Quick Overview
- 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon and spa management software with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory tracking.
- 2#2: Mindbody - Comprehensive business management platform for salons, spas, and wellness centers featuring scheduling, payments, and client CRM.
- 3#3: Fresha - Free booking and management software for salons and spas with a built-in marketplace for client discovery.
- 4#4: Zenoti - Enterprise-grade salon and spa software offering advanced scheduling, analytics, payments, and multi-location support.
- 5#5: Boulevard - Modern salon and spa platform with seamless payments, retail management, and automated client communications.
- 6#6: Mangomint - No-commission salon software focused on streamlined bookings, invoicing, and staff management without add-on fees.
- 7#7: Phorest - Salon management system excelling in marketing tools, reputation management, and business intelligence reporting.
- 8#8: Timely - User-friendly appointment booking and salon management software with online payments and client self-service.
- 9#9: Schedulicity - Online scheduling platform for salons and spas supporting bookings, reminders, and payment processing.
- 10#10: DaySmart Salon - Cloud-based salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and reporting features.
We ranked these tools by balancing feature depth, user satisfaction, technical reliability, and cost-effectiveness, prioritizing solutions that deliver value across core functions like booking, payments, CRM, and inventory management.
Comparison Table
For salon and spa businesses, selecting the right software is crucial for efficiency, client management, and growth. This comparison table explores tools like Vagaro, Mindbody, Fresha, Zenoti, Boulevard, and more, analyzing their core features, pricing structures, and suitability for different business needs. Readers will discover which option aligns best with their unique operations, from appointment scheduling to inventory tracking, to optimize their workflows.
| # | 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 tracking. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Mindbody Comprehensive business management platform for salons, spas, and wellness centers featuring scheduling, payments, and client CRM. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 3 | Fresha Free booking and management software for salons and spas with a built-in marketplace for client discovery. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 4 | Zenoti Enterprise-grade salon and spa software offering advanced scheduling, analytics, payments, and multi-location support. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Boulevard Modern salon and spa platform with seamless payments, retail management, and automated client communications. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Mangomint No-commission salon software focused on streamlined bookings, invoicing, and staff management without add-on fees. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | Phorest Salon management system excelling in marketing tools, reputation management, and business intelligence reporting. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 8 | Timely User-friendly appointment booking and salon management software with online payments and client self-service. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Schedulicity Online scheduling platform for salons and spas supporting bookings, reminders, and payment processing. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 10 | DaySmart Salon Cloud-based salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
All-in-one salon and spa management software with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory tracking.
Comprehensive business management platform for salons, spas, and wellness centers featuring scheduling, payments, and client CRM.
Free booking and management software for salons and spas with a built-in marketplace for client discovery.
Enterprise-grade salon and spa software offering advanced scheduling, analytics, payments, and multi-location support.
Modern salon and spa platform with seamless payments, retail management, and automated client communications.
No-commission salon software focused on streamlined bookings, invoicing, and staff management without add-on fees.
Salon management system excelling in marketing tools, reputation management, and business intelligence reporting.
User-friendly appointment booking and salon management software with online payments and client self-service.
Online scheduling platform for salons and spas supporting bookings, reminders, and payment processing.
Cloud-based salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and reporting features.
Vagaro
specializedAll-in-one salon and spa management software with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory tracking.
Pro Marketplace, which connects businesses to new clients via a discoverable directory and promotional tools
Vagaro is a comprehensive cloud-based salon and spa management software that streamlines online booking, appointment scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, client management, and marketing efforts. It provides tools for inventory tracking, staff management, reporting, and automated reminders to help businesses operate efficiently. With mobile apps for iOS and Android, owners and staff can manage operations on the go, making it a top choice for beauty and wellness professionals.
Pros
- All-in-one platform with robust online booking, POS, and marketing automation
- Excellent mobile app and seamless integrations with payment processors and calendars
- 24/7 customer support and extensive reporting for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Pricing scales up significantly for multi-location or high-volume businesses
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization features
- Occasional reports of minor syncing delays during peak times
Best For
Growing salons, spas, and wellness businesses seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform to manage bookings, payments, and client relationships.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for solo users, $69+/month for teams (per location), with add-ons for marketing and enterprise plans; 14-day free trial available.
Mindbody
enterpriseComprehensive business management platform for salons, spas, and wellness centers featuring scheduling, payments, and client CRM.
The Mindbody marketplace and consumer app, which exposes your salon/spa services to millions of users for seamless discovery and bookings.
Mindbody is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, fitness studios, and wellness businesses, offering robust tools for online booking, appointment scheduling, client management, and point-of-sale operations. It streamlines daily workflows with features like staff scheduling, inventory tracking, automated marketing, and detailed reporting analytics. Additionally, its extensive marketplace connects businesses to new clients via the Mindbody app, enhancing visibility and revenue growth.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including online booking, POS, and marketing automation
- Powerful marketplace for client acquisition and discovery
- Strong integrations with third-party apps and detailed analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High pricing with additional transaction fees
- Customer support can be slow and inconsistent
Best For
Multi-location salons and spas seeking an all-in-one platform with marketplace-driven client growth.
Pricing
Starts at $139/month for basic plans (billed annually), with premium tiers up to $500+/month plus 2-3% transaction fees; custom quotes required for enterprises.
Fresha
specializedFree booking and management software for salons and spas with a built-in marketplace for client discovery.
Commission-free model after initial new client fees combined with a massive global client discovery marketplace
Fresha is an all-in-one booking and management platform designed for salons, spas, barbers, and wellness businesses, offering online appointment scheduling, client management, POS payments, and staff scheduling. It features a free core platform with no monthly subscriptions, instead relying on commissions from new client bookings processed through its system. Businesses benefit from a global discovery marketplace, automated marketing tools, and mobile apps for seamless operations.
Pros
- No monthly subscription fees, making it highly accessible
- Intuitive interface with excellent mobile apps for staff and clients
- Built-in marketplace for client discovery and marketing automation
Cons
- 20% commission on new client online bookings plus payment processing fees
- Limited customization and advanced reporting on the free plan
- Customer support primarily email-based for free users
Best For
Small to medium salons, spas, and beauty businesses seeking a cost-effective, user-friendly solution without upfront subscription costs.
Pricing
Free plan with no subscriptions; 20% commission on new client online bookings + payment processing fees; optional premium add-ons for advanced features.
Zenoti
enterpriseEnterprise-grade salon and spa software offering advanced scheduling, analytics, payments, and multi-location support.
Zenoti Intelligence, an AI-powered analytics engine providing predictive insights and automated recommendations for revenue optimization.
Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based platform tailored for salons, spas, and wellness businesses, offering end-to-end management from appointment booking and POS to inventory, staff scheduling, and client CRM. It excels in multi-location operations with centralized control, advanced analytics via Zenoti Intelligence, and automated marketing tools. The software integrates seamlessly with third-party apps and provides branded mobile apps for clients and staff to enhance the customer experience.
Pros
- Robust all-in-one suite with deep customization for complex operations
- Superior multi-location management and real-time analytics
- Strong marketing automation and client retention tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy onboarding process
- High pricing not suited for small single-location salons
- Custom quotes make budgeting challenging upfront
Best For
Enterprise-level salon and spa chains with multiple locations needing scalable, centralized management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $200-$400 per month per location depending on features and scale; enterprise plans are higher.
Boulevard
specializedModern salon and spa platform with seamless payments, retail management, and automated client communications.
Branded, mobile-optimized booking websites that provide a seamless, high-end client booking journey
Boulevard is a premium cloud-based salon and spa management software tailored for beauty businesses, offering online booking, POS, staff scheduling, inventory tracking, and marketing automation. It excels in creating branded client experiences through customizable booking pages and a mobile app for both staff and clients. The platform supports multi-location operations with centralized reporting and seamless integrations for payments and retail.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling and modern UI
- Robust online booking with waitlists and no-show protection
- Strong multi-location management and analytics
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to competitors
- Limited free integrations and add-ons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting
Best For
Multi-location salons and spas prioritizing premium branding and client experience over budget constraints.
Pricing
Starts at $295/month for Essentials plan (1 location), up to $595+/month for Enterprise; plus 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction and per-user fees.
Mangomint
specializedNo-commission salon software focused on streamlined bookings, invoicing, and staff management without add-on fees.
Comprehensive booth rental management with automated rent collection and commissions
Mangomint is a cloud-based salon and spa management software designed to streamline operations with features like online booking, drag-and-drop scheduling, client management, and inventory tracking. It offers advanced automation for reminders, reporting, payroll, and booth rental management, making it suitable for growing salons and spas. The platform emphasizes a modern, intuitive interface to enhance efficiency and user experience.
Pros
- Sleek, modern interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Robust automation, reporting, and booth rental tools
- Strong customer support and regular updates
Cons
- Premium pricing without a free trial (demo only)
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
Best For
Mid-sized salons and spas with booth renters or multiple staff seeking a premium, user-friendly platform.
Pricing
Starts at $165/month (Essentials, up to 5 users), $245/month (Professional), $315/month (Unlimited); annual billing required.
Phorest
specializedSalon management system excelling in marketing tools, reputation management, and business intelligence reporting.
Phorest Seed, an AI-driven client retention tool that automates personalized rebooking campaigns
Phorest is a comprehensive cloud-based salon and spa management software that streamlines operations with features like online booking, POS integration, client database management, and advanced marketing automation. It excels in client retention through personalized email/SMS campaigns and loyalty programs, while providing robust reporting and analytics for business insights. Designed for beauty professionals, it supports multi-location businesses with inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and reputation management tools.
Pros
- Powerful marketing automation for client retention and rebooking
- Seamless online booking and POS integration
- Detailed analytics and reporting dashboards
Cons
- Premium pricing can be steep for small salons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Multi-location salons and spas focused on growth through targeted marketing and client loyalty.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at approximately $200-$300 per month per location, scaling with users and add-ons.
Timely
specializedUser-friendly appointment booking and salon management software with online payments and client self-service.
Stunning, customizable online booking widgets that integrate seamlessly with websites and social media for effortless client self-scheduling
Timely is a cloud-based management platform tailored for salons, spas, and beauty businesses, offering online booking, staff scheduling, POS integration, and client communication tools. It emphasizes a visually appealing interface with drag-and-drop calendars, automated reminders, and marketing features to reduce no-shows and streamline operations. Ideal for small to medium-sized operations, it supports multi-location management and customizable client portals.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Beautiful, branded online booking pages that boost conversions
- Robust mobile app for staff and clients
- Effective no-show protection with deposits and reminders
Cons
- Reporting lacks depth for advanced analytics
- Pricing scales quickly with staff/users and add-ons
- Limited third-party integrations
- No native payroll or advanced inventory tracking
Best For
Small to medium salons and spas prioritizing ease of use and client-facing aesthetics over enterprise-level features.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month (Solo, 1 location/1 user), $69/month (Essential, up to 5 users), $99/month (Pro); annual billing discounts apply, plus per-user fees.
Schedulicity
specializedOnline scheduling platform for salons and spas supporting bookings, reminders, and payment processing.
Embeddable online booking pages that allow 24/7 client self-scheduling and integrate effortlessly with websites or social platforms.
Schedulicity is a cloud-based scheduling software tailored for service-based businesses like salons and spas, offering online appointment booking, calendar management, and client communication tools. It enables professionals to create customizable booking pages, process payments, send automated reminders, and manage staff schedules efficiently. The platform also includes marketing features like email campaigns and reporting for business insights.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with quick setup
- Free online booking widget for websites and social media
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Pricing scales per provider, which can get expensive for larger teams
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to competitors
- Limited built-in inventory or POS features for product sales
Best For
Small salons, solo stylists, or spa professionals needing simple, affordable online scheduling without complex enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free for solo providers; paid plans start at $39.90/month (Engage for 1-5 providers), up to $99.90+/month for advanced tiers with more features and support.
DaySmart Salon
specializedCloud-based salon software providing appointment scheduling, POS, inventory, and reporting features.
Advanced booth rental management with automated rent collection and individual stylist reporting
DaySmart Salon is a cloud-based management software tailored for salons and spas, offering comprehensive tools for appointment scheduling, point-of-sale transactions, client management, and inventory tracking. It includes marketing automation, reporting dashboards, and a mobile app for on-the-go access. The platform stands out with specialized features for booth rental management, making it suitable for independent stylists within salons.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Robust online booking integrated with social media
- Strong booth rental and commission tracking tools
Cons
- Higher pricing for multi-location setups
- Limited advanced customization options
- Occasional reports of integration glitches
Best For
Small to mid-sized salons and spas with booth renters seeking an all-in-one, user-friendly management solution.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month per user for basic plan, up to $165/month for premium features; processing fees apply to payments.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top 10 salon and spa software tools, Vagaro shines as the leading choice, offering an all-in-one platform with online booking, POS, marketing automation, and inventory tracking. Mindbody follows with its comprehensive business management features, including scheduling, payments, and client CRM, while Fresha stands out for its free model and built-in marketplace—each tool excelling in unique areas to suit diverse needs. With such strong options, the right software depends on priorities, but Vagaro remains the top pick for its versatility and all-encompassing capabilities.
Take the next step in enhancing your salon or spa operations—explore Vagaro today to enjoy streamlined bookings, efficient management, and improved client experiences with its user-friendly, all-in-one solution.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison