Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon POS software with scheduling, payments, inventory management, and marketing tools.
- 2#2: Mangomint - Modern cloud-based salon management platform offering seamless POS, appointments, and client retention features.
- 3#3: Boulevard - Premium salon POS system with advanced clienteling, automated rebooking, and integrated payments.
- 4#4: Zenoti - Enterprise salon software for multi-location businesses featuring comprehensive POS and operations management.
- 5#5: Mindbody - Robust business management solution for salons with online booking, POS, and membership tools.
- 6#6: Phorest - Salon CRM and POS platform emphasizing marketing automation and client retention strategies.
- 7#7: Fresha - Free salon booking and POS software with no commissions on payments and global marketplace access.
- 8#8: Rosy Salon Software - Cloud-based salon POS with integrated scheduling, inventory tracking, and reporting capabilities.
- 9#9: Salon Iris - Affordable on-premise and cloud POS software for salons handling appointments and retail sales.
- 10#10: Shortcuts - Integrated salon management system with POS, payroll, and inventory management for small businesses.
Tools were ranked by evaluating feature depth—including scheduling, inventory, and client retention—alongside user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to small businesses and large enterprises effectively.
Comparison Table
Selecting the ideal POS software is key for optimizing hair salon operations, and this comparison table explores top tools like Vagaro, Mangomint, Boulevard, Zenoti, Mindbody, and others. Readers will gain insights into each platform's features, strengths, and best-fit scenarios to match their business requirements effectively.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon POS software with scheduling, payments, inventory management, and marketing tools. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Mangomint Modern cloud-based salon management platform offering seamless POS, appointments, and client retention features. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Boulevard Premium salon POS system with advanced clienteling, automated rebooking, and integrated payments. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Zenoti Enterprise salon software for multi-location businesses featuring comprehensive POS and operations management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Mindbody Robust business management solution for salons with online booking, POS, and membership tools. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 6 | Phorest Salon CRM and POS platform emphasizing marketing automation and client retention strategies. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Fresha Free salon booking and POS software with no commissions on payments and global marketplace access. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 8 | Rosy Salon Software Cloud-based salon POS with integrated scheduling, inventory tracking, and reporting capabilities. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Salon Iris Affordable on-premise and cloud POS software for salons handling appointments and retail sales. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Shortcuts Integrated salon management system with POS, payroll, and inventory management for small businesses. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
All-in-one salon POS software with scheduling, payments, inventory management, and marketing tools.
Modern cloud-based salon management platform offering seamless POS, appointments, and client retention features.
Premium salon POS system with advanced clienteling, automated rebooking, and integrated payments.
Enterprise salon software for multi-location businesses featuring comprehensive POS and operations management.
Robust business management solution for salons with online booking, POS, and membership tools.
Salon CRM and POS platform emphasizing marketing automation and client retention strategies.
Free salon booking and POS software with no commissions on payments and global marketplace access.
Cloud-based salon POS with integrated scheduling, inventory tracking, and reporting capabilities.
Affordable on-premise and cloud POS software for salons handling appointments and retail sales.
Integrated salon management system with POS, payroll, and inventory management for small businesses.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon POS software with scheduling, payments, inventory management, and marketing tools.
Vagaro Marketplace, a built-in discovery platform that connects salons with new clients searching for local services.
Vagaro is a robust cloud-based POS and management platform tailored for hair salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It integrates point-of-sale transactions, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, automated marketing, and detailed reporting to streamline daily operations and enhance client retention. With mobile accessibility and extensive integrations, Vagaro empowers salon owners to grow their business efficiently.
Pros
- All-in-one solution with powerful online booking and POS integration
- Extensive marketing tools including email/SMS campaigns and loyalty programs
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go management and client self-check-in
Cons
- Higher-tier plans can be expensive for very small salons
- Steep initial learning curve for advanced features
- Additional fees for payment processing and premium add-ons
Best For
Established hair salons with multiple stylists seeking a scalable, feature-rich POS system to manage bookings, payments, and growth.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Starter plan (1 user), up to $219/month for Ultimate (unlimited users), plus 2.75% payment processing fees; free trial available.
Mangomint
specializedModern cloud-based salon management platform offering seamless POS, appointments, and client retention features.
Advanced booth rental management with automated rent calculations, stylist portals, and revenue sharing
Mangomint is a modern, cloud-based POS and management software tailored for hair salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering seamless appointment scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, client CRM, inventory management, and staff scheduling. It excels in booth rental support for independent stylists, advanced reporting, two-way client texting, and online booking to streamline salon operations. The intuitive mobile app and beautiful interface make it a standout choice for tech-savvy salon owners seeking efficiency and growth tools.
Pros
- Highly intuitive and visually appealing interface with mobile app support
- Robust booth rental management ideal for hair salons with independent stylists
- Powerful reporting, analytics, and two-way texting for client retention
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for very small salons
- Fewer third-party integrations than some competitors
- Learning curve for advanced reporting features
Best For
Growing hair salons with booth renters or multiple stylists needing a modern, all-in-one POS and management solution.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month for up to 5 staff members (Essentials plan), with Pro at $275/month and Enterprise custom pricing; billed annually with a free trial.
Boulevard
specializedPremium salon POS system with advanced clienteling, automated rebooking, and integrated payments.
Visual service menu and drag-and-drop calendar that allows stylists to dynamically upsell services during booking
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based POS and management platform tailored for hair salons, spas, and multi-location beauty businesses. It provides seamless online booking, contactless payments, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and client management tools to streamline daily operations. With its modern interface and mobile app, it helps salons boost revenue through automated marketing and detailed analytics.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and visually appealing interface
- Comprehensive POS with integrated payments and inventory management
- Powerful reporting and marketing automation for client retention
Cons
- Higher pricing that may not suit very small salons
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to large hair salons or multi-location chains seeking a premium, all-in-one management solution.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at around $295/month per location, plus transaction fees and add-ons for advanced features.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise salon software for multi-location businesses featuring comprehensive POS and operations management.
AI-driven revenue management and personalized marketing automation that proactively boosts client retention and upsell opportunities
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for hair salons, spas, and multi-location wellness businesses, providing robust POS functionality alongside appointment booking, inventory management, staff scheduling, and client CRM. It excels in streamlining daily operations with features like contactless payments, retail sales tracking, and automated marketing campaigns to boost revenue. The software's scalability makes it suitable for growing chains, offering advanced analytics for performance insights and optimization.
Pros
- All-in-one platform covering POS, bookings, inventory, and marketing
- Powerful analytics and reporting for revenue optimization
- Scalable for multi-location salons with mobile apps for staff and clients
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- High pricing not ideal for single-location small salons
- Implementation can take time with custom setups
Best For
Multi-location hair salon chains or growing businesses seeking enterprise-level management and revenue growth tools.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting around $250-$500 per month per location, plus setup fees; scales with features and users.
Mindbody
enterpriseRobust business management solution for salons with online booking, POS, and membership tools.
Integrated consumer marketplace for direct client discovery and bookings
Mindbody is a robust cloud-based management platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, including hair salons, offering integrated POS, appointment scheduling, client relationship management, and marketing tools. It enables salons to handle online bookings, process payments, track inventory, and generate detailed reports on performance and staff commissions. While versatile across industries, its salon-specific features support streamlined operations from walk-ins to loyalty programs.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling and online booking integration
- Strong POS with payment processing and inventory tracking
- Advanced reporting and marketing automation tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- High pricing that may not suit small salons
- Occasional glitches and slower customer support
Best For
Medium to large hair salons needing an all-in-one platform for bookings, POS, and client marketing.
Pricing
Tiered plans start at $139/month (Software Essentials) up to $279+/month (Ultimate), billed per location with potential add-on fees for staff or clients.
Phorest
specializedSalon CRM and POS platform emphasizing marketing automation and client retention strategies.
Phorest Seed marketing automation for personalized client campaigns based on behavior and purchase history
Phorest is a comprehensive cloud-based salon management platform tailored for hair salons, barbershops, and spas, offering POS capabilities, appointment scheduling, client management, and advanced marketing tools. It streamlines daily operations with features like inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting while emphasizing client retention through automated campaigns and reputation management. Designed for growth-oriented businesses, Phorest integrates online booking and payments to enhance efficiency and revenue.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation with targeted email/SMS campaigns
- Seamless POS integration with online booking and payments
- Strong reputation management tools including review requests
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to feature depth
- Pricing can be high for smaller salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons and chains seeking advanced marketing and client retention tools to drive growth.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting around $150-$300/month based on salon size and features; requires demo for quote.
Fresha
specializedFree salon booking and POS software with no commissions on payments and global marketplace access.
Global online marketplace that drives new client bookings directly to your salon via the embedded booking widget
Fresha is an all-in-one management platform tailored for hair salons and beauty businesses, providing online booking, POS functionality, appointment scheduling, staff management, and client CRM tools. It allows salons to handle payments, inventory tracking, automated reminders, and marketing campaigns from a single intuitive dashboard. With a focus on service-based businesses, Fresha also connects users to a global marketplace for attracting new clients through its booking widget.
Pros
- Highly intuitive and modern interface with mobile app support
- Free core software with no upfront subscription costs
- Integrated online booking marketplace for client discovery
Cons
- 20% commission on new client online bookings can add up
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- POS hardware integrations may require additional setup
Best For
Small to medium-sized hair salons looking for an easy-to-use, commission-based POS and booking solution without monthly fees.
Pricing
Free to use with no subscription fees; 20% commission on online bookings from new clients (first-time with the salon), lower rates for repeat bookings.
Rosy Salon Software
specializedCloud-based salon POS with integrated scheduling, inventory tracking, and reporting capabilities.
Automated marketing suite with email/SMS campaigns and loyalty programs integrated directly into the POS
Rosy Salon Software is a cloud-based POS and management platform tailored for hair salons, spas, and beauty businesses. It provides appointment scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, client relationship management, inventory tracking, and built-in marketing tools to streamline operations. The software emphasizes ease of use with mobile access and reporting features to help owners make data-driven decisions.
Pros
- Comprehensive salon-specific features like booth rental tracking and service menus
- Strong customer support with live chat and training resources
- Affordable pricing with no long-term contracts
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to top competitors
- Occasional reports of slow performance during peak hours
- Advanced customization requires higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium hair salons seeking an all-in-one POS solution with solid marketing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Essentials), $59/month (Professional), $99/month (Enterprise); per-user pricing with optional hardware add-ons.
Salon Iris
specializedAffordable on-premise and cloud POS software for salons handling appointments and retail sales.
Advanced marketing center with automated email/SMS campaigns and loyalty programs designed specifically for salon client retention
Salon Iris is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for hair salons, barbershops, and spas, offering integrated POS functionality for seamless transactions. It handles appointment scheduling, client databases, inventory management, staff scheduling, payroll, and marketing tools like automated email and SMS campaigns. The platform emphasizes revenue growth through detailed reporting and analytics, making it suitable for businesses seeking operational efficiency.
Pros
- All-in-one solution with robust POS, scheduling, and inventory tools
- Powerful reporting and analytics for business insights
- Integrated marketing automation to drive client retention and bookings
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with staff or locations, less ideal for solos
- Interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Medium-sized hair salons or multi-location businesses needing comprehensive management and marketing features.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month (up to 5 staff), with Essentials ($99/month), Elite ($149/month), and Premier ($295/month) tiers; extra fees for additional staff and add-ons like online booking.
Shortcuts
specializedIntegrated salon management system with POS, payroll, and inventory management for small businesses.
Advanced business intelligence reporting with customizable dashboards and KPI tracking
Shortcuts is a comprehensive salon management software tailored for hair and beauty salons, providing POS functionality, online booking, client relationship management, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It emphasizes advanced reporting and analytics to help salon owners track performance and marketing ROI. With both cloud and on-premise options, it's built for businesses seeking detailed operational control.
Pros
- Extensive reporting and analytics for business insights
- Integrated POS with inventory and loyalty programs
- Reliable customer support and training resources
Cons
- Interface feels somewhat dated and less intuitive
- Higher pricing may not suit small salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Medium to large hair salons needing advanced reporting and multi-location management.
Pricing
Starts at around $99 AUD/month per workstation, with tiered plans up to enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
The review highlights a range of robust tools, with Vagaro leading as the top choice for its all-in-one capabilities, while Mangomint and Boulevard stand out as strong alternatives—Mangomint for modern cloud-based efficiency and client retention, and Boulevard for premium clienteling and rebooking features. Each tool offers unique strengths, ensuring salons of all needs can find a reliable solution.
Don’t hesitate to explore Vagaro, the top-ranked option, to transform your salon operations and drive success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison