Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon management platform with online booking, POS, payments, and marketing automation for hair stylists.
- 2#2: Booksy - Mobile-first booking app designed for hairdressers and beauty professionals with client management and payments.
- 3#3: Fresha - Free cloud-based scheduling and management software for salons including online bookings and inventory tracking.
- 4#4: Mangomint - Modern, automated salon software streamlining appointments, payments, and client retention for hair businesses.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Enterprise-grade salon software with advanced scheduling, reporting, and retail management for hair salons.
- 6#6: StyleSeat - Booking marketplace and management tool connecting independent hair stylists with clients via online scheduling.
- 7#7: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management software for wellness and beauty including salon appointment booking and CRM.
- 8#8: Square Appointments - Affordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for small hair salons and service providers.
- 9#9: Acuity Scheduling - Flexible online appointment scheduler for hair professionals with reminders and customizable booking pages.
- 10#10: Schedulicity - User-friendly online booking system for salons with calendar management and client notifications.
These tools were selected and ranked based on a focus on core functionalities like online booking and client management, alongside user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring a comprehensive resource for hair professionals
Comparison Table
Hair appointment software streamlines salon and stylist operations, and this comparison table explores popular tools like Vagaro, Booksy, Fresha, Mangomint, and Boulevard—breaking down features, pricing, and usability to help readers identify the best fit for their business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon management platform with online booking, POS, payments, and marketing automation for hair stylists. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Booksy Mobile-first booking app designed for hairdressers and beauty professionals with client management and payments. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | Fresha Free cloud-based scheduling and management software for salons including online bookings and inventory tracking. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Mangomint Modern, automated salon software streamlining appointments, payments, and client retention for hair businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Enterprise-grade salon software with advanced scheduling, reporting, and retail management for hair salons. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | StyleSeat Booking marketplace and management tool connecting independent hair stylists with clients via online scheduling. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management software for wellness and beauty including salon appointment booking and CRM. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.8/10 |
| 8 | Square Appointments Affordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for small hair salons and service providers. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | Acuity Scheduling Flexible online appointment scheduler for hair professionals with reminders and customizable booking pages. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | Schedulicity User-friendly online booking system for salons with calendar management and client notifications. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
All-in-one salon management platform with online booking, POS, payments, and marketing automation for hair stylists.
Mobile-first booking app designed for hairdressers and beauty professionals with client management and payments.
Free cloud-based scheduling and management software for salons including online bookings and inventory tracking.
Modern, automated salon software streamlining appointments, payments, and client retention for hair businesses.
Enterprise-grade salon software with advanced scheduling, reporting, and retail management for hair salons.
Booking marketplace and management tool connecting independent hair stylists with clients via online scheduling.
Comprehensive business management software for wellness and beauty including salon appointment booking and CRM.
Affordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for small hair salons and service providers.
Flexible online appointment scheduler for hair professionals with reminders and customizable booking pages.
User-friendly online booking system for salons with calendar management and client notifications.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon management platform with online booking, POS, payments, and marketing automation for hair stylists.
Vagaro Marketplace, a discovery platform that connects salons to millions of new clients searching for local hair services.
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for hair salons, barbershops, and spas, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It includes built-in POS, payment processing, automated reminders, and marketing tools to streamline operations and boost revenue. With mobile apps for both staff and clients, plus integrations with Google and social media, Vagaro helps businesses attract and retain customers effortlessly.
Pros
- Robust online booking with real-time availability and client self-scheduling
- Comprehensive marketing suite including email/SMS campaigns and SEO tools
- Excellent reporting, inventory management, and 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Higher-tier plans can get expensive for solo stylists
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Additional fees for payment processing and some add-ons
Best For
Hair salons and multi-stylist teams seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform for scheduling, payments, and client growth.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter) up to $149/month (Elite) per location, with pay-as-you-go options and marketplace exposure included.
Booksy
specializedMobile-first booking app designed for hairdressers and beauty professionals with client management and payments.
The Booksy marketplace, which exposes your services to millions of active clients searching for local hair appointments
Booksy is a mobile-first booking and management platform tailored for beauty and hair professionals, enabling salons and stylists to handle online appointments, client communications, payments, and marketing seamlessly. It features a robust marketplace that connects businesses with new clients searching for hair services. The software emphasizes ease of use with intuitive apps for both service providers and customers, including automated reminders and no-show protection.
Pros
- Highly intuitive mobile app for quick scheduling and management
- Integrated marketplace drives new client discovery
- Strong client retention tools like reminders and loyalty programs
Cons
- Commission and transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume users
- Limited advanced customization compared to enterprise alternatives
- Customer support response times vary during peak periods
Best For
Independent hair stylists and small to medium salons seeking an easy-to-use platform with built-in client acquisition.
Pricing
Free Solo plan with per-booking fees (around 2.5% + $0.50); Team plan at $39.99/month, Business at $89.99/month; additional Boosted visibility options.
Fresha
specializedFree cloud-based scheduling and management software for salons including online bookings and inventory tracking.
Global Fresha marketplace that exposes salons to millions of users for effortless new client bookings
Fresha is a cloud-based booking and management platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, including hair salons, offering online appointment scheduling, client CRM, payment processing, and inventory management. It features a built-in marketplace where salons can attract new clients through the Fresha app and website. The software streamlines daily operations with automated reminders, staff scheduling, and marketing tools to boost bookings and retention.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup
- Free core plan with no monthly fees
- Powerful marketplace for client acquisition
Cons
- 20% commission on marketplace bookings
- Limited advanced reporting and customization
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Small to medium-sized hair salons and independent stylists looking for easy online booking and organic client growth without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free plan (20% commission on new marketplace bookings); Essentials plan at $49/month (lower commissions); Professional and Premium plans from $99/month with more features and no commissions.
Mangomint
specializedModern, automated salon software streamlining appointments, payments, and client retention for hair businesses.
Booth rental management with automated rent calculations, invoicing, and revenue tracking for independent stylists
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for hair salons, barbershops, and beauty professionals, providing tools for online booking, appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS payments, inventory tracking, and staff management. It features advanced automation like waitlists, packages, and two-way texting to optimize operations and client retention. With a focus on profitability reporting and booth rental support, it's ideal for modernizing salon workflows.
Pros
- Stunning, intuitive modern interface with mobile app
- Comprehensive salon-specific features like booth rentals and profitability analytics
- Strong automation and marketing tools including email/SMS campaigns
Cons
- Higher starting price point for small salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
- Advanced features may require some onboarding time
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons and multi-stylist teams seeking a premium, visually appealing all-in-one solution with booth rental capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Basic, 1 location/5 users), scales to $495+/month for Pro/Enterprise plans; 14-day free trial, annual billing discounts available.
Boulevard
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon software with advanced scheduling, reporting, and retail management for hair salons.
Stylist-specific marketplace-style booking that allows clients to discover and book individual professionals directly
Boulevard is a premium salon management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and beauty businesses, providing end-to-end tools for appointment scheduling, client relationship management, and payments. It features stylist-specific online booking, automated reminders, waitlist management, and integrated POS to streamline daily operations and boost revenue. The platform also offers robust reporting, inventory tracking, and marketing automation, making it ideal for scaling businesses.
Pros
- Highly customizable scheduling with stylist profiles and waitlists
- Seamless online booking and payment integration reducing no-shows
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting for business insights
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for small salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free trial and custom quotes required
Best For
Mid-sized to large hair salons seeking a scalable, all-in-one platform with advanced revenue management tools.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at approximately $350/month per location, with additional fees for payments and add-ons; contact for quote.
StyleSeat
specializedBooking marketplace and management tool connecting independent hair stylists with clients via online scheduling.
Integrated client discovery marketplace that connects stylists with new local customers searching for hair services
StyleSeat is a comprehensive online marketplace and booking platform designed for independent beauty professionals, including hair stylists, to manage appointments, client relationships, and payments. It enables stylists to create customizable profiles, accept bookings 24/7, process payments securely, and market their services to a large client base. The platform also includes tools for reminders, no-show protection, and analytics to help grow businesses.
Pros
- Seamless online booking and calendar management with automated reminders
- Built-in marketplace for client discovery and lead generation
- Integrated payment processing with low fees and instant payouts
Cons
- Transaction fees on every booking reduce net earnings
- Limited advanced reporting and inventory management for larger salons
- Heavy reliance on the platform's algorithm for visibility
Best For
Independent hair stylists and small beauty pros seeking easy client acquisition and straightforward scheduling without building their own website.
Pricing
Free to start with 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fees per booking; Pro plan at $35/month for advanced features like priority placement.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management software for wellness and beauty including salon appointment booking and CRM.
Branded consumer app for seamless client self-service booking, payments, and loyalty tracking
Mindbody is a robust, all-in-one business management platform primarily designed for fitness, wellness, and beauty businesses, including hair salons. It excels in appointment scheduling, online booking, client relationship management, payment processing, and marketing automation. For hair appointment software, it provides powerful tools to handle bookings, staff scheduling, and client retention, though its broader scope can feel overwhelming for simple hair-focused operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with drag-and-drop calendars, waitlists, and online booking widgets
- Integrated CRM, marketing tools, and reporting for client retention and business insights
- Strong mobile apps for clients and staff, plus extensive third-party integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to its extensive features, not ideal for beginners
- High pricing with monthly fees plus per-client and transaction costs
- Overkill for small, single-service hair salons focused only on basic appointments
Best For
Medium to large hair salons or multi-service beauty businesses needing full operational management beyond just scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month for Starter plan (billed annually), with higher tiers up to $429+/month; additional per-client fees (~$0.99-$5/client) and transaction fees apply.
Square Appointments
otherAffordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for small hair salons and service providers.
Built-in payment processing with deposit collection and no-show protection at booking
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling platform from Square, tailored for small service businesses like hair salons, enabling online booking, staff calendars, and client management. It integrates seamlessly with Square's payment processing for deposits, full payments, and no-show fees. The tool also includes automated reminders, service menus, and basic reporting to streamline salon operations.
Pros
- Free for single-location use with unlimited appointments
- Seamless integration with Square payments and POS hardware
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can add up for high-volume salons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to specialized salon software
- Fewer third-party integrations for salon-specific tools like inventory management
Best For
Ideal for solo hair stylists or small salons seeking a simple, cost-effective booking and payment solution without monthly software fees.
Pricing
Free for single location (processing fees apply); Plus plan at $29/month per location for advanced features; Premium is custom pricing; all include 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
Acuity Scheduling
specializedFlexible online appointment scheduler for hair professionals with reminders and customizable booking pages.
Advanced intake forms with conditional logic to collect detailed client preferences (e.g., hair type, color history) before booking.
Acuity Scheduling is a versatile online appointment booking platform designed to streamline scheduling for service-based businesses like hair salons. It offers customizable booking pages, calendar management for multiple stylists, automated email/SMS reminders, and secure payment processing. The software also supports client intake forms, recurring appointments, and integrations with tools like Google Calendar and Stripe, making it efficient for managing hair appointments from booking to follow-up.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop customization for booking pages
- Robust automation for reminders, confirmations, and no-show protection
- Seamless integrations with calendars, payments, and marketing tools
Cons
- Higher-tier plans required for unlimited staff and advanced features
- Lacks built-in inventory management or salon-specific tools like product tracking
- Occasional glitches in mobile app syncing for real-time updates
Best For
Small to medium hair salons needing a flexible, customizable scheduling system without complex salon management extras.
Pricing
Plans start at $16/month (Emerging) for solo users, $27/month (Growing) for teams, $49/month (Powerhouse) for advanced features; annual discounts and custom Infinity plans available.
Schedulicity
specializedUser-friendly online booking system for salons with calendar management and client notifications.
Booth rental support with independent calendars for each stylist
Schedulicity is a user-friendly online scheduling platform tailored for beauty professionals like hair stylists and salons, offering 24/7 client self-booking via website, Facebook, and Instagram. It includes calendar management, automated reminders, payment processing, and client database tools to streamline operations. Particularly suited for booth renters, it allows individual stylists to maintain independent schedules within a shared salon setup.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop calendar interface
- Free plan for solo stylists with core booking features
- Seamless social media booking integrations
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Some premium features locked behind higher plans
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Independent hair stylists, booth renters, and small salons needing simple, affordable online appointment booking.
Pricing
Free for up to 4 providers; paid plans start at $34.99/month (Power Scheduling) up to $89.99/month (Pro) with more features and providers.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 hair appointment software tools, Vagaro emerges as the top choice, offering a comprehensive platform with online booking, POS, payments, and marketing automation tailored for hair stylists. Booksy and Fresha follow strongly, with Booksy excelling as a mobile-first solution for efficient client management and Fresha impressing with its free, cloud-based tools and inventory tracking, suiting diverse business needs. Ultimately, the best fit depends on individual priorities, but Vagaro’s all-in-one approach makes it stand out.
Start your journey to smoother operations—try Vagaro today to elevate your salon management and boost client satisfaction.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison