Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one platform for booking appointments, managing payments, inventory, and marketing tailored for nail salons.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free salon management software with online booking, client management, and POS for nail professionals.
- 3#3: Mangomint - Modern salon software offering automated scheduling, payments, and reporting optimized for nail salons.
- 4#4: Boulevard - Premium salon management system with advanced booking, retail inventory, and client retention tools for nail businesses.
- 5#5: DaySmart Salon - Comprehensive salon software for appointments, payroll, inventory tracking, and online bookings in nail salons.
- 6#6: Mindbody - Robust management platform with scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce features suitable for growing nail salons.
- 7#7: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade software for multi-location salons handling operations, analytics, and client experiences.
- 8#8: Phorest - Salon management tool focused on marketing automation, staff management, and client communication for nail services.
- 9#9: Salon Iris - Affordable software for booking, invoicing, and inventory management designed for small nail salons.
- 10#10: Square Appointments - Simple scheduling and POS integration with payment processing for independent nail technicians and small salons.
We evaluated tools based on core features like scheduling, inventory, and client management, alongside usability, reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to both small salons and multi-location chains.
Comparison Table
Selecting the perfect nail salon management software is key to simplifying operations, improving client experiences, and growing your business. This comparison table highlights top tools like Vagaro, Fresha, Mangomint, Boulevard, DaySmart Salon, and more, providing a clear breakdown of features to help you find the right fit for your salon's unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one platform for booking appointments, managing payments, inventory, and marketing tailored for nail salons. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free salon management software with online booking, client management, and POS for nail professionals. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 3 | Mangomint Modern salon software offering automated scheduling, payments, and reporting optimized for nail salons. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Boulevard Premium salon management system with advanced booking, retail inventory, and client retention tools for nail businesses. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 5 | DaySmart Salon Comprehensive salon software for appointments, payroll, inventory tracking, and online bookings in nail salons. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Mindbody Robust management platform with scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce features suitable for growing nail salons. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade software for multi-location salons handling operations, analytics, and client experiences. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Phorest Salon management tool focused on marketing automation, staff management, and client communication for nail services. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Salon Iris Affordable software for booking, invoicing, and inventory management designed for small nail salons. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Square Appointments Simple scheduling and POS integration with payment processing for independent nail technicians and small salons. | other | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
All-in-one platform for booking appointments, managing payments, inventory, and marketing tailored for nail salons.
Free salon management software with online booking, client management, and POS for nail professionals.
Modern salon software offering automated scheduling, payments, and reporting optimized for nail salons.
Premium salon management system with advanced booking, retail inventory, and client retention tools for nail businesses.
Comprehensive salon software for appointments, payroll, inventory tracking, and online bookings in nail salons.
Robust management platform with scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce features suitable for growing nail salons.
Enterprise-grade software for multi-location salons handling operations, analytics, and client experiences.
Salon management tool focused on marketing automation, staff management, and client communication for nail services.
Affordable software for booking, invoicing, and inventory management designed for small nail salons.
Simple scheduling and POS integration with payment processing for independent nail technicians and small salons.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one platform for booking appointments, managing payments, inventory, and marketing tailored for nail salons.
Vagaro Marketplace, a discovery platform connecting nail salons to new local clients searching for specific services.
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for nail salons, offering robust online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management tools. It includes POS payments, inventory tracking for polishes and supplies, marketing automation via email/SMS, and a photo gallery to showcase nail designs and services. The platform streamlines operations from walk-ins to loyalty programs, helping salons grow their clientele through SEO-optimized profiles and the Vagaro Marketplace.
Pros
- Highly customizable online booking with photo galleries for nail services
- Integrated marketing tools including automated reminders and promotions
- Mobile app for staff scheduling and real-time client updates
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-location salons
- Advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
- Transaction fees can add up for high-volume payments
Best For
Growing nail salons seeking a scalable platform for bookings, marketing, and client retention.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Start plan) up to $259/month (Ultimate), plus optional add-ons and 1-2.75% transaction fees.
Fresha
specializedFree salon management software with online booking, client management, and POS for nail professionals.
Commission-free software model where businesses only pay payment processing fees, maximizing value for salons.
Fresha is a comprehensive management platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses like nail salons, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, POS payments, and client management tools. It allows salons to create custom service menus for manicures, pedicures, gel applications, and more, while integrating marketing features like automated reminders and review collection. The platform supports multi-location operations and includes a mobile app for on-the-go management, making it efficient for daily salon operations.
Pros
- Zero subscription fees for core features—pay only per transaction
- Intuitive interface with excellent mobile app for staff and clients
- Robust online booking widget that integrates with websites and social media
Cons
- Payment processing fees can add up for high-volume salons (2.19% + 20p per transaction)
- Limited built-in inventory tracking for nail products and supplies
- Reporting and analytics are functional but not as advanced as enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized nail salons prioritizing easy online bookings and cost-free software without complex inventory needs.
Pricing
Free core platform with no monthly fees; transaction fees of 2.19% + 20p per card payment; optional premium add-ons for advanced features.
Mangomint
specializedModern salon software offering automated scheduling, payments, and reporting optimized for nail salons.
Advanced booth rental management with automated rent collection, commission splits, and individual booking pages for nail techs
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based management platform tailored for salons and spas, including nail salons, offering seamless online booking, POS integration, inventory management, and staff scheduling. It streamlines operations with automated client reminders, marketing campaigns, and detailed reporting to boost efficiency and revenue. The software stands out with its modern, intuitive interface and features like booth rental support, ideal for multi-technician nail environments.
Pros
- Beautiful, fast-loading interface with mobile app support
- Comprehensive booth rental and commission tracking for independent nail techs
- Excellent automation for marketing, reminders, and waitlists
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit very small or startup nail salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
- No free trial, only demos available
Best For
Growing nail salons with multiple technicians or booth renters seeking a polished, all-in-one solution with strong automation and client retention tools.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Solo plan for 1 user), $275/month (Team for up to 10 users), $450+/month (Business), billed annually; custom enterprise options.
Boulevard
specializedPremium salon management system with advanced booking, retail inventory, and client retention tools for nail businesses.
Branded client app for self-service booking, payments, and personalized communications
Boulevard is a premium salon management software tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, including nail salons, offering seamless online booking, staff scheduling, POS integration, and client management. It provides advanced marketing automation, reporting dashboards, and a branded client app to enhance customer retention and experience. The platform emphasizes scalability for multi-location operations with features like inventory tracking and automated communications.
Pros
- Highly customizable booking and scheduling with drag-and-drop interface
- Advanced marketing tools including automated SMS/email campaigns
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Expensive pricing model unsuitable for small single-location salons
- Steep initial setup and learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Transaction fees can add up for high-volume businesses
Best For
Mid-sized to large nail salons with multiple locations needing premium client engagement and marketing features.
Pricing
Starts at $295/month for the first location, plus $75/month per additional location, 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction, and optional add-ons.
DaySmart Salon
specializedComprehensive salon software for appointments, payroll, inventory tracking, and online bookings in nail salons.
Booth rental management with individual stylist commissions and independent booking
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based management platform tailored for salons and spas, including nail salons, offering tools for appointment scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, client relationship management, and inventory tracking. It supports online booking, automated marketing via email and SMS, and detailed reporting to optimize operations. The software is particularly strong in handling booth rental scenarios common in nail and beauty salons.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with drag-and-drop calendar and online booking
- Integrated POS and inventory management for seamless nail supply tracking
- Strong marketing automation and booth rental tools for multi-stylist salons
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with add-ons and additional users
- Some advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
Best For
Mid-sized nail salons with booth rental setups needing robust scheduling and marketing features.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Basic (1 user), up to $165/month for Pro; per-user fees apply beyond the first.
Mindbody
enterpriseRobust management platform with scheduling, marketing, and e-commerce features suitable for growing nail salons.
Integrated marketing automation with email/SMS campaigns tied directly to booking data for client retention
Mindbody is a comprehensive management platform tailored for wellness and beauty businesses, including nail salons, offering online booking, appointment scheduling, client CRM, payment processing, and marketing automation. It streamlines operations from front desk to back-office tasks like inventory tracking and reporting. While powerful for multi-location setups, it provides robust tools for service-based businesses like nail salons to manage appointments for manicures, pedicures, and add-ons efficiently.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including online booking, POS, and automated marketing
- Strong client retention tools like automated reminders and loyalty programs
- Wide integrations with payment processors and third-party apps
Cons
- High cost structure with per-location fees and add-ons
- Steep learning curve for smaller teams due to complex interface
- Overkill for very small or single-location nail salons
Best For
Growing nail salon chains or multi-location businesses needing scalable, all-in-one management with marketing capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month per location for core software, plus transaction fees (2.75% + $0.30), marketing add-ons, and custom enterprise pricing.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade software for multi-location salons handling operations, analytics, and client experiences.
AI-powered business intelligence and predictive analytics for personalized client recommendations and revenue optimization
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, including nail salons, offering end-to-end tools for appointment scheduling, client relationship management, point-of-sale transactions, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It excels in multi-location support with advanced analytics, marketing automation, and a consumer-facing mobile app for seamless bookings and payments. While powerful for scaling operations, its enterprise focus makes it suitable for larger nail salon chains rather than solo practitioners.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including AI-driven analytics, marketing automation, and multi-location management
- Robust integrations with payment gateways, retail marketplaces, and third-party apps
- Strong mobile apps for staff, clients, and on-the-go management
Cons
- High cost with custom pricing that lacks transparency, often prohibitive for small nail salons
- Steep learning curve due to its enterprise-level complexity
- Overkill for single-location or boutique nail salons needing simpler tools
Best For
Multi-location nail salon chains or growing businesses requiring scalable, all-in-one enterprise management with advanced analytics.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $300–$500 per month per location, scaling with features, users, and locations; includes implementation fees.
Phorest
specializedSalon management tool focused on marketing automation, staff management, and client communication for nail services.
Phorest Campaign Manager for automated, personalized marketing campaigns that drive repeat visits
Phorest is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform primarily designed for salons and spas, offering tools like online booking, POS systems, client databases, and marketing automation that can support nail salon operations. It excels in client retention through targeted SMS/email campaigns and loyalty programs, while providing inventory tracking suitable for nail products and polishes. However, it lacks highly specialized features for nail technicians, such as custom nail design catalogs or pedicure-specific scheduling.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation for client retention and rebooking
- Integrated POS and inventory management for retail nail products
- Mobile app for staff and clients with real-time updates
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small nail salons
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features
- Less tailored to nail-specific workflows compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Growing nail salons with multiple locations seeking advanced marketing and client management to boost revenue.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting around $150-$300/month per location, plus setup fees and per-client marketing costs.
Salon Iris
specializedAffordable software for booking, invoicing, and inventory management designed for small nail salons.
Booth rental management with individual commission tracking and automated rent collection for salons with independent contractors.
Salon Iris is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty professionals, including nail salons, offering tools for appointment scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, client relationship management, and inventory tracking. It supports online booking, automated marketing via email and SMS, and detailed reporting to optimize salon operations. The platform is accessible on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, making it suitable for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling with drag-and-drop interface and online booking
- Integrated POS and inventory management ideal for nail products and supplies
- Strong marketing automation tools for client retention and promotions
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers for advanced features and multi-location support
- Occasional reports of sync issues across devices
- Limited advanced customization in reporting compared to competitors
Best For
Medium-sized nail salons with booth renters or multiple technicians seeking an all-in-one platform with robust marketing capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month (Boost plan) for core features, $115/month (Pro plan) for advanced tools, plus transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢ per card swipe); Enterprise custom pricing.
Square Appointments
otherSimple scheduling and POS integration with payment processing for independent nail technicians and small salons.
Built-in Square POS integration for effortless in-salon payments and no-show protection deposits
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling and booking platform from Square, tailored for service businesses including nail salons, offering online booking, calendar management, and client reminders. It integrates seamlessly with Square's POS for payments, staff scheduling, and basic reporting, making it suitable for streamlining daily operations. While effective for small-scale salons, it lacks advanced salon-specific tools like inventory tracking for polishes or commission management.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square POS for payments
- Intuitive mobile app and quick setup
- Free plan for solo practitioners
Cons
- Limited customization for nail salon-specific needs like booth rentals or product inventory
- Transaction processing fees add to costs
- Basic reporting without deep analytics
Best For
Small nail salons or solo technicians needing simple, affordable booking and payment tools without complex features.
Pricing
Free for single-location solo users; Plus plan $29/month per location for teams; Premium custom pricing; plus payment processing fees (2.6% + 10¢ in-person).
Conclusion
Across the reviewed tools, Vagaro rises as the top choice, offering a comprehensive all-in-one platform for nail salon operations, from booking to inventory. Fresha and Mangomint stand out as strong alternatives—Fresha with its free access and user-friendly booking, and Mangomint with intuitive automation and reporting, catering to different operational needs. Each tool brings unique strengths, ensuring there’s an ideal fit for salons of all sizes and goals.
Ready to enhance your salon? Start with Vagaro to unlock streamlined scheduling, seamless payments, and effective marketing—proven to elevate your business and client experiences.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison