With thousands of salon management software freely available, it can feel difficult to know which one to choose. Among the top priorities for most salons is the ability to help clients book appointments seamlessly, reducing the chances of no-shows and missed appointments. If that’s a pain point for your salon, you may have come across Vagaro at some point in your search for the best apps for salons.
And while Vagaro offers many features and benefits, you might find it doesn’t cover all of your needs. If you’re looking to uplevel your salon to app-based management, consider the following Vagaro alternatives to find the software that lets you manage your salon seamlessly, grow your business, and free up valuable time.
Salon apps have different features, and as a small business owner, you have to choose the most valuable ones for your business to make daily activities easy and increase profitability. Your best bet is to consider your needs, compare the features and benefits of each app, determine your budget, and choose the platform that makes the most sense for your business.
As you consider Vagaro alternatives, here are some questions to ask:
While some salons and spas might need nothing more than booking software, others need additional features. Consider whether you will need to build a booking website, offer mobile booking capabilities, and conduct payment processing through the software.
Set a budget for your needs, accounting for the different features and functions you need to have in your salon or spa business management software. Salon apps vary in price depending on their features and level of customization. Some offer free tiers initially but require upgrades for advanced functionality. Others have tiered pricing plans based on the number of users or locations.
If you have multiple locations or a large staff, it’s important to find an app that offers a scalable solution that works for your business size. Be sure to ask whether the provider charges any base fees, setup fees, and recurring fees so you know exactly what you’re getting and for how much.
Any software you choose should offer easy onboarding and support, so you can get your management system in operation without a huge learning curve.
A good salon management app should allow you to manage appointments, view customer history and preferences, send messages directly to clients through text or email, track sales data, accept online payments through credit cards or other payment processors, and issue refunds when necessary.
Most salon and spa solutions offer a mobile version of their desktop apps. Review the features of each mobile offering to be sure it will work for your needs. And make sure it’s compatible with both iOS for iPhones and Android.
You may have more questions as you start running through the Vagaro alternatives below. Jot down anything that comes to mind so you can come to your own conclusion about which software will best meet your current needs and continue scaling with you as you grow.
Here are 10 Vagaro alternatives worth checking out in 2023:
Let's dive deeper into each one.
GlossGenius is an all-in-one salon software that will help you drive bookings with its seamless, stylish user interface. GlossGenius also allows you to build a gorgeous booking website that reflects your brand’s unique style. More bookings mean more revenue, and with GlossGenius, it’s easy to take your salon or spa further, faster.
Zenoti is one of the top Vagaro alternatives that can help you automate tasks, unify your brand under one dashboard, and create positive customer experiences. The software is among the most complete solutions for beauty and wellness brands.
You’ll need to request a quote to get pricing for your salon or spa. Per Zenoti’s website, the company offers tiered pricing based on desired features and required licenses.
Acuity Scheduling is an online appointment scheduling software for salons, spas, medical practices, and all kinds of businesses. It provides salon and spa owners with a complete solution to book appointments, manage their businesses, send client reminders, and more.
Pricing at $16 per month for a single user and location, with a free trial available.
Another online scheduling software, Fresha makes it easy for clients to find your salon or space, book and change appointments, and receive SMS appointment reminders.
Fresha offers a free plan with robust tools that may be ideal for salons or spas just starting out. Optional paid features include payment processing, bookings on the Fresha marketplace, and other marketing tools.
Mindbody is among the most well-known Vagaro alternatives. The software enables easy booking and scheduling, promotion of your salon or spa, team management, and positive customer experiences.
You’ll need to request a quote to learn pricing for your specific salon or spa. Plans range from Starter to Ultimate Plus, with additional features unlocked at higher tiers.
Dubbed “software for self-care,” Boulevard is a scheduling, management, and client experience platform built for appointment-based wellness and beauty brands. Everyone from medspas to nail salons can use the software to address their needs.
Boulevard is among the pricier Valgaro alternatives, starting at $175 per month.
Salonist helps you manage multiple activities among clients and employees for your salon or spa. Save time and effort with a flexible booking app that handles invoicing, inventory management, payroll, and more.
Basic plans start at $39 per month.
Whether you’re looking to sell in-person sessions or online programs, Arketa has you covered. The wellness software, designed for fitness studios, delivers a simple user experience and robust tools to take your salon or spa to the next level.
The free version is built for anyone teaching online classes or booking private sessions. Paid plans start at $39 per month.
Square is a popular, go-to software solution for payment processing, cultivating client connections, and expanding online and offline operations. Access tools that keep your business connected on all fronts, from customer management solutions to payment processing.
The free plan is “pay as you go,” so you only pay when you make a sale. Paid plans start at $29 per month.
Related Reads: Vagaro vs Square: Which Is Best For Client Management?
Booksy is a cloud-based online marketplace that showcases beauty and wellness professionals. Customers can hop on the site to search for pros near them; businesses can list their salon or spa and access Booksy’s tools for a monthly subscription fee.
Subscriptions start at $29.99 per month.
With a single platform to run bookings, payment processing, and marketing objectives, GlossGenius keeps you in control of your business. Thanks to automated confirmations, appointment reminders, thank-yous, and rebooking reminders, GlossGenius has helped thousands of salons and spas grow. On average, businesses report an increase of $1,500 more in bookings and over 90% more rebooking rates with the platform.
After you review the Vagaro alternatives above, it’s safe to say you’ll find GlossGenius to be the best option to meet your salon or spa’s needs. Get started here and try it free for 14 days to explore what GlossGenius can do for you.
No credit card required.
