Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon software for online booking, payments, marketing automation, inventory management, and staff scheduling.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free salon management platform with online appointments, client reminders, payments, and POS integration for beauty businesses.
- 3#3: Mangomint - Modern salon software offering seamless booking, automated marketing, payroll, and inventory tracking with intuitive design.
- 4#4: GlossGenius - Beauty-focused platform for appointment scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and client retention tools tailored for salons.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Premium salon management system with advanced booking, retail sales, reporting, and multi-location support.
- 6#6: Booksy - Mobile-first booking app for salons enabling instant appointments, client profiles, payments, and marketing via push notifications.
- 7#7: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management software for salons with scheduling, CRM, e-commerce, and class/workout tracking.
- 8#8: Phorest - Salon CRM platform focused on client retention, SMS marketing, online booking, and performance analytics.
- 9#9: Square Appointments - Affordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for easy salon bookings, reminders, and no-show protection.
- 10#10: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, inventory, and custom reporting.
We ranked these tools by prioritizing core features (e.g., booking, payments, marketing), user-friendliness, platform stability, and value, ensuring a balanced blend of functionality and accessibility for salons of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Explore the landscape of hair salon appointment software with this comparison table, featuring tools like Vagaro, Fresha, Mangomint, GlossGenius, Boulevard, and more. Learn how these platforms differ in key areas such as booking tools, client management, and business analytics to identify the best fit for your salon’s needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon software for online booking, payments, marketing automation, inventory management, and staff scheduling. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free salon management platform with online appointments, client reminders, payments, and POS integration for beauty businesses. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 3 | Mangomint Modern salon software offering seamless booking, automated marketing, payroll, and inventory tracking with intuitive design. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | GlossGenius Beauty-focused platform for appointment scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and client retention tools tailored for salons. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Premium salon management system with advanced booking, retail sales, reporting, and multi-location support. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Booksy Mobile-first booking app for salons enabling instant appointments, client profiles, payments, and marketing via push notifications. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management software for salons with scheduling, CRM, e-commerce, and class/workout tracking. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Phorest Salon CRM platform focused on client retention, SMS marketing, online booking, and performance analytics. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Square Appointments Affordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for easy salon bookings, reminders, and no-show protection. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 10 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, inventory, and custom reporting. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
All-in-one salon software for online booking, payments, marketing automation, inventory management, and staff scheduling.
Free salon management platform with online appointments, client reminders, payments, and POS integration for beauty businesses.
Modern salon software offering seamless booking, automated marketing, payroll, and inventory tracking with intuitive design.
Beauty-focused platform for appointment scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and client retention tools tailored for salons.
Premium salon management system with advanced booking, retail sales, reporting, and multi-location support.
Mobile-first booking app for salons enabling instant appointments, client profiles, payments, and marketing via push notifications.
Comprehensive business management software for salons with scheduling, CRM, e-commerce, and class/workout tracking.
Salon CRM platform focused on client retention, SMS marketing, online booking, and performance analytics.
Affordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for easy salon bookings, reminders, and no-show protection.
Enterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, inventory, and custom reporting.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon software for online booking, payments, marketing automation, inventory management, and staff scheduling.
Vagaro Marketplace, a vast directory connecting salons to new clients searching for local services
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It integrates POS, payments, inventory tracking, and marketing automation to streamline daily operations and boost revenue. With a user-friendly mobile app and customizable features, it helps salon owners manage staff, track performance, and deliver exceptional client experiences.
Pros
- Powerful online booking system with 24/7 availability and waitlist management
- Integrated marketing tools for automated emails, texts, and loyalty programs
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights and growth
Cons
- Higher-tier plans and add-ons can increase costs for small salons
- Occasional learning curve for advanced customization features
- Customer support response times vary during peak periods
Best For
Hair salons seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform with strong online booking and marketing to grow their business.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month per location (Starter plan), scaling to $169/month (Ultimate), plus optional add-ons like payroll and reputation management.
Fresha
specializedFree salon management platform with online appointments, client reminders, payments, and POS integration for beauty businesses.
Free 'forever' access to core booking tools with a global client discovery marketplace to drive new appointments
Fresha is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for hair salons, spas, and beauty businesses, enabling seamless online appointment scheduling, staff management, and client communications. It includes POS integration, inventory tracking, automated marketing tools, and performance analytics to streamline operations. The platform also offers a client-facing app and a discovery marketplace to attract new customers effortlessly.
Pros
- Free core plan with no monthly subscription fees, only transaction-based costs
- Intuitive online booking widget and customizable salon storefront
- Built-in marketplace for client discovery and marketing automation
Cons
- Transaction fees (around 20% on online payments unless premium)
- Limited advanced reporting in the free tier
- Occasional glitches in mobile app syncing
Best For
Small to medium hair salons wanting a free, scalable solution for bookings, payments, and client growth without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free Standard plan with 2.19% + $0.20 payment processing plus service fees on bookings; Premium at $19/month per location for lower fees and extras.
Mangomint
specializedModern salon software offering seamless booking, automated marketing, payroll, and inventory tracking with intuitive design.
Exceptionally beautiful, designer-quality interface with customizable workflows that make salon management feel effortless and professional
Mangomint is a premium, cloud-based salon management software designed specifically for hair salons, spas, and beauty businesses, providing seamless online booking, drag-and-drop scheduling, and integrated POS systems. It excels in client management, inventory tracking, automated workflows, and marketing tools to streamline operations and boost revenue. With its renowned beautiful interface and mobile app, Mangomint prioritizes user experience while offering robust reporting and booth rental management tailored for hair salons.
Pros
- Stunning, intuitive interface that's visually appealing and highly efficient
- Comprehensive all-in-one features including POS, inventory, online booking, and booth rental tracking
- Powerful automation workflows and client communication tools like two-way texting
Cons
- Premium pricing starts higher than budget alternatives
- Some advanced customizations locked behind higher tiers
- Support primarily ticket-based without live phone options
Best For
Hair salon owners and multi-provider teams seeking a premium, aesthetically superior platform for efficient appointment management and business growth.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month for up to 3 providers (billed annually); scales to $275+ for larger teams, with no setup fees.
GlossGenius
specializedBeauty-focused platform for appointment scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and client retention tools tailored for salons.
Booth rental management with automated invoicing and rent collection
GlossGenius is an all-in-one platform tailored for beauty professionals like hair stylists and salon owners, providing online booking, appointment scheduling, contactless payments, and client management. It features customizable booking websites, automated reminders, waitlists, and marketing tools to boost client retention and revenue. The software supports booth rental tracking, making it particularly suitable for independent stylists renting space in salons.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go management
- Integrated payments with no transaction fees on own processor
- Strong marketing automation and client communication tools
Cons
- Pricing scales per provider, expensive for larger teams
- Advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Solo stylists, booth renters, or small hair salons needing a user-friendly, mobile-first booking and payment solution.
Pricing
Starts at $24/month (Solo), $48/month per provider (Team), up to $98/month per provider (Elite); monthly billing with annual discounts.
Boulevard
specializedPremium salon management system with advanced booking, retail sales, reporting, and multi-location support.
Fully branded, white-labeled mobile app for clients enabling seamless self-service booking and personalized communications
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based salon management platform designed specifically for hair salons, spas, and multi-location beauty businesses. It provides comprehensive tools for online booking, intelligent appointment scheduling, POS payments, inventory tracking, and staff management to streamline daily operations. The software emphasizes client retention through marketing automation, loyalty programs, and a fully branded mobile app. Advanced reporting and integrations further support business growth and efficiency.
Pros
- Robust online booking and scheduling with waitlist management
- Integrated POS, payments, and inventory control
- Branded client mobile app and marketing tools for retention
Cons
- High pricing may not suit small salons
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Limited customization options in lower tiers
Best For
Mid-sized to large hair salons and spas prioritizing premium client experiences and scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $275/month for Essentials (1 location), $425/month for Pro, with custom Enterprise pricing for multi-locations.
Booksy
specializedMobile-first booking app for salons enabling instant appointments, client profiles, payments, and marketing via push notifications.
Expansive marketplace that drives new client bookings via search visibility
Booksy is a popular online booking and management platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, including hair salons, offering seamless appointment scheduling, client management, and payment processing. It features a robust marketplace that helps salons attract new clients through search and discovery tools. The platform includes mobile apps for businesses and clients, automated reminders, and marketing features to streamline operations and boost revenue.
Pros
- Large online marketplace for client discovery and bookings
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go management
- Integrated payments, reminders, and review collection
Cons
- Pricing includes subscription fees plus potential transaction costs
- Limited customization for advanced reporting
- Heavy reliance on platform ecosystem for maximum visibility
Best For
Small to medium hair salons and independent stylists seeking easy online booking and client acquisition through a established marketplace.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99/month for Solo plan (1 user), $49.99/month for Team (up to 5 users), higher tiers up to $119.99/month; select plans include transaction fees of 1.9% + $0.30.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management software for salons with scheduling, CRM, e-commerce, and class/workout tracking.
Wellness Marketplace integration, connecting salons to millions of consumers searching for local beauty services.
Mindbody is a comprehensive business management platform tailored for wellness and beauty businesses, including hair salons, offering robust appointment scheduling, online booking, client management, and payment processing. It enables salons to handle walk-ins, no-shows, and recurring appointments with automated reminders and real-time availability. Additional features include marketing tools, staff scheduling, inventory tracking, and in-depth reporting to optimize salon operations and client retention.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including online booking, payments, and marketing automation
- Strong integrations with payment processors and third-party apps
- Advanced reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- High pricing that may overwhelm small salons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- Overkill for basic appointment needs with unnecessary wellness-focused tools
Best For
Mid-sized or multi-location hair salons seeking an all-in-one platform with marketing and analytics capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Starter plan (billed annually), up to $429+/month for Premium; custom enterprise pricing available.
Phorest
specializedSalon CRM platform focused on client retention, SMS marketing, online booking, and performance analytics.
Advanced marketing suite with behavior-based SMS/email campaigns and automated review requests
Phorest is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for hair salons and spas, offering seamless appointment booking, client relationship management, and POS functionality. It includes advanced marketing tools like automated SMS/email campaigns, loyalty programs, and reputation management to drive client retention and growth. The platform provides detailed reporting, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling to streamline daily operations.
Pros
- Powerful marketing automation for client re-engagement and retention
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
- Mobile app supports on-the-go management for stylists and owners
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Pricing can be high for smaller salons
- Limited free trial and customization options
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons focused on marketing-driven growth and client loyalty.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $129/month per location, scaling with salon size and features; includes implementation fees.
Square Appointments
otherAffordable scheduling tool integrated with Square payments for easy salon bookings, reminders, and no-show protection.
Seamless Square POS integration for accepting deposits at booking to reduce no-shows
Square Appointments is a straightforward scheduling platform from Square, tailored for small service businesses like hair salons, enabling online booking, calendar management, and client notifications. It integrates seamlessly with Square's POS system for handling payments, deposits, and no-show protection directly during booking. The tool supports staff scheduling, automated reminders, and basic reporting, making it suitable for solo stylists or small teams without complex needs.
Pros
- Free plan for single-location use with unlimited appointments
- Intuitive mobile app and online booking widget
- Built-in payment processing with no-show deposits
Cons
- Limited advanced salon features like stylist commissions or service bundling
- Basic reporting lacks depth for multi-staff salons
- Transaction fees apply to payments (2.6% + 10¢ in-person)
Best For
Small hair salons or independent stylists needing simple, affordable scheduling with integrated payments.
Pricing
Free for solo users; Plus at $29/month per location; Premium at $69/month per location (plus payment processing fees).
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon software for multi-location management, bookings, inventory, and custom reporting.
AI-powered Zenoti Intelligence for personalized client recommendations and predictive analytics
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing end-to-end solutions for appointment scheduling, client relationship management, and operational efficiency. For hair salons, it offers seamless online booking, automated reminders, staff rostering, and walk-in management to optimize daily operations. The software also integrates POS, inventory tracking, marketing automation, and advanced analytics to drive revenue and client loyalty.
Pros
- All-in-one platform with robust appointment scheduling and multi-location support
- Advanced analytics and AI-driven insights for business optimization
- Seamless integrations for POS, payments, and marketing tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- High pricing that may not suit small independent salons
- Overkill features for basic hair salon needs
Best For
Medium to large hair salon chains or multi-location businesses needing enterprise-level management and scalability.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting around $200-$500 per month per location, scaling with features and users; free demo available.
Conclusion
After evaluating the top 10 hair salon appointment software tools, Vagaro stands out as the top choice, offering an all-in-one package with online booking, payments, marketing automation, inventory management, and staff scheduling. Fresha, our second-ranked tool, excels with its free platform and strong client reminder and POS integration, making it perfect for smaller or budget-conscious businesses. Mangomint, third in line, impresses with its modern design, automated marketing, payroll, and inventory tracking, appealing to those seeking a user-friendly experience. Ultimately, the best option depends on specific needs, but all three are exceptional.
Don't wait—explore why Vagaro leads the pack and start streamlining your salon's daily operations, simplify bookings, and boost client retention with ease.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison