Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon software for online booking, POS payments, inventory management, and marketing tailored to nail salons.
- 2#2: Mangomint - Modern salon management platform with automated scheduling, client messaging, and reporting optimized for nail professionals.
- 3#3: Boulevard - Premium salon software offering advanced automation, retail inventory, and multi-location support for growing nail businesses.
- 4#4: GlossGenius - User-friendly platform for beauty pros with seamless bookings, payments, and client reminders ideal for independent nail techs.
- 5#5: Fresha - Free booking and management software with POS, staff scheduling, and marketplace exposure for nail salons.
- 6#6: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management tool for salons with class bookings, memberships, and analytics suited for nail services.
- 7#7: Zenoti - Enterprise salon software providing customizable workflows, inventory tracking, and omnichannel marketing for nail chains.
- 8#8: Phorest - Marketing-driven salon platform with client retention tools, automated rebooking, and reputation management for nail salons.
- 9#9: Salon Iris - Affordable salon management software featuring booth rental support, payroll, and service history for nail artists.
- 10#10: Square Appointments - Simple, integrated scheduling and payment solution with no monthly fees, perfect for small nail salons using Square POS.
Tools were curated based on functionality, user experience, scalability, and value, ensuring alignment with diverse salon needs, from independent techs to multi-location chains.
Comparison Table
Salon software streamlines operations for nail studios, handling bookings, client management, and more. This comparison breakdown features top tools like Vagaro, Mangomint, Boulevard, GlossGenius, Fresha, and others, examining their core features and user experience. Readers will learn to identify the best fit for their salon’s unique needs, from scheduling to reporting.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon software for online booking, POS payments, inventory management, and marketing tailored to nail salons. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Mangomint Modern salon management platform with automated scheduling, client messaging, and reporting optimized for nail professionals. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Boulevard Premium salon software offering advanced automation, retail inventory, and multi-location support for growing nail businesses. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | GlossGenius User-friendly platform for beauty pros with seamless bookings, payments, and client reminders ideal for independent nail techs. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Fresha Free booking and management software with POS, staff scheduling, and marketplace exposure for nail salons. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management tool for salons with class bookings, memberships, and analytics suited for nail services. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 7 | Zenoti Enterprise salon software providing customizable workflows, inventory tracking, and omnichannel marketing for nail chains. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | Phorest Marketing-driven salon platform with client retention tools, automated rebooking, and reputation management for nail salons. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | Salon Iris Affordable salon management software featuring booth rental support, payroll, and service history for nail artists. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Square Appointments Simple, integrated scheduling and payment solution with no monthly fees, perfect for small nail salons using Square POS. | other | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
All-in-one salon software for online booking, POS payments, inventory management, and marketing tailored to nail salons.
Modern salon management platform with automated scheduling, client messaging, and reporting optimized for nail professionals.
Premium salon software offering advanced automation, retail inventory, and multi-location support for growing nail businesses.
User-friendly platform for beauty pros with seamless bookings, payments, and client reminders ideal for independent nail techs.
Free booking and management software with POS, staff scheduling, and marketplace exposure for nail salons.
Comprehensive business management tool for salons with class bookings, memberships, and analytics suited for nail services.
Enterprise salon software providing customizable workflows, inventory tracking, and omnichannel marketing for nail chains.
Marketing-driven salon platform with client retention tools, automated rebooking, and reputation management for nail salons.
Affordable salon management software featuring booth rental support, payroll, and service history for nail artists.
Simple, integrated scheduling and payment solution with no monthly fees, perfect for small nail salons using Square POS.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon software for online booking, POS payments, inventory management, and marketing tailored to nail salons.
Vagaro Marketplace, a discovery platform connecting salons with millions of local clients searching for nail services.
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management platform tailored for nail salons, providing robust online booking, scheduling, and automated reminders to reduce no-shows. It offers client management, payment processing, inventory tracking for nail products, and customizable service menus for manicures, pedicures, and nail art. Additionally, built-in marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns and a vast marketplace help attract new clients and boost revenue.
Pros
- Seamless online booking with calendar sync and waitlist management
- Powerful marketing automation including email, SMS, and Vagaro Marketplace exposure
- Comprehensive reporting and inventory tools tailored for nail supplies
Cons
- Additional per-booking fees can increase costs for high-volume salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization options
- Customer support response times can vary during peak periods
Best For
Nail salon owners and multi-location chains seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform to manage bookings, clients, and growth.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month for solo pros (billed annually), scaling to $165+/month for teams; plus 1-2.9% per transaction fees and optional add-ons.
Mangomint
specializedModern salon management platform with automated scheduling, client messaging, and reporting optimized for nail professionals.
Advanced inventory management with real-time tracking, low-stock alerts, and purchase order automation tailored for product-heavy businesses like nail salons
Mangomint is a modern, cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty businesses like nail salons, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It includes powerful inventory tracking for nail products, staff scheduling, integrated payments, and automated marketing tools to streamline daily operations. The platform provides detailed reporting and a mobile app for on-the-go access, making it efficient for growing salons.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with fast performance
- Robust inventory management ideal for tracking polishes and supplies
- Strong automation for reminders, payments, and reporting
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter very small salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Advanced features have a slight learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized nail salons seeking a sleek, all-in-one platform with excellent inventory and automation capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month for the first location (Essentials plan), scaling to $295+/month for Pro/Enterprise with more users and features; no long-term contracts.
Boulevard
enterprisePremium salon software offering advanced automation, retail inventory, and multi-location support for growing nail businesses.
Revenue Per Minute optimization, which uses AI to dynamically schedule services for maximum profitability
Boulevard is a robust, all-in-one management platform tailored for salons and spas, including nail salons, offering seamless online booking, POS integration, client management, and staff scheduling. It streamlines operations with features like automated marketing, inventory tracking, and advanced reporting to help nail salon owners maximize revenue and efficiency. Designed for modern beauty businesses, it emphasizes frictionless client experiences and data-driven insights.
Pros
- Comprehensive online booking with no-show protection and waitlist management
- Integrated payments and POS for quick checkouts and revenue tracking
- Powerful analytics and marketing automation to boost client retention
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may overwhelm small nail salons
- Initial setup and customization can require time and support
- Limited free trial period compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized nail salons seeking an enterprise-grade platform with advanced revenue tools and client engagement features.
Pricing
Starts at $275/month per location (Launch plan), with Scale at $350/month and custom enterprise options.
GlossGenius
specializedUser-friendly platform for beauty pros with seamless bookings, payments, and client reminders ideal for independent nail techs.
Contactless payments via any device with no extra hardware, including client tips and deposits at booking.
GlossGenius is an all-in-one management platform designed for beauty businesses like nail salons, providing online booking, POS payments, client CRM, and marketing automation. It enables 24/7 self-scheduling with automated reminders to minimize no-shows, seamless payment processing including tips and deposits, and tools for email/SMS campaigns. The software also offers reporting dashboards and a mobile app for on-the-go management, making it suitable for streamlining salon operations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with strong mobile app support
- Seamless online booking and integrated payments
- Effective automated marketing and reminder tools
Cons
- Basic inventory management lacking depth for product-heavy salons
- Premium features require higher-tier plans
- Transaction fees can add up for high-volume businesses
Best For
Small to medium nail salons wanting an easy, mobile-first platform for bookings, payments, and client retention without complex setup.
Pricing
Starter at $24/mo, Pro at $48/mo, Premium at $98/mo (billed annually); plus 2.6% + $0.10 per card transaction.
Fresha
specializedFree booking and management software with POS, staff scheduling, and marketplace exposure for nail salons.
Commission-only pricing model with no subscription fees, making it accessible for salons of all sizes
Fresha is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for beauty and wellness businesses like nail salons, providing online booking, appointment scheduling, POS integration, and client management. It streamlines operations with features such as automated reminders, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and built-in marketing tools. Nail salons benefit from customizable service menus for manicures, pedicures, and add-ons, along with analytics to track performance and client retention.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees, only pay per booking
- Intuitive mobile app and drag-and-drop calendar
- Seamless online booking widget embeddable on websites
Cons
- Commission fees on online bookings (around 2% + fixed fee)
- Limited advanced inventory management for nail products
- Reporting lacks deep customization for niche analytics
Best For
Small to medium nail salons seeking a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for bookings and basic management without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free to sign up and use; charges commission per online booking (e.g., 1.99% + $0.20 in the US, varies by region).
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management tool for salons with class bookings, memberships, and analytics suited for nail services.
Branded consumer-facing app for seamless online discovery, booking, and loyalty management
Mindbody is a comprehensive management platform tailored for wellness and beauty businesses, including nail salons, providing tools for appointment scheduling, client management, POS transactions, and marketing automation. It features a branded online booking system accessible via website and mobile app, inventory tracking for nail products, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting analytics. While powerful for scaling operations, it may feel overwhelming for very small salons due to its enterprise-level depth.
Pros
- Robust online booking and branded client app for easy appointments
- Advanced marketing tools including automated email/SMS campaigns
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- High pricing that may not suit small single-location salons
- Steep learning curve with complex interface
- Reported occasional glitches and slow customer support response
Best For
Mid-sized nail salons or chains with multiple locations seeking a scalable all-in-one platform.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for basic plans; premium tiers $200–$500+/month based on users/features, with custom enterprise options.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise salon software providing customizable workflows, inventory tracking, and omnichannel marketing for nail chains.
Universal Business App with AI-driven insights and automated marketing that unifies front-desk, back-office, and client engagement in one platform
Zenoti is a comprehensive enterprise-grade management platform designed for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, including nails salons, offering end-to-end operations from appointment scheduling and online booking to POS and inventory control. It centralizes client data, staff scheduling, and payments while providing marketing automation, loyalty programs, and detailed analytics to drive growth. For nails salons, it excels in managing service menus for manicures, pedicures, and add-ons, with features like automated reminders and waitlist management to optimize daily operations.
Pros
- Robust all-in-one platform with strong appointment booking, client CRM, and inventory tracking tailored for service-based businesses like nails salons
- Advanced analytics, marketing automation, and multi-location support for scaling operations
- Seamless mobile apps for staff, clients, and on-the-go management
Cons
- High pricing that may not suit small, single-location nails salons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and complex interface
- Custom implementation can take time and require training
Best For
Multi-location nails salon chains or growing businesses needing scalable, enterprise-level management with advanced analytics and marketing tools.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $200–$400 per month per location, scaling with features, users, and business size—no free tier.
Phorest
specializedMarketing-driven salon platform with client retention tools, automated rebooking, and reputation management for nail salons.
Intelligent marketing engine with automated, personalized campaigns based on client behavior
Phorest is an all-in-one salon management platform offering appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS, inventory management, and advanced marketing tools tailored for beauty businesses including nails salons. It enables online booking, loyalty programs, automated SMS/email campaigns, and detailed analytics to streamline operations and drive revenue. While versatile for nails services like manicures and pedicures, it's more optimized for hair and multi-service salons.
Pros
- Powerful marketing automation for client retention and rebooking
- Integrated POS and online booking with mobile app support
- Robust reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Higher cost makes it less ideal for small nails salons
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Less specialized for nails-specific workflows compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Mid-sized nails salons focused on marketing and client loyalty rather than basic scheduling.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$200/month, scaled by salon size, users, and features; no public tiers.
Salon Iris
specializedAffordable salon management software featuring booth rental support, payroll, and service history for nail artists.
Automated marketing tools with targeted email/SMS campaigns for client rebooking and promotions
Salon Iris is a comprehensive cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty businesses, including nail salons, offering tools for appointment scheduling, client tracking, POS transactions, and inventory management. It streamlines daily operations with features like automated reminders, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting to help nail technicians and owners boost efficiency and revenue. The platform also includes marketing automation and online booking to enhance client retention and fill no-show gaps.
Pros
- All-in-one platform covering scheduling, POS, and marketing
- Robust reporting and analytics for business insights
- Mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- User interface feels somewhat dated and clunky
- Pricing escalates quickly for multiple users or locations
- Steeper learning curve for new users
Best For
Established nail salons with multiple technicians needing a full-featured management suite.
Pricing
Starts at $79/month for basic single-location plans, scaling to $249+/month for advanced tiers with per-user and add-on fees.
Square Appointments
otherSimple, integrated scheduling and payment solution with no monthly fees, perfect for small nail salons using Square POS.
One-click integration with Square POS hardware for instant payments at service completion
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling platform tailored for service businesses like nail salons, enabling online booking, staff calendars, and automated client reminders. It integrates tightly with Square's POS and payment systems for seamless transactions during services such as manicures and pedicures. The software also provides basic client management, no-show protection, and performance reporting to streamline salon operations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for bookings and reminders
- Free plan for single-location salons with unlimited staff
- Seamless Square payments integration reducing checkout friction
Cons
- Lacks specialized salon tools like product inventory or booth rental tracking
- Transaction fees add ongoing costs (2.6% + 10¢ per swipe)
- Reporting is basic, missing advanced analytics for peak service trends
Best For
Small nail salons or solo artists seeking simple, affordable scheduling with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for solo use; Plus $29/month per location; Premium custom. Square fees: 2.6% + 10¢ (contactless/in-person).
Conclusion
After evaluating all tools, the top three rise to the forefront, with Vagaro leading as the definitive winner, offering an all-in-one platform that integrates online booking, payments, inventory, and marketing seamlessly. Mangomint stands out for its modern, user-centric design and strong client engagement tools, while Boulevard excels for growing businesses with advanced automation and multi-location support. Each choice caters to distinct needs, ensuring the right fit for diverse salon operations.
For streamlining your salon's efficiency and boosting client satisfaction, Vagaro is the top pick—explore its features to transform your daily operations today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison