Best Salon Scheduling Apps & Software (2024)

Salons always look for the best means to run their operations more smoothly and ensure customer satisfaction. Many focus on providing great beauty care. But, they often overlook the importance of pre-and post-service experiences. This includes how customers book appointments and the payment gateways available for transactions. Managing these aspects may be challenging for salons to handle by themselves. This highlights the need for efficient salon scheduling software. With great choices, picking the right management software can be troublesome and time-consuming. 

We have compiled a list of the 10 best salon scheduling software. This list will help you make an informed selection decision. So, let us dive into the blog and learn about these salon scheduling tools.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Salon Scheduling Apps or Software

Keep these points in mind before choosing a salon scheduling apps or software.

Easy-to-use Interface

Opting for the best salon scheduling app with an easy-to-use interface is important. A simple layout ensures that salon staff run the software without any confusion. This includes clear menus, accessible scheduling tools, and a simple dashboard. An easy interface cuts staff training time. It also speeds up the booking process, which makes the salon experience smoother.

Scheduling Abilities

The software should meet your salon’s needs for scheduling. This includes features such as appointment booking and calendar management. It also can schedule repeat appointments. Also, the software should be flexible to accommodate various appointment durations & staff availability. 

Manage Customer Data Securely

Security is important when it comes to managing customer data. Salon appointment scheduling software must have privacy & encryption features to protect client information. This includes storing personal data with strong security. This data may be contact information and appointment history. Thus, implementing advanced security measures builds trust with clients & protects the salon’s reputation.

Reviews 

It’s crucial to look at reviews from other salon owners. Do this before choosing salon scheduling software. Feedback may give helpful information about the software’s reliability, customer support, and performance. You should go for reviews that talk about the pros and cons of software. So, you may increase the chances of a good experience for your salon team and customers.

Review of Top 10 Salon Scheduling Apps or Software Options 

In this segment, we will outline the best-advanced salon booking software that helps you to give the height to your salon business. 

#1. Salonist 

Salonist is the top pick for salon and spa owners looking for an easy-to-use platform. Its smart automation simplifies appointment and business management tasks, which saves time. With essential features like online booking, inventory, and reporting, Salonist covers all bases. It goes further by integrating with other systems, boosting its versatility. Plus, customers can book or cancel appointments online which improves their experience.

Features of the leading cloud-based Salonist: 

• Slot blockers.
• Manage appointment calendar with the Drag & Drop feature.
• Resource scheduling.
• Able to mark different colors for different appointment statuses.
• Popup notes.
• Reschedule booking.
• Automate recurring appointments.
• Sync and export calendar.
• Membership booking.
• Package booking.
• Off-hours booking.

#2. Vagaro

Vagaro offers an all-in-one solution. It enhances your beauty salon business with its advanced features. It guarantees secure storage of important data, such as customer and employee information. Accessing all your salon data from anywhere adds much convenience. It is a significant benefit to your operations. Apart from client management, Vagaro also includes scheduling and inventory. This positions it as a detailed business management platform.

Features of Vagaro solution:

• Help to identify appointment status.
• Able to access, input, and edit customer information.
• Change salon bookings with drag & drop.
• Notify clients of changes in the schedule.
• Staff may block off their time.
• Quick-jump buttons to set salon appointments on specific dates.
• Able to sync Vagaro Calendar with Google Calendars.
• Multi-location appointment management.

#3. Fresha

Fresha, previously known as Shedul, has quickly grown. It now serves over 120 countries, with more than 1 billion appointments and 450,000 beauty experts. It operates globally and offers two distinct apps: one for businesses and one for clients. Beauty experts using the business app may manage their availability and more. They can do so through an easy interface. Clients can download Fresha, the best salon scheduling app. They can use it to find nearby beauty salons, book appointments, and pay for services in the app.

The following are the features of the Fresha:

• Unlimited appointment bookings.
• Manage all salon location appointments over a single dashboard.
• Unlimited clients and email alerts.
• Track client history.

#4. Glossgenius

Glossgenius stands out as another popular choice. It has an easy booking system with automated reminders and easy online payments. Its custom scheduling options and smooth integration empower salons and spas. So, they use them to enhance their online presence and attract more clients. The standout feature of Glossgenius is its focus on automation, simplifying time-consuming tasks into repeatable workflows. Thus, this boosts productivity. Also, it reduces the chances of client no-shows and late appointment cancellations.

Top features of the Glossgenius software:

• Recurring bookings.
• Waitlist. 
• Add Gap time to prep more easily between appointments.
• Custom schedule. 
• Able to set processing time.

#5. Mangomint

Mangomint provides a simple platform to manage your schedule and satisfy your clients. Its simplicity and user-friendliness make it a great value for money. Solo practitioners starting can use the free version. It covers all their calendar needs. For more features, you can choose one of the plans: Essentials, Standard, or Unlimited. They ensure smooth operations and help to grow your business.

Below, we provide a checklist of advanced features.

• The calendar uses three different colors to signify appointment status.
• Single-screen for salon scheduling and checkout.
• Automated appointment reminders.
• Resource scheduling.
• Express booking.
• Tell repeating appointments apart from regular appointments.
• Option to set distinct service durations for each staff member.
• Staff alerts.
• Salon scheduling time blocks.

#6. Booksy

Booksy is an all-in-one salon management software for spas, barbershops, & more. It keeps track of clients’ profiles and simplifies the whole appointment management process. Booksy helps the salons save time and reduce admin stress levels. Try to demo and experience the change in salon management.

The ultimate features of the Booksy:

• Schedule an appointment anytime, from any location.
• The choice to reschedule or cancel the booked appointment. 
• Custom mobile app.
• Salon reports and analytics.
• Track loyal customers.

#7. Mindbody

Mindbody is a successful salon management software catering to businesses of all sizes. It simplifies operations with digital booking, which boosts customer satisfaction. Moreover, it facilitates third-party app integration to power up task efficiency.

Essential features of Mindbody: 

• Manage or update appointments from one screen.
• Control team schedules.
• Clients can choose their time spot anywhere.
• Cancellation and refunds.
• AI front desk.
• Branded mobile app.
• Multi-location management.

#8. Zenoti

Zenoti is an advanced software tailored for beauty and wellness businesses. Clients may book online appointments with a few clicks, while staff can respond to requests quickly through the software. The software also sends alerts to customers. The alerts tell them about upcoming discounts and offers. This drives sales and boosts profits.

Important features of Zenoti software: 

• Offer easy, quick, anytime bookings.
• Accurate client profiles.
• Mobile convenience.
• Get quick data insights.
• Memberships, salon packages & gift cards.
• 24/7 customer support.
• Real-time review. 
• POS integration. 

#9. Simplybook.me

SimplyBook.me is a versatile salon management software. It handles the needs of salon owners and their staff. Also, It encourages salon staff & drives results, Whether they run small or large-scale beauty premises. They can customize this software to fit their needs. This makes it a valuable tool for simplifying schedules and boosting efficiency.

Key features of the Simplybook.me:

• Accept Online Bookings 24/7.
• Accept salon appointments via your Facebook and Instagram profile page.
• Gather client information during the booking process.
• Membership.
• Event bookings.
• Send reminders.
• Advanced employee and resource schedule management.
• Filtered view of booking calendar.
• Easy canceling and rescheduling.
• Recurring appointments.
• Tickets and waiting lists.

#10. Timely

Timely is an all-inclusive platform that helps to manage salon operations. You can try it for free to see if it fits your salon’s needs. Also, there’s a pro version with extra features aimed at enhancing success.

The following are the vital features of Timely:

• 24/7 online bookings.
• Send pre-appointment forms via SMS.
• Update client records.
• Keep your stylists organized with staff dashboards.
• In-depth insightful reports.

The Bottom Line 

In conclusion, consider your salon’s needs and budget. Carefully do this before choosing the best salon scheduling apps or software. Each of the options presented in this blog has its unique strengths & features. But, if you are still unsure about which one to choose, we recommend giving Salonist a try. It automates many salon tasks. This saves lots of time and boosts efficiency.