Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - Comprehensive salon management platform with online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing tools.
- 2#2: Fresha - Free online booking software for salons and spas featuring appointments, payments, POS, and automated marketing.
- 3#3: Mindbody - Powerful business management solution for salons with online booking, scheduling, CRM, and revenue tools.
- 4#4: GlossGenius - Mobile-first salon software offering seamless online booking, payments, and client management for beauty pros.
- 5#5: Zenoti - Enterprise salon platform with advanced online booking, operations management, analytics, and multi-location support.
- 6#6: Boulevard - Premium salon software providing intelligent online booking, retail management, and performance insights.
- 7#7: Phorest - Salon management system emphasizing online booking, client retention marketing, and business analytics.
- 8#8: Square Appointments - Integrated appointment scheduling and payment software tailored for small salons with online booking capabilities.
- 9#9: Schedulicity - Affordable online scheduling tool for salons with booking, reminders, payments, and marketing features.
- 10#10: StyleSeat - Beauty professional marketplace and booking platform enabling online appointments and client discovery.
Tools were evaluated based on feature completeness, user-friendliness, technical reliability, and value, ensuring they address diverse needs, from small salons to multi-location enterprises, and deliver measurable results.
Comparison Table
Discover a comparison of top salon online booking software, including Vagaro, Fresha, Mindbody, GlossGenius, Zenoti, and more, designed to help salon owners identify the best tool for their needs. This table outlines key features, pricing, and user experience to simplify decision-making and ensure you find software that fits your salon’s unique requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vagaro Comprehensive salon management platform with online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing tools. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Fresha Free online booking software for salons and spas featuring appointments, payments, POS, and automated marketing. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Mindbody Powerful business management solution for salons with online booking, scheduling, CRM, and revenue tools. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | GlossGenius Mobile-first salon software offering seamless online booking, payments, and client management for beauty pros. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Zenoti Enterprise salon platform with advanced online booking, operations management, analytics, and multi-location support. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Boulevard Premium salon software providing intelligent online booking, retail management, and performance insights. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Phorest Salon management system emphasizing online booking, client retention marketing, and business analytics. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 8 | Square Appointments Integrated appointment scheduling and payment software tailored for small salons with online booking capabilities. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 9 | Schedulicity Affordable online scheduling tool for salons with booking, reminders, payments, and marketing features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | StyleSeat Beauty professional marketplace and booking platform enabling online appointments and client discovery. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive salon management platform with online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing tools.
Free online booking software for salons and spas featuring appointments, payments, POS, and automated marketing.
Powerful business management solution for salons with online booking, scheduling, CRM, and revenue tools.
Mobile-first salon software offering seamless online booking, payments, and client management for beauty pros.
Enterprise salon platform with advanced online booking, operations management, analytics, and multi-location support.
Premium salon software providing intelligent online booking, retail management, and performance insights.
Salon management system emphasizing online booking, client retention marketing, and business analytics.
Integrated appointment scheduling and payment software tailored for small salons with online booking capabilities.
Affordable online scheduling tool for salons with booking, reminders, payments, and marketing features.
Beauty professional marketplace and booking platform enabling online appointments and client discovery.
Vagaro
specializedComprehensive salon management platform with online booking, client management, payments, inventory, and marketing tools.
Vagaro Marketplace for easy discovery and client acquisition alongside seamless online booking
Vagaro is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering 24/7 online booking, appointment scheduling, and client management. It streamlines operations with built-in POS, payment processing, inventory tracking, and marketing tools like automated email/SMS campaigns. Businesses can also manage staff schedules, sell memberships/packages, and access robust reporting for growth insights.
Pros
- Intuitive online booking widget with waitlists and request features
- All-in-one tools including POS, payments, and marketing automation
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go management and client self-check-in
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can get expensive for multi-location salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Some users report occasional sync issues with third-party integrations
Best For
Salon owners and multi-staff teams seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform for online bookings and full business management.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter, 1 user) up to $199+/month (Premium, unlimited users); flat subscription with no booking fees but 2.75% payment processing.
Fresha
specializedFree online booking software for salons and spas featuring appointments, payments, POS, and automated marketing.
Integrated global marketplace that connects businesses with new clients searching for local services
Fresha is a comprehensive online booking and management platform tailored for salons, spas, barbershops, and beauty businesses, offering 24/7 client self-booking, staff scheduling, POS payments, and CRM tools. It features a customizable booking widget for websites and social media, automated reminders, marketing campaigns via email/SMS, and performance analytics. The platform also includes a global marketplace to attract new clients and supports multi-location management.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees, only pay per booking
- Intuitive mobile app and modern interface for quick setup
- Built-in marketplace for client discovery and growth
Cons
- Commission fees can add up for high-volume businesses
- Limited advanced customization options compared to enterprise tools
- Reporting lacks depth for complex analytics needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons and beauty businesses seeking an affordable, all-in-one solution with strong online booking and client acquisition tools.
Pricing
Free signup with no monthly fees; 20p-€0.99 + payment processing (1.4-2.69%) per online booking; premium add-ons available.
Mindbody
enterprisePowerful business management solution for salons with online booking, scheduling, CRM, and revenue tools.
Integrated Mindbody consumer app marketplace that connects salons directly with millions of users searching for services.
Mindbody is a robust, all-in-one business management platform tailored for wellness and beauty industries, including salons, enabling seamless online booking, scheduling, and client management. It offers 24/7 client self-scheduling, automated reminders, payment processing, inventory tracking, and POS integration to streamline salon operations. Additionally, it provides marketing automation, reporting analytics, and a consumer marketplace to attract new clients and boost revenue.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including advanced booking, POS, and marketing tools
- Strong integrations with third-party apps and a large consumer marketplace for client acquisition
- Scalable for multi-location salons with robust reporting and analytics
Cons
- High pricing with costs scaling per staff and location
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- Overkill for very small or single-staff salons needing simple booking only
Best For
Multi-location salons or spas requiring enterprise-level management, marketing, and client discovery tools.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month per location for core plans, plus $5-10 per staff member monthly and add-ons for premium features; custom enterprise pricing available.
GlossGenius
specializedMobile-first salon software offering seamless online booking, payments, and client management for beauty pros.
Stunning, fully customizable booking websites that double as professional client-facing microsites
GlossGenius is an all-in-one booking and management platform tailored for beauty professionals, salons, spas, and wellness businesses, enabling online appointment scheduling, client communication, and payment processing. It features customizable booking pages, automated reminders via text and email, integrated POS, and marketing tools to help grow clientele. The platform emphasizes a sleek, mobile-friendly interface that simplifies daily operations for independent pros and small teams.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Seamless payment processing with no commissions on bookings
- Built-in marketing automation for client retention and growth
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics for larger salons
- Pricing scales per provider, which can get expensive for teams
- Inventory management is basic compared to enterprise competitors
Best For
Independent beauty professionals and small salons seeking an easy, visually appealing all-in-one booking solution without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Starts at $24/month per provider for Essentials plan; Pro ($49/month) and custom team plans add advanced features like multi-location support.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise salon platform with advanced online booking, operations management, analytics, and multi-location support.
AI-powered Zenova suite for intelligent scheduling, personalized client recommendations, and automated marketing
Zenoti is a robust, cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering advanced online booking capabilities through customizable widgets and mobile apps. It enables seamless client scheduling, automated reminders, and waitlist management while integrating POS, inventory, CRM, and marketing tools. Designed for scalability, it excels in multi-location operations with real-time analytics and staff management features.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform with powerful online booking and multi-location support
- Advanced AI-driven personalization, marketing automation, and analytics
- Strong mobile apps for clients and staff, plus seamless payment integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface requiring training
- High enterprise-level pricing not ideal for small salons
- Customization can be overwhelming for basic needs
Best For
Multi-location salon chains or growing wellness businesses seeking an enterprise-grade solution with integrated booking, operations, and marketing.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $250-$500 per month per location, scaling with features and users.
Boulevard
enterprisePremium salon software providing intelligent online booking, retail management, and performance insights.
Boulevard Boost: AI-powered automated marketing that sends personalized campaigns to boost bookings and retention
Boulevard is a premium all-in-one salon management platform tailored for salons, spas, and barbershops, offering robust online booking, POS integration, staff scheduling, inventory management, and marketing automation. It features a modern, intuitive interface with a client-facing app for self-service booking and rebooking. The software emphasizes client retention through tools like automated reminders, loyalty programs, and personalized marketing campaigns.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including POS, inventory, and marketing in one platform
- Modern, visually appealing interface with strong mobile support
- Excellent client retention tools like automated reminders and loyalty programs
Cons
- High pricing that may not suit very small or single-location salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features during onboarding
- Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
Best For
Multi-location salons or growing beauty businesses needing scalable management with strong marketing capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $295/month for Launch plan (1-3 stylists), $495/month for Growth, up to custom Enterprise pricing; additional fees for payments and add-ons.
Phorest
specializedSalon management system emphasizing online booking, client retention marketing, and business analytics.
Phorest's intelligent marketing engine that automates personalized campaigns based on client visit history and behavior
Phorest is an all-in-one salon management platform designed for salons, spas, and multi-location clinics, offering seamless online booking integrated with client management and marketing tools. It enables 24/7 client self-booking via a customizable widget on your website, complete with pre-payment options and automated reminders. The software also includes POS, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and data-driven marketing automation to boost retention and revenue.
Pros
- Comprehensive marketing automation with SMS/email campaigns and client segmentation
- Robust online booking with deposit collection and waitlist management
- Strong analytics and reporting for business insights
Cons
- Higher pricing that may not suit solo practitioners
- Steeper learning curve for full feature utilization
- Custom pricing requires demo, lacking transparent tiers
Best For
Growing salons or multi-location chains seeking integrated booking, marketing, and operations management.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$199/month per location, scaling with users/services; includes onboarding fees.
Square Appointments
specializedIntegrated appointment scheduling and payment software tailored for small salons with online booking capabilities.
Built-in Square payments with no extra transaction fees for card processing alongside bookings
Square Appointments is a user-friendly scheduling platform from Square, tailored for salons and service businesses to handle online bookings, staff calendars, and client management. It integrates seamlessly with Square's payment processing for deposits, no-shows, and in-person transactions. The tool offers automated reminders, service customization, and basic reporting to optimize salon workflows.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square payments for deposits and no-show protection
- Free plan for single-location salons with unlimited staff bookings
- Intuitive mobile app for easy on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and reporting in lower tiers
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to specialized salon software
- Scalability issues for multi-location or large salons
Best For
Small to medium-sized salons seeking an affordable, all-in-one booking and payment solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for solo users; Plus at $29/month; Premium at $69/month per location (billed annually discounts available).
Schedulicity
specializedAffordable online scheduling tool for salons with booking, reminders, payments, and marketing features.
Schedulicity Local marketplace, which exposes your salon to new clients searching for local services.
Schedulicity is a cloud-based scheduling platform tailored for service-based businesses like salons, spas, and wellness providers, enabling 24/7 online appointment booking via an embeddable widget. It offers tools for calendar management, client notifications, payment processing, and basic marketing automation to streamline salon operations. The software supports both individual stylists and small teams, with mobile apps for on-the-go access.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with quick setup for online booking
- Robust mobile app for providers and clients
- Free plan available for solo professionals
Cons
- Reporting and analytics are somewhat basic
- Limited advanced customization options
- Additional fees for premium integrations
Best For
Small salons or independent stylists seeking an affordable, user-friendly booking tool without needing enterprise-level features.
Pricing
Free Solo plan; Team plans start at $39/month per provider, with higher tiers up to $69/month for advanced features.
StyleSeat
specializedBeauty professional marketplace and booking platform enabling online appointments and client discovery.
Built-in discovery marketplace that connects professionals with local clients searching for services
StyleSeat is a comprehensive online booking platform tailored for beauty and wellness professionals, including hairstylists, salons, makeup artists, and barbers. It allows users to manage appointments, process payments, build client profiles, and market services through a robust discovery marketplace. The software streamlines operations with features like automated reminders, no-show protection, and mobile accessibility for both pros and clients.
Pros
- Vast client marketplace for discovering new customers
- Intuitive mobile app and easy booking interface
- Integrated payments with low transaction fees on Pro plan
Cons
- Commission-based model reduces earnings on free plan
- Limited advanced reporting for larger salons
- Customization options are basic compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Independent stylists and small salons seeking client acquisition through an online marketplace alongside booking management.
Pricing
Free plan with 2.75% + $0.30 per transaction; Pro plan $35/month (billed annually) for boosts, analytics, and waived setup fees.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top 10 salon online booking tools, Vagaro emerges as the top choice, boasting a comprehensive platform for management, bookings, payments, and marketing. Fresha follows with its free, user-friendly approach and strong automated marketing, while Mindbody stands out with robust CRM and revenue tools, offering reliable alternatives for varied needs.
Take the first step toward smoother operations—try Vagaro to unlock its all-in-one features and enhance your salon’s efficiency and client experience.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison