Growing your salon means wearing a number of different hats. Head of Client Relations, Marketing, and even Finance. It can get chaotic and overwhelming. Good news is that there is a digital revolution happening in the industry, and selecting the best salon software for your business is more important than ever before. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow and open new locations, having the best booking system that supports your salon growth, as well as your day-to-day operations, will save you time and money.

Think of your salon software like a good business partner, one that takes care of the little details, and creates a system that allows you to get back to what you do best. The salon software you choose will help you streamline your online bookings, client management, marketing, and beyond.

With the fast-paced expectations of clients, taking online bookings and streamlining your calendar can revolutionise how you manage your salon.

We took a look at the top salon software out there, and assess the tools available to find the best value software for every salon.

But first, what should you look for in management software?

Each beauty and salon software has its own advantages, but we recommend asking yourself the following questions:

How intuitive and easy is the software to use

You don’t want to spend ages having to teach yourself how to use a software for your salon. Selecting the best salon system that both looks good and is easy to use will save you time and ultimately, money. Look for a salon software with simple calendar views, clever reporting features, and intuitive point of sale. Salon software Interfaces that don’t require hardware are also a plus.

What’s the online booking process for my client?

Taking appointment bookings 24/7 is one of the biggest advantages of using a salon management software. Look for a salon system that allows you to create online booking links that integrate with platforms like Google and Instagram, so you can get booked in more places than just your website.

Am I able to keep track of my clients and bookings?

At the end of the day, you want to get closer to your clients, so you can understand their needs and help them feel the very best. To do that you need a salon system like Fresha that lets you store client preferences and booking information, and give you access to everything you need to know at your fingertips. 

Do they offer flexible payment processing systems?

Getting paid is always a good thing, and being able to take payments with your salon software in ways that suit your clients is important. We looked at a range top-rated salon software options available and features they offer like payments, integration with global solutions like Amex, and on-the-go features like Tap to Pay on iPhone.

Other things we looked at when selecting the best salon software were mobility and accessibility features, payroll features, and most importantly features like consumer marketplaces that allow you to grow your business.

7 Best Salon Scheduling Software Platforms Of 2024

Here are our top salon scheduling platforms we reviewed

1. Fresha
2. Vagaro
3. Treatwell
4. Booksy
5. Phorest
6. Boulevard
7. MindBody

1. Fresha

When looking for an all-in-one salon software you don’t need to look any further than Fresha. Fresh Is the top-rated and most recommended salon software worldwide

Fresha is the most comprehensive software for managing your appointment scheduling, taking payments, marketing your salon, and more, all packed into a beautifully designed interface built specifically for beauty and wellness businesses.

Fresha has quickly established itself as the world's largest beauty and wellness software and marketplace, with a growing network of 120,000 salons, barbershops and spas as clients across the globe.  Fresha has processed over one billion appointments to date,  recording a staggering 194% growth in online bookings between in the last 12 months — a testament to its widespread adoption.

When looking at their entire suite of tools and rich functionality available, they cover every base you will ever need to run your salon business. Fresha ranks at the top of our scorecard for ease of use and intuitive interface, advanced payments, rich marketing capabilities, and seamless online booking experience. Fresha is the most recommended salon software and booking platform.

Fresha unequivocally dominates the beauty and wellness software industry. With an unmatched blend of a unique pricing proposition, a groundbreaking product and an unmatched company culture, Fresha is redefining the future of salon management, bridging the digital divide by setting a new industry standard. From scheduling your appointments, processing payments, and growing your business with intuitive marketing tools, Fresha is the best salon software choice and business partner for any business and salon operation.

Fresha is also the only subscription-free software for businesses, so sign up now for free and check out what they have to offer. This is a major reason why it is the industry leader today. With Fresha, you don’t need to worry about monthly fees and you’ll never get locked into a long term contract.

Fresha Pricing - Most competitive 

Fresha is the only salon management software that has a freemium model, so you only pay for what you use. With Fresha, there are zero fees to sign up, so you can start managing your salon with Fresha right away. Fresha has advanced features designed for the growth of your salon, as well as payment processing, email and SMS marketing tools to keep your clients coming back.

And if you are looking for that extra something, Fresha has  a range of add-ons and flexible features that allow you to grow your salon business in the way that best suits your needs. Fresha's add-ons are specificly designed for salon businesses helping you manage your team members, pay salaries, boost your salon ranking on google and otgher social media platforms. Fresha is constantly improving they salon software by releasing new advanced features and functionality to help support your growth.

Read more about Fresha pricing here.

Features we love about Fresha:

• World class interface and design (it really is the easiest to use in the industry).
• Global integrated payments, so you can worry about fewer platforms for your business.
• Customer support teams that really care, they go above and beyond for their partners
• Simple and effective marketing tools to help you win and retain clients.
• Their no-show protection is world-class, letting you customise your cancellation and up-front payment policies to suit your business.

Fresha Reviews

Top-rated Salon software on Capterra - 4.9/5 rating (1000+ reviews)
Excellent Salon App Reviews - 4.0/5 rating (375+ reviews)
Best Google Play Reviews - 4.1/5 rating (4,000+ reviews)

“I have worked with many Salon POS systems and Fresha is by far my favorite salon software. The fact that I can manage the entire business from my phone is a massive bonus! Fresha is very easy to use and the developers have really thought of every aspect of running a beauty business. Thank you Fresha!”
- Celeste, Health, Wellness & Fitness, Self-Employed, December 2023, Via Capterra

“Fresha is a fantastic salon software and I have been using this system now for over 2 years. I have been very happy with the system since moving over from Timely. I have contacted customer service a few times and they have always been amazingly accommodating.”
- Belinda, Business Owner, Australia, June 2023, Via Capterra

2. Vagaro

Vagaro is a salon scheduling software that helps you manage all aspects of your business, and is rich in features. It offers calendar synchronisation, scheduling, client profile management and more. With Vagaro, you can track client appointment history, product purchases, and preferences.

But where Vagaro excels in client management, it lacks in simplicity. There are so many elements to this salon software that it’s hard to figure out precisely what it’s trying to do. It’s a bit of a learning curve when you start your account as there’s so much to unlock.

The word on the street is pretty clear though: salon owners that use Vagaro salon management software really enjoy it. Its scalability is a plus, but new team members cost you about $10 a month.

Vagaro Pricing

Vagaro charges its customers a monthly subscription for single venues, and require you get in touch with sales to set up an account if you have multiple locations. Starting a £30 per month for a single bookable calendar is affordable, but considering the free salon software available out there like Fresha, Vagaro is best for those who know they are going to absolutely love it.

You can find more information about Vagaro pricing here.

Notable Vagaro features:

• Enterprise software solutions for businesses with multiple venues.
• Powerful reporting capability.
• Client management system.

Vagaro Reviews
G2 reviews: 4.4/5 rating (120+ reviews)
Capterra reviews: 4.7/5 rating (3,299+ reviews)

“Everything you need for easily navigating through a robust software for your wellness business"
 - Aditi A., Product Manager, Small Business, January 2023, Via G2

“I like how easy it is to book appointments from anywhere and that I can check overall sales with ease. Occasionally the app gets a little glitchy and moves a little slower than I’d like.”
 - Danielle S., Bill-Entry Specialist, Consumer Services, April 2019, Via G2

3. Treatwell

Treatwell is a well known name for your clients. They’re a salon management software similar to Fresha, but they definitely put their marketplace first. According to their website, increasing online visibility is the number one reason why you should use Treatwell.

They offer tools to reduce no-shows, attract and retain clients, fill up your schedule, and more, with features focusing on calendar functionality and marketing to Treatwell users.

In Treatwell Pro, you can manage your calendar, marketing, and clients in one place. They boast 9 million appointments are booked on Treatwell every month, making for a compelling marketplace offering throughout Europe.

Treatwell Pricing

Treatwell's salon management software does not come cheap. They offer versatile plans for different types of businesses with Treatwell Pro coming in at £599 per year, and that is just to buy the salon software. They will also charge you 2% on any online payments, and a flat 35% new client fee.

Notable Treatwell features:

• The Treatwell marketplace is big in Europe, with a number of clients actively booking monthly.
• Multi-location features inside Treatwell Pro provide good reporting features to manage your business.
• Intuitive team management and shift scheduling features.

Treatwell Reviews
G2 reviews: 5/5 rating (only 1 review)
Capterra reviews: 4.6/5 rating (264 reviews)

"Fantastic features with amazing SEO included I’d never get my website at the top. I’m a top rated salon due to great reviews so feature high on the listings in my area. Booking payments taken and paid out with no hassle."
 - Emma, Beauty & Holistic Retreat Owner in UK, June 2023, Via Capterra

4. Booksy

Booksy is a comprehensive salon management software designed to streamline the operations of salons. It includes a wide range of features including online bookings, client management, and inventory management.

Say goodbye to no-shows and scheduling mix-ups with Booksy, your new digital receptionist. Booksy offers real-time appointment booking, reminding clients of their appointments like a personal assistant might gently nudge you about an upcoming birthday party. Imagine managing appointments without the headache – that's what Booksy brings to the table.

Booksy Pricing

Booksy’s salon software pricing model is similar to Vagaro’s (albeit slightly more expensive). You can pay-per-seat starting at $29.99 per month for an individual user. Additional team members cost a steep $20 each per month.

Notable Booksy features:

• Staff management that allows for effective scheduling, tracking of working hours, and performance.
• The Booksy marketing tools are designed to help you grow your business, letting you send timely targeted promotions.
• Booksy customer reviews are an effective way to build reputation, although they don’t connect to Google or any other platform.

Booksy Reviews

Capterra reviews: 4.4/5 rating (350+ reviews)

"It’s easy and accessible, I love that my clients can book when ever they want with out having to go through me."
 - Larissa, Cosmetologist in USA, 2019, Via Capterra

5. Phorest

Phorest is designed to help beauty and wellness businesses streamline their processes with a robust booking system and comprehensive client management. Clients can schedule appointments themselves, similar to Fresha and Vagaro, and they have a similar inventory management system with detailed reporting on sales and client retention. 

Additionally, it includes features for customer feedback and online reviews, automated appointment reminders, and integrations with various payment systems. With a strong emphasis on marketing, Phorest enables businesses to send targeted campaigns via email and SMS, making it a versatile solution for boosting client retention and business growth.

Phorest Pricing

Phorest doesn’t disclose their pricing publicly on their website, with every plan requiring you to get in touch for a quote, so it’s one of the least accessible software on the market. They place a strong emphasis on marketing tools in their bigger plans.

You can find more information about Phorest pricing here.

Notable Phorest features:

• Appointment scheduling with simple views of your day ahead.
• A branded booking app so you can customise what your booking flow looks like online.
• Automated SMS and email, with 500 free emails included in the Pro package.

Phorest Reviews
G2 reviews: 4.4/5 rating (30+ reviews)
App Store: 2.8/5 (30+ reviews)

"I can see all my appointments for the day and all my coworkers. I can simply add on any extras to custome the service and add time if I would like. Extremely easy to use and genius!"
 - Verified Retail User, September 15 2020, Via G2

6. Boulevard

Boulevard comes with the usual: calendar scheduling, POS, online booking and reporting. Their website is nice, with a focus on being built for your beauty business. And they’re proud that they include all of the features you might need to run your salon.

From online bookings, scheduling, through to marketing features, Boulevard also includes an impressive array of add-on features aimed at email marketing and messaging for your clients. 

With a mandatory 12-month contract, deciding to go with Boulevard is a big decision, so you need to be all in on its marketing features and slick brand for it to be worth the commitment.

Boulevard Pricing

Starting off at a cool $175 per month, with its Prestige (and apparently most popular) offer hitting $410 per month per location. All of their plans require you book a demo, so you’ll be able to get a run down of their features before you buy.

You can find more information about Boulevard pricing here.

Notable Boulevard features:

• Boulevard credit card offset that allows you to share the cost of credits with your clients
• Text message automation that allows you to free up your front desk
• Appointment confirmation reminders that protect you against no-shows
   

Boulevard Reviews
G2 reviews: 4.2/5 rating (50+ reviews)
App Store: 3.0/5 (60+ reviews)

"I really enjoy how easy this system is to use and the technology behind the system. The new Duo credit card reader is great except it would have been nice if it would have had a Magswipe to it as well."
 - David, Business Owner in USA, 2021, Via Capterra

7. MindBody

MindBody offers something a little more unique. If you focus on cutting, colouring, or extension courses then you’re able to host and monetise your classes in the salon and online. You can even live stream educational classes. MindBody also offers really good integration into third party apps and services alongside its strong reporting functionality.

They also do the necessary everyday features, too, like appointment booking, scheduling, inventory management, POS and online booking. Their add-on suite is also a place to look for tools to help grow your business,

The functionality also makes the everyday tasks a little trickier - there are extra steps and clicks to do the day-to-day running of your business, compared to their competitors. 

MindBody Pricing

Importantly, you can’t try MindBody before buying as they don’t offer a trial. And they require a 12-month contract. This means you will need to commit to their minimum $129 per month, with their most expensive plan reaching an eye-watering $699 per month - and that’s just to access the platform. You will need to set up a demo call with sales in order to access their full pricing.

You can find more information about MindBody pricing here.

Notable MindBody features:

ClassPass partnership gives you access to over 1 million ClassPass users - this is best for fitness trainers and gyms.

• Comprehensive marketing tools to attract and retain clients.
• They offer one-on-one consulting with certified MindBody consultants.
   

MindBody Reviews
G2 reviews: 3.6/5 rating (380+ reviews)
Capterra reviews: 4.0/5 (2,800+ reviews)

"I like that they had a marketplace with other business', and that you can run a new client special that people can easily see."
 - Miranda, Business Owner in USA, 04 June 2024, Via Capterra

Our conclusion

We recommend Fresha above all other software.

Fresha is the most comprehensive salon management software in the world, and it packs a punch on features. Fresha has everything you could ever need to manage your salon, and more. Not only that, it consistently is reviewed as the easiest salon software to use, and the team bend over backwards to make sure you have the tools you need to succeed. And let’s not forget, it’s free to sign up to Fresha.

We recommend you find a platform that you can test for free, discover what it is you need, before committing to a scary, long-term contract. Keep in mind that your business size and type might play a factor into your decision-making.

Remember this: features matter hugely for your salon, but workflow will make or break your business. Find a salon software solution like Fresha that not only shines with cool tools but also feels like second nature when you and your team use it daily. You deserve a salon business software that performs day in, day out, without the glitches and complicated booking systems.

So let the #1 salon software Fresha transform chaos into calm, and missed opportunities into growth. Fresha is the best salon management system and online booking software for your business.