Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - Comprehensive salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free salon booking software offering online appointments, client management, and payment processing worldwide.
- 3#3: Booksy - Mobile-first scheduling app for salons with online booking, reminders, and no-show protection.
- 4#4: Mindbody - Robust business management software for salons including scheduling, POS, and marketing automation.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Modern salon platform with seamless online booking, staff management, and retail sales features.
- 6#6: Mangomint - Streamlined salon software focused on scheduling, payments, and automated client communications.
- 7#7: GlossGenius - All-in-one mobile booking and payment solution designed for beauty professionals and salons.
- 8#8: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon management system with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support.
- 9#9: Square Appointments - Simple online appointment booking integrated with Square's POS and payment processing for small salons.
- 10#10: Schedulicity - User-friendly scheduling tool for salons with online booking, reminders, and client self-service options.
These tools were rigorously evaluated based on feature versatility (including booking, payments, and staff management), user interface intuitiveness, technical performance, and total value, ensuring a comprehensive guide to meeting diverse salon needs
Comparison Table
Salon owners seeking efficient online appointment software face a range of options; this comparison simplifies the choice by evaluating tools like Vagaro, Fresha, Booksy, Mindbody, Boulevard, and more. Readers will learn key features, pricing structures, and usability to find the best fit for their salon's unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro Comprehensive salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free salon booking software offering online appointments, client management, and payment processing worldwide. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 3 | Booksy Mobile-first scheduling app for salons with online booking, reminders, and no-show protection. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Mindbody Robust business management software for salons including scheduling, POS, and marketing automation. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Modern salon platform with seamless online booking, staff management, and retail sales features. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Mangomint Streamlined salon software focused on scheduling, payments, and automated client communications. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | GlossGenius All-in-one mobile booking and payment solution designed for beauty professionals and salons. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon management system with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | Square Appointments Simple online appointment booking integrated with Square's POS and payment processing for small salons. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Schedulicity User-friendly scheduling tool for salons with online booking, reminders, and client self-service options. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
Comprehensive salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools.
Free salon booking software offering online appointments, client management, and payment processing worldwide.
Mobile-first scheduling app for salons with online booking, reminders, and no-show protection.
Robust business management software for salons including scheduling, POS, and marketing automation.
Modern salon platform with seamless online booking, staff management, and retail sales features.
Streamlined salon software focused on scheduling, payments, and automated client communications.
All-in-one mobile booking and payment solution designed for beauty professionals and salons.
Enterprise-grade salon management system with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support.
Simple online appointment booking integrated with Square's POS and payment processing for small salons.
User-friendly scheduling tool for salons with online booking, reminders, and client self-service options.
Vagaro
specializedComprehensive salon management platform with online booking, payments, marketing, and inventory tools.
Vagaro Marketplace, a discovery platform that connects salons with new local clients searching for services.
Vagaro is an all-in-one salon management software designed specifically for beauty professionals, offering seamless online appointment booking, scheduling, and client management. It includes tools for payments, marketing automation, inventory tracking, and staff management to streamline salon operations. With a user-friendly interface and mobile app, Vagaro enables 24/7 bookings and helps salons attract new clients through its integrated marketplace.
Pros
- Comprehensive online booking with calendar sync and automated reminders
- Integrated marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns and Vagaro Marketplace for client acquisition
- Robust POS, reporting, and mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Additional fees for online bookings and payment processing can increase costs
- Advanced features may require a learning curve for new users
- Customer support response times vary during peak periods
Best For
Growing salons and spas seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform for online appointments, client retention, and business growth.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month for Starter plan (1 user), up to $109/month for Ultimate (unlimited users), plus 1-2.75% per online booking and payment fees.
Fresha
specializedFree salon booking software offering online appointments, client management, and payment processing worldwide.
Free, white-label online booking pages with built-in marketplace exposure to attract walk-in clients from Fresha's global directory.
Fresha is a robust online booking and management platform tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and wellness businesses, enabling 24/7 client self-scheduling via customizable booking pages. It integrates appointment scheduling, POS payments, client CRM, inventory tracking, and marketing tools like email/SMS campaigns into a single intuitive dashboard. With a strong focus on mobile accessibility and a global marketplace for client discovery, Fresha streamlines operations while helping businesses attract new customers effortlessly.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees, only low transaction fees on online bookings
- Highly customizable and mobile-optimized booking widgets that boost direct bookings
- Built-in marketplace and marketing tools to discover and retain clients
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume salons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to premium competitors
- Customer support response times can vary during peak periods
Best For
Small to medium salons and spas seeking a free, user-friendly all-in-one booking system with strong online visibility.
Pricing
Free forever with no subscription; charges low per-booking fees (e.g., $1.50 + 2.69% on online payments) processed via Stripe.
Booksy
specializedMobile-first scheduling app for salons with online booking, reminders, and no-show protection.
Booksy Marketplace for discoverability and lead generation from new clients
Booksy is a robust online booking and management platform tailored for salons, barbershops, spas, and beauty professionals. It streamlines appointment scheduling, client communication, payments, and marketing through an intuitive app and web interface. Businesses benefit from automated reminders, no-show protection, and a marketplace for client discovery, making it ideal for service-based operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive online booking with 24/7 client access
- Integrated payments and no-show deposit protection
- Marketplace visibility to attract new customers
Cons
- Transaction fees on lower plans reduce value
- Higher-tier features required for full functionality
- Occasional customer support delays
Best For
Mid-sized salons and beauty pros seeking client acquisition tools alongside reliable scheduling.
Pricing
Free plan with 2.5% + $0.50 transaction fees; paid plans from $29.99/month (Join) to $119.99/month (Business), waiving some fees.
Mindbody
enterpriseRobust business management software for salons including scheduling, POS, and marketing automation.
Mindbody Network discovery tools that expose your salon to millions of consumers searching for local services
Mindbody is a robust all-in-one business management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, providing online appointment booking, staff scheduling, client CRM, POS, and inventory management. It allows salons to offer branded online booking pages, automated reminders, and no-show protection to streamline operations. Additionally, it includes marketing tools, reporting analytics, and integrations with over 100 apps for enhanced functionality.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including POS, marketing automation, and advanced reporting
- Seamless online booking with customizable widgets and mobile app support
- Extensive integrations and a large ecosystem for scalability
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- High pricing with additional transaction fees
- Customer support can be slow for non-enterprise users
Best For
Mid-sized to large salons or multi-location businesses needing an enterprise-level all-in-one solution with marketing and analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for Starter plan (1 location), up to $429/month for Ultimate; plus 2.75-2.95% processing fees and optional add-ons.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon platform with seamless online booking, staff management, and retail sales features.
Dynamic, mobile-optimized booking websites that showcase individual stylists and real-time availability to boost direct bookings
Boulevard is a premium, all-in-one salon management software designed specifically for beauty and wellness businesses like salons, spas, and barbershops. It offers seamless online appointment booking with customizable client-facing websites, integrated POS, staff scheduling, inventory management, and marketing automation tools. The platform emphasizes client retention through detailed profiles, loyalty programs, and analytics-driven insights to optimize operations and revenue.
Pros
- Highly customizable online booking experience with stylist profiles and service menus
- Robust POS and payment processing with inventory tracking
- Advanced reporting, marketing automation, and multi-location support
Cons
- Premium pricing that may be steep for small salons
- Steeper learning curve for full feature utilization
- Limited public pricing transparency; requires demo for quotes
Best For
Established mid-to-large salons and spas with multiple locations seeking a scalable, enterprise-grade solution.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting around $275/month per location, plus transaction fees; no public tiered plans.
Mangomint
specializedStreamlined salon software focused on scheduling, payments, and automated client communications.
Lightning-fast performance with unlimited data and booth renter management tools
Mangomint is a modern, cloud-based salon management software tailored for beauty salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering seamless online appointment booking, intelligent scheduling, and integrated POS. It includes client management, automated marketing, inventory tracking, and detailed reporting to streamline operations. The platform emphasizes speed, unlimited data storage, and a visually appealing interface for efficient daily workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Unlimited clients and staff with robust reporting and analytics
- Strong marketing automation and QuickBooks integration
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to entry-level competitors
- Limited third-party integrations beyond essentials
- Advanced features may require initial setup time
Best For
Small to mid-sized salons and spas seeking a premium, user-friendly platform with powerful automation.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (billed annually) for up to 5 staff members; scales to $315+/month for larger teams; no free trial but demo available.
GlossGenius
specializedAll-in-one mobile booking and payment solution designed for beauty professionals and salons.
Booth rental management with automated commission splits and individual stylist profiles
GlossGenius is an all-in-one management platform tailored for beauty and wellness professionals, including salons, spas, and independent stylists, offering online booking, scheduling, payments, and client management tools. It streamlines salon operations with features like automated reminders, waitlist management, marketing automation, and booth rental support for independent contractors. The software emphasizes a mobile-first approach, making it easy to manage appointments and business on the go.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app and user-friendly interface for quick setup
- Integrated payments and marketing tools reduce need for multiple apps
- Strong support for booth renters with commission tracking
Cons
- Advanced reporting limited to higher tiers
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Customization options are somewhat basic
Best For
Independent stylists, small salon owners, or booth rental spaces seeking a mobile-friendly all-in-one booking and payment solution.
Pricing
Starts at $24/month for Solo plan (1 user), $48/month per user for Team plan; custom Enterprise pricing; includes payment processing at 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon management system with advanced booking, analytics, and multi-location support.
Universal Guest App for unified client experiences across online booking, in-app check-ins, loyalty tracking, and personalized service recommendations
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering robust online appointment booking alongside CRM, inventory, staff scheduling, and marketing tools. It enables customizable booking websites, mobile apps, and seamless integrations for client self-service reservations, payments, and loyalty programs. With advanced analytics and automation, it supports multi-location operations and scales from single salons to enterprise chains.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including AI-driven insights and multi-location support
- Seamless online booking with waitlists, pre-bookings, and client personalization
- Strong integrations with payment gateways, marketing tools, and hardware POS
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- High pricing that may not suit small independent salons
- Custom quotes required, lacking transparent entry-level plans
Best For
Large salon chains or multi-location spas needing enterprise-level automation, analytics, and scalability.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $250-$500 per month per location, depending on features and scale; no public tiers.
Square Appointments
specializedSimple online appointment booking integrated with Square's POS and payment processing for small salons.
Built-in Square payments with no extra transaction fees for hardware users
Square Appointments is an online scheduling platform tailored for service businesses like salons, offering 24/7 client self-booking through customizable websites and calendars. It includes client management, automated reminders, no-show protection, and seamless integration with Square's payment processing and POS systems. Ideal for streamlining salon operations, it supports staff calendars, service menus, and marketing tools like email campaigns.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square payments and POS for effortless transactions
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app access
- Free plan available for solo practitioners or single-location salons
Cons
- Limited advanced salon-specific features like booth rental tracking or product inventory
- Pricing scales per location, which can add up for multi-site salons
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to specialized competitors
Best For
Small salons, solo stylists, or barbershops already using Square POS that need simple online booking and payments.
Pricing
Free for 1 user/1 location; Plus at $29/mo; Premium at $65/mo; Elite at $165/mo (billed annually per active location).
Schedulicity
specializedUser-friendly scheduling tool for salons with online booking, reminders, and client self-service options.
Integrated discovery marketplace that connects salons with new clients searching for local services
Schedulicity is a user-friendly online scheduling platform tailored for salons, spas, and other service-based businesses, allowing clients to book appointments 24/7 via a customizable widget embedded on websites or social media. It streamlines salon operations with features like multi-staff calendar management, automated SMS/email reminders, secure payments through Stripe integration, and client intake forms. The software also offers marketing tools such as email campaigns and a discovery marketplace to attract new clients.
Pros
- Free plan for solo professionals with unlimited bookings
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app support
- Strong client communication tools including reminders and reviews
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Customization options for booking pages are somewhat basic
- Higher-tier plans needed for multi-location support
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons seeking an affordable, easy-to-implement online booking solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for individuals; Essentials plan at $39.90/month (billed annually); Professional at $79.90/month; Premium at $199.90/month; custom enterprise pricing available.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 leading salon online appointment tools, Vagaro tops the list for its comprehensive mix of booking, management, and marketing features. Fresha impresses with its global accessibility and free pricing, while Booksy stands out for its mobile focus and strong no-show protection; both are excellent alternatives for different needs. Ultimately, these tools redefine how salons operate, with the top three offering reliable solutions that prioritize efficiency and client satisfaction.
Don’t miss out—test drive Vagaro to unlock its full potential, or explore Fresha and Booksy to find the perfect fit for your salon’s unique goals and budget.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison