Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon management software for booking appointments, POS, client management, and marketing automation.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free booking, scheduling, and management platform designed specifically for hair salons and beauty businesses.
- 3#3: Boulevard - Modern, premium salon software offering contactless check-in, payments, and operational efficiency.
- 4#4: Mangomint - Commission-free salon management with intelligent scheduling, invoicing, and reporting features.
- 5#5: Phorest - Advanced salon CRM software focused on marketing, client retention, and performance analytics.
- 6#6: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade platform for multi-location salons handling bookings, inventory, and staff management.
- 7#7: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, payments, and online booking.
- 8#8: Square Appointments - Affordable appointment scheduling and POS system integrated with payments for small hairdressers.
- 9#9: DaySmart Salon - Full-featured salon software with ticketing, inventory tracking, and marketing tools.
- 10#10: Schedulicity - User-friendly online booking platform for independent hairdressers and beauty professionals.
We ranked tools based on functionality depth, ease of use, reliability, and value, ensuring a balanced selection that addresses the unique demands of hairdressing professionals, from independent stylists to multi-location salons.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top hairdressing software tools including Vagaro, Fresha, Boulevard, Mangomint, and Phorest, showcasing key features, user-friendliness, and core capabilities to guide salon professionals. Readers will discover how each platform handles booking management, client organization, and business insights, empowering them to select the ideal solution for their salon's specific requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon management software for booking appointments, POS, client management, and marketing automation. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free booking, scheduling, and management platform designed specifically for hair salons and beauty businesses. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Boulevard Modern, premium salon software offering contactless check-in, payments, and operational efficiency. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Mangomint Commission-free salon management with intelligent scheduling, invoicing, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Phorest Advanced salon CRM software focused on marketing, client retention, and performance analytics. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade platform for multi-location salons handling bookings, inventory, and staff management. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, payments, and online booking. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Square Appointments Affordable appointment scheduling and POS system integrated with payments for small hairdressers. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 9 | DaySmart Salon Full-featured salon software with ticketing, inventory tracking, and marketing tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Schedulicity User-friendly online booking platform for independent hairdressers and beauty professionals. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
All-in-one salon management software for booking appointments, POS, client management, and marketing automation.
Free booking, scheduling, and management platform designed specifically for hair salons and beauty businesses.
Modern, premium salon software offering contactless check-in, payments, and operational efficiency.
Commission-free salon management with intelligent scheduling, invoicing, and reporting features.
Advanced salon CRM software focused on marketing, client retention, and performance analytics.
Enterprise-grade platform for multi-location salons handling bookings, inventory, and staff management.
Comprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, payments, and online booking.
Affordable appointment scheduling and POS system integrated with payments for small hairdressers.
Full-featured salon software with ticketing, inventory tracking, and marketing tools.
User-friendly online booking platform for independent hairdressers and beauty professionals.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon management software for booking appointments, POS, client management, and marketing automation.
Vagaro Marketplace, connecting salons to millions of local searchers for effortless client acquisition and bookings.
Vagaro is a leading all-in-one cloud-based management platform tailored for hairdressing salons, spas, and independent stylists. It streamlines operations with features like online booking, automated scheduling, client management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. Hairdressers benefit from booth rental tools, staff management, and detailed reporting to optimize business growth and client retention.
Pros
- Seamless online booking and waitlist management that reduces no-shows
- Robust mobile app for on-the-go access to appointments and clients
- Integrated marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns and Vagaro Marketplace exposure
Cons
- Pricing can escalate with add-ons and payment processing fees
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting and customizations
- Customer support response times vary during peak periods
Best For
Independent hairdressers, multi-stylist salons, and booth rental spaces needing a scalable platform for bookings, payments, and marketing.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Solo), $59 (Essentials), $109 (Premium), $269 (Ultimate) billed annually; plus 2.75% payment processing and optional add-ons.
Fresha
specializedFree booking, scheduling, and management platform designed specifically for hair salons and beauty businesses.
Built-in universal marketplace that exposes salons to millions of potential clients for effortless new business growth
Fresha is an all-in-one management platform tailored for hairdressers and salons, providing online booking, appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS payments, and staff management tools. It streamlines daily operations with features like inventory tracking, automated reminders, reporting, and marketing campaigns via email and SMS. The platform's marketplace connects salons with new clients, enhancing visibility and growth without upfront subscription costs.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees for core features, making it highly accessible
- Integrated marketplace for client discovery and automated bookings
- Intuitive mobile app and customizable booking widget
Cons
- Transaction fees on new client online bookings (typically 20% + VAT on free plan)
- Limited advanced customization without premium upgrades
- Reporting tools could be more salon-specific for hair coloring/inventory
Best For
Small to medium hair salons wanting a free, user-friendly platform with strong online booking and client acquisition tools.
Pricing
Free plan with fees on new bookings; Premium plans from $19/month per location for unlimited bookings and advanced features.
Boulevard
specializedModern, premium salon software offering contactless check-in, payments, and operational efficiency.
Drag-and-drop scheduling with visual service menus and real-time availability for effortless staff and client management
Boulevard is a premium salon management platform tailored for hairdressers and beauty professionals, providing online booking, point-of-sale (POS), staff scheduling, client CRM, and marketing automation in a unified system. It stands out with its sleek, mobile-first interface that enhances client booking experiences and streamlines salon operations. The software supports multi-location salons with robust reporting and inventory management, making it suitable for growing businesses focused on efficiency and client retention.
Pros
- Visually stunning and intuitive interface that clients love for booking
- Comprehensive features including automated marketing, reporting, and no-show protection
- Seamless integrations with payments, email/SMS, and e-commerce tools
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for solo stylists or small salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited free trial and quote-based sales process
Best For
Mid-sized to large hair salons with multiple stylists seeking a high-end, client-focused management platform.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at around $295/month for Launch plan, scaling to $495+ for Growth and Enterprise tiers per location.
Mangomint
specializedCommission-free salon management with intelligent scheduling, invoicing, and reporting features.
Customizable Booster marketing tools that automate personalized client campaigns via email and two-way SMS
Mangomint is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for hairdressers and spas, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, POS integration, and client management tools. It streamlines daily operations with features like inventory tracking, automated reminders, staff scheduling, and marketing automations via email and text. The platform stands out for its modern, intuitive interface that enhances user experience in busy salon environments.
Pros
- Sleek, modern interface that's visually appealing and highly intuitive
- Powerful automations for reminders, check-ins, and marketing workflows
- Robust reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter smaller salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Advanced features have a slight learning curve
Best For
Growing hair salons and independent stylists who want a premium, visually stunning all-in-one platform to manage bookings, clients, and operations efficiently.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month for solo users (Starter plan), with Essentials at $215/month and Ultimate at $295/month; annual discounts available, no long-term contracts.
Phorest
specializedAdvanced salon CRM software focused on marketing, client retention, and performance analytics.
Automated marketing engine that delivers behavior-triggered, personalized SMS/email campaigns to drive bookings and retail sales
Phorest is a cloud-based salon management platform tailored for hairdressers and beauty salons, offering tools for appointment booking, client relationship management, and point-of-sale operations. It excels in automated marketing through personalized SMS and email campaigns to boost retention and revenue. The software also includes inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and detailed analytics to optimize salon performance.
Pros
- Advanced automated marketing tools for client retention and upselling
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
- Seamless integration of online booking, POS, and client CRM
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for single-chair or small salons
- Steep learning curve during initial setup and training
- Limited native integrations with some niche third-party apps
Best For
Established hair salons and multi-location chains focused on growth through data-driven marketing and client engagement.
Pricing
Starts at approximately $129/month for base plans (billed annually), scales with users and features; includes add-ons like payment processing fees.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade platform for multi-location salons handling bookings, inventory, and staff management.
AI-powered marketing automation that personalizes campaigns and promotions based on client behavior and service history
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, including hairdressing operations, with features for appointment scheduling, POS, client CRM, inventory management, and marketing automation. For hairdressers, it excels in tracking service histories like cuts, colors, and treatments, managing stylist commissions, and offering client self-booking via mobile apps. It supports multi-location chains with centralized reporting and analytics to optimize operations and revenue.
Pros
- All-in-one platform covering booking, payments, CRM, and marketing
- Robust analytics and reporting for business insights
- Mobile apps for clients and staff enhancing accessibility
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- High cost with custom pricing not ideal for solo stylists
- Overkill for very small single-location salons
Best For
Multi-location hair salons or growing chains needing scalable enterprise-level management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $200–$500/month per location depending on features and scale.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management software for salons including scheduling, payments, and online booking.
Vast Mindbody network and marketplace that connects salons to new clients via discoverability and lead generation.
Mindbody is a robust cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, including hairdressing salons, offering tools for appointment scheduling, online booking, client management, POS systems, and marketing automation. It streamlines daily operations by integrating staff scheduling, inventory tracking for hair products, and detailed reporting on performance metrics. With its extensive app marketplace, it supports customization for hairdressers handling services like cuts, colors, and styling.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with online booking and automated reminders reduces no-shows
- Integrated POS and payment processing simplifies retail sales of hair products
- Advanced reporting and marketing tools help track client retention and growth
Cons
- Steep learning curve and cluttered interface for new users
- High pricing with additional transaction fees burdens small salons
- Overkill for single-chair hairdressers, better suited for multi-staff operations
Best For
Established hair salons with multiple stylists seeking an all-in-one platform with strong marketing and client acquisition features.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Essentials plan (1-5 staff), up to $279+/month for Ultimate, plus 2.75-3.49% transaction fees and optional add-ons.
Square Appointments
otherAffordable appointment scheduling and POS system integrated with payments for small hairdressers.
Integrated Square payments with no-show fees and instant deposits deducted automatically from bookings
Square Appointments is a straightforward scheduling and booking platform tailored for service businesses like hairdressers, offering online booking, calendar management, automated reminders, and client tracking. It seamlessly integrates with Square's point-of-sale system for handling payments, no-show protection, and deposits directly from appointments. While versatile for small operations, it focuses on core scheduling rather than specialized hairdressing tools like inventory for products or advanced styling reports.
Pros
- Free plan for solo users with unlimited appointments
- Seamless integration with Square payments and POS
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Lacks specialized hair salon features like product inventory or stylist commission tracking
- Basic reporting without deep analytics
- Limited customization for multi-location or large teams
Best For
Solo hairdressers or small independent salons seeking a simple, cost-effective booking tool without complex needs.
Pricing
Free for one location/user; Plus at $29/month per location; Premium custom pricing.
DaySmart Salon
specializedFull-featured salon software with ticketing, inventory tracking, and marketing tools.
Advanced booth rental management with automated rent calculations and commission tracking
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based management platform tailored for hair salons and spas, providing appointment scheduling, online booking, POS integration, client CRM, and inventory tracking. It supports booth rental management, staff scheduling, and marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns to boost client retention and revenue. Ideal for hairdressers seeking streamlined operations across single or multi-location setups.
Pros
- Robust online booking and waitlist management to reduce no-shows
- Comprehensive booth rental tracking for independent stylists
- Integrated POS and reporting for real-time business insights
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Higher pricing tiers can strain small solo operations
- Limited customization in reporting compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized hair salons or booth rental spaces needing strong scheduling and client management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Basic, 1 user), $69/month (Pro), $109/month (Premium); additional fees for extra users and add-ons.
Schedulicity
specializedUser-friendly online booking platform for independent hairdressers and beauty professionals.
Boost marketing tool that automatically promotes available appointments to past clients via targeted email and SMS.
Schedulicity is a cloud-based scheduling platform designed for beauty professionals like hairdressers, offering 24/7 online booking, calendar management, and client communication tools. It streamlines appointments with features like automated reminders, payment processing, and marketing automation to reduce no-shows and grow bookings. The software supports multiple staff calendars, service menus, and reporting, making it suitable for solo stylists to small salons.
Pros
- Intuitive online booking and mobile app for easy client self-scheduling
- Integrated payments and automated reminders to minimize no-shows
- Marketing tools like Boost to promote open slots to clients
Cons
- Per-calendar pricing adds up for multi-staff salons
- Lacks robust inventory tracking for hair products
- Advanced reporting and customizations limited to higher plans
Best For
Small hair salons or independent stylists needing simple, user-friendly scheduling without advanced POS or inventory needs.
Pricing
Free for solo users; Premium plans start at $39.99/month per calendar, plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fees.
Conclusion
After careful consideration, the top hairdressing software tools differ in focus but share a commitment to simplifying salon operations. Vagaro leads as the overall winner, offering a comprehensive all-in-one platform that integrates booking, POS, and marketing. Second-place Fresha shines with its free, salon-tailored design, ideal for small or starting businesses, while Boulevard stands out for its premium contactless features that enhance efficiency. Together, these three tools address diverse needs, from independent stylists to multi-location salons.
Take the first step to elevate your salon—explore Vagaro and discover why it’s the top choice for streamlining management, boosting bookings, and building lasting client relationships.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison