Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and client management tools.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free online booking and management software for salons and spas with integrated payments and staff scheduling.
- 3#3: Booksy - Mobile-first appointment booking app tailored for salons and beauty professionals with client retention features.
- 4#4: Mindbody - Comprehensive software for wellness and salon businesses offering online scheduling, POS, and marketing automation.
- 5#5: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon and spa software with advanced online booking, CRM, and analytics capabilities.
- 6#6: Boulevard - Modern salon management system featuring contactless booking, POS, and automated client communications.
- 7#7: Phorest - Salon software focused on online booking, targeted marketing, and business intelligence for growth.
- 8#8: Mangomint - Streamlined salon software with online appointments, automated reminders, and revenue-boosting tools.
- 9#9: StyleSeat - Online marketplace and booking platform connecting salons with clients for easy scheduling and payments.
- 10#10: DaySmart Salon - Cloud-based salon management with online booking, inventory tracking, and reporting features.
This list reflects rigorous evaluation focusing on feature depth, user experience, reliability, and cost-value, ensuring each tool aligns with modern salon needs while offering unique advantages to drive operational excellence and growth.
Comparison Table
Selecting the ideal online salon software is vital for efficient booking management, client engagement, and business growth, and this comparison table analyzes top tools like Vagaro, Fresha, Booksy, Mindbody, Zenoti, and others to highlight features, pricing, and usability. Readers will gain clear insights to determine which platform best suits their salon’s specific operations and goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and client management tools. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free online booking and management software for salons and spas with integrated payments and staff scheduling. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 3 | Booksy Mobile-first appointment booking app tailored for salons and beauty professionals with client retention features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Mindbody Comprehensive software for wellness and salon businesses offering online scheduling, POS, and marketing automation. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon and spa software with advanced online booking, CRM, and analytics capabilities. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Boulevard Modern salon management system featuring contactless booking, POS, and automated client communications. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 7 | Phorest Salon software focused on online booking, targeted marketing, and business intelligence for growth. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Mangomint Streamlined salon software with online appointments, automated reminders, and revenue-boosting tools. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 9 | StyleSeat Online marketplace and booking platform connecting salons with clients for easy scheduling and payments. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | DaySmart Salon Cloud-based salon management with online booking, inventory tracking, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
All-in-one salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and client management tools.
Free online booking and management software for salons and spas with integrated payments and staff scheduling.
Mobile-first appointment booking app tailored for salons and beauty professionals with client retention features.
Comprehensive software for wellness and salon businesses offering online scheduling, POS, and marketing automation.
Enterprise-grade salon and spa software with advanced online booking, CRM, and analytics capabilities.
Modern salon management system featuring contactless booking, POS, and automated client communications.
Salon software focused on online booking, targeted marketing, and business intelligence for growth.
Streamlined salon software with online appointments, automated reminders, and revenue-boosting tools.
Online marketplace and booking platform connecting salons with clients for easy scheduling and payments.
Cloud-based salon management with online booking, inventory tracking, and reporting features.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and client management tools.
Vagaro Marketplace, which exposes your services to millions of users for direct bookings and client discovery.
Vagaro is a comprehensive online salon software platform designed for salons, spas, barbershops, and fitness studios, offering seamless online booking, client management, and payment processing. It includes powerful marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns, automated reminders, and a built-in marketplace to attract new clients. With robust reporting, inventory tracking, and a mobile app, Vagaro streamlines daily operations and supports business growth.
Pros
- Intuitive 24/7 online booking with calendar sync and waitlist management
- Powerful marketing automation including email, SMS, and the Vagaro Marketplace for client acquisition
- Comprehensive reporting, inventory, and staff management tools with strong mobile app support
Cons
- Higher-tier pricing can be steep for very small salons
- Occasional learning curve for advanced customization features
- Transaction fees on payments add to overall costs
Best For
Medium to large salons, spas, and multi-location businesses seeking an all-in-one platform with marketplace exposure and marketing automation.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Starter (1 location), up to $199+/month for Pro tiers, plus 2.75% + $0.30 payment processing fees and optional add-ons.
Fresha
specializedFree online booking and management software for salons and spas with integrated payments and staff scheduling.
Integrated global marketplace connecting businesses to millions of clients for effortless new bookings
Fresha is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for salons, spas, and beauty businesses, enabling 24/7 online appointments, staff scheduling, POS payments, and client CRM. It features a vast marketplace to attract new customers and tools for marketing, inventory, and reporting. Designed for ease, it supports multi-location operations and mobile access without upfront costs.
Pros
- Free core platform with no subscription fees or contracts
- Intuitive mobile app and drag-and-drop scheduling
- Powerful marketplace for client discovery and bookings
Cons
- Commission fees (20% or ~$2 per booking) add up for high-volume businesses
- Limited customization options for advanced users
- Customer support can be slower for free-tier users
Best For
Small to medium salons and spas seeking a user-friendly, commission-based solution to handle online bookings and client growth without initial investment.
Pricing
Free plan with per-booking commissions (typically 20% or €1.99/$2); premium plans from €19/$24/month for reduced fees and extras.
Booksy
specializedMobile-first appointment booking app tailored for salons and beauty professionals with client retention features.
Booksy Marketplace, connecting businesses to millions of app users for effortless client discovery and bookings
Booksy is a robust online booking and management platform tailored for salons, barbershops, spas, and wellness professionals. It enables 24/7 client self-booking, automated reminders, staff scheduling, and integrated payments via a user-friendly app and web dashboard. Additional tools include client CRM, marketing campaigns, analytics, and a marketplace for discovering new customers.
Pros
- Seamless 24/7 online booking with automated reminders and no-show protection
- Integrated POS, payments, and marketplace for client acquisition
- Mobile app for on-the-go management and comprehensive reporting
Cons
- Commission fees on bookings can increase costs
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
- Some users report occasional sync issues between app and web
Best For
Medium-sized salons and multi-location beauty businesses needing client discovery and full-service management.
Pricing
Free basic plan; paid plans from $29.99/month per business + $10-20/staff member + 1.9-2.9% transaction fees.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive software for wellness and salon businesses offering online scheduling, POS, and marketing automation.
Vast app marketplace with over 100 integrations for customized salon workflows
Mindbody is a comprehensive business management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing online booking, appointment scheduling, client relationship management, POS systems, and marketing automation. It offers robust reporting, staff management, and inventory tracking to streamline salon operations. With a vast ecosystem of integrations, it supports scalability for growing businesses.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including online booking, payments, and marketing tools
- Strong analytics and reporting for business insights
- Large marketplace for third-party integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface
- High cost with additional transaction fees
- Overkill for very small salons with basic needs
Best For
Mid-sized salons and multi-location spas needing an all-in-one management solution with advanced marketing and analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month (billed annually) for Starter plan, up to $379+/month for premium tiers, plus 2.75-2.99% payment processing fees.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon and spa software with advanced online booking, CRM, and analytics capabilities.
Centralized multi-location dashboard with AI-powered insights and unified reporting
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering online booking, client management, POS, inventory control, and marketing automation. It supports multi-location operations with centralized dashboards, advanced analytics, and seamless integrations for payments and third-party apps. Designed for scalability, it helps streamline operations and enhance customer experiences through self-service portals and personalized communications.
Pros
- Robust all-in-one features including online booking, CRM, and analytics
- Excellent scalability for multi-location salon chains
- Powerful marketing automation and client retention tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy onboarding process
- High custom pricing unsuitable for small single-location salons
- Interface can feel overwhelming for beginners
Best For
Medium to large salon and spa chains needing enterprise-grade management with multi-location support.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically starting at $200-$500 per month per location, scaling with features and users.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon management system featuring contactless booking, POS, and automated client communications.
AI-driven Revenue Maximizer for automated upselling and rebooking optimization
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, offering seamless online booking, staff scheduling, client management, and payment processing. It excels in marketing automation, reporting, and multi-location support to drive revenue growth. The platform integrates tools like SMS reminders and loyalty programs to enhance client retention and operational efficiency.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation for client retention
- Intuitive mobile app for staff and clients
- Advanced reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- High cost with per-client and processing fees
- Occasional performance issues during peak times
- Limited customization options for advanced users
Best For
Multi-location salons and high-end spas prioritizing premium features and marketing tools over budget constraints.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at ~$295/month per location + 2.9% payment processing + per-client fees.
Phorest
specializedSalon software focused on online booking, targeted marketing, and business intelligence for growth.
Phorest's advanced marketing automation suite with personalized email/SMS campaigns and WiFi on-boarding for client data capture
Phorest is a comprehensive cloud-based salon management software designed for salons, spas, and multi-location chains, offering online booking, POS, client CRM, and marketing automation. It streamlines daily operations with features like inventory management, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting. The platform emphasizes growth through targeted email/SMS campaigns and reputation management tools.
Pros
- Powerful integrated marketing tools for client retention and acquisition
- Robust online booking and 24/7 client self-service portal
- Excellent analytics and reporting for business insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small single-location salons
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Limited flexibility in custom reporting without add-ons
Best For
Established salons and multi-location chains seeking advanced marketing and CRM capabilities to drive growth.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $200-$400/month per location, plus per-user fees and one-time setup costs.
Mangomint
specializedStreamlined salon software with online appointments, automated reminders, and revenue-boosting tools.
Advanced profitability dashboard that tracks per-service, per-client, and per-staff metrics in real-time
Mangomint is a modern, all-in-one salon and spa management software that streamlines online booking, appointment scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, and client relationship management. It offers robust features like automated marketing, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting to help businesses optimize operations and profitability. Designed with a sleek, intuitive interface, it's tailored for salons, spas, and clinics seeking premium functionality without complexity.
Pros
- Beautiful, modern user interface with mobile app support
- Powerful profitability reporting and booth renter management
- Excellent automation for marketing, reminders, and check-ins
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to entry-level competitors
- Limited third-party integrations
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
Best For
Mid-sized salons, spas, and multi-location businesses prioritizing premium design, profitability insights, and automation over budget options.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Essential), $275/month (Professional), $385/month (Elite); billed annually with custom enterprise plans available.
StyleSeat
specializedOnline marketplace and booking platform connecting salons with clients for easy scheduling and payments.
Integrated client discovery marketplace that matches professionals with local customers
StyleSeat is an online platform designed for beauty and wellness professionals, such as hairstylists, barbers, and makeup artists, to manage bookings, payments, and client relationships. It provides customizable booking pages, automated reminders, and a mobile app for on-the-go management. The standout marketplace connects pros with new clients searching locally for services, helping independent providers grow their business.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app and easy-to-embed booking widgets
- Built-in marketplace for client discovery and marketing
- Automated reminders and no-show protection
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.75% + $0.30) on free plan add up
- Limited advanced reporting and team management for larger salons
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Independent stylists and solo beauty professionals seeking simple booking tools and client acquisition through a marketplace.
Pricing
Free plan with 2.75% + $0.30 booking fee per transaction; Pro plan at $35/month (waives service fees, adds priority support and marketing boosts).
DaySmart Salon
specializedCloud-based salon management with online booking, inventory tracking, and reporting features.
Advanced booth rental management with automated rent collection and performance tracking
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and barbershops, offering tools for appointment scheduling, online booking, and client management. It includes POS integration, inventory tracking, staff scheduling with commission calculations, and marketing automation to streamline daily operations. The software supports booth rental management, making it suitable for independent stylists within shared spaces.
Pros
- Comprehensive booth rental and commission tracking for multi-stylist salons
- Robust online booking with client self-service options
- Strong reporting and QuickBooks integration
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features
- Per-user fees add up for larger teams
- Occasional reports of mobile app glitches
Best For
Small to mid-sized salons or barbershops with booth renters needing specialized scheduling and payment tools.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter plan) up to $165/month (Enterprise); additional $24-29 per user/month.
Conclusion
Among the top online salon software, Vagaro leads as the definitive choice, boasting an all-in-one platform that unifies booking, payments, marketing, and client management for holistic operations. Fresha stands out as a free, integrated option perfect for cost-sensitive businesses, while Booksy excels as a mobile-first tool, designed to strengthen client retention for on-the-go professionals. Each tool offers unique strengths, ensuring there’s a standout fit for every salon’s needs.
Dive into Vagaro to streamline your workflow, enhance client experiences, and watch your salon thrive—with its comprehensive features, it’s the ultimate partner for modern salon success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison