10 Best Tanning Salon Software to Scale Your Business

Summary

Running a successful tanning salon means juggling a lot of moving parts: appointment booking, budgeting, inventory management, tanning equipment purchases, sanitization – plus, client management and marketing to ensure you build a sustainable, loyal base. It can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a small tanning salon just starting out. Luckily, there are several scheduling and management softwares out there to help you handle the load, each with their own list of features and pricing. Whether you’re looking to cut down on no-shows, improve your client relationships, utilize automated marketing tools to grow your brand – or all of the above – this article can provide proper insight into which tanning salon software will be best for your business. 

What Is Tanning Salon Software?

A tanning salon is a business that offers customers a chance to get a sunkissed glow all year round, whether through UV tanning beds or spray tanning booths. While working at one might seem like a laid-back job, running one is an entirely different story. Software apps built for beauty businesses can be critical for success, especially if you have a staff to manage. 

Depending on your needs, you can opt for point of sale (POS) software that facilitates payment processing, tracks your transactions, and can even serve as a receipt printer for in-store purchases. Or, you can stick with basic scheduling software that makes it easy to manage employee schedules and provide online booking options to customers. 

Looking for an all-around tanning salon software choice that does it all? Try GlossGenius today and get a 14-day free trial! 

What to Look for in Tanning Salon Software?

Trying to figure out which tanning salon software to invest in can seem daunting, but understanding the key features that truly cater to your needs makes all the difference. Here, we list some of the most useful components to look for when doing your research. 

• Credit card processing: It’s essential for smooth and quick transactions. Look for salon management software that provides seamless credit card processing to keep the checkout process hassle-free for your customers.
• Customizable features: Every tanning salon has its own unique touch. Choose software that's customizable to fit your specific business needs and aesthetics.
• Email marketing: A built-in email marketing feature can help you engage with your clients, share promotions, or update them on new tanning services.
• Text messaging and mobile app: Text messaging is crucial for sending appointment reminders and promotions. And having a mobile app can simplify the booking process, allowing clients to manage their appointments on the go.
• Cancellation policies: Unexpected cancellations can impact your bottom line. Opt for salon management software that has a clear cancellation feature, making sure that both you and your clients understand any fees or policies in place.
• Gift cards: Offering gift cards is an excellent way to attract new clients and retain existing ones. Ensure your software supports gift card issuance and redemption seamlessly.
• Easy check-in: A smooth check-in process enhances the client's experience. Look for software that streamlines this, saving both time and effort.
• Appointment reminders: Reduce no-shows by selecting software that sends automated appointment reminders to your clients.
• Point of Sale system: An integrated POS system is crucial for managing sales, inventory, and making sure that transactions are processed efficiently.
• Salon management software: Beyond the point of sale, good software will offer comprehensive salon management features, such as staff scheduling, inventory management, and client histories.
• Waivers: Especially pertinent in the tanning industry, look for a feature that allows clients to sign waivers digitally, ensuring you have all necessary consents in place.

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10 Best Tanning Salon Software to Try in 2025

Here are our top picks for the best tanning salon software:

1. GlossGenius
2. Vagaro
3. Mindbody
4. Boulevard
5. Booksy
6. StyleSeat
7. Square
8. Acuity
9. Zenoti
10. Salonist

1. GlossGenius

If you're looking for tanning salon software that combines intuitive design with robust features, GlossGenius is the answer. It's loved by many because it lets you handle all aspects of your business smoothly – from booking appointments to payments.

Benefits of GlossGenius

As an all-in-one salon software solution, GlossGenius can help you drive more bookings with its simple interface and automated marketing tools (such as email campaigns and SMS blasts) that let you stay in touch with clients and deliver promos right to their devices. Manage your customer relationships, process payments, collect appointment deposits, and even build your own custom booking website that reflects your unique branding and powers online appointment scheduling – all from one central platform. 

GlossGenius also includes tools to manage your staff and handle payroll. Free up time by letting employees set their own calendar availability and edit shifts, or get access to reporting and analytics services so you can view detailed reports about your bookings, revenue, and client history, helping you manage your business with ease.

Pricing plans

• Standard: Starting at $24/mo
• Gold: Starting at $48/mo
• Platinum: Starting at $148/mo

Check out their pricing page to see a detailed breakdown of what each plan includes.

User reviews

• App store: 4.6/5 star rating (+3,499 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.8/5 star rating (+266 user reviews)

2. Vagaro

If you're looking for a user-friendly software solution to manage your tanning salon, Vagaro might be just what you need. It's known for its versatility and ease of use.

Benefits of Vagaro

Vagaro provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage bookings, stock control, and customer relations. You can easily track appointments, sales, and even staff performance from one place. Plus, with Vagaro’s marketing tools like email campaigns and promotional discounts functionality, growing your client base is easier than ever.

This salon software also integrates smoothly with popular online networks, such as Facebook and Instagram, enabling you to advertise services or special offers right on these widely-used websites without all the extra effort.

Pricing plans

Vagaro offers monthly subscriptions starting at $23.99 for solo professionals. Additional team members and some shopping/payment integration features come with an added monthly subscription fee.  

User reviews

• G2: 4.6/5 star rating (+290 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 star rating (+3,503 user reviews)

3. Mindbody

If you're looking for a software solution that integrates all aspects of tanning salon management into one platform, Mindbody might be the answer. It's like having an assistant who never sleeps.

Benefits of Mindbody

Mindbody offers several features like calendar integration, appointment booking, staff scheduling, payroll, plus automated no-show fees. Set up waitlists to fill your available time slots, send liability waivers, or expand your base using their marketing suite tools. Mindbody also offers AI customer support and a branded mobile app so you can optimize your online presence and provide A-plus service. 

Mindbody has an expansive offering of client management features, such as client profiles that can store important details like visit history and services. You can also view member account balances and set up automated notifications for bookings, reminders, cancellations, and purchases so you’ve always got the receipts. Mindbody also offers automated email functionality and text messaging so you can reach out to your clients with news or updates about your business. 

Pricing plans

While MindBody does not list their pricing on their website, some sites report that monthly costs start at $129 for the Starter plan, all the way to $699 for the Ultimate Plus plan. 

User reviews

• G2: 3.6/5 star rating (+433 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.0/5 star rating (+2,957 user reviews)

4. Boulevard

Stepping into the spotlight is Boulevard, a chic software solution that has made waves in salon management. Its sleek design and intuitive features have won over many tanning salons.

Benefits of Boulevard

This modern software tool doesn't just make your life easier – it makes sure your clients are treated like royalty too. From seamless online booking to personalized experiences, Boulevard takes care of all the nitty-gritty so you can focus on providing stellar service. A big plus? It's built with real-time inventory tracking and automatic reordering to save you from stock-related headaches. No more scrambling for products or dealing with backorders.

Boulevard also provides client management features like customer profiles, so you can store notes or record preferences. The platform also offers automated client messaging and reminders, as well as targeted marketing campaigns to help you engage with your clientele and drive loyalty. 

Pricing plans

Boulevard pricing starts at $158/mo for their basic plan, up to $369/mo for their Prestige plan. 

User reviews

• G2: 4.4/5 star rating (+90 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 star rating (+337 user reviews)

5. Booksy

Next is Booksy, a client-focused software solution that makes appointment scheduling and customer management easy-peasy.

Benefits of Booksy

This app is intuitively designed with both the salon owner and client in mind, allowing for seamless booking experiences. It can help significantly reduce no-shows with appointment reminders, giving you more peace of mind – and fuller pockets. Manage staff schedules, create custom forms, and enhance your visibility on the marketplace all from one app. 

Booksy also offers inventory management, plus the ability to showcase top reviews from other customers to give potential clients an idea of how you run your salon, making it easier to score their business. Clients appreciate how effortless it is to use while businesses love its calendar synchronization, marketing tools, and POS system integration, making their operations smoother than ever before. 

Pricing plans

Booksy plans are $29.99/mo to start (plus tax), with an additional $20 per user. 

User reviews

• G2: 4.8/5 star rating (+9 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 star rating (+372 user reviews)

6. StyleSeat

If you're in the tanning salon business, you might already know about StyleSeat. This software tool is a darling among professionals looking to manage their businesses and grow client bases. 

Benefits of StyleSeat

With StyleSeat, you get access to an all-in-one platform that lets you schedule appointments and set your booking windows, with automatic emails alerting clients of your availability at the end of every month. Handle payments, track client histories, and take advantage of their marketing tools and digital marketplace to attract more clients and expand your business. 

StyleSeat can also provide travel directions to your clients so they can easily find your business, while syncing information across all of your devices so you can access the details you need for your appointments anytime, anywhere. 

Pricing plans

StyleSeat’s plan is $35/mo, with a free 21-day trial. 

User reviews

• Capterra: 4.0/5 star rating (+55 user reviews)

7. Square Appointments

Square is known for more than its POS software – this scheduling solution has a wide range of use cases for different types of businesses. And yes, that includes tanning salons!

Benefits of Square Appointments

From booking appointments to managing inventory, Square has got you covered. Clients can easily view your availability and book appointments directly from your website or social media profiles, with client profiles that help keep track of preferences and appointment history. Plus, with automated reminders and confirmations, no-shows are less likely to happen.

Square also offers point of sale and employee management features like individual calendars, commission tracking, and performance reporting, keeping your team organized and on-track, while also providing key insights into your business's performance.

Pricing plans

Square pricing can be as low as $0 per month for their most basic features, though paid plans start at $29/month. 

User reviews

• G2: 4.3/5 star rating (+37 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5/5 star rating (+241 user reviews)

8. Acuity Scheduling

As a tanning salon owner, you might be familiar with the hassles of managing appointments and the annoyance of no-shows. Acuity Scheduling software steps in here to lighten your load.

Benefits of Acuity Scheduling

Acuity’s scheduling software offers a flexible and customizable online booking system, allowing clients to make appointments via a branded booking page embedded on your website or through a unique link. The software provides customizable intake forms, real-time availability, and automatic reminders to streamline the booking process and cut down on no-shows.

Acuity Scheduling's client management tools track important customer information like contact details, appointment history, and other notes. The software also offers robust calendar management features such as custom availability and external calendar sync with Google Calendar and Outlook, ideal for businesses with multiple staff members. 

Pricing plans

Acuity Scheduling prices start at $20/month, or $16/month when billed annually.

User reviews

• G2: 4.7/5 star rating (+406 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.8/5 star rating (+5,732 user reviews)

9. Zenoti

Imagine running your tanning salon like a well-oiled machine, with every appointment scheduled flawlessly and no customer left waiting. That's what Zenoti aims to help you achieve. 

Benefits of Zenoti

If keeping track of appointments feels like juggling flaming torches, Zenoti is here to put out the fire. The platform offers an intuitive interface that lets you manage bookings effortlessly, allowing clients to make their own appointments online, no phone calls required. Zenoti's client management tools facilitate lasting relationships with your customers, with detailed client profiles, visit history, and preferences, you can provide curated service and targeted marketing campaigns to keep your clients coming back.

Zenoti also offers a comprehensive suite of management tools for tanning salon business owners, including inventory management, staff scheduling, and payroll processing. The software also features reporting and analytics, providing valuable insights into your professional performance and identifying areas for improvement.

Pricing plans

Zenoti currently does not publicly list their pricing. 

User reviews

• G2: 4.4/5 star rating (+233 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 star rating (+1,238 user reviews)

10. Salonist

Last but not least, we have Salonist. Imagine a software solution that lets you smoothly run your beauty business, saving both time and effort. 

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Benefits of Salonist

The beauty of Salonist lies in its simplicity yet power-packed features. It helps streamline operations like appointment scheduling and customer management, letting professionals focus more on their craft than administrative tasks.

Beyond basic functions, it also offers unique benefits such as inventory tracking and employee performance metrics. But the cherry on top? The ability to integrate with social media platforms for better client engagement.

Pricing plans

Salonist offers a range of prices, starting with a Marketplace plan for $0/mo, with their most expensive Expert plan at $179/mo. 

User reviews

• G2: 5/5 star rating (+7 user reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 star rating (+25 user reviews)

Run Your Tanning Business Like a Pro with GlossGenius

The landscape of tanning salon software is vast, but don't let it overwhelm you. Remember, these solutions are designed to help your business shine, not dull your day. Read reviews, take a test drive with free trials if they're available, and get to know each platform’s features to identify the best tanning salon software option to properly suit your needs. 

GlossGenius' all-in-one platform has everything you could want to optimize your daily routine and maximize your efficiency. Simplify appointments, streamline operations, and enhance customer experiences, all from one easy-to-use interface. 

Your subscription includes access to GlossGenius’ Online Booking features, where customers can schedule appointments 24/7. 

You’ll also get to take advantage of GlossGenius’ Reports & Analytics tools to get an in-depth look at how business is going, plus Marketing tools to expand your reach and grow your clientele.

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days!