Best salon booking software

Key takeaways

• Marketplace fees of 20% to 30% on a new client’s first visit can make “free” client discovery one of the priciest ways to grow.
• Per-staff fees of $10 to $20 a month mean a cheap solo plan can become expensive fast once you start hiring.
• Clients book fastest when they don’t need an app or account, and GlossGenius completes bookings in under 30 seconds.

Quick comparison: best salon booking software at a glance

Choosing the right booking software for beauty, wellness, and health businesses starts with understanding what each platform does best. Here's a snapshot of the top options to help you narrow down your search before diving into the details.

*When billed annually. All prices confirmed as of October 2026. Check business pricing pages for the most up-to-date information.

Processing rates and per-staff pricing vary by payment type and plan; see details below.

To see what you’ll actually pay, try our calculator:

Which software fits you?

You can figure out which software is best for you by considering both your team size and budget.

Salon software by team size

Consider your team size to find the right software for your salon.

If your budget is a bigger factor in your selection, you can use the table below to sort your choices by price.

Note that some software have multiple subscription plans that may also place them in higher price ranges.

Salon software by budget

Use your budget to help find out which salon software options can fit your needs.

Top choices for independent and solo stylists

The best software choices for solos and independent business owners include options that offer quick setup, low or no per-staff fees, and affordable monthly pricing:

• GlossGenius (Standard Plan): Starting at $24/month, with quick setup, integrated deposits, and marketing built into one, comprehensive platform.
• Square Appointments: Free plan and no monthly fees for solo stylists and new business owners, plus card-on-file no-show protection.
• Fresha: $19.95/month with client discovery via marketplace, with a 20% one-time commission through marketplace (minimum $6 fee per client).
• Booksy: $29.99/month with free marketplace discovery. Boost for new clients includes a 30% one-time fee based on the total cost of a client's first visit with you, up to a maximum of $100.
• Vagaro: Low entry price of $23.99 for the first six months, plus deposits to protect against no-shows, a fee-free marketplace, and social booking buttons.
• Acuity Scheduling: Low starting cost of $16 per month with strong calendar features and invoicing features.

Top choices for multi-staff and large salons

For larger operations, you’ll need software that can support multiple locations, growing staff, and reporting features:

• GlossGenius (Platinum Plan): Starting at $148/month and includes team permissions, custom commissions and tracking, as well as staff-level reporting. GlossGenius Platinum also supports multi-location salons and includes unlimited staff members.
• Mangomint: Starting at $130/month for one location and one user (and $10 extra for each additional user). Additional locations are $120/month, and include synced calendars across all locations and centralized staff management.
• Zenoti: Manage several locations from a single dashboard, with integrated payroll and tipping, along with unified payments, inventory, and marketing. Contact Zenoti for a sales quote.
• Boulevard (Premier): Allows unlimited professionals for $234/month per location. Boulevard offers staff-specific prices with commission tracking, staff scheduling, and multi-location reporting.

[CTA_MODULE]

Key salon software features to compare

When searching for the perfect software, look for the following key features:

• No-show protection. Includes deposits, card on file, automated reminders, and cancellation fees. GlossGenius, Vagaro, and Booksy all let you set your own policies and charge for clients who no-show.
• Client accounts. Find out whether clients must create an account to book. GlossGenius offers fast, login-free booking in under 30 seconds or less. Boulevard and Square Appointments also allow client booking without an account, but software like Mindbody and Vagaro do not.
• Custom commission fees. See whether your platform of choice offers flat vs. percentage structure, or whether it charges marketplace fees on new clients. GlossGenius offers custom commission structures for your employees and booth renters, as well as Mindbody, which offers either a baseline percentage or flat-rate payout.
• Payment processing fees. Some platforms offer a flat percentage rate, while others add additional fees on top of their base rate. Rates can also change based on whether clients pay in-person or from a card on file. GlossGenius offers an in-person rate of 2.4% + 15¢ per transaction, while Vagaro charges 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction for small businesses (and 2.29% + 19¢ per transaction for large businesses).

How to compare salon booking software

Before you settle on a salon booking software, there are a few factors worth comparing to ensure you’re making the best choice for your business:

• ‍Total monthly cost. Don’t just compare the monthly base price. Also consider any additional per-staff fees and payment processing fees. ‍
• Free trial availability. See if the platform offers a free trial, for how long, and whether a credit card is required. Also consider which features the trial lets you try before you buy.
• ‍No-show protection. Check if the software supports cards on file, deposits, and cancellation policies. Verify how each platform supports these features.
• ‍Client booking flow. Check the booking flow for your clients to make sure they can schedule appointments quickly and seamlessly with minimal friction. If account creation is necessary, ensure it’s fast and easy to understand.
• ‍Marketplace and new-client fees. Factor any marketplace or new-client fees into your pricing to make sure you account for any unexpected costs.
• ‍Migration support. See if the software you’re considering will help import your client history, appointments, and staff data from your current tool. If they do, verify if it's included for free or if there’s a cost.

What users say

GlossGenius

Reviews have plenty of praise across the board for GlossGenius. Many cite its ease of use for both owners and clients, with its fast, login-free booking and simplified appointment management. Users also appreciate GlossGenius’ ability to grow salons and manage staff with their comprehensive list of features.

• G2: 4.9/5 (69)
• Capterra: 4.8/5 (350)
• App Store: 4.5/5 (4.4k)

Booksy

Reviews love Booksy for efficient, 24/7 online bookings and user-friendliness. Users find it reliable, and appreciate the way it streamlines payment processing, reminders, and custom deposits to reduce no-shows. Some users cite a steep learning curve, issues with troubleshooting, and slow customer service.

• G2: 4.8/5 (9)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (482)
• App Store: 4.5/5 (15k)

Vagaro

Vagaro reviews are generally positive, with some citing the convenience of the mobile app. People enjoy the client management features that reduce manual followup, allowing for enhanced customer relationships. Many users report technical issues with Vagaro, and find the interface difficult to navigate. Some also report wishing that more features were included in the price of the software, rather than as paid add-ons.

• G2: 4.6/5 (397)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (3.6k)
• App Store: 4.6/5 (9.1k)

All ratings confirmed as of October 2026.

Best booking software by business type

Whether you run a salon for hair or a salon for brows, there’s a platform that can suit your needs.

What is the best software for hair salons?

Hair salons that need seamless booking and scheduling with appointment reminders, payment processing, and inventory management should consider software for hair salons like GlossGenius, Vagaro, and Boulevard. These platforms allow business owners to structure their calendars around salon-specific activities like multi-step services or color processing gaps, so your appointments don’t overlap. The best hair salon software should also let you manage staff calendars and accept deposits for high-ticket services.

What software do nail salons and nail techs use?

Nail salons and nail techs use software like GlossGenius and Booksy that allows them to schedule appointments and accept deposits for no-show protection. These software can also provide service add-ons so you can maximize your revenue for every appointment.

Which software is best for lash and brow artists?

The best software for lash and brow artists includes those that provide fast appointment booking for clients with built-in automated reminders and confirmations, like GlossGenius and Acuity Scheduling. GlossGenius and Acuity also offer client intake forms so nail techs can note down client preferences, allergies, or sensitivities, and protect their business with any necessary service waivers.

Salon software for solo stylists and booth renters vs. teams

The best salon software for solo stylists and booth renters are ones with advanced scheduling and low monthly costs, like GlossGenius, starting at $24/month, or Square Appointments, which offers a free plan for business owners.

For teams, GlossGenius also offers staff management software with custom permissions (Gold or higher), and custom commission structures (Platinum or higher).

Best salon booking software in 2026

Ready to bring a touch of glamor to your booking system? Here's the lowdown on booking software app features, costs, and more:

1. GlossGenius

Recommended for: Beauty, wellness, and health businesses of all sizes that want booking, payments, and client management in a single, intuitive system.

With a simple interface designed for ultimate ease of use, GlossGenius offers features like a 24/7 online booking system (no signup or app required) and synced calendars, so your schedule is always full and up-to-date.

GlossGenius also offers client management features designed to grow your clientele, including automated confirmations, reminders, and "We Miss You" texts. Plus, you get a customizable website builder, staff management features, and an integrated POS system with sleek card readers.

The results speak for themselves: businesses see an average 26% increase in revenue within their first year on GlossGenius, and members who use email or SMS marketing earn 29% higher monthly revenue (about $1,700 more on average) than those who don't.

Pros:

• Low payment processing rate for in-person transactions at 2.4% + 15¢ (in-person)
• Clients can schedule quickly in under 30 seconds without installing an app
• AI-powered marketing assistant creates campaigns in seconds
• Free same-business-day payout transfers Monday-Thursday
• Automated waitlist fills 12% more cancellations

Cons:

• No free tier (though the 14-day free trial does not require a credit card)
• Advanced features like Forms & Waivers require Gold plan or higher

Pricing: Standard plan starts at $24/month (billed annually) or from $28/month (billed monthly). Gold starts at $48/month (billed annually). Platinum starts at $148/month (billed annually) for growing teams, and GlossGenius scales to teams of any size (including unlimited team members on higher-tier plans).

Payment processing rates are 2.4% + 15¢ (in person) and 3.4% + 15¢ (online).

Try GlossGenius free for 14 days

2. Square Appointments

Recommended for: Beauty business owners working independently who want basic scheduling without a monthly subscription.

Square is a solid choice if your scheduling needs are simple and straightforward. Their free plan includes an online booking site and integrations, unlimited calendars, appointment reminders, and deposits.

Square Appointments offers integrated payments through Square; processing rates vary by transaction type, and paid plans are available for advanced features.

Pros:

• Free plan available for individuals
• No monthly fees on the basic tier
• Familiar interface if you already use Square for payments
• No locked-in contracts

Cons:

• Not designed specifically for beauty and wellness businesses
• Higher processing fees for Free plan and online transactions
• Per-transaction fees add up for high-volume salons
• Limited marketing and client retention tools compared to industry-specific options
• No inventory management on Free plan

Pricing: Square Free plans cost $0/month. The Square Plus plan starts at $49/month, with another $49 per each additional location. Square Premium costs $149/month per location.

Payment processing rates vary by plan, with manually keyed-in rates at 3.5% + 15¢.

• Square Free: 2.6% + 15¢ (in-person), 3.3% + 30¢ (online)
• Square Plus: 2.5% + 15¢ (in-person), 2.9% + 30¢ (online)
• Square Premium: 2.4% + 15¢ (in-person), 2.9% + 30¢ (online)

To compare the two side by side, see our GlossGenius vs Square breakdown.

3. Acuity Scheduling

Recommended for: Businesses that want straightforward scheduling and plan to use Stripe, Square, or PayPal for payments.

Acuity is positioned as a lower-cost scheduling option; plan pricing varies by tier and billing cadence. Acuity is an affordable option for those looking for basic booking features like client self-scheduling and third-party payment processing through Stripe, Square, or PayPal. The platform includes appointment reminders, confirmations, and follow-ups.

For more advanced features like gift cards, memberships, packages, and HIPAA compliance, you'll need to upgrade to their higher tier plans.

Acuity is a capable scheduling tool but lacks advanced features like detailed reports, inventory management, and integrated payment processing. This makes it less ideal for those looking for a comprehensive salon management solution.

Pros:

• Affordable entry-level pricing
• Integrates with multiple payment processors (Stripe, Square, PayPal)
• No set-up fees or cancellation fees
• 7-day free trial with no credit card required

Cons:

• No integrated payment processing — relies on third-party providers
• Limited salon-specific features
• Gift cards and memberships only available on higher tiers
• No inventory management

Pricing: Emerging at $16/month (annual) or $20/month; Growing at $27/month (annual) or $34/month; Powerhouse at $49/month (annual) or $61/month. Payment processing fees depend on your chosen third-party provider.

Learn more in our GlossGenius vs Acuity comparison.

4. Mindbody

Recommended for: Established wellness businesses looking for marketplace-driven discovery.

Mindbody provides features like synced scheduling so calendars are always accurate for both you and your staff. Plus, you can create branded booking experiences to give clients a taste of your vibe and get them excited about your business.

The Mindbody app hosts a network of businesses for customers seeking wellness services, making it easier for potential clients to discover your business and book appointments. This marketplace exposure can be valuable for businesses looking to attract new clients.

Mindbody’s plans are priced toward established businesses, though their full pricing details are not listed publicly.

Pros:

• Consumer-facing marketplace for client discovery
• Synced scheduling across staff members
• Branded booking experiences
• Unlimited users per location

Cons:

• Higher starting price than many competitors
• Higher payment processing rates for card-present transactions
• High online and manual entry transactions

Pricing: Starting at $79/month per location.

Payment processing rates start at 2.99% + 30¢ (card-present), 3.60% + 30¢ (online/manual entry). Pricing depends on plan tier and may vary.

For more details, see our Mindbody vs Vagaro comparison.

5. Boulevard

Recommended for: Enterprise and multi-location salons offering premium services

Boulevard provides large teams and multi-location salon businesses with the features they need to manage staff, calendars, scheduling, and more. Keep notes and photos with your client profiles, where you can also keep details about stylist preferences, spending history, and product purchases.

Boulevard’s Precision Scheduling feature and self-booking system can reduce no-shows and make better use of stylists’ time. They also offer centralized reporting and per-location inventory to keep you organized and ensure everything is accurately accounted for.

Pros:

• Includes extensive booking and detailed client profiles
• Integrated payment processing with saved client cards and cash management
• Customizable reporting to get the insights your business needs
• Inventory management with product catalogs and tracking

Cons:

• Monthly price can be high for new or smaller salons
• Higher payment processing fees unless you switch to Boulevard Offset to shift cost onto clients

Pricing: Boulevard Essential starts at $143/mo. Premier plans start at $234/mo, and Prestige plans are $328/mo when paid annually.

Payment processing is 2.65% per transaction. The Boulevard Offset program allows business owners to shift a 3% charge to their customers instead and only pay the remaining 1%.

6. Fresha

Recommended for: Small salons and independent business owners focused on keeping monthly costs low.

Fresha is a popular salon booking app that's especially appealing for smaller salons and independent beauty professionals due to its lower cost. Fresha offers a subscription model for independent business owners and teams. It includes a client booking app plus features like calendar and appointment scheduling, and waitlists.

In addition to booking features, they also offer client management, point-of-sale, inventory management, and marketing tools.

Pros:

• Low base subscription cost
• Includes booking, POS, and inventory management
• No long-term contract required
• Enterprise solutions available for larger businesses

Cons:

• Higher processing fees than some competitors
• Additional $0.10 fee per Tap to Pay authorization
• Add-on features can significantly increase costs
• Per-staff-member pricing adds up for growing teams

Pricing: $19.95/month for independent business owners; $14.95/month per staff member.

Payment processing rates are 2.29% + 20¢ per transaction (in-person), 2.79% + 20¢ per transaction (online), 3.30% + 20¢ (keyed-in), plus $0.10 per Tap to Pay. Custom rates available for high-volume businesses.

Read our full GlossGenius vs Fresha comparison.

7. Vagaro

Recommended for: Salons that prefer à la carte features and are comfortable paying for add-ons.

Vagaro offers a lower promotional base price at times and uses add-ons for certain features. Vagaro (which acquired Schedulicity in January 2025) offers 24/7 online booking and staff scheduling to simplify your calendars and get more clients through the door. Not only will you get a booking widget for your website, your employees can also create their own booking links. With automated reminders and confirmations, Vagaro can help you keep clients on track and reduce no-shows.

With Vagaro, some critical features (like text message marketing) are only available as paid add-ons. They also increase their monthly pricing per staff member you add (up to seven licenses, after which additional employees are free).

Pros:

• Wide variety of features available as add-ons
• 30-day free trial to test the platform
• After seven staff licenses, additional employees are free
• Payroll management available ($34/month + $5/employee)

Cons:

• Many features require paid add-ons beyond base subscription
• $10/month per additional staff member (up to seven)
• Additional 6¢ fee per Tap-to-Pay transaction on top of base rate

Pricing: $23.99/month for the first six months, then $30/month; $10/month per additional calendar (up to 7).

Payment processing for small merchants (less than $4k in processing volume) is 2.6% + 10¢ (card-present) plus 6¢ (Tap-to-Pay) per transaction.

Large merchants pay 2.29% + 19¢ (card-present) plus 6¢ (Tap-to-Pay); 3.5% + 19¢ (keyed-in). Large merchants also pay $10/month in association fees.

See our detailed GlossGenius vs Vagaro comparison.

8. Booksy

Recommended for: Stylists and artists who want booking paired with a built-in portfolio.

Booksy is a comprehensive platform that supports online booking, allowing clients to schedule their own appointments whenever they want. You get access to calendar and scheduling features, automated waitlists, plus a business profile to help answer any questions potential clients may have before booking your services.

Booksy also provides a platform to showcase your portfolio, making it easier for customers to see if your services will be the right fit for them.

Pros:

• Built-in portfolio showcase for visual work
• 14-day free trial with no credit card required
• 2,000 free SMS marketing messages per month included
• Free next-business-day payouts
• No commitment required

Cons:

• $20/month per additional staff member adds up quickly
• Higher processing rates for online/keyed-in
• Additional 10¢ fee for Tap-to-Pay transactions
• Boost marketing feature charges 30% commission on first visits from new clients

Pricing: $29.99/month + tax; $20/month per additional user.

Payment processing is 2.49% + 10¢ (card reader), 2.49% + 20¢ (Tap to Phone), 2.69% + 30¢ (online/keyed-in).

Read our GlossGenius vs Booksy comparison.

9. Mangomint

Recommended for: Mid-to-large salons and spas with the budget for advanced automation.

Mangomint unifies booking, POS, and client management in one place. With an intuitive interface and automated reminders, Mangomint streamlines the scheduling process and saves you time. Mangomint gives your clients the power to customize their appointments during booking (like purchasing add-ons), optimizing the entire booking experience for client satisfaction.

Mangomint is priced for mid-to-large businesses; plan and processing rates vary by tier and transaction type. Their marketing and automation services are pay-as-you-go.

Pros:

• Advanced automation features
• Client appointment customization during booking
• No contracts or hidden fees
• Free data import and 1:1 onboarding assistance
• Custom rates available for businesses processing over $50k/month

Cons:

• High starting price ($130/month) excludes many smaller businesses
• Additional location fees ($120/month)
• Higher virtual transaction rate (2.90% + 30¢)
• Marketing features are pay-as-you-go (starting at $30/mo) rather than included

Pricing: Pricing starts at $130/month per location (for one user); each additional location increases monthly price by $120, while each additional member increases monthly price by $10.

Payment processing is 2.45% + 15¢ (in-person), 2.90% + 30¢ (online).

See our Vagaro vs Mangomint comparison.

10. Zenoti

Recommended for: Large enterprises and multi-location businesses

Zenoti is a comprehensive software solution designed for bigger salons. It offers several features for managing complex operations across multiple outlets. Zenoti supports teams with employee performance tracking, and business insights with advanced reporting.

Zenoti provides simple appointment booking and scheduling 24/7 so clients can do it on their own time. It offers self check-in, taking more effort out of your admin and saving you time. Zenoti also uses AI to send rebooking reminders to customers, which can help boost retention and build loyal clientele.

Pros:

• Designed for multi-location scaling
• Advanced marketing and analytics

Cons:

• Complex interface
• Pricing is not transparent

Pricing: Custom pricing available upon request.

[CTA_MODULE]

FAQ

What is the best booking system for hair salons?

The best booking system for hair salons is GlossGenius, which offers low monthly pricing starting at $24, and low payment processing fees starting at 2.4% + 15¢.

What is the best beauty booking software?

The best beauty booking software can support salons, estheticians, and makeup artist businesses, managing scheduling, inventory, and appointments all from one platform. GlossGenius, Booksy, and Fresha can provide business owners with what they need the streamline their everyday operations.

What is the best booking system for small businesses?

The best booking system for small businesses can manage appointments and scheduling, while sending confirmations and reminders automatically. GlossGenius can support small businesses with a full suite of booking features, plus an AI receptionist that can take calls 24/7 and turn them into your next revenue.

What is the best free salon booking system?

Square Appointments is the best free salon booking system for salon owners looking for a low-budget management solution. Square may not charge a monthly fee for their Square Free plan, but they still charge varying fees per-transaction of 2.6% + 15¢ (in-person); 3.3% + 30¢ (online).

How much does salon booking software cost?

Salon booking software costs vary, from $0 per month like Square Appointments, $24–$148 per month like GlossGenius, or $143–$328 per month like Boulevard. Add-ons and transaction fees can also add to your total monthly costs.

Transform Your Salon and Spa With GlossGenius

GlossGenius is the perfect all-in-one salon booking software. With features like automated Client Notifications, detailed Analytics, and Payroll management, it’s designed to help you get your everyday operations under control and help your business glow up. Whether you’re looking for Time Tracking features or software to set your Business Goals, GlossGenius has you covered with comprehensive, affordable plans designed for businesses of every size.

‍Start your free trial with GlossGenius today and watch your business thrive!

This information is provided for general educational purposes only. For legal, cybersecurity or compliance advice specific to your business or situation, please consult a professional.

All prices and feature comparisons are as of October 2026. GlossGenius has no affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement with the other companies mentioned in this article or their affiliates. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are used for identification purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners.