Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon software for online booking, POS, client management, marketing, and payroll.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free salon and spa management platform with booking, payments, and marketing tools.
- 3#3: Mangomint - Fast, modern salon software for scheduling, POS, inventory, and automated reporting.
- 4#4: Boulevard - Premium salon platform enhancing client experiences with booking, retail, and analytics.
- 5#5: Mindbody - Comprehensive management software for beauty salons with scheduling, payments, and marketing.
- 6#6: Zenoti - Enterprise solution for salons and spas managing operations across multiple locations.
- 7#7: Phorest - Salon software focused on marketing automation, reputation management, and business growth.
- 8#8: DaySmart Salon - Cloud-based software for salon scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management.
- 9#9: Rosy Salon Software - Integrated salon management system with booking, EMR, POS, and reporting features.
- 10#10: Salon Iris - User-friendly salon software for appointments, client records, inventory, and marketing.
We evaluated these tools based on feature depth, technical reliability, usability, and value, prioritizing platforms that deliver robust performance across scheduling, POS, and marketing functions.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right beauty salon software is essential for managing operations effectively, and this comparison table explores top options like Vagaro, Fresha, Mangomint, Boulevard, Mindbody, and more. It outlines key features, pricing models, and unique benefits of each tool, helping readers identify the best fit for their salon’s needs, whether for scheduling, client management, or point-of-sale integration. By comparing these solutions, users can make informed decisions to enhance efficiency and boost business growth.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon software for online booking, POS, client management, marketing, and payroll. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free salon and spa management platform with booking, payments, and marketing tools. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | Mangomint Fast, modern salon software for scheduling, POS, inventory, and automated reporting. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Boulevard Premium salon platform enhancing client experiences with booking, retail, and analytics. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 5 | Mindbody Comprehensive management software for beauty salons with scheduling, payments, and marketing. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Zenoti Enterprise solution for salons and spas managing operations across multiple locations. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Phorest Salon software focused on marketing automation, reputation management, and business growth. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | DaySmart Salon Cloud-based software for salon scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Rosy Salon Software Integrated salon management system with booking, EMR, POS, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Salon Iris User-friendly salon software for appointments, client records, inventory, and marketing. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
All-in-one salon software for online booking, POS, client management, marketing, and payroll.
Free salon and spa management platform with booking, payments, and marketing tools.
Fast, modern salon software for scheduling, POS, inventory, and automated reporting.
Premium salon platform enhancing client experiences with booking, retail, and analytics.
Comprehensive management software for beauty salons with scheduling, payments, and marketing.
Enterprise solution for salons and spas managing operations across multiple locations.
Salon software focused on marketing automation, reputation management, and business growth.
Cloud-based software for salon scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management.
Integrated salon management system with booking, EMR, POS, and reporting features.
User-friendly salon software for appointments, client records, inventory, and marketing.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon software for online booking, POS, client management, marketing, and payroll.
Vagaro Marketplace, a discovery platform that exposes salons to millions of potential clients searching for local services.
Vagaro is a comprehensive cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, barbershops, and fitness studios. It provides online booking, appointment scheduling, POS payments, client CRM, inventory tracking, marketing automation, and reporting tools to streamline operations. The platform also includes a mobile app for on-the-go management and a marketplace for client discovery.
Pros
- Robust all-in-one features including online booking, payments, and marketing
- Vagaro Marketplace for attracting new clients
- Excellent mobile app and 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Pricing scales up significantly with staff members and add-ons
- Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers
- Occasional reports of integration glitches with third-party tools
Best For
Beauty salons and spas seeking a feature-rich, scalable platform with strong online visibility and client acquisition tools.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Essential, 1 user), Pro at $65/month (up to 5 users), Elite at $160+/month; per location with $10-30 per additional staff.
Fresha
specializedFree salon and spa management platform with booking, payments, and marketing tools.
The Fresha marketplace, which exposes businesses to millions of potential clients searching for local beauty services without extra marketing spend.
Fresha is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering online booking, appointment scheduling, client management, and point-of-sale functionality. It streamlines daily operations with tools for staff rostering, inventory tracking, automated reminders, and integrated payments. Additionally, Fresha provides marketing features like email/SMS campaigns and a client loyalty program to boost retention and attract new customers via its built-in marketplace.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees, only commission on bookings for exceptional value
- Intuitive mobile app and drag-and-drop interface for quick setup and use
- Integrated marketplace connects salons with new clients for free discovery
Cons
- Booking and payment processing fees (typically 1.5-2.5% + fixed fee) add up for high-volume businesses
- Limited advanced reporting and customization compared to enterprise competitors
- Customer support response times can vary for free-tier users
Best For
Small to medium-sized beauty salons and independent spas prioritizing ease of use, client acquisition, and zero upfront costs.
Pricing
Free core platform; pay-per-booking model (around 1.99% + 20p per online transaction); optional premium add-ons for advanced features.
Mangomint
specializedFast, modern salon software for scheduling, POS, inventory, and automated reporting.
Ultra-fast performance and pixel-perfect, customizable design that feels like a native app
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses. It offers comprehensive tools for online booking, appointment scheduling, POS payments, inventory tracking, staff management, and automated marketing campaigns. The platform emphasizes speed, modern design, and scalability to help salons streamline operations and boost revenue.
Pros
- Exceptionally fast and intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Robust automation for marketing, reminders, and inventory
- Excellent reporting and booth rental management features
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit very small salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Advanced features require some initial setup time
Best For
Mid-sized to large beauty salons and spas seeking a premium, high-performance all-in-one solution with strong automation.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Basic, 1 user), $275/month (Premier, up to 5 users), custom Enterprise pricing; billed annually with a free trial.
Boulevard
specializedPremium salon platform enhancing client experiences with booking, retail, and analytics.
Branded self-service client portal for personalized booking, check-in, and service history access
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses. It provides robust tools for online booking, point-of-sale transactions, staff scheduling, client relationship management, and inventory control. The platform emphasizes branded client experiences, marketing automation, and analytics to drive revenue and loyalty in high-end operations.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with excellent mobile app support
- Comprehensive client management and automated marketing tools
- Seamless integrations with payment processors and e-commerce platforms
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for smaller salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting features
- Limited free trial and custom setup requires sales consultation
Best For
Established, high-volume beauty salons and multi-location spas seeking a luxury-focused, scalable management solution.
Pricing
Starts at $275/month for Essentials (1 location), scales to $525+/month for Enterprise plans; plus $25-35 per stylist/month and transaction fees.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive management software for beauty salons with scheduling, payments, and marketing.
Integrated Mindbody consumer app and marketplace that drives client discovery and direct bookings from a vast user base.
Mindbody is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for fitness, wellness, and beauty businesses, including salons, with features like online booking, appointment scheduling, POS systems, and client CRM. It enables beauty salons to manage staff schedules, track inventory, process payments, and run targeted marketing campaigns to attract and retain clients. The platform also offers robust reporting analytics and integrations with third-party apps, making it ideal for businesses aiming to scale operations across multiple locations.
Pros
- All-in-one solution with powerful scheduling, POS, and marketing tools
- Extensive app marketplace and integrations for customization
- Strong client discovery through the Mindbody consumer app
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- Higher pricing that may overwhelm small single-location salons
- Some features geared more toward fitness/wellness than pure beauty services
Best For
Multi-location beauty salons or spas seeking enterprise-grade tools with marketing and client acquisition capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for basic plans, with premium tiers and custom enterprise pricing up to $500+/month based on locations and features.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise solution for salons and spas managing operations across multiple locations.
AI-powered personalization engine that analyzes client data to recommend tailored services, products, and promotions
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness centers, providing end-to-end management including appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. It excels in multi-location operations with centralized dashboards, advanced analytics, and seamless hardware integrations. The software leverages AI for personalized client recommendations and operational efficiencies, making it suitable for scaling businesses.
Pros
- Robust all-in-one solution with strong multi-location support
- Advanced AI-driven personalization and marketing tools
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting for data-driven decisions
Cons
- High cost with custom pricing that's often prohibitive for small salons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy implementation process
- Overly complex for single-location or solo practitioners
Best For
Large salon chains and multi-location beauty businesses needing enterprise-level scalability and automation.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $200+ per month per location, with quotes required based on modules and scale.
Phorest
specializedSalon software focused on marketing automation, reputation management, and business growth.
Phorest's automated marketing suite with pre-built, data-triggered email/SMS campaigns for client lifecycle management
Phorest is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for beauty salons, barbershops, and multi-location chains, offering online booking, POS, client CRM, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It excels in data-driven marketing tools like automated email/SMS campaigns, reputation management, and analytics to boost client retention and revenue. The platform integrates with tools like QuickBooks and Google for seamless operations.
Pros
- Powerful marketing automation with personalized campaigns and high retention rates
- Robust client database and reputation management integrated with Google Reviews
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher pricing suitable for larger operations, less ideal for solo practitioners
- Custom setup requires demo and onboarding time
Best For
Established multi-location salons or chains seeking advanced marketing and client retention tools.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at ~$200-300/month per location plus per-user fees; includes onboarding and requires a demo.
DaySmart Salon
specializedCloud-based software for salon scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management.
Advanced booth rental management with automated invoicing and commission splits
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based management platform tailored for beauty salons, offering appointment scheduling, online booking, POS integration, client management, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. It excels in handling booth rental scenarios common in salons with independent stylists, including commission tracking and renter-specific reporting. The software also provides mobile apps for staff and clients, along with detailed analytics for business insights.
Pros
- Strong booth rental and commission management
- Seamless online booking and client self-service
- Integrated POS with multiple payment options
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-user or multi-location setups
- Some advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
- Occasional mobile app sync issues reported
Best For
Medium-sized salons with booth renters or independent stylists needing robust scheduling and payment tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Solo plan (1 user), $69/month for Pro (up to 5 users), up to $199+/month for Enterprise with unlimited users and locations.
Rosy Salon Software
specializedIntegrated salon management system with booking, EMR, POS, and reporting features.
Dedicated booth rental management with commission tracking and stylist portals
Rosy Salon Software is a cloud-based management platform tailored for beauty salons, spas, and barbershops, offering appointment scheduling, POS integration, client management, and inventory tracking. It includes marketing tools like automated email and SMS campaigns, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting for business insights. The software stands out with specialized support for booth rental operations, making it suitable for independent stylist models.
Pros
- Comprehensive appointment booking with online client access
- Integrated POS and inventory management streamline operations
- Robust marketing automation for client retention
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers add up for multi-user salons
- Limited advanced customization compared to top competitors
- Occasional reports of slower mobile app performance
Best For
Mid-sized salons or booth rental spaces needing integrated management and marketing tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for solo users, with Pro plans at $59+/month scaling by users and features; no long-term contracts.
Salon Iris
specializedUser-friendly salon software for appointments, client records, inventory, and marketing.
Dedicated booth rental management with individual stylist tracking and automated rent collection
Salon Iris is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and multi-location businesses, offering tools for appointment scheduling, client management, and POS integration. It includes inventory tracking, marketing automation via email and SMS, and comprehensive reporting to optimize operations. The platform supports online booking and booth rental management, making it suitable for salons with independent stylists.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with drag-and-drop calendar and online booking
- Robust marketing tools including automated email/SMS campaigns
- Strong booth rental and reporting features for multi-stylist salons
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Pricing escalates quickly for multi-user or advanced plans
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Medium to large salons or spas with multiple stylists needing booth rental management and marketing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for single-user basic plan; scales to $119-$279/month for multi-user, advanced features, and enterprise options.
Conclusion
The top beauty salon software review highlights Vagaro as the ultimate choice, offering a complete suite of tools from booking to payroll. Fresha shines as a budget-friendly option with essential features, while Mangomint impresses with its speed and modern automation. Together, these three solutions cater to varied needs, ensuring salons of all types find a strong fit.
Don’t miss out—explore Vagaro to experience its all-in-one capabilities and take your salon’s efficiency and client experience to the next level.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison