Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free booking and management platform for salons with built-in payments and marketing tools.
- 3#3: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses with scheduling and CRM features.
- 4#4: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon and spa software offering appointments, inventory, and analytics for multi-location businesses.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Modern salon management platform with booking, POS, payroll, and client retention tools.
- 6#6: Phorest - CRM-focused salon software emphasizing marketing, loyalty programs, and business intelligence.
- 7#7: Mangomint - Streamlined salon software for scheduling, invoicing, and automated reminders with a modern interface.
- 8#8: Salon Iris - Affordable all-in-one solution for salon booking, POS, reporting, and inventory management.
- 9#9: Square Appointments - Integrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for small salons and beauty professionals.
- 10#10: Schedulicity - Online booking and scheduling tool for independent beauty professionals and small salons.
We selected and ranked these tools based on key factors including comprehensive feature sets (online booking, POS, CRM, analytics), user-friendly interfaces, reliability, scalability, and overall value, ensuring only the most robust and user-centric solutions made the list.
Comparison Table
Looking to streamline your beauty salon's operations? This comparison table highlights tools like Vagaro, Fresha, Mindbody, Zenoti, Boulevard, and more, detailing features, usability, and pricing to help you identify the ideal solution for your business's specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free booking and management platform for salons with built-in payments and marketing tools. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 3 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses with scheduling and CRM features. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon and spa software offering appointments, inventory, and analytics for multi-location businesses. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Modern salon management platform with booking, POS, payroll, and client retention tools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Phorest CRM-focused salon software emphasizing marketing, loyalty programs, and business intelligence. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Mangomint Streamlined salon software for scheduling, invoicing, and automated reminders with a modern interface. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Salon Iris Affordable all-in-one solution for salon booking, POS, reporting, and inventory management. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Square Appointments Integrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for small salons and beauty professionals. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 10 | Schedulicity Online booking and scheduling tool for independent beauty professionals and small salons. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
All-in-one salon management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management.
Free booking and management platform for salons with built-in payments and marketing tools.
Comprehensive business management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses with scheduling and CRM features.
Enterprise-grade salon and spa software offering appointments, inventory, and analytics for multi-location businesses.
Modern salon management platform with booking, POS, payroll, and client retention tools.
CRM-focused salon software emphasizing marketing, loyalty programs, and business intelligence.
Streamlined salon software for scheduling, invoicing, and automated reminders with a modern interface.
Affordable all-in-one solution for salon booking, POS, reporting, and inventory management.
Integrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for small salons and beauty professionals.
Online booking and scheduling tool for independent beauty professionals and small salons.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management.
Vagaro Marketplace, a vast discovery platform that connects salons with new clients searching for local services, driving bookings without traditional advertising.
Vagaro is a leading cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, barbershops, and wellness businesses, offering an all-in-one platform for streamlining operations. Key functionalities include online booking, intelligent scheduling, POS payments with integrated processing, client CRM, inventory tracking, staff management, and automated marketing via email/SMS campaigns. It also provides robust analytics, reporting, and a mobile app for on-the-go access, helping salons boost efficiency and client retention.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including seamless online booking and Vagaro Marketplace for client acquisition
- Integrated POS and payment processing with no hidden fees on most plans
- Powerful marketing tools and detailed reporting for business growth
Cons
- Pricing can escalate with add-ons, additional staff, or marketplace commissions
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization and reporting
- Customer support response times can vary, especially for non-premium users
Best For
Mid-sized to large beauty salons and spas seeking an all-in-one solution with strong online booking and marketing capabilities to attract new clients.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Starter plan (1 location), up to $199+/month for Ultimate; additional fees for extra staff ($10-35/user) and 1-3% marketplace commissions on bookings.
Fresha
specializedFree booking and management platform for salons with built-in payments and marketing tools.
Global online marketplace that drives free client leads directly to your booking calendar
Fresha is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, barbershops, and wellness businesses, offering online booking, appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS payments, and marketing tools. It enables seamless operations through a user-friendly dashboard and mobile app, while connecting businesses to a global marketplace for client discovery. The commission-based model keeps core features free, making it accessible for salons of all sizes to streamline daily workflows and boost revenue.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees, only small per-booking charges
- Integrated marketplace for attracting new clients globally
- Intuitive interface with excellent mobile app support
Cons
- Transaction fees on online bookings (e.g., ~2% + fixed fee)
- Limited advanced customization and inventory tracking
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Small to medium beauty salons and spas needing a free, all-in-one tool with built-in client acquisition.
Pricing
Free core platform; small fee per online booking (e.g., $0.50 + 1.5-2.69% depending on region and payment method).
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management software for salons, spas, and wellness businesses with scheduling and CRM features.
Integrated Mindbody app marketplace that connects salons to millions of consumers for seamless discovery and direct bookings.
Mindbody is a robust, all-in-one management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering appointment scheduling, client relationship management, point-of-sale systems, inventory tracking, and staff management. It excels in marketing automation, email/SMS campaigns, and reporting to help salons grow their clientele and optimize operations. With a vast network of consumer apps, it enables easy online bookings and discovery by potential customers.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including scheduling, POS, and marketing tools
- Strong client engagement via automated campaigns and retention features
- Extensive integrations with third-party apps and a large consumer booking network
Cons
- High pricing with additional transaction fees
- Steep learning curve for full utilization
- Occasional reports of slow customer support and interface glitches
Best For
Multi-location beauty salons or chains seeking advanced marketing, online booking discovery, and scalable operations.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for basic plans (Wellness tier), scales to $429+/month for premium (Ultimate tier); plus 2.75-3.49% + $0.20 transaction fees and setup costs.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon and spa software offering appointments, inventory, and analytics for multi-location businesses.
AI-powered client personalization and predictive analytics for upselling and retention
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness centers, streamlining operations from appointment booking and client management to POS and inventory control. It excels in multi-location management with features like automated marketing, staff scheduling, and advanced analytics for business insights. The software integrates AI-driven personalization to enhance client retention and revenue optimization.
Pros
- All-in-one solution with robust CRM, marketing automation, and analytics
- Scalable for multi-location salons with centralized control
- Strong mobile app for staff and clients
Cons
- High pricing unsuitable for small single-location salons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy onboarding process
- Custom pricing lacks transparency
Best For
Medium to large beauty salon chains with multiple locations needing enterprise-grade scalability and analytics.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $300-$500 per month per location, scaling up based on features and users; demo required for quotes.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon management platform with booking, POS, payroll, and client retention tools.
Digital service menus with dynamic pricing and upsell recommendations that personalize the client booking experience
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing end-to-end tools for appointment scheduling, client relationship management, and payment processing. It features online booking, automated marketing campaigns, staff scheduling with commission tracking, and inventory management to streamline daily operations. The platform emphasizes a luxury client experience through customizable branding, contactless check-ins, and detailed analytics for business growth.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including marketing automation and POS integration
- Modern, intuitive interface with strong mobile app support
- Excellent for multi-location salons with centralized management
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit small or budget-conscious salons
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Occasional reports of integration glitches with third-party tools
Best For
Upscale beauty salons and multi-location spas seeking a premium, all-in-one platform with advanced marketing and client engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $295/month for Essentials (single location), $450+/month for Pro tier; custom Enterprise pricing for larger operations, plus transaction fees.
Phorest
specializedCRM-focused salon software emphasizing marketing, loyalty programs, and business intelligence.
Automated marketing suite with pre-built campaigns and reputation management for boosting bookings and reviews
Phorest is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons and spas, offering end-to-end tools for appointment booking, client CRM, POS transactions, inventory management, and staff scheduling. It excels in marketing automation, reputation management, and analytics to enhance client retention and business growth. The platform includes a mobile app for on-the-go access and integrates with popular payment and social media tools.
Pros
- Powerful integrated marketing and SMS/email campaigns
- Strong reputation management and review tools
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting dashboards
Cons
- Initial setup and learning curve can be steep
- Pricing is quote-based and may be high for small salons
- Limited flexibility in custom reporting
Best For
Established salons or multi-location chains focused on marketing automation and client retention.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $150-$300 per month per location depending on size and features.
Mangomint
specializedStreamlined salon software for scheduling, invoicing, and automated reminders with a modern interface.
Customizable Boosters for tailored workflows and automations unique to salon operations
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based management software designed specifically for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses. It provides comprehensive tools for appointment scheduling, client relationship management, point-of-sale transactions, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and marketing automation via email and SMS. The platform stands out with its modern, intuitive interface that enhances operational efficiency and client experience.
Pros
- Sleek, modern interface that's highly intuitive and mobile-friendly
- Powerful automation for bookings, reminders, and workflows
- Detailed reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter very small salons
- Limited integrations with some third-party tools
- Advanced features have a moderate learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized beauty salons and spas needing a premium, all-in-one solution with strong automation and client management.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Starter, 1 location), scales to $495+/month for higher tiers; annual discounts and custom enterprise pricing available.
Salon Iris
specializedAffordable all-in-one solution for salon booking, POS, reporting, and inventory management.
Advanced booth rental management with automated rent collection, expense tracking, and customizable contracts
Salon Iris is a cloud-based management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and multi-location businesses, offering tools for appointment scheduling, client management, POS transactions, and inventory tracking. It includes marketing automation via email and SMS, detailed reporting, and payroll integration to streamline daily operations. The platform supports booth rental management, making it suitable for salons with independent stylists.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with online booking and waitlist management
- Strong POS system with integrated payments and inventory control
- Excellent booth rental and commission tracking for stylist-focused salons
Cons
- Interface feels somewhat dated compared to modern competitors
- Pricing can add up for salons with many users or locations
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features, limiting on-the-go use
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons with booth renters or commission-based stylists seeking robust tracking and all-in-one management.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for Essential (1 user), $115/month for Premium (up to 5 users), $165/month for Elite (unlimited users); annual discounts available.
Square Appointments
specializedIntegrated appointment scheduling and POS system tailored for small salons and beauty professionals.
Built-in Square POS integration for instant payments, tips, and retail sales without third-party fees
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling platform from Square designed for service-based businesses like beauty salons, enabling online booking, calendar management, automated reminders, and client tracking. It integrates seamlessly with Square's POS system for handling payments, tips, and retail product sales directly at the point of service. This makes it a straightforward tool for streamlining salon operations, from appointment setting to checkout.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square POS for payments and retail sales
- Free plan for solo practitioners with unlimited appointments
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to salon-specific tools
- Basic inventory management without deep product tracking for salon supplies
- Customization options for services and staff scheduling are somewhat limited
Best For
Small beauty salons or solo stylists needing simple, affordable scheduling with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for single-location solo users; Plus at $29/month per location; Premium custom pricing for larger teams.
Schedulicity
specializedOnline booking and scheduling tool for independent beauty professionals and small salons.
Marketplace discovery tool that helps salons attract new clients through Schedulicity's client directory.
Schedulicity is a versatile online scheduling platform tailored for service-based businesses like beauty salons, offering 24/7 online booking, automated reminders, and integrated payments. It streamlines appointment management, client communication via email/SMS, and basic reporting to help salon owners reduce no-shows and save time. While not exclusively salon-focused, it supports multiple staff calendars, recurring appointments, and a client self-service portal for a smooth user experience.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app for on-the-go management
- Affordable entry-level plans including a free tier for solo professionals
- Strong online booking and reminder tools that significantly reduce no-shows
Cons
- Limited advanced salon-specific features like booth rental tracking or robust inventory management
- Reporting capabilities are basic compared to dedicated salon software
- Fewer integrations with salon hardware or POS systems
Best For
Small beauty salons or independent stylists seeking simple, cost-effective scheduling without complex enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free Essential plan for solo users; Professional plan at $39.90+/month, Premier at $59.90+/month per location, plus pay-per-booking options and add-ons.
Conclusion
The reviewed salon management software tools offer strong solutions, with Vagaro leading as the top choice, excelling in its all-in-one approach for seamless online booking, payments, and client management. Fresha stands out for its cost-effective, free foundation and built-in marketing tools, while Mindbody impresses with comprehensive features ideal for larger or wellness-focused businesses.
Explore Vagaro today to experience its robust capabilities and take your salon operations to the next level—don't let this opportunity to streamline and grow your business pass by.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison