Missed appointments. Last-minute cancellations. Double bookings. If you run a salon, you know the struggle.
A busy salon isn’t just about styling hair or doing nails. It’s about keeping schedules in check, keeping payments on track, and ensuring clients attend. But trying to juggle all that with a messy calendar? Leading to the downfall of business.
35% of salon bookings happen after business hours. Without an online booking system, that’s money slipping through your fingers. And with no-show rates reaching 20%, not having automated reminders could mean thousands lost yearly.
The good news? Salon scheduling software takes care of all of this. It helps you manage appointments, staff, payments, and client preferences without the chaos.
Which one should you choose? Let’s explore the 7 best salon scheduling software to keep your business running smoothly.
- Wellyx
Pricing: Starts at $49/ month.
Wellyx is not just for booking appointments. It does everything: online booking, payments, staff scheduling, customer engagement, and more. If you want one system to handle it all, Wellyx is the best pick.
Pros:
- Clients can book anytime, anywhere.
- Sends automatic reminders to prevent no-shows.
- Has a built-in Salon POS system for easy payments.
- Helps you create membership & loyalty programs
- Offers waitlist management to fill last-minute cancellations.
Cons:
- Have to pay an additional one-time fee for access control hardware if you don’t have yours.
If you own a growing salon, Wellyx is a smart investment. It keeps everything organized so you can focus on your clients.
- Fresha
Pricing: Free(no monthly subscription)
Fresha is perfect if you want a free option. There’s no monthly fee, but they charge 2.19%+ $0.20 per transaction.
Pros:
- No monthly fee.
- Unlimited appointment & staff accounts.
- Send automatic reminders.
- Unlimited locations.
- Unlimited product inventory.
Cons:
- High transaction fee.
- No custom booking website.
If you’re just starting, fresha helps you book clients without paying upfront. But as your business grows, the fee might add up.
- GlossGenius
Pricing: Starting at $24 /month.
GlossGenius is perfect for freelance stylists or small salon owners. It’s simple, stylish, and lets you create a custom booking website to impress clients.
Pros:
- Easy to use.
- Custom-branded booking page.
- Secure payment processing.
- Sends reminders & confirmations.
Cons:
- Limited reporting tools.
- Not ideal for big salons.
If you work alone and need something simple, GlossGenius is a great choice.
- Vagaro
Pricing: Starts at $30/month (depending upon the number of bookable calendars).
Vagaro is built for a big salon with multiple locations. It has everything: scheduling, marketing, payroll, and online payments.
Pros:
- Works for multi-location salons.
- Helps you track staff commissions & payroll.
- Includes email & text marketing tools.
- Allows video consultations.
Cons:
- Some features cost extra.
- It may be complicated for smaller salons.
If you run a large team, Vagaro keeps everything under control.
- Mindbody
Pricing: Starts at $79/month per location.
Mindbody is more than just a salon scheduler. It’s great for salons that offer spa treatments, massages, and wellness services.
Pros:
- Perfect for high-end salons & spas.
- Smart appointment scheduling.
- Helps retain clients with automated tools.
- Tracks business performance.
Cons:
- Expensive for small businesses.
- Takes time to learn.
If you run a salon & spa, mindbody gives you everything you need.
- Boulevard
Pricing: Starts at $158/month.
Boulevard is for premium salons that offer a high-end client experience. It has powerful CRM tools to personalize client interactions and boost loyalty.
Pros:
- Smooth & professional booking system.
- Smart appointment scheduling.
- Tracks client preferences.
- Sends automated follow-ups.
Cons:
- Expensive
- It can be complex for small salons.
If you want to give your clients a luxury experience, Boulevard is worth it.
- Schedulicity
Pricing: Starts at $34.99/month.
Schedulicity is a simple and affordable scheduling tool for small teams. It has appointment booking, payment processing, and marketing features.
Pros:
- Easy to set up & use.
- Include marketing tools.
- Helps fill last-minute cancellations.
- Affordable pricing.
Cons:
- Limited reporting.
- Not great for large salons.
If you want a basic scheduler that works, Schedulicity is a solid choice.
Which one should you choose?
The best salon scheduling software depends on your business needs.
- Want everything in one place? Wellyx is the best choice.
- Need a free option? Fresha is excellent, but watch out for fees.
- Working alone? GlossGenius is simple and stylish.
- Running a big salon? Vagaro keeps things organized.
- Offer spa & wellness services? Mindbody has the right tools.
- Running a luxury salon? Boulevard makes every booking unique.
- Need something simple & affordable? Schedulicity gets the job done.
A good scheduling system saves you time, reduces no-shows, and helps your business grow. Choose the one that fits your salon and start making life easier today.
Final thoughts
Running a salon without scheduling software is messy, stressful, and costs you money.
A good booking system keeps your salon running smoothly. No more double bookings. No more no-shows. Just happy clients and a stress-free schedule.
If you want the best all-in-one solution, Wellyx salon software is the top pick. If you’re just starting out and need something free, Fresha works too. But whichever software you choose, investing in a better booking system is the smartest move you can make for your salon.