Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - Comprehensive salon management platform for online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing automation.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free booking and management software for salons and spas with built-in payments, staff scheduling, and client retention tools.
- 3#3: Mindbody - All-in-one business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses handling bookings, payments, and reporting.
- 4#4: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, appointments, CRM, and analytics.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Modern salon software with contactless check-in, advanced reporting, payroll, and retail inventory management.
- 6#6: Phorest - Salon management system focused on marketing, loyalty programs, online booking, and business intelligence.
- 7#7: Mangomint - Streamlined salon software for scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and automated reporting without commissions.
- 8#8: DaySmart Salon - Cloud-based salon management for appointments, POS, inventory tracking, and employee scheduling.
- 9#9: Salon Iris - Affordable salon software offering booking, invoicing, marketing texts, and delivery features.
- 10#10: Square Appointments - Simple scheduling and payment tool integrated with POS for small salons and service businesses.
We assessed tools based on key factors including feature completeness (booking, payments, client tracking), user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring a balanced evaluation that prioritizes both functionality and practicality for businesses of all sizes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores popular salon manager software tools, such as Vagaro, Fresha, Mindbody, Zenoti, Boulevard, and more, to guide informed decisions. Readers will discover key features, pricing models, and use cases, helping them identify the best fit for their salon's needs, from booking management to client relationship tracking.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro Comprehensive salon management platform for online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing automation. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free booking and management software for salons and spas with built-in payments, staff scheduling, and client retention tools. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 3 | Mindbody All-in-one business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses handling bookings, payments, and reporting. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, appointments, CRM, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Modern salon software with contactless check-in, advanced reporting, payroll, and retail inventory management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Phorest Salon management system focused on marketing, loyalty programs, online booking, and business intelligence. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 7 | Mangomint Streamlined salon software for scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and automated reporting without commissions. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | DaySmart Salon Cloud-based salon management for appointments, POS, inventory tracking, and employee scheduling. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Salon Iris Affordable salon software offering booking, invoicing, marketing texts, and delivery features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Square Appointments Simple scheduling and payment tool integrated with POS for small salons and service businesses. | other | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
Comprehensive salon management platform for online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing automation.
Free booking and management software for salons and spas with built-in payments, staff scheduling, and client retention tools.
All-in-one business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses handling bookings, payments, and reporting.
Enterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, appointments, CRM, and analytics.
Modern salon software with contactless check-in, advanced reporting, payroll, and retail inventory management.
Salon management system focused on marketing, loyalty programs, online booking, and business intelligence.
Streamlined salon software for scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and automated reporting without commissions.
Cloud-based salon management for appointments, POS, inventory tracking, and employee scheduling.
Affordable salon software offering booking, invoicing, marketing texts, and delivery features.
Simple scheduling and payment tool integrated with POS for small salons and service businesses.
Vagaro
specializedComprehensive salon management platform for online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing automation.
Vagaro Marketplace, an integrated discovery platform that exposes businesses to millions of potential clients for effortless bookings.
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and fitness studios, offering seamless online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It includes built-in POS, inventory tracking, marketing automation, and detailed reporting to streamline daily operations and boost revenue. With mobile apps for staff and clients, Vagaro empowers salon managers to handle everything from payroll to customer retention efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including online booking, POS, and marketing tools
- Excellent mobile app for on-the-go management
- Robust reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Pricing can escalate with add-ons and multiple locations
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Customer support response times vary during peak hours
Best For
Salon managers of mid-sized to large operations looking for scalable tools with strong marketing and client acquisition features.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Solo plan (1 user), up to $179/month for Ultimate plan (unlimited users), with annual discounts and per-location fees.
Fresha
specializedFree booking and management software for salons and spas with built-in payments, staff scheduling, and client retention tools.
The built-in Fresha marketplace that automatically promotes your salon to nearby clients searching for services, driving free organic bookings.
Fresha is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for salons, spas, and beauty businesses, offering online booking, appointment scheduling, POS payments, client management, staff rostering, and inventory tracking. It streamlines daily operations with a user-friendly interface and a dedicated client app for seamless bookings. Businesses benefit from its global marketplace that drives new client discovery without monthly subscription fees, only transaction-based costs.
Pros
- Free core platform with no monthly fees, only low transaction charges
- Integrated marketplace exposes your salon to millions of potential clients
- Intuitive mobile apps for both staff and clients enhance booking efficiency
Cons
- Transaction fees (e.g., 1.8% + fixed fee per booking) can accumulate for high-volume salons
- Advanced reporting and customizations limited in the free tier
- Customer support primarily ticket-based, with slower response times
Best For
Salon managers and owners of small to medium-sized beauty businesses seeking a cost-free, all-in-one solution for bookings, payments, and client growth.
Pricing
Free forever with transaction fees (~1.8% + 20p/€0.20 per online payment); optional premium add-ons for extras like gift cards.
Mindbody
enterpriseAll-in-one business management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses handling bookings, payments, and reporting.
Branded consumer app that allows clients to book, purchase, and engage directly, boosting retention and revenue
Mindbody is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering tools for appointment scheduling, online booking, client management, staff scheduling, POS payments, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. It streamlines salon operations from front desk to back-office tasks, enabling managers to handle everything in one dashboard. With strong reporting and analytics, it helps track performance and grow revenue through automated campaigns and client retention features.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including online booking, marketing tools, and analytics
- Seamless integrations with third-party apps and a large partner marketplace
- Mobile app for staff and branded consumer app for clients
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- High pricing with additional transaction fees
- Customer support can be slow for non-enterprise users
Best For
Mid-sized salons and spas seeking an all-in-one platform with advanced marketing and scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for core software (billed annually), plus per-transaction fees (2.75% + $0.30) and add-ons; custom enterprise pricing available.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon and spa software for multi-location management, appointments, CRM, and analytics.
Universal Commerce platform unifying online booking, POS, payments, and inventory across all sales channels.
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and multi-location beauty and wellness businesses. It offers end-to-end functionality including appointment scheduling, client CRM, staff management, inventory control, POS, marketing automation, and advanced analytics. Designed for scalability, it supports everything from single locations to global enterprises with seamless mobile apps for staff and clients.
Pros
- All-in-one platform with deep features for operations, marketing, and analytics
- Highly scalable for multi-location chains with centralized control
- Robust mobile apps and integrations for payments and e-commerce
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High pricing that may not suit small independent salons
- Customization often requires additional professional services
Best For
Multi-location salon and spa chains needing enterprise-grade tools for growth and efficiency.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $250-$500 per month per location, with add-ons for advanced features.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon software with contactless check-in, advanced reporting, payroll, and retail inventory management.
Advanced marketing automation with hyper-personalized client journeys and segmentation for superior retention
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and multi-location beauty businesses. It streamlines operations with online booking, POS integration, client CRM, staff scheduling, inventory management, and reporting tools. The platform excels in delivering branded client experiences through customizable booking pages and automated marketing campaigns.
Pros
- Visually stunning and intuitive interface
- Powerful marketing automation and client retention tools
- Strong support for multi-location management and scalability
Cons
- Premium pricing can be steep for small salons
- Some advanced customizations require higher tiers
- Occasional reports of slower load times during peak usage
Best For
Mid-sized salons, spas, and multi-location beauty businesses looking for a polished, feature-rich platform to enhance client engagement.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $275/month for single locations, with tiers scaling to $500+ for multi-site and enterprise features.
Phorest
specializedSalon management system focused on marketing, loyalty programs, online booking, and business intelligence.
Intelligent marketing automation with personalized campaigns and PhorestBoost for automated review collection
Phorest is a comprehensive all-in-one salon and spa management software that streamlines appointments, client management, POS transactions, inventory, and staff scheduling. It stands out with powerful marketing automation tools for SMS/email campaigns and reputation management to boost client retention and reviews. The platform provides detailed analytics and reporting to help salon owners optimize operations and revenue.
Pros
- Advanced automated marketing and client communication tools
- Integrated online booking and reputation management
- Robust reporting and analytics for business insights
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit very small salons
- Initial setup and training can be time-intensive
- Limited flexibility in custom reporting for advanced users
Best For
Multi-location salons and spas focused on marketing-driven growth and client retention.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $150-$300/month per location plus setup fees.
Mangomint
specializedStreamlined salon software for scheduling, payments, waitlist management, and automated reporting without commissions.
Boost AI-powered marketing automation for personalized client campaigns and rebooking reminders
Mangomint is a premium cloud-based salon management software tailored for salons and spas, offering seamless online booking, POS integration, staff scheduling, and client management. It excels in automation with features like 2-way texting, marketing campaigns via Boost, and comprehensive reporting to streamline daily operations and boost revenue. The platform's modern, intuitive interface and mobile app make it ideal for tech-savvy salon owners looking to elevate their business efficiency.
Pros
- Beautiful, highly intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Powerful automation including Boost marketing and 2-way SMS
- Robust reporting and client retention tools
Cons
- Premium pricing starts high for small salons
- Limited integrations with third-party tools
- No offline mode for POS during outages
Best For
Mid-sized salon and spa owners seeking a modern, all-in-one platform with advanced automation to scale operations.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Essentials), $265/month (Standard), $365/month (Advanced) per location, billed annually; custom enterprise plans available.
DaySmart Salon
specializedCloud-based salon management for appointments, POS, inventory tracking, and employee scheduling.
Specialized booth rental management with individual stylist scheduling and revenue tracking
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and multi-location businesses, offering tools for appointment scheduling, online booking, POS transactions, inventory tracking, and staff management. It includes marketing automation, client retention features like automated reminders, and comprehensive reporting for business insights. The software supports booth rental operations and integrates with payment processors for seamless operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one features including POS and online booking
- Strong support for booth rental and multi-location salons
- Detailed reporting and marketing automation tools
Cons
- Pricing can add up with per-user fees and add-ons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Mobile app has occasional performance issues
Best For
Mid-sized salons or spas with booth renters needing robust scheduling and multi-location support.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for Essential plan (1 user), Pro at $79/month, Elite at $149/month, with additional per-user and add-on fees.
Salon Iris
specializedAffordable salon software offering booking, invoicing, marketing texts, and delivery features.
Advanced booth rental management with automated stylist commissions, expenses, and payout calculations
Salon Iris is an all-in-one salon and spa management software that streamlines operations for beauty businesses. It provides tools for appointment scheduling, client tracking, POS processing, inventory management, staff scheduling, and marketing automation via email and SMS. The platform also excels in reporting, online booking, and booth rental management, making it suitable for multi-location salons or those with independent contractors.
Pros
- Robust feature set including POS, marketing, and advanced reporting
- Excellent booth rental and stylist payout tracking
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks and online booking widgets
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing escalates with additional users and locations
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-sized salons or spas with booth rental stylists seeking comprehensive management and marketing tools.
Pricing
Tiered plans start at $65/month (Boost) up to $245/month (Enterprise), plus $5-10 per additional user/month; free trial available.
Square Appointments
otherSimple scheduling and payment tool integrated with POS for small salons and service businesses.
Built-in Square POS integration for frictionless online and in-person payments with no-show protection
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling and management platform from Square, designed for service businesses like salons to handle online bookings, staff calendars, client reminders, and payments. It integrates seamlessly with Square's POS system for in-person transactions and no-show protection. The tool simplifies daily operations for salon managers with automated notifications and basic reporting, making it accessible for small teams.
Pros
- Free plan for single-location salons with core features
- Seamless integration with Square POS for payments
- Intuitive interface and mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced salon-specific tools like booth rental tracking
- Basic reporting lacks depth for larger operations
- Premium features require paid upgrades per location
Best For
Small salons or independent stylists needing simple, cost-effective booking and payment integration without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free for 1 location (unlimited staff); Plus at $29/month per location; Premium at $69/month per location; plus payment processing fees.
Conclusion
Navigating the best salon manager software requires aligning with unique business needs, but Vagaro stands out as the top choice, offering a robust mix of tools. Fresha impresses with its free, user-friendly design ideal for small operations, while Mindbody delivers a comprehensive solution for managing multiple aspects of a salon or spa. Together, these three set the standard for efficiency and growth.
Ready to elevate your salon's operations? Start with Vagaro today to experience its all-in-one capabilities and streamline your business for success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison