Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon software for online booking, scheduling, POS, payments, and marketing automation.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free booking platform for salons with client management, payments, and built-in marketing tools.
- 3#3: GlossGenius - Modern all-in-one platform for beauty pros handling bookings, payments, and business growth.
- 4#4: Booksy - Mobile-first booking app that connects clients with hair stylists and salon services.
- 5#5: StyleSeat - Online marketplace and booking tool tailored for independent hair stylists and beauty pros.
- 6#6: Mangomint - Award-winning salon software with advanced scheduling, POS, and automation features.
- 7#7: Boulevard - Powerful salon management platform for bookings, retail, payroll, and multi-location support.
- 8#8: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management software for salons with online booking and client retention tools.
- 9#9: Zenoti - Cloud-based enterprise solution for salon chains managing bookings, operations, and analytics.
- 10#10: Square Appointments - Simple, affordable scheduling software integrated with Square payments for small salons.
We prioritized tools with robust core features, intuitive usability, consistent performance, and exceptional value, balancing functionality with accessibility to suit salons of all sizes and goals.
Comparison Table
Finding the right hair salon booking software is key to efficient operations; this comparison table explores top tools like Vagaro, Fresha, GlossGenius, Booksy, StyleSeat, and more, breaking down features, pricing, and usability to guide your decision.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon software for online booking, scheduling, POS, payments, and marketing automation. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free booking platform for salons with client management, payments, and built-in marketing tools. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | GlossGenius Modern all-in-one platform for beauty pros handling bookings, payments, and business growth. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Booksy Mobile-first booking app that connects clients with hair stylists and salon services. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | StyleSeat Online marketplace and booking tool tailored for independent hair stylists and beauty pros. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Mangomint Award-winning salon software with advanced scheduling, POS, and automation features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Boulevard Powerful salon management platform for bookings, retail, payroll, and multi-location support. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management software for salons with online booking and client retention tools. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | Zenoti Cloud-based enterprise solution for salon chains managing bookings, operations, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | Square Appointments Simple, affordable scheduling software integrated with Square payments for small salons. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 |
All-in-one salon software for online booking, scheduling, POS, payments, and marketing automation.
Free booking platform for salons with client management, payments, and built-in marketing tools.
Modern all-in-one platform for beauty pros handling bookings, payments, and business growth.
Mobile-first booking app that connects clients with hair stylists and salon services.
Online marketplace and booking tool tailored for independent hair stylists and beauty pros.
Award-winning salon software with advanced scheduling, POS, and automation features.
Powerful salon management platform for bookings, retail, payroll, and multi-location support.
Comprehensive business management software for salons with online booking and client retention tools.
Cloud-based enterprise solution for salon chains managing bookings, operations, and analytics.
Simple, affordable scheduling software integrated with Square payments for small salons.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon software for online booking, scheduling, POS, payments, and marketing automation.
Vagaro Marketplace, a built-in discovery platform that connects salons with new clients searching for local services.
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for hair salons, offering 24/7 online booking, staff scheduling, and client management tools to streamline daily operations. It includes integrated POS, payment processing, automated marketing via email and SMS, and detailed reporting for business insights. With features like customizable intake forms, inventory tracking, and a consumer marketplace for client discovery, Vagaro helps salons grow and retain customers efficiently.
Pros
- Highly customizable online booking with calendar syncing and automated reminders
- Built-in marketing tools and client marketplace for attracting new business
- Comprehensive POS, payments, and reporting in one platform
Cons
- Higher-tier plans and add-ons can increase costs for small salons
- Slight learning curve for advanced customization options
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Busy hair salons and multi-location businesses seeking a feature-rich platform for booking, marketing, and operations management.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month per location (Starter plan), scaling to $169+/month for Premium/Ultimate tiers; plus ~2.75% + $0.10 per online transaction fee.
Fresha
specializedFree booking platform for salons with client management, payments, and built-in marketing tools.
Built-in client discovery marketplace that connects salons with local customers searching for hair services
Fresha is an all-in-one booking and management platform designed specifically for hair salons, spas, and beauty businesses, enabling seamless online appointment scheduling, client management, and POS transactions. It features a customizable booking widget that integrates with websites and social media, automated reminders to reduce no-shows, and tools for staff scheduling, inventory tracking, and marketing campaigns. Fresha also connects businesses to its marketplace, helping attract new clients through local discovery.
Pros
- Free core platform with no monthly fees for basic use, only commission on new client bookings
- Integrated POS, payments, and inventory management streamline salon operations
- Client marketplace and marketing tools drive new bookings and retention
Cons
- 20% commission on prepaid bookings from new clients unless upgraded to premium
- Limited customization for advanced reporting without higher-tier plans
- Mobile app is functional but lacks some desktop features
Best For
Small to medium-sized hair salons seeking a cost-effective, all-in-one solution to handle bookings, payments, and client growth without upfront software costs.
Pricing
Free plan with 20% commission on new client prepaid bookings; Premium subscriptions from $29/month per location to remove commissions and unlock advanced features.
GlossGenius
specializedModern all-in-one platform for beauty pros handling bookings, payments, and business growth.
Built-in marketing suite with automated SMS/email campaigns and no-show protection to maximize salon revenue.
GlossGenius is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for beauty professionals, including hair salons, enabling online appointment scheduling, client management, and payment processing. It offers customizable booking pages, automated reminders, waitlists, and integrated marketing tools like SMS and email campaigns to boost bookings and retention. The software also includes POS functionality, staff scheduling, and a mobile app for on-the-go management, making it ideal for streamlining salon operations.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile-first interface with quick setup
- Robust marketing automation and client retention tools
- Seamless payments and POS integration without extra transaction fees on select plans
Cons
- Pricing scales per staff member, increasing costs for larger teams
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics in base plans
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to medium hair salons and independent stylists needing an easy, all-in-one solution for bookings, payments, and client marketing.
Pricing
Solo plan at $24/month; Team at $34/provider/month (billed annually); custom enterprise pricing.
Booksy
specializedMobile-first booking app that connects clients with hair stylists and salon services.
Booksy Marketplace for client discovery and direct bookings from a large user base
Booksy is a robust online booking and management platform tailored for hair salons and beauty professionals, enabling seamless appointment scheduling, staff management, and client interactions. It offers features like customizable service menus, automated reminders, deposit collections to reduce no-shows, and integrated payments. Additionally, salons benefit from marketing tools, analytics, and a client-facing mobile app for easy bookings and reviews.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for clients and staff
- Strong no-show protection with deposits
- Built-in marketing and client discovery via marketplace
Cons
- Transaction fees on free plan (2.5% + $0.50 per booking)
- Limited customization in reporting
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons wanting an all-in-one platform with client acquisition through the Booksy marketplace.
Pricing
Free plan with booking commissions; paid plans from $29.99/mo (Solo) to $89.99/mo (Business), plus optional add-ons.
StyleSeat
specializedOnline marketplace and booking tool tailored for independent hair stylists and beauty pros.
Built-in consumer marketplace that drives client leads directly to your profile
StyleSeat is a mobile-first booking and management platform tailored for independent beauty professionals, including hair stylists, enabling online appointment scheduling, secure payments, and client communication. It features a large consumer-facing marketplace that helps pros attract new clients by showcasing profiles, portfolios, and reviews. The software also includes tools for reminders, no-show protection, and basic marketing to streamline salon operations for solo practitioners.
Pros
- Extensive marketplace for client discovery and bookings
- Intuitive mobile app with seamless payments and reminders
- Strong focus on independent pros with portfolio tools
Cons
- Commission fees on marketplace bookings reduce earnings
- Limited staff scheduling for multi-employee salons
- Basic reporting compared to enterprise salon software
Best For
Independent hair stylists and booth renters who want easy online visibility and booking without complex team management.
Pricing
Free basic plan with 20% commission on marketplace bookings and 2.75% + $0.30 transaction fees; Pro plan at $40/month (billed annually) for unlimited bookings, no commissions, and advanced features.
Mangomint
specializedAward-winning salon software with advanced scheduling, POS, and automation features.
Advanced workflow automation that allows custom triggers for tasks like follow-ups and rebooking prompts
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and beauty businesses, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It includes built-in payment processing, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, automated marketing via email and SMS, and customizable reporting. The platform emphasizes a modern, intuitive interface with mobile apps for both clients and staff to enhance operational efficiency.
Pros
- Stunning, modern interface that's highly intuitive and mobile-friendly
- Robust feature set including payments, inventory, and marketing automation
- Excellent client communication tools like two-way texting and reminders
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit small salons or startups
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
- Advanced customization requires some setup time
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons seeking a premium, visually appealing all-in-one platform with strong automation and client retention tools.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (billed annually) for up to 3 providers, plus $55 per additional provider; monthly billing available at higher rates.
Boulevard
enterprisePowerful salon management platform for bookings, retail, payroll, and multi-location support.
Boulevard Marketplace, a built-in platform for selling gift cards and services directly to clients with seamless fulfillment.
Boulevard is a premium, all-in-one salon management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and barbershops, offering seamless online booking, point-of-sale integration, staff scheduling, and client management. It streamlines daily operations with features like automated reminders, inventory tracking, payroll processing, and marketing automation to boost revenue and client retention. Designed for multi-location businesses, it provides robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including POS, payroll, and marketing tools
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go management
- Excellent customer support and training resources
Cons
- High pricing may not suit small salons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free trial and custom integrations
Best For
Mid-to-large hair salons and multi-location chains seeking a scalable, enterprise-grade booking and management solution.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at around $275/month per location, with tiers based on features and number of users/stations.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management software for salons with online booking and client retention tools.
Vast integrated marketplace connecting salons to millions of consumers for effortless client discovery and bookings
Mindbody is an all-in-one business management platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses like hair salons, providing online booking, appointment scheduling, client management, payment processing, and marketing automation. It features a user-friendly client booking portal and staff scheduling tools, along with inventory tracking and reporting to streamline salon operations. While robust for growing salons, it excels in integrating with a large consumer marketplace to attract new clients.
Pros
- Comprehensive online booking and scheduling with real-time availability
- Integrated marketing tools and client CRM for retention
- Extensive reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- High pricing with additional transaction fees
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization
- Overkill for very small single-chair salons
Best For
Mid-sized to large hair salons or chains needing full business management alongside advanced booking capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Essentials (1 location), up to $369+/month for Ultimate, plus 2.75-3.49% processing fees per transaction.
Zenoti
enterpriseCloud-based enterprise solution for salon chains managing bookings, operations, and analytics.
AI-powered analytics and personalized marketing automation that predict client behavior and optimize bookings
Zenoti is an enterprise-grade salon management platform tailored for hair salons, spas, and multi-location wellness businesses, offering robust online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management tools. It integrates POS, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, marketing automation, and advanced analytics into a single cloud-based system. Designed for scalability, it helps streamline operations and enhance customer experiences across chains.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one features including online booking, POS, and marketing
- Scalable for multi-location salons with centralized reporting
- Strong client retention tools like loyalty programs and automated reminders
Cons
- High cost with custom pricing that may overwhelm small salons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring training
- Overkill for single-location businesses needing simple booking only
Best For
Multi-location hair salon chains or growing enterprises seeking a scalable, feature-rich management solution beyond basic booking.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $200-400 per month per location, plus setup fees and add-ons for advanced features.
Square Appointments
specializedSimple, affordable scheduling software integrated with Square payments for small salons.
One-click integration with Square POS for instant payments and no-show protection via deposits
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling platform from Square, tailored for service businesses like hair salons to manage online bookings, staff calendars, and client communications. It offers 24/7 self-scheduling for clients, automated SMS/email reminders, and seamless integration with Square's payment processing for deposits and full payments at checkout. The tool also supports waitlists, service packages, and basic reporting, making it suitable for streamlining salon operations without complex setup.
Pros
- Free plan for single-location salons with unlimited staff
- Intuitive mobile app and quick online booking setup
- Integrated payments with no extra hardware needed for many users
Cons
- Transaction fees apply on free plan (2.6% + 10¢ in-person, 2.9% + 30¢ online)
- Limited advanced salon features like product inventory or client history tracking
- Reporting and customization options are basic compared to specialized tools
Best For
Solo stylists or small hair salons seeking a simple, affordable booking system with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for one location; Plus at $29/month per location; Premium custom pricing.
Conclusion
Navigating the best hair salon booking software uncovers diverse solutions, each designed to meet distinct needs. Leading the pack, Vagaro excels with its all-in-one functionality, integrating online booking, POS, payments, and marketing automation for seamless salon management. Fresha and GlossGenius follow as strong alternatives—Fresha for its free, client-focused tools, and GlossGenius for its modern approach to business growth.
Take the next step in enhancing your salon operations: explore Vagaro today to experience streamlined scheduling, effortless payments, and impactful marketing, and unlock its potential to elevate your business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison