GITNUXBEST LIST

Wellness Fitness

Top 10 Best Spa Payroll Software of 2026

Discover top spa payroll software to streamline operations and save time. Find the best tools for your business needs here.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
Learn more
Effective payroll management is critical for spas, ensuring accurate handling of tips, commissions, and compliance while streamlining operations. With a range of tools designed to meet diverse business needs, choosing the right software directly impacts efficiency and success—making the top 10 options below essential for every spa owner.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Vagaro - All-in-one salon and spa management software with integrated payroll for handling tips, commissions, and employee scheduling.
  2. 2#2: Zenoti - Enterprise spa management platform featuring automated payroll processing for multi-location spas including tip pooling and compliance.
  3. 3#3: Mindbody - Comprehensive wellness business software with payroll integrations tailored for spas, handling gratuities and shift-based pay.
  4. 4#4: Gusto - User-friendly payroll and HR platform ideal for small spas, supporting tipped wages, benefits, and automatic tax filings.
  5. 5#5: Square Payroll - Simple payroll solution integrated with Square POS for spas, easily managing hourly, salaried, and tipped employees.
  6. 6#6: QuickBooks Payroll - Payroll service integrated with accounting software, perfect for spas tracking expenses alongside tips and contractor payments.
  7. 7#7: Paychex - Robust payroll and HR management for spas with features for tip reporting, compliance, and employee self-service.
  8. 8#8: ADP - Scalable payroll platform supporting spa industry needs like variable pay, time tracking, and regulatory compliance.
  9. 9#9: Rippling - All-in-one HR and payroll system with scheduling and global payments suitable for growing spa businesses.
  10. 10#10: OnPay - Affordable, full-service payroll for small spas featuring unlimited payroll runs and tip handling at low cost.

These tools were selected and ranked based on industry-specific features, user experience, reliability, and value, considering factors like tip processing, compliance support, and integration capabilities for seamless spa operations.

Comparison Table

Efficiently manage spa operations with the right payroll software, a critical tool for accurate staff compensation and operational success. This comparison table explores leading options like Vagaro, Zenoti, Mindbody, Gusto, Square Payroll, and more, breaking down features, pricing, and user experience to help businesses select the best fit. Readers will gain insights to streamline payroll processes and align software with their unique spa needs.

1Vagaro logo9.5/10

All-in-one salon and spa management software with integrated payroll for handling tips, commissions, and employee scheduling.

Features
9.7/10
Ease
9.3/10
Value
9.1/10
2Zenoti logo8.4/10

Enterprise spa management platform featuring automated payroll processing for multi-location spas including tip pooling and compliance.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
7.6/10
Value
7.9/10
3Mindbody logo8.2/10

Comprehensive wellness business software with payroll integrations tailored for spas, handling gratuities and shift-based pay.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
7.9/10
Value
7.5/10
4Gusto logo8.7/10

User-friendly payroll and HR platform ideal for small spas, supporting tipped wages, benefits, and automatic tax filings.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
8.3/10

Simple payroll solution integrated with Square POS for spas, easily managing hourly, salaried, and tipped employees.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.2/10

Payroll service integrated with accounting software, perfect for spas tracking expenses alongside tips and contractor payments.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.2/10
Value
7.0/10
7Paychex logo7.6/10

Robust payroll and HR management for spas with features for tip reporting, compliance, and employee self-service.

Features
8.0/10
Ease
7.5/10
Value
7.0/10
8ADP logo8.1/10

Scalable payroll platform supporting spa industry needs like variable pay, time tracking, and regulatory compliance.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
7.4/10
Value
7.2/10
9Rippling logo8.4/10

All-in-one HR and payroll system with scheduling and global payments suitable for growing spa businesses.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.6/10
10OnPay logo7.8/10

Affordable, full-service payroll for small spas featuring unlimited payroll runs and tip handling at low cost.

Features
7.5/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.2/10
1
Vagaro logo

Vagaro

specialized

All-in-one salon and spa management software with integrated payroll for handling tips, commissions, and employee scheduling.

Overall Rating9.5/10
Features
9.7/10
Ease of Use
9.3/10
Value
9.1/10
Standout Feature

Intelligent commission engine that automatically splits tips, service fees, and booth rent across employees and contractors in real-time

Vagaro is a comprehensive management platform tailored for spas and salons, with robust payroll features that automate employee payments, commission calculations, and tip distributions based on bookings and services. It integrates seamlessly with scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing to ensure accurate payroll processing without manual data entry. The software handles tax withholdings, direct deposits, and compliance reporting, making it ideal for service-based businesses with variable pay structures.

Pros

  • Automated commission and tip calculations tied directly to appointments and client payments
  • Seamless integration with Vagaro's scheduling and booking system for accurate time tracking
  • Full-service payroll including tax filings, W-2s, and multi-state compliance

Cons

  • Payroll is an add-on feature with per-employee fees that can add up for larger teams
  • Initial setup requires linking all employee and booth renter data accurately
  • Limited advanced reporting customization compared to dedicated HR platforms

Best For

Spas and salons with commission- and tip-based staff who want an all-in-one solution integrating payroll with daily operations.

Pricing

Starts at $25/month base for management features; payroll add-on at $20/month + $3-5 per active employee, with processing fees.

Visit Vagarovagaro.com
2
Zenoti logo

Zenoti

enterprise

Enterprise spa management platform featuring automated payroll processing for multi-location spas including tip pooling and compliance.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
7.6/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

AI-driven commission engine that dynamically calculates payouts based on real-time sales, tips, and performance data

Zenoti is a comprehensive cloud-based management platform for spas and wellness businesses, with robust payroll features tailored to commission-based and service-driven compensation models. It automates payroll calculations by integrating staff scheduling, sales tracking, and performance metrics, ensuring accurate payouts for hourly wages, tips, and commissions. The software also supports compliance reporting and integrations with major payroll providers like ADP and QuickBooks.

Pros

  • Seamless integration of payroll with spa operations like scheduling and bookings
  • Advanced commission tracking and automated calculations for variable pay structures
  • Strong analytics and reporting for payroll insights and compliance

Cons

  • Steep learning curve due to extensive feature set
  • Premium pricing may not suit small spas focused solely on payroll
  • Limited standalone payroll customization without full platform adoption

Best For

Mid-to-large spas seeking an all-in-one operations platform with advanced payroll automation for commission-heavy staff.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $250/month per location, scaling with users and features; free demo available.

Visit Zenotizenoti.com
3
Mindbody logo

Mindbody

enterprise

Comprehensive wellness business software with payroll integrations tailored for spas, handling gratuities and shift-based pay.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
7.9/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

Real-time payroll syncing with employee schedules and attendance for commission-heavy spa environments

Mindbody is an all-in-one business management platform for spas, salons, and wellness businesses that includes robust payroll features integrated with scheduling and operations. It automates payroll calculations based on employee schedules, handles tips, commissions, and multi-location pay structures specific to the spa industry. While not a standalone payroll tool, it streamlines payroll within a comprehensive ecosystem for spa management.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with scheduling, booking, and time tracking for accurate payroll automation
  • Supports complex spa-specific pay like commissions, tips, and gratuities
  • Multi-location management ideal for growing spa chains

Cons

  • High cost may not suit small spas focused only on payroll
  • Steep learning curve due to the platform's breadth
  • Payroll features require the full suite, limiting standalone use

Best For

Mid-sized spas and wellness centers seeking integrated operations and payroll in one platform.

Pricing

Starts at $139/month for core software plus add-ons; payroll included in higher tiers or via integrations, with per-employee fees.

Visit Mindbodymindbodyonline.com
4
Gusto logo

Gusto

enterprise

User-friendly payroll and HR platform ideal for small spas, supporting tipped wages, benefits, and automatic tax filings.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
8.3/10
Standout Feature

Full-service tax filing and payments, automatically handling complex tipped wage compliance across states

Gusto is a full-service payroll and HR platform tailored for small businesses, automating payroll processing, tax calculations, filings, and payments while handling benefits administration and compliance. It excels in managing tipped wages, overtime, and multi-state payroll, making it suitable for spas with shift-based, gratuity-heavy staff. Though not spa-specific, it integrates with popular time-tracking tools and offers employee self-service portals for scheduling and payslips.

Pros

  • Automated payroll and tax compliance reduce errors for tipped spa employees
  • User-friendly interface with mobile app for easy onboarding and runs
  • Strong integrations with time-tracking apps like Homebase for shift management

Cons

  • Lacks native spa-specific features like POS tip imports or appointment scheduling
  • Pricing scales with employee count, which may strain very small spas
  • Reporting is general-purpose, not optimized for spa industry metrics

Best For

Small to mid-sized spas needing reliable, scalable payroll and HR without complex industry-specific customizations.

Pricing

Core plan starts at $40/month base + $6/employee; Plus at $80 + $12/employee; Premium is custom quote.

Visit Gustogusto.com
5
Square Payroll logo

Square Payroll

other

Simple payroll solution integrated with Square POS for spas, easily managing hourly, salaried, and tipped employees.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.2/10
Standout Feature

Automatic import of sales and tip data directly from Square POS

Square Payroll is a user-friendly payroll solution integrated with Square's POS ecosystem, offering automated payroll processing, tax calculations, and filings for small businesses like spas. It excels in handling hourly wages, tips, and contractor payments, making it suitable for service-oriented operations with variable pay structures. While not spa-specific, its seamless tie-in with Square POS streamlines tip reporting and sales data import for efficient payroll runs.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with Square POS for automatic tip and sales data import
  • Handles tipped wages and multi-rate pay effectively for spa staff
  • Quick setup and mobile-first interface for on-the-go management

Cons

  • Lacks advanced spa-specific features like shift scheduling or appointment-based time tracking
  • Limited HR tools compared to dedicated payroll suites
  • Additional costs can add up for larger spa teams without heavy Square POS usage

Best For

Small to medium spas already using Square POS that need simple, affordable payroll with tip handling.

Pricing

$35 base fee per month plus $6 per active team member, with unlimited payroll runs.

6
QuickBooks Payroll logo

QuickBooks Payroll

enterprise

Payroll service integrated with accounting software, perfect for spas tracking expenses alongside tips and contractor payments.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.2/10
Value
7.0/10
Standout Feature

Deep integration with QuickBooks accounting for automatic expense categorization and financial reporting

QuickBooks Payroll is a robust payroll management solution integrated with QuickBooks accounting software, designed to handle payroll processing, tax filings, direct deposits, and employee self-service for small to medium-sized businesses. For spas, it effectively manages hourly wages, tipped income, and compliance requirements, though it lacks industry-specific features like scheduling or commission tracking tailored to beauty services. Overall, it streamlines payroll within a familiar accounting ecosystem, making it suitable for spas prioritizing integrated financial management.

Pros

  • Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online for unified accounting and payroll
  • Accurate handling of tipped wages, taxes, and compliance filings
  • Employee self-service portal for payslips and PTO tracking

Cons

  • Lacks spa-specific tools like commission calculators or scheduling integrations
  • Pricing can add up quickly for small teams with per-employee fees
  • Steeper learning curve for users new to the QuickBooks ecosystem

Best For

Small to medium spas already using QuickBooks for accounting that need reliable general payroll without specialized industry features.

Pricing

Starts at $45/month + $6 per employee for Core plan; higher tiers (Premium $80+, Elite $125+) add advanced features like time tracking.

Visit QuickBooks Payrollquickbooks.intuit.com
7
Paychex logo

Paychex

enterprise

Robust payroll and HR management for spas with features for tip reporting, compliance, and employee self-service.

Overall Rating7.6/10
Features
8.0/10
Ease of Use
7.5/10
Value
7.0/10
Standout Feature

Guaranteed 100% tax filing accuracy with Worry-Free Compliance service

Paychex is a robust payroll and HR management platform tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, including spas, offering automated payroll processing, tax compliance, and employee self-service tools. It excels in handling complex payroll needs like tipped wages common in the spa industry, along with time tracking and benefits administration. While not spa-specific, its scalability and integrations make it suitable for growing operations managing variable shifts and gratuities.

Pros

  • Reliable automated tax filing and compliance for multi-state spas
  • Strong support for tipped employee payroll and reporting
  • Integrated HR tools including onboarding and benefits management

Cons

  • Higher pricing may not suit very small spas
  • Learning curve for non-HR users despite intuitive dashboard
  • Lacks spa-specific features like appointment-based scheduling integration

Best For

Medium-sized spas with tipped staff needing comprehensive payroll, HR, and compliance in one scalable platform.

Pricing

Custom quotes starting around $80/month base + $4-5 per employee; includes payroll, tax filing, and basic HR.

Visit Paychexpaychex.com
8
ADP logo

ADP

enterprise

Scalable payroll platform supporting spa industry needs like variable pay, time tracking, and regulatory compliance.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
7.4/10
Value
7.2/10
Standout Feature

Advanced tip reporting and allocation tools that simplify IRS-compliant tracking for service industry tipped employees

ADP is a comprehensive payroll and HR software platform designed for businesses of all sizes, offering automated payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, and time tracking. For spa payroll, it effectively handles tipped wages, commission-based pay structures common in salons and spas, and integrates with scheduling tools for shift workers. While not spa-specific, its scalability and robust reporting make it suitable for growing spa operations managing complex employee compensation.

Pros

  • Strong compliance and tax filing automation, crucial for multi-state spa chains
  • Supports tipped income, overtime, and custom pay codes relevant to spa staff
  • Scalable with HR tools like onboarding and performance management

Cons

  • Expensive for small, single-location spas with per-employee fees adding up
  • Steep learning curve and complex interface for non-HR experts
  • Lacks niche spa-specific features like built-in client booking integrations

Best For

Mid-sized spa businesses or chains needing enterprise-grade payroll scalability and compliance without specialized spa tools.

Pricing

Custom quotes; RUN plan starts at ~$59/month + $4-$12 per employee, Workforce Now higher for advanced features.

Visit ADPadp.com
9
Rippling logo

Rippling

enterprise

All-in-one HR and payroll system with scheduling and global payments suitable for growing spa businesses.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.6/10
Standout Feature

Instant payroll automation across 100+ countries with automatic compliance updates and tip pooling capabilities

Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that unifies HR, IT, payroll, and benefits administration into a single system. For spa businesses, it excels in processing payroll for hourly and tipped employees, automating tip allocations, compliance with multi-state wage laws, and integrating with scheduling tools. It also handles onboarding, time tracking, and employee self-service, making it scalable for spas with multiple locations.

Pros

  • Comprehensive payroll automation including tip reporting and multi-state compliance
  • Seamless integrations with POS systems and scheduling software for spas
  • Unified platform reduces administrative overhead for HR and IT tasks

Cons

  • Higher cost structure may not suit very small spas
  • Initial setup requires some technical expertise
  • Feature richness can feel overwhelming for basic payroll needs

Best For

Mid-sized spa chains or multi-location businesses seeking scalable, integrated payroll and HR management.

Pricing

Starts at $8/user/month for core payroll, plus $8-20/user/month for full HR/IT suite; custom enterprise pricing.

Visit Ripplingrippling.com
10
OnPay logo

OnPay

other

Affordable, full-service payroll for small spas featuring unlimited payroll runs and tip handling at low cost.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
7.5/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.2/10
Standout Feature

100% payroll accuracy guarantee with expert human support

OnPay is a full-service payroll platform tailored for small businesses, including spas, that automates payroll processing, tax filings, and compliance for tipped and hourly employees. It supports tip reporting, multi-state payroll, and benefits administration, making it suitable for spas with variable shifts and commission-based pay. While not spa-specific, its integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks simplify financial management for spa owners.

Pros

  • Affordable flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
  • Strong support for tipped wages and multi-state compliance
  • User-friendly interface with unlimited payroll runs

Cons

  • Lacks spa-specific features like commission tracking or scheduling integrations
  • Basic reporting compared to industry-focused payroll tools
  • Per-employee fees can add up for larger spas

Best For

Small spas (under 50 employees) needing reliable, general-purpose payroll with tip handling and strong support.

Pricing

$40 base fee + $6 per active employee per month; includes taxes, filings, and unlimited runs.

Visit OnPayonpay.com

Conclusion

The reviewed spa payroll tools excel in addressing industry needs, with top performers delivering seamless integration of payroll, scheduling, and compliance. Vagaro claims the top spot, offering a comprehensive all-in-one solution for tips, commissions, and operations. Zenoti and Mindbody follow closely, with Zenoti’s enterprise-focused multi-location support and Mindbody’s tailored wellness pay, both standing as strong alternatives for diverse business requirements.

Vagaro logo
Our Top Pick
Vagaro

Don’t miss out on the top-ranked Vagaro—explore its integrated features to streamline payroll, enhance accuracy, and support your spa’s success today.