Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon and spa management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management.
- 2#2: Mindbody - Comprehensive platform for salons and wellness businesses handling scheduling, payments, and staff management.
- 3#3: Booksy - Mobile-first appointment booking and management app tailored for beauty and wellness professionals.
- 4#4: Fresha - Free salon software for online bookings, client reminders, payments, and business growth tools.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Modern salon and spa software with intelligent scheduling, payments, and retail management.
- 6#6: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon management platform for multi-location bookings, analytics, and operations.
- 7#7: Phorest - Salon software focused on CRM, automated marketing, and appointment scheduling.
- 8#8: Square Appointments - Affordable scheduling software with integrated payments for small salons and service businesses.
- 9#9: Acuity Scheduling - Flexible online appointment scheduler for salons with calendar syncing and client notifications.
- 10#10: Mangomint - Streamlined salon management tool with automation for bookings, invoicing, and reporting.
We selected and ranked these tools based on their feature set (including booking, payments, and client management), user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring a balanced range of solutions that cater to small businesses and enterprise needs alike.
Comparison Table
Salon appointment software streamlines bookings and client management, but with varied features, choosing the right tool can be challenging. This table compares top options like Vagaro, Mindbody, Booksy, Fresha, Boulevard, and more, outlining key capabilities, pricing, and usability to help you select the best fit for your salon’s needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon and spa management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Mindbody Comprehensive platform for salons and wellness businesses handling scheduling, payments, and staff management. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 3 | Booksy Mobile-first appointment booking and management app tailored for beauty and wellness professionals. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Fresha Free salon software for online bookings, client reminders, payments, and business growth tools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Modern salon and spa software with intelligent scheduling, payments, and retail management. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon management platform for multi-location bookings, analytics, and operations. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Phorest Salon software focused on CRM, automated marketing, and appointment scheduling. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Square Appointments Affordable scheduling software with integrated payments for small salons and service businesses. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | Acuity Scheduling Flexible online appointment scheduler for salons with calendar syncing and client notifications. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 10 | Mangomint Streamlined salon management tool with automation for bookings, invoicing, and reporting. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
All-in-one salon and spa management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management.
Comprehensive platform for salons and wellness businesses handling scheduling, payments, and staff management.
Mobile-first appointment booking and management app tailored for beauty and wellness professionals.
Free salon software for online bookings, client reminders, payments, and business growth tools.
Modern salon and spa software with intelligent scheduling, payments, and retail management.
Enterprise-grade salon management platform for multi-location bookings, analytics, and operations.
Salon software focused on CRM, automated marketing, and appointment scheduling.
Affordable scheduling software with integrated payments for small salons and service businesses.
Flexible online appointment scheduler for salons with calendar syncing and client notifications.
Streamlined salon management tool with automation for bookings, invoicing, and reporting.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon and spa management software for online booking, payments, marketing, and client management.
Vagaro Marketplace for client discovery and automated lead generation
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon and spa management software designed to handle online booking, scheduling, payments, and client management for beauty and wellness businesses. It provides tools for staff scheduling, inventory tracking, automated marketing via email and SMS, and detailed reporting to optimize operations. The platform's Vagaro Marketplace uniquely connects salons with new clients searching locally for services, boosting visibility and bookings.
Pros
- Robust online booking system with calendar sync and waitlist management
- Integrated payments and marketing tools that save time and increase revenue
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go management and client self-check-in
Cons
- Higher-tier plans and add-ons can increase costs for small salons
- Occasional reports of minor glitches in reporting features
- Marketplace commissions reduce margins on new client bookings
Best For
Growing salons, spas, and fitness studios seeking a comprehensive platform with marketplace exposure to attract and retain clients.
Pricing
Starts at $25/mo (Starter) up to $165/mo (Elite) per location, plus 1-3% marketplace commission and optional add-ons like payroll.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive platform for salons and wellness businesses handling scheduling, payments, and staff management.
Integrated marketing automation with automated email/SMS campaigns and client retention tools
Mindbody is a robust all-in-one business management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness centers, providing seamless online appointment booking, staff scheduling, POS integration, and client relationship management. It excels in automating daily operations while offering advanced marketing tools, inventory tracking, and detailed reporting to help salons grow. With its scalable features, it's particularly suited for businesses handling high volumes of appointments and seeking comprehensive oversight.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including online booking, marketing automation, and analytics
- Strong scalability for multi-location salons
- Extensive integrations with third-party apps and payment processors
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- Higher pricing that may overwhelm small salons
- Customer support can be inconsistent and slow
Best For
Growing or multi-location salons needing advanced management, marketing, and reporting capabilities beyond basic scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for core software (billed annually), with tiered plans up to custom enterprise pricing; additional transaction fees apply for payments.
Booksy
specializedMobile-first appointment booking and management app tailored for beauty and wellness professionals.
Booksy Marketplace, which connects businesses to a vast pool of clients searching for local services
Booksy is a robust online booking and management platform tailored for salons, barbershops, spas, and wellness businesses, enabling seamless appointment scheduling, client management, and payments. It offers a client-facing app for easy bookings, staff scheduling tools, automated reminders, and marketing features to drive revenue. The platform also includes analytics and no-show protection through deposits, making it a full-service solution for beauty professionals.
Pros
- Extensive marketplace visibility to attract new clients
- Comprehensive mobile apps for both businesses and clients
- Strong tools for payments, reminders, and no-show protection
Cons
- Commission fees can accumulate for high-volume businesses
- Limited advanced customization options
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons and barbershops seeking online discovery and straightforward booking management.
Pricing
Free plan with 2% + booking fee per transaction; paid plans start at $29.99/month for lower commissions and added features.
Fresha
specializedFree salon software for online bookings, client reminders, payments, and business growth tools.
The Fresha Marketplace, connecting businesses to millions of app users for effortless client discovery and bookings.
Fresha is a comprehensive, all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and beauty businesses. It offers online appointment scheduling, client management, POS payments, staff rostering, inventory tracking, automated reminders, and marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns. The platform also features a vast marketplace that helps businesses attract new clients through its app and website directory.
Pros
- Completely free core platform with no monthly fees or booking commissions
- Built-in marketplace for discovering new clients globally
- Robust all-in-one tools including POS, reminders, and reporting
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and integrations compared to premium competitors
- Customer support primarily email-based with slower response times
- Reporting features lack depth for large-scale operations
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons and spas seeking a cost-free, feature-rich solution with strong client acquisition tools.
Pricing
Free forever with all essential features; optional payment processing fees apply (standard industry rates).
Boulevard
specializedModern salon and spa software with intelligent scheduling, payments, and retail management.
Booth rental and employee commission management with automated payroll splits
Boulevard is a cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty and wellness businesses, offering robust appointment scheduling, online booking, POS integration, and client management. It includes inventory tracking, marketing automation, and advanced reporting to streamline operations for salons, spas, and barbershops. Designed for scalability, it supports multi-location setups and booth rental models with employee commission tools.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop calendar with real-time availability
- Comprehensive POS and payment processing with no extra hardware
- Strong analytics and reporting for business insights
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for small salons
- Learning curve for advanced customization features
- Fewer third-party integrations than some competitors
Best For
Multi-location salons, spas, or booth rental operations needing enterprise-grade tools and scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $275/month per location (Core plan), plus $3-5 per active client/month and add-ons for premium features; custom quotes for enterprises.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon management platform for multi-location bookings, analytics, and operations.
AI-powered Zenoti Insights for predictive analytics and personalized client marketing
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering robust appointment scheduling, client management, and operational tools. It enables online booking, staff scheduling, inventory management, POS integration, and marketing automation to streamline daily operations. Designed for scalability, it supports single locations up to large enterprise chains with advanced analytics and reporting.
Pros
- All-in-one solution with scheduling, CRM, payments, inventory, and marketing
- Highly scalable for multi-location and enterprise salons
- Strong analytics, reporting, and mobile apps for staff/clients
Cons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy onboarding
- Expensive custom pricing not ideal for small salons
- Overly complex for basic appointment needs
Best For
Large salon chains and multi-location businesses needing enterprise-grade management beyond just appointments.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $200–$500+ per month per location depending on features and scale.
Phorest
specializedSalon software focused on CRM, automated marketing, and appointment scheduling.
Industry benchmarking reports that compare your salon's KPIs against peers for actionable insights
Phorest is an all-in-one salon and spa management platform that handles appointment scheduling, client relationship management, point-of-sale transactions, and automated marketing. It provides tools for online booking, inventory tracking, staff management, and performance analytics tailored to the beauty industry. With a focus on business growth, it integrates reputation management and SMS/email campaigns to boost client retention and revenue.
Pros
- Powerful automated marketing via email and SMS
- Advanced reporting with industry benchmarking
- Seamless online booking and POS integration
Cons
- Higher pricing for smaller salons
- Steep learning curve during onboarding
- Limited free trial or transparent pricing info
Best For
Multi-location salons and spas seeking data-driven marketing and analytics for growth.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $200-$400 per month per location plus setup fees and add-ons.
Square Appointments
otherAffordable scheduling software with integrated payments for small salons and service businesses.
Free unlimited appointments and integrated payments with no-show protection for solo users
Square Appointments is a streamlined scheduling platform from Square, tailored for service businesses like salons, enabling online booking, calendar management, and client notifications. It integrates seamlessly with Square's payment processing for deposits, invoicing, and no-show protection. Ideal for small to medium salons, it supports staff scheduling, basic reporting, and a mobile app for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Free solo plan with unlimited appointments and payments
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for quick setup
- Seamless Square payment integration with deposit options
Cons
- Limited advanced salon features like inventory tracking or retail POS
- Reporting lacks depth for larger operations
- Multi-location management requires higher-tier plans
Best For
Small salons, solo stylists, or barbershops seeking an affordable, simple booking tool with built-in payments.
Pricing
Free for solo users; Plus $29/month per location; Premium custom pricing.
Acuity Scheduling
specializedFlexible online appointment scheduler for salons with calendar syncing and client notifications.
Highly customizable intake forms for capturing detailed client preferences and history pre-appointment
Acuity Scheduling is a user-friendly online appointment booking platform designed for service-based businesses like salons, allowing clients to self-schedule 24/7 via customizable booking pages. It handles calendar synchronization, automated email and SMS reminders, client intake forms, and integrated payments through Stripe or Square. While versatile for general scheduling, it supports salon needs like service packages, group appointments, and staff availability management without advanced POS or inventory tools.
Pros
- Intuitive setup with drag-and-drop customization
- Robust automation for reminders and confirmations
- Strong integrations with calendars, payments, and Squarespace
Cons
- Missing salon-specific tools like built-in POS or inventory tracking
- Pricing increases with multiple calendars or high volume
- Limited reporting compared to dedicated salon software
Best For
Small salons or solo stylists seeking simple, customizable online booking without needing full salon management suites.
Pricing
Free limited plan; paid tiers from $16/mo (Emerging, 1 calendar) to $49/mo (Powerhouse); annual billing discounts available.
Mangomint
specializedStreamlined salon management tool with automation for bookings, invoicing, and reporting.
Drag-and-drop visual scheduler with color-coded stylist availability and booth rental support
Mangomint is a premium salon and spa management software that streamlines appointment scheduling, online booking, POS transactions, inventory tracking, and staff payroll. It features a visually appealing interface with drag-and-drop calendars, automated marketing tools, and comprehensive reporting for beauty professionals. Designed for independent salons, it supports booth rental models and client retention strategies effectively.
Pros
- Stunning, intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Robust automation for payroll, inventory, and marketing
- Strong reporting and client management tools
Cons
- Higher pricing without a low-tier entry option
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors
- Advanced features may require initial setup time
Best For
Independent salons and spas prioritizing a modern, visually appealing all-in-one platform over budget constraints.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month for single-location (Solo plan), $215/month for Studio, $275+/month for multi-location; 14-day free trial available.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top 10 salon appointment software tools, Vagaro shines as the top choice, offering an all-in-one platform that simplifies booking, payments, marketing, and client management. Mindbody follows with its comprehensive focus on scheduling, payments, and business operations, while Booksy excels with its mobile-first design tailored for beauty professionals—each proving a strong alternative for specific needs. Together, these tools highlight the key options for salons seeking to enhance efficiency and client experiences.
Take the next step in streamlining your salon: try Vagaro today to unlock intuitive management, seamless client interactions, and tools that drive growth for your business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison