and wellness pros with client management and reminders.
Client-facing online booking pages with no fees, seamless payment integration, and customizable branding to maximize direct bookings
Schedulicity is a user-friendly online scheduling platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness professionals, enabling 24/7 client self-booking, staff calendar management, and automated reminders. It integrates payments, marketing tools like email campaigns, and basic reporting to streamline salon operations and boost client retention. While versatile for small to mid-sized businesses, it emphasizes simplicity over enterprise-level customization.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app for on-the-go management
- No booking fees for clients, encouraging more online reservations
- Strong customer support and reliable automated SMS/email reminders
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to top competitors
- Higher-tier plans required for multi-location or complex team features
- Some users report occasional syncing issues with external calendars
Best For
Small to medium beauty salons seeking an affordable, straightforward booking system without needing heavy customization.
Pricing
Solo plan starts at $39/month; Team plans from $69/month (billed annually); Pay-as-you-go option available with per-booking fees.
Conclusion
The reviewed beauty salon booking software offers diverse solutions, with Vagaro emerging as the top choice, combining all-in-one management, booking, payments, and marketing tools. Fresha stands out for its free model and marketplace reach, ideal for flexibility, while Mindbody excels with comprehensive CRM and reporting, catering to larger or data-focused businesses. Each tool serves distinct needs, but Vagaro's versatility makes it the clear leader.
Explore Vagaro today to streamline your salon operations, from booking to client retention—unlock a more efficient, successful business flow.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison