Beauty Salon Software

Beauty salon software is a comprehensive business management system designed to help salon owners and professionals run their businesses more efficiently. It's a single platform that handles everything from client booking and scheduling to payment processing and marketing. GlossGenius is a beauty salon software that includes all essential tools in one easy-to-use app, so you can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time with your clients.

Scheduling software for makeup artists is a digital tool that automates the appointment booking process. Instead of managing your calendar with back-and-forth messages and phone calls, this software allows clients to book available slots themselves through a custom online booking page. GlossGenius’ booking app for makeup artists was designed for both in-salon and on-site work, allowing you to easily block out travel time and manage your availability in real time.

The best software for makeup artists ultimately depends on your specific needs, but you should choose one that's flexible, mobile-friendly, and handles the unique needs of your business. GlossGenius is often referenced as a top software for beauty salons and makeup artists because it’s an all-in-one solution that allows you to manage your business from anywhere. It includes features like a customizable booking site, secure payment processing for deposits, and client management tools that let you keep detailed notes for every client, whether you're working in a salon or on-site.

A great beauty salon POS software is more than just a payment processor. It's a system that integrates payments directly with your booking and reporting tools. Key features to look for in a POS system include:

• Accepts all payment types: GlossGenius lets you accept credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments with a low, flat 2.6% processing fee.
• Secure transactions: It should protect you from chargebacks and fraud. GlossGenius offers 100% chargeback protection. 
• Sales tracking: The system should automatically track your sales and create reports so you can easily monitor your business's financial performance. GlossGenius’ Reports & Analytics makes it simple to get a detailed view of your path to success. 
• Retail sales: You want salon POS software that can manage transactions for retail product sales at your business, which you can sync with your inventory to ensure you’re always fully stocked.‍
• Tip management: It should be easy for clients to add a tip and for you to manage. GlossGenius lets you offer preset or custom tip options, simplifying the process for your customers and staff.

Beauty salon booking software allows clients to book appointments with you 24/7. When a client books, the software should automatically update your calendar, send clients a confirmation, and send you a notification. An all-in-one booking software like GlossGenius also helps you automatically send appointment reminders via text and email, store client notes, process payments, manage staff and payroll, and track inventory and retail sales all from one platform. These features save you time and ensure your schedule is always organized and up to date.

The cost of makeup artist software can start anywhere from $0 to $200. It varies widely, from free apps with limited features to comprehensive platforms with higher monthly subscription fees. While free apps might seem appealing, they often charge higher payment processing fees and lack essential tools for growing your business. GlossGenius’s makeup artist software starts at only $24/month with all essential features included. GlossGenius also offers transparent subscription pricing, one of the best payment processing fees in the industry – a flat 2.6%, and 100+ features to help businesses save money and grow.

Finding the most affordable beauty salon or makeup artist software requires a close look at not just the monthly fee, but the total cost of ownership, including hidden fees and processing rates. While some platforms like StyleSeat and PocketSuite may appear to have low starting prices, they often come with additional charges that can quickly add up. For instance, StyleSeat has a Premium Plan that costs $35/month, but they also have a number of additional fees such as their "New Client Connection" feature that takes a one-time 30% fee on a new client's first appointment. PocketSuite offers plans as low as $24.99, charges per-user fees for teams and carries high credit card processing rates of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.

In contrast, GlossGenius’s beauty salon software pricing starts at only $24/month and is designed to be simple with no hidden fees. Our transparent pricing includes all of our powerful features—from a custom booking website and text marketing to a low, flat-rate payment processing fee of 2.6% regardless of whether your clients tap, dip, or swipe. GlossGenius pricing is more predictable and often more affordable compared to other beauty salon software.

It depends. Vagaro is known for its comprehensive, feature-heavy platform, however Vagaro’s complexity makes it have a steeper learning curve compared to GlossGenius, which is built to be intuitive and user friendly. 

In terms of the cost of GlossGenius vs. Vagaro, GlossGenius is often less expensive. If you have a team, Vagaro charges based on number of users pricing model, which can be expensive. Vagaro also charges higher payment processing fees if you’re a small merchant or using a card on file. By contrast, GlossGenius subscription plans are transparent and include all essential features. GlossGenius also charges a flat 2.6% payment processing fee with no add-ons, which can save beauty businesses big.

A booking app for makeup artists should have features that simplify your life and elevate your brand. Key features include:

• A beautiful, customizable booking website where clients can secure appointments 24/7
• The ability to accept deposits to secure bookings and cut down on no-shows
• Client management profiles to store notes, photos, and client history
• Automated marketing tools for email and text campaigns, boosting your retention
• A user-friendly interface that lets you manage your business from your phone or tablet

GlossGenius offers all of these features and more, making it the one of the best makeup artist software options for both established and emerging beauty businesses.

GlossGenius’s makeup artist booking platform is essential for professional growth as it seamlessly blends your business operations with a powerful marketing strategy. It allows makeup artists to create a stunning, branded online booking website that serves as a high-conversion portfolio, and display a "Book Now" button directly on your socials to instantly turn followers into appointments. 

For client retention, GlossGenius has advanced makeup artist CRM features, such as: detailed client notes on past looks and product preferences, automated marketing tools to send personalized "we miss you" messages, birthday promotions, and custom follow-up campaigns, ensuring you maintain a consistent, high-touch relationship with every client.

Yes, GlossGenius provides a 14-day free trial that gives you complete access to its features with no credit card required. This allows you, as a beauty salon owner or makeup artist, to experience the full functionality of the platform and see how it can streamline your business operations before you commit to a subscription. For teams, a complimentary demo is also available, offering a personalized walkthrough of the platform and answers to all your questions.