Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client tracking, and marketing automation tailored for hairdressers.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free booking and management platform with payments, inventory, and staff scheduling designed for hair salons and spas.
- 3#3: Boulevard - Modern salon software offering seamless booking, payments, retail, and reporting for professional hairdressers.
- 4#4: Mangomint - Streamlined salon management tool with automated bookings, payments, and client retention features for hair stylists.
- 5#5: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce capabilities.
- 6#6: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon platform with advanced booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support for hairdressers.
- 7#7: Square Appointments - Simple scheduling and payment software integrated with POS for small hair salons and independent stylists.
- 8#8: StyleSeat - Mobile-first booking app connecting hairdressers with clients for appointments, payments, and profile management.
- 9#9: Phorest - Salon CRM software focused on client retention, marketing, and business intelligence for hairdressers.
- 10#10: SalonBiz - Affordable salon management system with booking, payroll, and inventory tools for hair and beauty professionals.
We ranked these tools by assessing features (including booking, POS, and CRM), user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring they deliver actionable benefits for hairdressers and their businesses.
Comparison Table
Explore a comparison of top hairdresser software tools, including Vagaro, Fresha, Boulevard, Mangomint, Mindbody, and more, to find the right fit for your salon. This table outlines key features, pricing details, and usability to help you make an informed choice tailored to your business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client tracking, and marketing automation tailored for hairdressers. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free booking and management platform with payments, inventory, and staff scheduling designed for hair salons and spas. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 3 | Boulevard Modern salon software offering seamless booking, payments, retail, and reporting for professional hairdressers. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Mangomint Streamlined salon management tool with automated bookings, payments, and client retention features for hair stylists. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce capabilities. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon platform with advanced booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support for hairdressers. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Square Appointments Simple scheduling and payment software integrated with POS for small hair salons and independent stylists. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 8 | StyleSeat Mobile-first booking app connecting hairdressers with clients for appointments, payments, and profile management. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Phorest Salon CRM software focused on client retention, marketing, and business intelligence for hairdressers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | SalonBiz Affordable salon management system with booking, payroll, and inventory tools for hair and beauty professionals. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.3/10 |
All-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client tracking, and marketing automation tailored for hairdressers.
Free booking and management platform with payments, inventory, and staff scheduling designed for hair salons and spas.
Modern salon software offering seamless booking, payments, retail, and reporting for professional hairdressers.
Streamlined salon management tool with automated bookings, payments, and client retention features for hair stylists.
Comprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce capabilities.
Enterprise-grade salon platform with advanced booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support for hairdressers.
Simple scheduling and payment software integrated with POS for small hair salons and independent stylists.
Mobile-first booking app connecting hairdressers with clients for appointments, payments, and profile management.
Salon CRM software focused on client retention, marketing, and business intelligence for hairdressers.
Affordable salon management system with booking, payroll, and inventory tools for hair and beauty professionals.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon management software for online booking, POS, client tracking, and marketing automation tailored for hairdressers.
Vagaro Marketplace, an SEO-powered directory that exposes your services to millions of local clients searching for hairdressers.
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for hairdressers, offering seamless online booking, intelligent scheduling, and client management to streamline daily operations. It includes built-in POS for payments, inventory tracking, and automated marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns and loyalty programs. With robust reporting and a mobile app, it empowers hairdressers to grow their business efficiently while providing a professional client experience.
Pros
- Highly customizable scheduling with drag-and-drop calendar and waitlist management
- Integrated marketing suite including SEO-optimized profiles on Vagaro Marketplace for client discovery
- Comprehensive mobile app for managing bookings, payments, and clients on the go
Cons
- Higher-tier features require premium plans or add-ons, increasing costs
- Initial setup can be time-intensive for salons with multiple staff
- Customer support response times vary during peak periods
Best For
Independent hairdressers, booth renters, and small-to-medium salons seeking a scalable platform for bookings, payments, and growth.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month per location (Starter plan); scales to $109+/month for Pro/Elite with more features; pay-per-booking option available.
Fresha
specializedFree booking and management platform with payments, inventory, and staff scheduling designed for hair salons and spas.
The free global marketplace that connects hairdressers with millions of ready-to-book clients via Google, Instagram, and Fresha's app.
Fresha is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for hairdressers and salons, providing online booking, appointment scheduling, client management, POS, and inventory tracking. It features a built-in marketplace to attract new clients, automated reminders, loyalty programs, and marketing tools to boost retention and revenue. With no monthly subscription fees, Fresha streamlines operations via an intuitive web and mobile app, making it ideal for busy beauty professionals.
Pros
- Commission-free core platform with no subscription fees
- Seamless online booking and vast client discovery marketplace
- All-in-one tools including POS, CRM, and marketing automation
Cons
- Payment processing fees apply to transactions
- Limited advanced reporting without premium add-ons
- Occasional glitches in mobile app syncing
Best For
Small to medium hair salons and independent stylists seeking a free, user-friendly solution to manage bookings and grow clientele effortlessly.
Pricing
Free forever plan with no commissions or subscriptions; standard payment processing fees (around 2.19% + $0.20 per card transaction); optional premium upgrades from $9/month.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon software offering seamless booking, payments, retail, and reporting for professional hairdressers.
Client Portal and Booster marketing suite for personalized client retention and automated revenue growth
Boulevard is a premium salon management software tailored for hairdressers, barbers, spas, and wellness businesses, offering end-to-end operations including online booking, client CRM, payments, inventory, and staff scheduling. It features a sleek, modern interface with mobile apps for staff and clients, emphasizing seamless client experiences and business growth tools like automated marketing. The platform supports multi-location management and integrates with popular tools for payments and e-commerce.
Pros
- Modern, intuitive interface with excellent mobile apps
- Comprehensive features including marketing automation and reporting
- Strong scalability for multi-location salons
Cons
- High starting price may deter small operations
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free trial and custom pricing opacity
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons and multi-location businesses seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform with premium client-facing tools.
Pricing
Starts at $275/month for Essential plan (billed annually), with Pro at $450+/month and custom Enterprise pricing; per-location fees apply.
Mangomint
specializedStreamlined salon management tool with automated bookings, payments, and client retention features for hair stylists.
Advanced visual calendar with color-coded services, drag-and-drop rescheduling, and AI-powered waitlist optimization
Mangomint is a modern, cloud-based salon management software tailored for hairdressers and beauty professionals, offering seamless online booking, POS integration, staff scheduling, inventory tracking, and automated marketing tools. It streamlines daily operations with a visually appealing interface and powerful automations like waitlist management and two-way client texting. Designed for efficiency, it helps salons manage everything from appointments to payroll in one intuitive platform.
Pros
- Sleek, intuitive interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Comprehensive all-in-one tools including payroll, inventory, and marketing automation
- Responsive customer support and frequent updates
Cons
- Premium pricing can be high for solo practitioners or tiny salons
- Fewer third-party integrations than some competitors
- Occasional reports of slower load times during peak hours
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons and spas seeking a premium, user-friendly platform to scale operations without complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Solo plan, 1 user) billed annually; scales to $485+/month for multi-location teams; custom enterprise pricing available.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce capabilities.
Vast consumer marketplace app that connects hairdressers with new clients for discovery and instant bookings
Mindbody is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for wellness and beauty businesses, including hair salons and hairdressers. It streamlines operations with online booking, appointment scheduling, client management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. The software also provides robust reporting, staff management, and a consumer-facing app for easy client discovery and reservations.
Pros
- Powerful online booking and scheduling with real-time availability
- Integrated marketing tools including email/SMS campaigns and client retention features
- Detailed analytics and reporting for business insights
Cons
- High subscription costs with additional transaction fees
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- Overkill for solo hairdressers or very small operations
Best For
Established hair salons with multiple stylists or locations needing a full-featured management suite.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Essentials plan, up to $429/month for Pro, plus 2.75% + $0.30 per credit card transaction and add-on fees.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon platform with advanced booking, POS, analytics, and multi-location support for hairdressers.
AI-driven Zenoti Intelligence for predictive analytics and personalized client recommendations
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, including hairdressers, offering end-to-end solutions for appointment booking, client relationship management, point-of-sale transactions, and inventory control. It enables hairdressers to schedule services like cuts, coloring, and styling, track client preferences and history, and automate marketing campaigns via email and SMS. With robust reporting, staff management, and multi-location capabilities, Zenoti supports scaling operations while enhancing customer retention through loyalty programs.
Pros
- All-in-one platform covering bookings, payments, CRM, and marketing
- Powerful analytics and reporting for business insights
- Excellent multi-location and franchise support
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- High pricing not ideal for solo hairdressers or small shops
- Customization requires professional setup assistance
Best For
Growing hair salons or multi-location chains needing enterprise-level tools for operations and client management.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at around $250/month per location, with additional fees for add-ons and implementation.
Square Appointments
otherSimple scheduling and payment software integrated with POS for small hair salons and independent stylists.
No-show protection with client deposits processed via integrated Square payments
Square Appointments is a user-friendly booking and scheduling platform tailored for service businesses like hairdressers, offering online appointment booking, calendar management, and automated client reminders. It integrates seamlessly with Square's POS system for handling payments, no-show protection, and sales tracking directly from appointments. The software also supports staff management, client databases, and basic reporting, making it suitable for streamlining salon workflows without complex setup.
Pros
- Free plan for single-location users with no booking fees
- Seamless integration with Square POS for instant payments and deposits
- Intuitive mobile app and online booking widget for easy client access
Cons
- Limited hairdresser-specific tools like service menus or color inventory tracking
- Advanced reporting and multi-location features require paid upgrades
- Customization options are basic compared to dedicated salon software
Best For
Solo hairdressers or small salons seeking an affordable, straightforward booking and payment solution without needing advanced beauty industry features.
Pricing
Free for one location; Plus ($29/month per location); Premium (custom pricing for advanced needs).
StyleSeat
specializedMobile-first booking app connecting hairdressers with clients for appointments, payments, and profile management.
Client discovery marketplace that connects stylists with local searchers
StyleSeat is a comprehensive platform tailored for independent beauty professionals like hairdressers, offering online booking, client management, and payment processing tools. It features a built-in marketplace that helps stylists attract new clients through search and discovery. The software emphasizes ease of use with a mobile app and embeddable booking widgets for websites and social media.
Pros
- Powerful client discovery marketplace for attracting new bookings
- Seamless integrated payments and automated reminders
- Intuitive mobile app and easy-to-embed booking widgets
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30) add up on high volume
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Less ideal for multi-stylist salons compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Independent hairdressers and booth renters seeking simple booking management and client acquisition through an online marketplace.
Pricing
Free basic plan with 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fees per booking; Pro plan at $29/month reduces fees and adds marketing boosts; Enterprise options available.
Phorest
specializedSalon CRM software focused on client retention, marketing, and business intelligence for hairdressers.
Phorest's automated marketing engine with personalized client campaigns and loyalty tracking
Phorest is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for hairdressers and beauty salons, offering online booking, POS, client CRM, inventory management, and advanced marketing tools. It streamlines daily operations with features like automated SMS/email campaigns, loyalty programs, and detailed analytics to boost client retention and revenue. The platform integrates seamlessly with payment processors and supports multi-location setups for growing businesses.
Pros
- Comprehensive marketing automation for client retention and upselling
- Robust reporting and analytics for business insights
- Strong mobile app support for staff scheduling and client bookings
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be high for small single-chair salons
- Limited customization options in the user interface
Best For
Established hair salons or multi-location businesses seeking powerful marketing and client management tools.
Pricing
Starts at around $150/month per location plus per-stylist fees; custom quotes based on salon size and features.
SalonBiz
specializedAffordable salon management system with booking, payroll, and inventory tools for hair and beauty professionals.
Advanced marketing automation suite for automated client rebooking and retention campaigns
SalonBiz is a comprehensive salon management software designed specifically for hairdressers and salons, offering tools for appointment scheduling, client management, point-of-sale transactions, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It includes marketing automation features like email and SMS campaigns to boost client retention and fill empty slots. The platform also provides detailed reporting and analytics to help owners monitor performance and optimize operations.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation with targeted email/SMS campaigns
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
- Integrated POS and inventory management
Cons
- Outdated user interface that feels clunky
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced features
- Higher pricing may not suit very small salons
Best For
Medium-sized salons with established operations needing strong marketing and reporting tools.
Pricing
Starts at $119/month for basic plan (1 station), with tiers up to $299+/month for multi-user salons; annual discounts available.
Conclusion
Among the top ten hairdresser software tools, Vagaro solidifies its position as the top choice, offering an all-encompassing platform that integrates online booking, POS, client tracking, and marketing automation. Fresha shines as a compelling free alternative, excelling in booking, payments, and scheduling for those seeking affordability, while Boulevard impresses with its modern design and robust retail and reporting features, ideal for professionals prioritizing a streamlined workflow. These three tools, each with unique strengths, demonstrate that the right software can transform salon operations, whether through versatility, cost-effectiveness, or sophistication.
Take your salon management to the next level—explore Vagaro now to experience its seamless all-in-one capabilities and watch your business thrive.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison