Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon and spa management software with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory control.
- 2#2: Mangomint - Modern salon software featuring automated client reminders, payroll, reporting, and a beautiful user interface.
- 3#3: Fresha - Free cloud-based booking and management platform for salons and spas with integrated payments and marketing.
- 4#4: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses including scheduling and client management.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Premium salon and spa software emphasizing client experience, retail sales, and operational efficiency.
- 6#6: Phorest - Salon management system with powerful marketing tools, reputation management, and business analytics.
- 7#7: Zenoti - Enterprise platform for multi-location salons and spas offering end-to-end operations management.
- 8#8: DaySmart Salon - Reliable salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management features.
- 9#9: Square Appointments - Affordable scheduling and payment solution for small salons with integrated POS and no monthly fees.
- 10#10: Schedulicity - Online booking software tailored for independent beauty professionals and small salons.
Our ranking prioritizes tools that excel in core features like booking, POS, and client management, paired with strong user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to both small businesses and enterprise operations.
Comparison Table
Salon management software simplifies operations, yet selecting the right platform requires understanding key features. This comparison table explores top tools like Vagaro, Mangomint, Fresha, Mindbody, Boulevard, and more, equipping readers to assess functionality, pricing, and user experience for a tailored choice.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro All-in-one salon and spa management software with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory control. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Mangomint Modern salon software featuring automated client reminders, payroll, reporting, and a beautiful user interface. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Fresha Free cloud-based booking and management platform for salons and spas with integrated payments and marketing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses including scheduling and client management. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Premium salon and spa software emphasizing client experience, retail sales, and operational efficiency. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | Phorest Salon management system with powerful marketing tools, reputation management, and business analytics. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Zenoti Enterprise platform for multi-location salons and spas offering end-to-end operations management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | DaySmart Salon Reliable salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Square Appointments Affordable scheduling and payment solution for small salons with integrated POS and no monthly fees. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 10 | Schedulicity Online booking software tailored for independent beauty professionals and small salons. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
All-in-one salon and spa management software with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory control.
Modern salon software featuring automated client reminders, payroll, reporting, and a beautiful user interface.
Free cloud-based booking and management platform for salons and spas with integrated payments and marketing.
Comprehensive business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses including scheduling and client management.
Premium salon and spa software emphasizing client experience, retail sales, and operational efficiency.
Salon management system with powerful marketing tools, reputation management, and business analytics.
Enterprise platform for multi-location salons and spas offering end-to-end operations management.
Reliable salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management features.
Affordable scheduling and payment solution for small salons with integrated POS and no monthly fees.
Online booking software tailored for independent beauty professionals and small salons.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon and spa management software with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory control.
Vagaro Marketplace, a discovery platform connecting businesses with millions of local clients for increased visibility and bookings.
Vagaro is a comprehensive cloud-based salon management software designed for salons, spas, barbershops, and fitness studios. It provides tools for online booking, appointment scheduling, client CRM, POS payments, inventory management, staff scheduling, and marketing automation. The platform includes mobile apps for both staff and clients, enabling seamless operations and customer engagement on the go.
Pros
- Robust online booking with 24/7 availability and waitlist management
- Integrated POS and payment processing with low fees
- Powerful marketing tools including email/SMS campaigns and Vagaro Marketplace exposure
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with additional users and locations
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting features
- Customer support response times can vary during high-demand periods
Best For
Medium to large salons and spas needing an all-in-one scalable platform with strong online booking and marketing capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99/month for Starter (1 user), up to $259.99/month for Ultimate; plus $0.20 + 2.75% payment processing fees and optional add-ons.
Mangomint
specializedModern salon software featuring automated client reminders, payroll, reporting, and a beautiful user interface.
Sophisticated marketing automation with personalized SMS/email campaigns, waitlist management, and rebooking boosts
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based salon and spa management software that streamlines operations with features like online booking, POS, client management, inventory tracking, and automated marketing. It provides powerful reporting, staff scheduling, and payment processing to help beauty businesses grow efficiently. Designed for modern salons, it emphasizes a sleek, intuitive interface that enhances user experience across devices.
Pros
- Exceptionally intuitive and visually appealing interface
- Advanced automation for marketing, waitlists, and client retention
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter smaller salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
- No dedicated staff mobile app (browser-based access)
Best For
Mid-sized salons and spas seeking a premium, user-friendly platform with strong automation and marketing tools.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month for up to 5 providers (Essentials plan), scaling to $315+/month for larger teams with advanced features; annual billing offers discounts.
Fresha
specializedFree cloud-based booking and management platform for salons and spas with integrated payments and marketing.
Zero subscription fees combined with a powerful client discovery marketplace
Fresha is an all-in-one salon management platform designed for beauty, wellness, and spa businesses, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management tools. It includes point-of-sale functionality, staff rostering, inventory tracking, automated reminders, and marketing features like email/SMS campaigns. Fresha stands out with its global marketplace that helps businesses attract new clients without upfront subscription costs.
Pros
- Completely free with no monthly subscription fees
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for on-the-go management
- Integrated marketplace to attract new clients globally
Cons
- 20% commission on new client bookings via the platform
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Customer support can be slower for non-premium users
Best For
Small to medium salons, spas, and beauty businesses seeking a user-friendly, cost-effective solution for bookings and operations without subscription commitments.
Pricing
Free forever; only 20% commission on first-time bookings made through the Fresha marketplace (no fees for direct or repeat bookings).
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses including scheduling and client management.
Consumer-facing Mindbody app and marketplace for direct client bookings and discovery.
Mindbody is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform designed for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering tools for appointment scheduling, client management, point-of-sale transactions, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. It enables online booking through a consumer-facing portal, staff scheduling, and detailed reporting to optimize operations. Ideal for scaling businesses, it supports multi-location management and integrates with numerous third-party apps.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including CRM, POS, and marketing tools tailored for salons
- Seamless online booking and client app for easy reservations
- Robust integrations with over 100 apps and a large marketplace ecosystem
Cons
- Steep learning curve and cluttered interface for new users
- High pricing with additional fees for add-ons and transactions
- Customer support can be slow and less personalized for smaller businesses
Best For
Mid-sized to large salons or chains needing an all-in-one platform with advanced marketing and multi-location support.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Starter plan, up to $429+/month for Ultimate; plus per-transaction fees and add-ons.
Boulevard
specializedPremium salon and spa software emphasizing client experience, retail sales, and operational efficiency.
Intelligent waitlist that automatically fills no-show gaps and notifies clients in real-time
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for salons, spas, and multi-location beauty businesses. It offers comprehensive tools for online booking, POS processing, staff scheduling, inventory tracking, client CRM, marketing automation, and advanced reporting. The platform emphasizes mobile accessibility with dedicated apps for clients, staff, and managers to streamline operations and enhance customer experience.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile apps for clients and staff enabling seamless booking and check-ins
- Robust analytics and reporting for revenue optimization and performance insights
- Advanced waitlist and capacity management to maximize bookings
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter small single-location salons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
- Initial setup and data migration can be time-intensive
Best For
Multi-location salons and spas needing scalable, mobile-first management with strong analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $275/month for basic plans, with custom enterprise pricing up to $500+/month based on locations and features; no long-term contracts.
Phorest
specializedSalon management system with powerful marketing tools, reputation management, and business analytics.
PhorestMail's library of 1,000+ pre-built, compliant marketing campaigns for effortless client rebooking and retention
Phorest is an all-in-one cloud-based salon management software tailored for salons, spas, and multi-location chains, providing tools for online booking, POS transactions, client relationship management, and automated marketing. It excels in client retention through features like personalized email/SMS campaigns, reputation management via SpotCheck, and comprehensive reporting analytics. The platform also supports staff rostering, inventory control, and integrations with third-party tools to streamline daily operations.
Pros
- Robust marketing automation with pre-built campaigns and PhorestMail for client retention
- Comprehensive client database and reputation management tools
- Strong analytics and reporting for business insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users despite training resources
- Pricing can be expensive for small single-location salons
- Some customization limitations in reporting and UI
Best For
Mid-sized salons and multi-location chains seeking advanced marketing and client engagement tools to drive growth and loyalty.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $150-$300/month per location, scaling with users and features; includes a free trial.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise platform for multi-location salons and spas offering end-to-end operations management.
AI-powered business intelligence for predictive insights and hyper-personalized client marketing across multiple locations
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based platform designed for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing end-to-end management including appointment scheduling, POS, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and client CRM. It excels in multi-location operations with centralized dashboards, marketing automation, and analytics powered by AI for personalized client experiences. The software also offers custom-branded mobile apps for both staff and customers to enhance engagement and efficiency.
Pros
- Highly scalable for multi-location salons and spas
- Advanced AI analytics and marketing automation
- Robust integrations with payment gateways and e-commerce
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- Premium pricing not ideal for small single-location salons
- Custom implementation can delay rollout
Best For
Large salon chains and multi-location spas needing enterprise-level scalability and advanced analytics.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $200-$500 per month per location, scaling with features and users.
DaySmart Salon
specializedReliable salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and staff management features.
Booth rental management with automated rent collection and stylist performance tracking
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and barbershops, offering tools for appointment scheduling, online booking, point-of-sale transactions, and client management. It includes inventory tracking, marketing automation, reporting dashboards, and booth rental features to handle independent stylists. The software streamlines daily operations, enhances client retention through automated communications, and supports multi-location businesses with centralized control.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- 24/7 customer support with quick response times
- Strong online booking and marketing integrations
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with client volume and add-ons
- Some advanced reporting requires higher tiers
- Limited free trial period and customization options
Best For
Mid-sized salons or spas with booth renters seeking an all-in-one solution for scheduling, POS, and client engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter, up to 300 clients), $69/month (Professional, up to 1,000 clients), $165/month (Enterprise, unlimited); plus per-client fees over limits and optional hardware.
Square Appointments
otherAffordable scheduling and payment solution for small salons with integrated POS and no monthly fees.
Zero monthly fees for single-location users, combined with built-in payment processing via Square hardware.
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling and booking platform tailored for service businesses like salons, enabling online booking, calendar management, client reminders, and seamless payment processing. It integrates tightly with Square's POS system, allowing salons to handle appointments, check-ins, and payments in one ecosystem. Ideal for streamlining daily operations without complex setups, it supports staff scheduling and basic reporting for small teams.
Pros
- Free plan for solo users with no monthly fees
- Seamless integration with Square POS and payments
- Intuitive mobile app and quick online booking setup
Cons
- Limited advanced salon features like inventory tracking or booth rental management
- Transaction fees can add up for high-volume salons
- Reporting and customization options are basic compared to specialized competitors
Best For
Independent stylists or small salons needing simple, cost-effective booking and payment tools without advanced management needs.
Pricing
Free for solo users (processing fees apply); Plus ($29/month per location); Premium (custom pricing).
Schedulicity
specializedOnline booking software tailored for independent beauty professionals and small salons.
Universal Booking Page that allows clients to book appointments directly without needing an account, seamlessly embeddable on websites or social media
Schedulicity is a cloud-based scheduling software tailored for service-based businesses like salons, spas, and wellness providers, offering online appointment booking, client management, and payment processing. It includes marketing tools such as automated reminders and email campaigns, along with basic reporting and staff scheduling features. While versatile for small operations, it focuses more on scheduling than comprehensive salon-specific inventory or POS systems.
Pros
- Intuitive online booking widget for easy client self-scheduling
- Affordable plans with a free tier for solo users
- Mobile app supports on-the-go appointment management
Cons
- Limited advanced inventory and product management tools
- Reporting lacks depth for larger salons
- Fewer specialized salon features like booth rental tracking compared to competitors
Best For
Small salons, independent stylists, or solo practitioners seeking simple, cost-effective online scheduling without complex salon management needs.
Pricing
Free for basic solo use (with transaction fees); paid plans start at $39.90/month (Premier) up to $99.90/month (Professional) for advanced features, billed annually.
Conclusion
The top salon management tools reviewed offer强大功能 to streamline operations, from online booking and POS to client engagement and analytics. Leading the way, Vagaro earns its spot as the top choice with its all-in-one platform that seamlessly integrates multiple essential features. Mangomint and Fresha follow as strong alternatives—Mangomint impresses with automated reminders and user-friendly design, while Fresha shines as a free cloud-based option perfect for those prioritizing accessibility and integrated payments. Each tool caters to distinct business needs, but Vagaro stands out as the most versatile and comprehensive solution.
Don't wait to elevate your salon's efficiency and client experience. Dive into Vagaro today and discover how its integrated tools can simplify management, boost sales, and strengthen your business—whether you run a small independent salon or a growing spa.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison