Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client management, and marketing automation.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free salon booking and management platform with built-in marketplace for attracting new clients.
- 3#3: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management software for salons offering scheduling, payments, and staff management.
- 4#4: Mangomint - Modern, user-friendly salon software with automated bookings, invoicing, and reporting features.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Premium salon platform for luxury businesses with advanced clienteling, payroll, and POS integration.
- 6#6: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, analytics, and operations.
- 7#7: Phorest - Salon CRM and management system focused on client retention, marketing, and performance insights.
- 8#8: Saloniri - Cloud-based salon software for appointment scheduling, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling.
- 9#9: StyleSeat - Booking and payment platform designed for independent hair stylists and beauty professionals.
- 10#10: GlossGenius - Mobile-first salon software for bookings, payments, and client communication on the go.
These tools were selected based on key factors like feature richness, user experience, performance, and value, evaluating strengths in areas such as booking, POS, client management, and additional capabilities like marketing or staff tools to suit everything from small studios to multi-location enterprises.
Comparison Table
Hair salon computer software simplifies operations from bookings to payments, and this comparison table highlights top tools like Vagaro, Fresha, Mindbody, Mangomint, Boulevard, and more. Readers will discover key features, pricing structures, and usability to choose the best fit for their salon's specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client management, and marketing automation. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free salon booking and management platform with built-in marketplace for attracting new clients. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management software for salons offering scheduling, payments, and staff management. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Mangomint Modern, user-friendly salon software with automated bookings, invoicing, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Premium salon platform for luxury businesses with advanced clienteling, payroll, and POS integration. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, analytics, and operations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Phorest Salon CRM and management system focused on client retention, marketing, and performance insights. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Saloniri Cloud-based salon software for appointment scheduling, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | StyleSeat Booking and payment platform designed for independent hair stylists and beauty professionals. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | GlossGenius Mobile-first salon software for bookings, payments, and client communication on the go. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
All-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client management, and marketing automation.
Free salon booking and management platform with built-in marketplace for attracting new clients.
Comprehensive business management software for salons offering scheduling, payments, and staff management.
Modern, user-friendly salon software with automated bookings, invoicing, and reporting features.
Premium salon platform for luxury businesses with advanced clienteling, payroll, and POS integration.
Enterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, analytics, and operations.
Salon CRM and management system focused on client retention, marketing, and performance insights.
Cloud-based salon software for appointment scheduling, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling.
Booking and payment platform designed for independent hair stylists and beauty professionals.
Mobile-first salon software for bookings, payments, and client communication on the go.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client management, and marketing automation.
Vagaro Marketplace integration, which exposes your salon to millions of users for free bookings and lead generation
Vagaro is a comprehensive cloud-based salon management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It includes payment processing, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and marketing tools like automated email/SMS campaigns and promotions. With robust reporting and a user-friendly mobile app, Vagaro helps salon owners streamline operations and grow their business efficiently.
Pros
- Highly customizable online booking with calendar sync and waitlist management
- Powerful marketing automation including email/SMS and loyalty programs
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go management and client self-check-in
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can get expensive for multi-location salons
- Occasional glitches in reporting during peak usage
- Customer support response times can vary for non-premium users
Best For
Busy hair salon owners and managers seeking an all-in-one platform for bookings, payments, and client retention to scale their business.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Solo plan (1 user), scales to $169+/month for teams/locations; includes per-booking fees starting at 1% + payment processing.
Fresha
specializedFree salon booking and management platform with built-in marketplace for attracting new clients.
The global marketplace connecting salons to millions of ready-to-book clients.
Fresha is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and beauty businesses, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It includes POS integration for payments, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, automated reminders, and marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns. Additionally, its marketplace feature allows salons to attract new clients from a vast user base without subscription fees.
Pros
- Commission-free for direct bookings with no monthly fees
- Integrated marketplace for effortless client acquisition
- Intuitive mobile app and modern interface
Cons
- 20% commission on marketplace bookings
- Limited advanced reporting for enterprise needs
- Customization options could be more flexible
Best For
Small to medium hair salons seeking affordable, user-friendly software with built-in client discovery tools.
Pricing
Free for core features with no subscription; 20% commission only on new marketplace bookings.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management software for salons offering scheduling, payments, and staff management.
Access to Mindbody's massive consumer marketplace, driving new client bookings through discoverability.
Mindbody is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for wellness and beauty businesses, including hair salons, offering tools for online booking, appointment scheduling, client management, and payment processing. It enables salons to handle staff scheduling, inventory tracking for hair products, POS transactions, and marketing campaigns to boost client retention. The software also provides robust reporting and analytics to monitor business performance and revenue streams.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including online booking and client CRM
- Powerful marketing tools and integrations with third-party apps
- Detailed reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Higher pricing that may not suit very small salons
- Occasional reports of technical glitches and slow support
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons seeking an all-in-one platform with strong online visibility and marketing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for basic plans (billed annually), with premium tiers up to $429/month plus add-ons and transaction fees.
Mangomint
specializedModern, user-friendly salon software with automated bookings, invoicing, and reporting features.
Drag-and-drop calendar with color-coded visuals, photo uploads, and real-time client/staff availability
Mangomint is a cloud-based salon management software designed specifically for hair salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering an all-in-one platform for streamlining operations. Key functionalities include online booking, drag-and-drop scheduling, POS integration, client CRM with automated marketing, inventory management, and detailed reporting. It stands out with its modern, intuitive interface that prioritizes user experience and mobile accessibility, helping salons boost efficiency and client retention.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive and visually appealing interface
- Comprehensive automation for bookings, marketing, and reporting
- Strong customer support with quick response times
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter very small salons
- Some features locked behind premium plans
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons seeking a premium, modern all-in-one solution with excellent usability.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Essentials, billed annually) per location, up to $365/month (Advanced); scales with users and features.
Boulevard
enterprisePremium salon platform for luxury businesses with advanced clienteling, payroll, and POS integration.
Custom-branded booking pages and client portals for a seamless, personalized booking experience
Boulevard is a premium salon management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and barbershops, offering seamless online booking, point-of-sale (POS) systems, client relationship management, and staff scheduling. It provides powerful marketing automation, inventory tracking, and detailed reporting to streamline operations and boost revenue. With a focus on modern aesthetics, it delivers branded client experiences through customizable booking pages and a mobile app for on-the-go access.
Pros
- Sleek, intuitive interface with mobile-first design
- Robust POS, inventory, and marketing tools
- Advanced client retention features like automated reminders
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for small salons
- Some features locked behind higher tiers
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons with multiple stylists needing a scalable, client-focused platform.
Pricing
Starts at $295/month for small teams (1-3 stylists), scales to $500+/month for larger operations with custom enterprise options.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, analytics, and operations.
Centralized multi-location dashboard with AI-driven insights and real-time analytics
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness centers, including hair salons. It streamlines operations with features like online appointment booking, POS systems, client CRM, inventory management, staff scheduling, and automated marketing. The software excels in scalability for multi-location businesses, offering advanced analytics and reporting to drive growth and efficiency.
Pros
- Extensive feature set covering all salon needs from booking to analytics
- Scalable for multi-location chains with centralized control
- Strong integrations and mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Steep learning curve for smaller teams
- High cost with custom pricing
- Overkill for single-location independent salons
Best For
Multi-location hair salon chains or enterprise-level salons needing robust, scalable management tools.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $250-$500 per month per location, depending on features and scale.
Phorest
specializedSalon CRM and management system focused on client retention, marketing, and performance insights.
Automated marketing engine that triggers personalized campaigns based on client visit history and behavior
Phorest is a cloud-based all-in-one salon management software tailored for hair and beauty salons, offering online booking, POS, client CRM, and staff scheduling. It excels in marketing automation with personalized SMS/email campaigns and reputation management to boost client retention. Advanced analytics via PhorestBI provide insights into business performance, inventory, and revenue trends.
Pros
- Powerful marketing automation with SMS, email, and review management
- Integrated POS, payments, and comprehensive reporting tools
- Strong client retention features and business intelligence dashboard
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher pricing may not suit very small salons
- Some customization requires additional support
Best For
Multi-location hair salons focused on marketing, client loyalty, and data-driven growth.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing typically starts at $150-$300/month per location, scaling with salon size, users, and add-ons like PhorestPay.
Saloniri
specializedCloud-based salon software for appointment scheduling, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling.
Customizable online booking widget that embeds seamlessly into salon websites for 24/7 client reservations
Saloniri is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for hair and beauty salons, offering appointment scheduling, client relationship management, and inventory tracking. It streamlines daily operations with online booking, staff scheduling, and basic POS functionality. The platform emphasizes ease of use for small business owners, with mobile access and simple reporting tools.
Pros
- User-friendly interface with quick setup
- Reliable online booking and reminders
- Solid mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Fewer integrations with third-party tools
- Pricing escalates quickly for multi-location salons
Best For
Small independent hair salons seeking straightforward scheduling and client management without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for basic (1 user), $99/month for pro (up to 5 users), and custom enterprise plans.
StyleSeat
specializedBooking and payment platform designed for independent hair stylists and beauty professionals.
Integrated marketplace that exposes stylists to new clients searching for local hair services
StyleSeat is an online booking and management platform tailored for beauty professionals, including hair stylists, enabling easy appointment scheduling, client communication, and payment processing via a mobile-first app. It functions as a marketplace where stylists can attract new clients while offering tools like automated reminders, no-show protection, and customizable profiles. Primarily designed for independent pros, it provides salon-like features for small operations but lacks depth in inventory or multi-staff management.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for quick booking and client management
- No monthly fees, only 2.75% per transaction
- Built-in marketplace for client discovery and marketing
Cons
- Limited support for inventory tracking or product sales
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume salons
- Not ideal for large salons with complex staff scheduling needs
Best For
Independent hair stylists or small solo-operator salons focused on online bookings and client growth.
Pricing
Free to start with 2.75% fee per paid booking (plus payment processor fees).
GlossGenius
specializedMobile-first salon software for bookings, payments, and client communication on the go.
Embeddable booking widget that syncs real-time availability across multiple channels like Instagram, Google, and custom websites
GlossGenius is an all-in-one management platform tailored for beauty professionals, including hair salons, providing online booking, payment processing, client management, and marketing tools. It enables salons to offer 24/7 self-scheduling for clients, handle secure payments with deposits to reduce no-shows, and automate reminders via email and SMS. The software also includes POS functionality, basic reporting, and a mobile app for on-the-go management, making it suitable for streamlining daily salon operations.
Pros
- Intuitive, mobile-first interface that's easy for non-tech-savvy users
- Seamless integration for online booking across websites, Google, and social media
- Built-in marketing automation with email/SMS campaigns and no-show protection
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for teams and lacks free tier options
- Limited advanced reporting and inventory management compared to enterprise tools
- Customization options for scheduling and workflows are somewhat basic
Best For
Solo stylists or small hair salons seeking a user-friendly, all-in-one tool for bookings, payments, and basic client management without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $24/month per user for solo plans, up to $115/month for teams of 6+; plus 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction processing fee.
Conclusion
When comparing these top 10 hair salon software tools, Vagaro stands apart as the top choice, offering a fully integrated solution that simplifies online booking, POS management, client tracking, and marketing. Fresha impresses as a standout free option with a built-in marketplace to attract new clients, while Mindbody excels for comprehensive business management, covering scheduling, payments, and staff coordination. Each tool has unique strengths, but Vagaro’s versatility makes it the go-to pick for most salons.
Take the first step toward smoother operations—try Vagaro today to experience its seamless features and elevate your salon’s performance, or explore Fresha or Mindbody if your needs lean toward specific solutions.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison