Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - Vagaro offers all-in-one salon management with online booking, payments, marketing, and client retention tools.
- 2#2: Mindbody - Mindbody delivers enterprise-grade scheduling, POS, and business management software for salons and wellness businesses.
- 3#3: Fresha - Fresha provides free salon booking software with online appointments, payments, and marketing features for beauty professionals.
- 4#4: Booksy - Booksy enables mobile-first appointment scheduling, client management, and payments for salons and barbershops.
- 5#5: GlossGenius - GlossGenius streamlines salon operations with seamless booking, invoicing, and marketing in a modern platform.
- 6#6: Boulevard - Boulevard offers premium salon software for scheduling, retail, and client experience management.
- 7#7: Zenoti - Zenoti provides cloud-based salon management with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support.
- 8#8: Phorest - Phorest focuses on salon CRM with appointment booking, marketing automation, and reputation management.
- 9#9: Square Appointments - Square Appointments offers simple, affordable scheduling and POS integration for small salons.
- 10#10: StyleSeat - StyleSeat provides a marketplace-style platform for stylists to manage appointments and grow their client base.
We ranked these tools based on comprehensive evaluation of features, user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring they deliver exceptional support across key areas like booking, client management, payments, and business growth.
Comparison Table
Salon appointment scheduling software is crucial for streamlining bookings, client management, and operational efficiency. This comparison table explores top tools including Vagaro, Mindbody, Fresha, Booksy, GlossGenius, and more, highlighting key features, pricing, and usability to help you identify the best fit for your salon's needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro Vagaro offers all-in-one salon management with online booking, payments, marketing, and client retention tools. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Mindbody Mindbody delivers enterprise-grade scheduling, POS, and business management software for salons and wellness businesses. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 3 | Fresha Fresha provides free salon booking software with online appointments, payments, and marketing features for beauty professionals. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 4 | Booksy Booksy enables mobile-first appointment scheduling, client management, and payments for salons and barbershops. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | GlossGenius GlossGenius streamlines salon operations with seamless booking, invoicing, and marketing in a modern platform. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Boulevard Boulevard offers premium salon software for scheduling, retail, and client experience management. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Zenoti Zenoti provides cloud-based salon management with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Phorest Phorest focuses on salon CRM with appointment booking, marketing automation, and reputation management. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Square Appointments Square Appointments offers simple, affordable scheduling and POS integration for small salons. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | StyleSeat StyleSeat provides a marketplace-style platform for stylists to manage appointments and grow their client base. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.5/10 |
Vagaro offers all-in-one salon management with online booking, payments, marketing, and client retention tools.
Mindbody delivers enterprise-grade scheduling, POS, and business management software for salons and wellness businesses.
Fresha provides free salon booking software with online appointments, payments, and marketing features for beauty professionals.
Booksy enables mobile-first appointment scheduling, client management, and payments for salons and barbershops.
GlossGenius streamlines salon operations with seamless booking, invoicing, and marketing in a modern platform.
Boulevard offers premium salon software for scheduling, retail, and client experience management.
Zenoti provides cloud-based salon management with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support.
Phorest focuses on salon CRM with appointment booking, marketing automation, and reputation management.
Square Appointments offers simple, affordable scheduling and POS integration for small salons.
StyleSeat provides a marketplace-style platform for stylists to manage appointments and grow their client base.
Vagaro
specializedVagaro offers all-in-one salon management with online booking, payments, marketing, and client retention tools.
Vagaro Marketplace, a discovery platform connecting businesses with new clients for direct bookings
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software that excels in appointment scheduling, offering 24/7 online booking, drag-and-drop calendars, and automated reminders to reduce no-shows. It integrates POS, payments, inventory management, and marketing tools tailored for salons, spas, and fitness studios. With robust reporting and a mobile app, it helps businesses streamline operations and grow revenue efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive online booking with customizable widgets and social media integration
- Built-in marketing automation including email/SMS campaigns and waitlists
- Strong mobile app and reporting for real-time business insights
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multiple staff or advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for utilizing all advanced tools
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Salons and spas seeking a feature-rich platform for scheduling, payments, and client retention.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter), $65/month (Pro), $109+/month (Premium); per-location pricing with add-ons for extra staff.
Mindbody
enterpriseMindbody delivers enterprise-grade scheduling, POS, and business management software for salons and wellness businesses.
ClassPass and marketplace integrations that expose your salon to new clients for discovery-based bookings
Mindbody is a robust, all-in-one business management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, excelling in appointment scheduling with 24/7 online booking, calendar synchronization, and automated reminders. It streamlines operations through staff scheduling, client management, POS integration, and marketing automation to boost bookings and retention. With advanced reporting and scalability, it's designed for businesses seeking comprehensive growth tools beyond basic scheduling.
Pros
- Comprehensive online booking and waitlist management with real-time availability
- Integrated marketing tools like email campaigns and class packs for client retention
- Scalable with strong reporting, POS, and third-party integrations for larger salons
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and complex interface
- Higher pricing that may not suit small, independent salons
- Occasional reports of slow customer support response times
Best For
Mid-sized to large salons and multi-location spas needing an enterprise-level solution with marketing and analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Essentials plan (1 location), up to $279+/month for Ultimate; custom enterprise pricing available, often billed per staff or location.
Fresha
specializedFresha provides free salon booking software with online appointments, payments, and marketing features for beauty professionals.
The global Fresha marketplace that automatically promotes your business to millions of potential clients searching for local services.
Fresha is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and beauty businesses, enabling seamless online appointment scheduling, client management, and point-of-sale operations. It features a customizable booking widget, automated reminders, staff scheduling, inventory tracking, and integrated marketing tools like email campaigns and loyalty programs. As part of the world's largest beauty marketplace, Fresha connects businesses with new clients while providing robust reporting and analytics for business growth.
Pros
- Completely free core platform with no monthly subscription fees
- Integrated marketplace that drives new client bookings
- Intuitive mobile app and customizable online booking for clients
Cons
- Commission fees (up to 20% + VAT) on new client prepaid bookings via their processor
- Limited advanced customization for very large enterprises
- Reporting could be more granular for complex operations
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons and beauty businesses seeking a cost-effective, user-friendly scheduling solution with built-in client acquisition tools.
Pricing
Free forever plan with optional commissions on new bookings (or bypass by using your own processor); paid add-ons for premium support and features start at around $19/month.
Booksy
specializedBooksy enables mobile-first appointment scheduling, client management, and payments for salons and barbershops.
Booksy Marketplace, which connects businesses to new clients via an app-based discovery network.
Booksy is a specialized appointment scheduling platform tailored for salons, barbershops, spas, and wellness professionals, enabling 24/7 online booking, calendar management, and client interactions. It streamlines operations with features like automated reminders, staff scheduling, integrated payments, and marketing tools to boost visibility. The platform also offers a consumer-facing app for easy rebooking and service discovery, making it a robust solution for beauty businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile apps for businesses and clients
- Automated SMS/email reminders and no-show protection
- Integrated marketplace for client acquisition
Cons
- Subscription costs can escalate for multi-location salons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Independent stylists, small to medium salons seeking user-friendly booking with built-in marketing and client discovery.
Pricing
Free basic plan available; Pro plans start at $29.99/month per location, up to $89.99/month for advanced features, with payment processing fees of ~2.7% + $0.30 per transaction.
GlossGenius
specializedGlossGenius streamlines salon operations with seamless booking, invoicing, and marketing in a modern platform.
Beautiful, branded online booking widgets that allow clients to book 24/7 with real-time availability and no-show protection
GlossGenius is an all-in-one platform designed for beauty and wellness professionals, offering seamless online appointment scheduling, client management, and integrated payments. It streamlines salon operations with features like automated reminders, waitlist management, and marketing tools via email and text. The software emphasizes a mobile-first, visually appealing interface tailored for independent stylists, small salons, and spas.
Pros
- Intuitive, mobile-optimized interface that's easy for non-technical users
- All-in-one tools including booking, POS, payments, and marketing
- Customizable booking pages that enhance client experience
Cons
- Higher-tier pricing can be expensive for larger teams
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Some integrations require higher plans
Best For
Solo beauty professionals and small salons needing a user-friendly, all-in-one solution for scheduling and client management without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $24/month (Starter for solo users), $112/month (Pro for teams); annual billing offers discounts, with a 14-day free trial.
Boulevard
enterpriseBoulevard offers premium salon software for scheduling, retail, and client experience management.
Dynamic service menus and pre-booked upsells for personalized client experiences
Boulevard is a cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and barbershops, offering robust appointment scheduling with online booking, waitlist management, and visual calendars. It integrates POS for payments and retail sales, client relationship tools for personalized marketing, and inventory tracking to streamline operations. The software also provides reporting dashboards and staff management features to support business growth.
Pros
- Seamless online booking and client self-service options
- Integrated POS, inventory, and marketing automation
- Strong reporting and multi-location support
Cons
- Premium pricing may not suit solo practitioners
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free trial or customization without add-ons
Best For
Established multi-location salons and spas needing an all-in-one platform for scheduling, sales, and client retention.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at ~$250/month per location, plus per-client and transaction fees.
Zenoti
enterpriseZenoti provides cloud-based salon management with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support.
AI-powered revenue management that dynamically adjusts pricing and staffing for maximum profitability
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering robust appointment scheduling with online booking, drag-and-drop calendars, and automated reminders. It integrates client management, payments, inventory tracking, marketing automation, and analytics into a single system. Designed for scalability, it excels in multi-location operations, providing centralized control and real-time insights.
Pros
- Highly scalable for multi-location salons with centralized dashboards
- Advanced scheduling tools including online booking, waitlists, and AI-driven optimizations
- Integrated ecosystem covering CRM, payments, marketing, and analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- High cost unsuitable for small single-location salons
- Pricing is opaque and quote-based, often requiring negotiation
Best For
Large salon chains or multi-location spas needing enterprise-grade scheduling and full business management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $250–$500 per month per location, scaling with features, users, and revenue.
Phorest
specializedPhorest focuses on salon CRM with appointment booking, marketing automation, and reputation management.
Phorest Boost: AI-driven targeted marketing campaigns that automatically segment clients and send personalized promotions to increase bookings.
Phorest is a comprehensive salon and spa management software that specializes in appointment scheduling, client management, and business growth tools tailored for beauty industry professionals. It offers online booking, automated SMS/email reminders, drag-and-drop scheduling, and integrated POS for seamless operations. Additionally, it provides powerful marketing automation, reputation management, and analytics to drive client retention and revenue.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation with targeted campaigns and SMS/email blasts
- Intuitive online booking and client portal for 24/7 reservations
- Advanced reporting and multi-location support for scaling businesses
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small single-location salons
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
Best For
Multi-location salons and spas seeking integrated scheduling, marketing, and analytics to boost growth and client loyalty.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting around $150-$300/month per location, plus one-time setup fees and per-user add-ons; no free trial but demos available.
Square Appointments
specializedSquare Appointments offers simple, affordable scheduling and POS integration for small salons.
Built-in Square payments with deposit collection and no-show fee automation directly in the booking flow
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling platform from Square, tailored for salons and service businesses, enabling online booking, calendar synchronization, and automated reminders to reduce no-shows. It excels in seamless integration with Square's POS and payment systems, allowing clients to book, pay deposits, and complete transactions effortlessly. The software supports staff scheduling, client management, and basic reporting, making it suitable for small to medium-sized salons seeking simplicity over advanced customization.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square payments for deposits and no-show protection
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-the-go management
- Free plan for solo practitioners with unlimited appointments
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for complex salon workflows like booth rentals
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to salon-specific competitors
- Additional fees for payment processing can add up for high-volume salons
Best For
Small salons, solo stylists, or mobile professionals who prioritize easy payments and simple booking over deep customization.
Pricing
Free for solo users; Plus plan at $29/month per location (annual billing) for teams and advanced features; payment processing fees apply (2.6% + 10¢ in-person, 2.9% + 30¢ online).
StyleSeat
specializedStyleSeat provides a marketplace-style platform for stylists to manage appointments and grow their client base.
The StyleSeat Marketplace, which connects professionals with new local clients searching for services.
StyleSeat is a user-friendly platform designed for beauty and wellness professionals, enabling online appointment scheduling, client management, and secure payment processing. It features a built-in marketplace that helps stylists and salons discover new clients while offering tools for profiles, calendars, and automated reminders. The service emphasizes mobile accessibility and no upfront subscription fees, making it accessible for independent pros.
Pros
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for seamless on-the-go booking management
- Built-in marketplace for client acquisition and growth
- No monthly fees with integrated payments and reminders
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.75% + $0.30) can reduce profitability for high-volume users
- Limited advanced customization and reporting compared to enterprise tools
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Independent beauty professionals and small salons seeking easy scheduling and client discovery without subscription costs.
Pricing
Free basic plan with 2.75% + $0.30 transaction fees; Pro plan at $35/month for premium features like advanced marketing and analytics.
Conclusion
The top three salon appointment scheduling tools each excel in distinct areas, with Vagaro emerging as the top choice for its all-in-one package of management, booking, payments, and marketing features. Mindbody stands out as a strong enterprise-grade option, ideal for businesses needing robust capabilities, while Fresha impresses as a free, accessible solution for independent professionals. Both Mindbody and Fresha offer exceptional alternatives, catering to varied operational and budgetary needs.
Don’t miss out—try Vagaro first to experience streamlined scheduling, better client retention, and all-around business growth, or explore Mindbody or Fresha to find the perfect fit for your salon’s unique goals.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison