In today’s digital age, managing a salon or spa has become much more convenient thanks to various scheduling and booking apps. One popular platform is StyleSeat, which helps businesses manage appointments, process payments, and gain local exposure.

But, some salon and spa owners might be looking for StyleSeat alternatives that better suit their needs. In this article, we’ll cover 10 of the best StyleSeat alternatives for salons and spas in 2024 – including their features, benefits, and pricing. If you’re looking for salon scheduling software options for your business, read on to discover the best StyleSeat alternatives available.

Why It’s Worth Considering an Alternative to StyleSeat

As a salon or spa owner, it’s important to find the right scheduling and booking software that fits your business’s unique needs. While StyleSeat might seem like a comprehensive solution, it’s worth considering other alternatives to ensure you’re getting the most value for your money and covering all your needs.

When looking for StyleSeat alternatives, there are several important questions to ask yourself. Firstly, consider your business needs. Will you require additional features beyond basic appointment scheduling software? Do you need to offer mobile booking options or integrate payment processing into the software?

Another key factor to consider is pricing. Set a budget for the features and functions you require, taking into account whether the provider charges base fees, setup fees, or recurring fees. It’s also important to find a scalable solution that can accommodate multiple locations or a large staff.

When choosing schedule management software, it’s crucial to find a provider that offers easy onboarding and support. You want to be able to get up and running with the software quickly and without a steep learning curve.

Finally, consider the features of each alternative. A good salon management app should offer appointment management, customer history and preferences, messaging options for direct communication with clients, sales tracking, online payment acceptance, and refund capabilities. It’s also worth reviewing the mobile offerings of each alternative to ensure they meet your business’s needs. By asking these important questions and comparing StyleSeat alternatives, you can find the perfect software to help you manage your salon or spa.

The Best StyleSeat Alternatives in 2024

With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right platform for your needs. In this section, we’ll explore some of the best StyleSeat alternatives in 2024, highlighting their features, pricing, and notable benefits. Whether you’re looking for a platform that focuses on appointment scheduling, payment processing, marketing, or all of the above, we’ve got you covered.

Here are our top picks for best StyleSeat alternatives for your business:

1. GlossGenius
2. Acuity Scheduling
3. Fresha
4. Mindbody
5. Vagaro
6. Salonist
7. Square
8. Arketa
9. Booksy
10. Boulevard

Okay, let’s dive deeper into each one.

1. GlossGenius

Managing your salon can be a daunting task, but GlossGenius offers an all-in-one salon software solution that makes it easy. With its stylish and user-friendly interface, GlossGenius can help you drive bookings and grow your business. GlossGenius also allows you to create a beautiful booking website that reflects your brand’s style, attracting even more customers to your salon or spa.

GlossGenius also offers modern marketing tools such as unlimited text and email marketing within the app to help you reach your local audience. With its comprehensive features and affordable pricing, GlossGenius is a top choice for salon and spa owners looking for a reliable management solution.

Notable GlossGenius Features

• Salon POS (point of sale) system
• Detailed reports and analytics
• Integration with popular payment platforms like Apple Pay and Google Pay
• Online booking and client management options that create a positive experience for clients
• Team management tools that let you define roles and permissions
• In-app SMS, website builder, and free email marketing platform

GlossGenius Pricing

GlossGenius offers a 14-day free trial and industry-low, flat-rate pricing that starts at just $24 per month. If you upgrade to the higher team plan, you can add unlimited employees at no extra cost and choose a card reader with a unique design that fits your brand.

2. Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is an effective software solution for salons, spas, and various other small businesses to manage appointments online. The software offers a wide range of features to help salon and spa owners streamline their business operations, schedule appointments, and send reminders to clients to reduce no-shows.

Acuity’s client self-scheduling feature is a convenient way for customers to book their own appointments based on available time slots. This software provides unlimited services and appointments for a single monthly fee. It also accepts payments via popular payment processors such as Stripe, Square, PayPal, and others.

Notable Acuity Features

• Sends confirmations, reminders, and follow-up emails to clients, helping to reduce no-shows and missed appointments
• Higher-tier plans allow for automated SMS reminders, subscriptions, memberships, and gift certificates
• CRM integrations help manage your customer database and pipeline 

Acuity Pricing

Plans start at $16 per month for a single user and location. A free trial is also available to test out the software before committing to a subscription.

3. Fresha

Fresha is a scheduling software that simplifies the process of booking appointments, modifying them, and receiving SMS reminders for your clients. The platform’s unified dashboard offers updates on appointments, sales, and new clients to help you manage your business. Fresha provides payment processing tools, such as payment links, Fresha terminals, and saved card information, that enable you to receive fast and secure payments. Fresha also has POS tools, including barcode scanners and receipt printing, to assist you with retail transactions. 

Notable Fresha Features

• Online store feature helps you increase revenue through online sales
• Reporting and analytics tools enable you to track financials and monitor your success
• Integrated promotional tools help you develop campaigns to build your customer base, retain existing clients, and establish an online presence on the Fresha marketplace to attract local clients

Fresha Pricing

Fresha offers a free plan with tools that are ideal for startup salons and spas. Optional paid features, such as payment processing, bookings on the Fresha marketplace, and marketing tools, are also available.

Related Reads: Top Fresha Alternatives You Should Try

4. Mindbody

Mindbody is an online booking system that comes with an integrated point of sale (POS) system specifically designed for spas, salons, and fitness centers. This software is designed to accommodate businesses with a high volume of customers, allowing them to book appointments, schedule clients, manage teams, sell merchandise, and attract new clients from both mobile and desktop versions of the app.

Mindbody software is an ideal tool for large wellness businesses that require a wide range of features. Mindbody offers training and support to help you get started with the app and ensure a positive user and customer experience. It also allows you to customize the software with your branding and list your business in Mindbody’s marketplace to boost brand exposure.

Related Reads: Mindbody vs Vagaro vs GlossGenius: Which Should You Use?

Notable Mindbody Features

• Client reviews, loyalty programs, client acquisition, and client retention
• Integration with popular tools such as forms and waivers, bookkeeping and financial tools, and marketing platforms like Constant Contact
• User-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate the features and get started with the system 
• Wide range of tools, including payment processing, real-time scheduling, mobile access, online booking, membership renewals, calendar management, and calendar syncing

Mindbody Pricing

Pricing starts at $139 per month, depending on your desired features.

Related Reads: 7 Best Mindbody Alternatives You Should Check Out

5. Vagaro

Vagaro was founded in 2009 as a low-cost solution for businesses that needed to move beyond pen and paper booking systems. Over time, Vagaro has grown to become a prominent name in the salon software space, serving solo professionals as well as large enterprises and providing several options to advertise their services and interact with their clients. 

Vagaro offers an affordable, user-friendly platform with many features that are ideal for smaller businesses. Users can create a customized website on Vagaro’s platform that includes their menu of services, staff profiles, brand images, and hours of operation. Clients can book appointments using the website or mobile app and receive email or text reminders. Business owners can maintain client information, track previous visits, manage customer reviews, and access detailed analytics using Vagaro.

Related Reads: 10 Best Vagaro Alternatives for Salons and Spas

Notable Vagaro Features

• Integrated team management tools that enable owners to monitor staff attendance and process payroll
• Point of sale system enables the sales of gift certificates, packages, and products online and through mobile
• Email marketing capabilities for salons to promote their services and share useful information with their clients

Vagaro Pricing

Start with a free trial and free account – paid plans start at $25 per user per month.

6. Salonist

Salonist is a comprehensive management solution designed for salons and spas that enables owners to manage various activities with ease. With a versatile booking app, Salonist allows you to handle invoicing, inventory management, payroll, and more, all in one place, saving you valuable time and effort.

Salonist’s Rewards and Loyalty tools make it easy to retain customers and reward them for their loyalty. Furthermore, Salonist enables you to create customizable drag-and-drop consent forms, ensuring that your salon or spa is protected from liability.

Notable Salonist Features

• Appointment booking tools that enable clients to schedule appointments on-the-go
• Marketing automation tools that help you promote your brand and attract more potential customers
• POS technology allows you to process payments with ease
• Online store helps you expand your business and increase revenue
• Detailed analytics give you full visibility into how your business is performing, making it easy to identify areas for improvement

Salonist Pricing

Salonist offers basic plans starting at $39 per month.

7. Square

To manage payments, customer relationships, and business expansion, Square is a reliable choice. With Square, businesses can access a range of tools to streamline operations, track important metrics, and expand both online and offline. Advanced inventory management tools enable businesses to track stock levels and receive alerts for low inventory. In addition, Square’s website builder allows businesses to create a professional website with integrated scheduling and online booking features.

Related Reads: Square vs GlossGenius: Which Is Best for Salons?

Notable Square Features

• A variety of selling options, including social media, website, and POS
• Marketing, messaging, and loyalty programs
• Banking tools to accept payments, obtain loans, and access funds quickly
• Ability to manage permissions, payroll, and timecards effortlessly
• Integrates with third-party apps, or you can build custom solutions with Square's developer tools

Square Pricing

The free plan allows businesses to pay as they go, only charging for each sale. Paid plans start at $29 per month and come with additional features and benefits.

8. Arketa

Arketa offers an all-in-one wellness software with user-friendly features that help to expand your salon or spa business by offering online programs, courses, merchandise, and other services. The platform provides an intuitive dashboard that streamlines client management and growth tracking, while automated workflows and easy integration with over 5,000 apps keep you organized and efficient. Engage with your community using email automations and text notifications, and nurture your pipeline to achieve your business goals.

Notable Arketa Features

• Ability to host online challenges, workshops, retreats, and more
• Enables you to expand your reach beyond your salon or spa and engage with your audience in a variety of ways
• Allows for easy integration with popular third-party apps like Mailchimp, Zoom, and Stripe

Arketa Pricing

Arketa’s pricing model includes a free version for those who teach online classes or book private sessions. Paid plans provide additional features and capabilities to help grow your business, starting at $39 per month.

9. Booksy

Booksy is an online platform that connects customers with beauty and wellness professionals. Clients can browse through the site to locate professionals in their vicinity, while businesses can enlist their salon or spa and access Booksy’s resources for a monthly charge.

Booksy is more than just a marketplace – it’s a complete business management solution for beauty and wellness professionals. It helps businesses streamline their day-to-day operations and reach a wider audience through targeted marketing and client retention tools.

Notable Booksy Features

• Booking tools and calendars enable clients to reserve and organize appointments
• Business management tools allow for staff and shift management, inventory tracking, custom forms, and product sales
• Marketing package includes email and social media templates, promotional tools, review gathering, and more
• Various payment include contactless payments, cards on file, and in-store terminals

Related Reads: StyleSeat vs Booksy: An Honest Review for Salons

Booksy Pricing

Booksy subscriptions start at $29.99 per month.

10. Boulevard

Boulevard is a platform designed for appointment-based wellness and beauty businesses that streamlines scheduling, management, and the client experience. Boulevard is designed to provide businesses with the flexibility and customization needed to meet the unique demands of their industry. The software is particularly well-suited for businesses that offer multiple services or have a large number of employees, as Boulevard will manage everything from scheduling to payroll.

Notable Boulevard Features

• Self-booking options that allow clients to schedule and modify appointments, purchase memberships, and save their credit card details
• POS and payment processing tools offer seamless payment collection
• Client management features keep customers coming back by providing client profiles that include data on previous purchases and visits
• Loyalty programs transform customers into lifelong clients who receive exclusive discounts and rewards

Boulevard Pricing

Boulevard is a pricier StyleSeat alternative, with plans starting at $175 per month.

GlossGenius: The Best StyleSeat Alternative

GlossGenius is a great StyleSeat alternative for your salon or spa business, as it provides a cost-effective, unified platform for managing bookings, payment processing, and marketing objectives. With GlossGenius, you can automate confirmations, appointment reminders, thank-you messages, and rebooking reminders, which has resulted in a significant increase in revenue and rebooking rates for many salons and spas. On average, businesses have reported an increase of $1,500 in bookings and over 90% more rebooking rates with Gloss Genius.

If you are considering StyleSeat alternatives, we recommend trying GlossGenius for free for 14 days to experience its benefits firsthand.