Quick Overview
- 1#1: Fresha - All-in-one free platform for salon bookings, POS, inventory, staff management, and marketing.
- 2#2: Square Appointments - Free appointment scheduling with integrated POS, payments, and reminders for small salons.
- 3#3: Schedulicity - Free booking software tailored for beauty professionals with client management and marketing tools.
- 4#4: Setmore - Free online appointment booking system with SMS reminders, payments, and staff scheduling for salons.
- 5#5: Picktime - Unlimited free scheduling for appointments, classes, and resources with notification features.
- 6#6: SimplyBook.me - Free booking site builder with payments, intake forms, and multi-location support for salons.
- 7#7: 10to8 - Free appointment software with automated reminders, custom forms, and unlimited bookings.
- 8#8: Zoho Bookings - Free staff and service scheduling integrated with CRM and payments for service businesses.
- 9#9: Appointy - Free plan for online bookings with SEO pages, reminders, and Google integration for salons.
- 10#10: Bookafy - Free customizable appointment scheduler with branding, payments, and team calendars.
Tools were ranked based on comprehensive feature sets, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they deliver robust functionality for diverse salon needs.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines free salon software tools such as Fresha, Square Appointments, Schedulicity, Setmore, Picktime, and more, simplifying salon management workflows. Readers will gain insights into key features, usability, and suitability for various business needs, aiding in selecting the optimal solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresha All-in-one free platform for salon bookings, POS, inventory, staff management, and marketing. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | Square Appointments Free appointment scheduling with integrated POS, payments, and reminders for small salons. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 3 | Schedulicity Free booking software tailored for beauty professionals with client management and marketing tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | Setmore Free online appointment booking system with SMS reminders, payments, and staff scheduling for salons. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 5 | Picktime Unlimited free scheduling for appointments, classes, and resources with notification features. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | SimplyBook.me Free booking site builder with payments, intake forms, and multi-location support for salons. | specialized | 7.3/10 | 6.9/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 7 | 10to8 Free appointment software with automated reminders, custom forms, and unlimited bookings. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 8 | Zoho Bookings Free staff and service scheduling integrated with CRM and payments for service businesses. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 9 | Appointy Free plan for online bookings with SEO pages, reminders, and Google integration for salons. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 6.9/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Bookafy Free customizable appointment scheduler with branding, payments, and team calendars. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
All-in-one free platform for salon bookings, POS, inventory, staff management, and marketing.
Free appointment scheduling with integrated POS, payments, and reminders for small salons.
Free booking software tailored for beauty professionals with client management and marketing tools.
Free online appointment booking system with SMS reminders, payments, and staff scheduling for salons.
Unlimited free scheduling for appointments, classes, and resources with notification features.
Free booking site builder with payments, intake forms, and multi-location support for salons.
Free appointment software with automated reminders, custom forms, and unlimited bookings.
Free staff and service scheduling integrated with CRM and payments for service businesses.
Free plan for online bookings with SEO pages, reminders, and Google integration for salons.
Free customizable appointment scheduler with branding, payments, and team calendars.
Fresha
specializedAll-in-one free platform for salon bookings, POS, inventory, staff management, and marketing.
Global marketplace connecting businesses to millions of clients actively searching for local beauty services
Fresha is a leading all-in-one salon management platform offering a robust free plan designed specifically for beauty, hair, and wellness businesses. It provides seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, client CRM, automated reminders, and POS capabilities without any subscription fees. The software also includes marketing tools, inventory management, and performance reporting, helping small salons operate efficiently and attract new clients through its built-in marketplace.
Pros
- Completely free forever plan with no monthly subscription costs
- User-friendly interface with mobile app for on-the-go management
- Integrated marketplace for client discovery and automated marketing
Cons
- Transaction fees on payments (around 2.19% + fixed fee) and 20% commission on marketplace bookings
- Limited advanced customization and multi-location support in free tier
- Some premium reports and integrations require paid upgrades
Best For
Small independent salons, barbershops, and spas looking for a no-cost, feature-rich solution to handle bookings and client management.
Pricing
Free Solo plan with unlimited appointments; optional Professional ($49+/month) or Enterprise plans for advanced features; commissions on marketplace bookings (20%) and payment processing fees apply.
Square Appointments
specializedFree appointment scheduling with integrated POS, payments, and reminders for small salons.
Free, unlimited online booking with instant Square payment processing and no monthly POS fees
Square Appointments is a robust free scheduling platform tailored for salons and service businesses, enabling online booking, staff calendars, client management, and automated reminders. It integrates seamlessly with Square's payment processing for in-person and online transactions, supporting unlimited appointments and staff at no monthly cost for single locations. Ideal for small operations, it simplifies daily workflows but upgrades are needed for multi-location or advanced analytics.
Pros
- Completely free for single-location salons with unlimited staff and appointments
- Intuitive mobile app and quick setup for effortless scheduling
- Seamless Square payments integration with no monthly hardware fees
Cons
- Transaction fees apply (2.6% + 10¢ per card payment)
- Limited advanced reporting and marketing tools in free plan
- No built-in inventory or advanced client CRM features
Best For
Solo stylists or small salon owners seeking a simple, cost-free tool for bookings and payments without complex needs.
Pricing
Free for single locations; Plus ($29/mo), Premium ($69/mo), and Premium Plus ($119+/mo) for advanced features.
Schedulicity
specializedFree booking software tailored for beauty professionals with client management and marketing tools.
Free plan with unlimited appointments, clients, and Stripe payments—rare for salon software
Schedulicity is a user-friendly online scheduling platform tailored for service-based businesses like salons, spas, and wellness pros, enabling easy appointment booking, calendar management, and client communication. Its free plan provides core features such as unlimited appointments, online booking widgets, automated SMS/email reminders, and basic payment processing via Stripe for solo users. While robust for individuals, it scales to paid tiers for teams needing advanced marketing and reporting tools.
Pros
- Free forever plan with unlimited appointments and clients for solo users
- Intuitive drag-and-drop calendar and embeddable booking widget
- Automated reminders and Stripe payments included at no extra cost
Cons
- Limited to one user/staff on free plan, no team management
- Basic reporting and customization options
- No advanced marketing automation or multi-location support for free users
Best For
Solo salon stylists or independent beauty professionals needing a simple, no-cost booking system.
Pricing
Free for 1 user (unlimited appointments); paid plans from $34.99/mo (Essentials) for multiple staff and extras.
Setmore
specializedFree online appointment booking system with SMS reminders, payments, and staff scheduling for salons.
Free customizable online booking page that integrates seamlessly with salon websites
Setmore is a user-friendly online appointment scheduling software designed for small businesses, including salons, offering a free plan with unlimited appointments for up to four staff members. It enables easy online booking via a customizable page, calendar management with Google/Outlook sync, and basic client profiles with email reminders. While versatile for general scheduling, it lacks advanced salon-specific tools like inventory tracking or booth management.
Pros
- Unlimited free appointments for up to 4 staff
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app
- Customizable booking page embeddable on websites
Cons
- No SMS reminders or payment processing on free plan
- Limited to 4 users without upgrading
- Missing salon-specific features like product inventory or detailed service reporting
Best For
Solo stylists or very small salons needing basic online booking without costs or complexity.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 4 users with core scheduling; paid plans from $5/user/month (billed annually) add SMS, payments, and more users.
Picktime
specializedUnlimited free scheduling for appointments, classes, and resources with notification features.
Unlimited appointments on the free plan with fully functional online booking
Picktime is a user-friendly scheduling platform designed for small businesses, including salons, offering a robust free plan for appointment booking, client management, and calendar synchronization. It supports online booking via a customizable widget, automated email reminders, and basic service categorization suitable for salon services like haircuts and treatments. While ideal for solo operators, it scales with paid upgrades for multi-staff needs.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited appointments
- Intuitive drag-and-drop calendar interface
- Seamless online booking widget embeddable on websites
Cons
- Limited to one staff member on the free plan
- No SMS reminders or payment processing in free version
- Lacks advanced salon tools like inventory or POS integration
Best For
Solo salon owners or freelance stylists seeking a simple, no-cost scheduling solution without needing multi-user support.
Pricing
Free plan for single users with core features; paid plans start at $4/user/month for multiple staff, SMS, and advanced options.
SimplyBook.me
specializedFree booking site builder with payments, intake forms, and multi-location support for salons.
Customizable booking widgets with service extras, durations, and real-time availability display
SimplyBook.me is a flexible online appointment scheduling platform tailored for salons, allowing users to create customizable booking pages for services like haircuts, manicures, and consultations. Its free plan supports up to 50 bookings per month, basic client management, staff assignments, and website embedding for seamless client access. While robust for small operations, it includes reminders via email and essential integrations to streamline salon workflows without initial costs.
Pros
- Free plan with core booking tools including service catalogs and calendar syncing
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface for quick setup
- Embeddable widgets that integrate easily with websites and social media
Cons
- Strict 50-booking monthly limit on free tier restricts growing salons
- Prominent SimplyBook.me branding on booking pages
- Limited advanced features like payments and SMS without upgrading
Best For
Solo stylists or tiny salons with under 50 monthly appointments seeking a no-cost entry-level scheduler.
Pricing
Free (50 bookings/month, basic features); paid plans from $9.90/month (100 bookings) up to enterprise options.
10to8
specializedFree appointment software with automated reminders, custom forms, and unlimited bookings.
Unlimited appointments and customers on the free plan
10to8 is a versatile online appointment scheduling platform designed for businesses like salons to manage bookings, send automated reminders, and integrate with calendars. Its free plan supports unlimited appointments and customers, making it accessible for small operations. Key features include customizable booking pages, SMS/email reminders, and basic reporting, with options to add payments and staff management.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited appointments and customers
- Automated email and SMS reminders reduce no-shows
- Quick setup and seamless calendar integrations like Google
Cons
- Limited SMS credits (100/month) on free plan
- Lacks advanced salon-specific tools like inventory or full POS
- Custom branding and unlimited SMS require paid upgrade
Best For
Small salons or solo stylists seeking a no-cost, straightforward booking solution without complex needs.
Pricing
Free plan with core features; paid plans start at $11.95/month for unlimited SMS, payments, and advanced customization.
Zoho Bookings
specializedFree staff and service scheduling integrated with CRM and payments for service businesses.
Seamless integration with the full Zoho suite for free users, enabling CRM, invoicing, and email workflows without extra cost.
Zoho Bookings is a cloud-based appointment scheduling tool designed for service businesses like salons, enabling online booking pages, staff scheduling, automated reminders, and client management. Its free plan supports up to 50 bookings per month for a single staff member, making it accessible for small operations. It integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps and third-party tools like Google Calendar and payment gateways.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited booking pages and basic automations
- Intuitive interface with mobile app support for on-the-go management
- Strong integrations with calendars, payments, and Zoho ecosystem
Cons
- Limited to 50 bookings and 1 staff per month on free tier
- Lacks advanced salon-specific features like inventory or loyalty programs in free version
- Reporting and customization options are basic without upgrading
Best For
Solo salon owners or micro-businesses with low appointment volume under 50 per month seeking a no-cost scheduling starter.
Pricing
Free (50 bookings/mo, 1 staff); paid plans from $6/staff/mo (500 bookings) to $27.50+ for unlimited.
Appointy
specializedFree plan for online bookings with SEO pages, reminders, and Google integration for salons.
Embeddable booking widget for easy integration on websites, social media, or Facebook pages
Appointy is an online appointment scheduling platform tailored for service businesses like salons, offering tools for booking management, client reminders, and payment processing. It enables salons to create customizable booking pages, handle staff schedules, and integrate with calendars for seamless operations. The free plan provides core functionality suitable for small-scale salon use, though with usage limits.
Pros
- Generous free plan with no credit card required
- Intuitive setup and mobile-responsive booking pages
- Automated SMS/email reminders to reduce no-shows
Cons
- Capped at 100 appointments per month on free plan
- Limited customization and integrations in free tier
- No advanced reporting or multi-location support for free users
Best For
Solo stylists or small salons with low appointment volume needing basic free scheduling without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free plan (up to 100 appointments/month); paid plans start at $19.99/month for Growth tier with unlimited bookings.
Bookafy
specializedFree customizable appointment scheduler with branding, payments, and team calendars.
Embeddable, fully customizable booking widgets that match salon branding seamlessly
Bookafy is an online appointment scheduling tool that enables salons to create customizable booking pages for services like haircuts, coloring, and treatments. It supports calendar integrations with Google, Outlook, and others, along with automated email and SMS reminders to minimize no-shows. The free plan limits users to 100 appointments per month, making it suitable for very small or startup salon operations without advanced management needs.
Pros
- Free plan with core booking functionality
- Intuitive setup and customizable booking pages
- Calendar sync and automated reminders reduce no-shows
Cons
- Limited to 100 appointments per month on free plan
- Lacks salon-specific features like inventory or staff rostering
- No native mobile app; advanced tools require paid upgrade
Best For
Solo stylists or tiny salons needing basic free online booking without complex management.
Pricing
Free (100 appts/mo, 1 user); paid plans from $7/user/mo for unlimited bookings and more features.
Conclusion
Across the top 10 free salon software options, Fresha leads as the ultimate choice, providing an all-in-one platform that integrates bookings, POS, inventory, and marketing seamlessly. Square Appointments and Schedulicity follow closely, with Square excelling in integrated payments and reminders for small salons, and Schedulicity tailored specifically for beauty professionals with client management and marketing tools. Regardless of a salon’s size or niche, each of these tools offers robust functionality, ensuring there’s a standout option for every need.
Ready to elevate your salon operations? Dive into Fresha today and experience the convenience of a fully featured, free solution designed to streamline your workflow and boost client satisfaction.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison