Best Salon Booking Software & Apps 2025: Complete Comparison of Top Salon Booking Systems

Digital transformation has redefined how salons and spas operate. Globally, over 1.2 million salons now use online booking systems, with mobile bookings up 43% since 2021. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 250,000 salon businesses, and 72% already use mobile-first appointment scheduling software.

With demand for online booking for salons at an all-time high—and competition between salon booking apps like Fresha, Booksy, and Vagaro heating up—choosing the right salon booking system in 2025 can make or break your business.

In this guide, we compare the top six platforms: Fresha, Booksy, Vagaro, AvoSchedule, Mangomint, and Acuity Scheduling.

The 2025 Market: Salon Software & Online Booking Trends

The global salon booking software market is projected to reach $1.01 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 10–14% through 2033. Cloud-based and mobile-first solutions dominate, making up 68% of deployments.

Key trends shaping the industry:

• AI-driven scheduling reduces no-shows by up to 27%

• Mobile-first booking apps now account for 65%+ of all appointments

• Integrated POS & payments enable contactless checkouts

• Salon management software offers full CRM, staff scheduling, and inventory in one system

• Spa booking software and wellness platforms are rising, serving massage therapists, estheticians, and medspas

📊 Regional growth: North America and Europe dominate, but Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market.

Features Every Salon Booking Scheduling Software Should Have

When evaluating salon booking systems, look for:

• 24/7 online booking with real-time calendar sync

• Automated SMS/email reminders to reduce no-shows

• Client CRM with history, notes, packages, and loyalty tracking

• POS & payments (in-person, online, tipping, refunds)

• Staff scheduling and multi-location management

• Marketing tools (automated campaigns, reviews, referrals)

Head-to-Head Comparison of Best Salon Booking Software

1. Fresha

— Marketplace Powerhouse

• User Base: 120,000+ businesses, 450,000 pros, 1B+ appointments

• Strengths: Free entry plan, global marketplace, integrated payments, strong mobile apps

• Pricing: Free solo plan; £9.95 per staff/month for teams

• Marketplace Fees: 20% one-time commission on new clients booked via Fresha Marketplace

• Limitations: Add-on fees (loyalty, analytics), limited customization

• Best For: Salons/barbershops wanting free entry and marketplace discovery

2. Booksy

— Social & Mobile Leader

• User Base: Popular in U.S., UK, Poland; 13M+ bookings annually

• Strengths: Mobile-first, social media booking, portfolio showcase, Boost marketplace visibility

• Pricing: $29.99/month + $20/month per extra staff

• Boost Option: 30% one-time commission on first-time visits via Booksy marketplace

• Limitations: Costs scale with team size; mobile focus over desktop

• Best For: Socially active salons and barbers who want bookings through Instagram/Facebook

3. Vagaro Booking

  — Enterprise Salon Management Software

• User Base: Tens of thousands of North American salons/spas

• Strengths: Comprehensive suite (booking, payroll, inventory, CRM, POS, custom apps)

• Pricing: $25/month for solo, +$10/calendar; capped at $85/month for 7+ providers

• Extras: $200/month for branded salon app

• Limitations: Higher complexity for small salons; extras add up

• Best For: Multi-location salons and spas needing robust business management

4. AvoSchedule

  — Unlimited Everything (⭐ Our Recommendation)

• User Base: Rapidly expanding among beauty, spa, and wellness businesses

• Strengths:

  
  

  • Easy setup: Live in minutes, no technical learning curve

  • Unlimited everything: users, features, clients, bookings for one flat price

  • Scales effortlessly: Add staff/locations without paying more

  • Best customer service: Real humans, 24/7 support, proactive onboarding

  
  

• Pricing: One transparent price (no per-user fees, no feature locks)

• Limitations: Newer to the market, but praised for simplicity & value. No POS-integration.

• Best For: Salons/spas that want transparent, predictable pricing and scalability

💡 Why we recommend it: Unlike Fresha, Booksy, or Vagaro, AvoSchedule never punishes you for adding staff. It’s the only salon scheduling software with truly unlimited growth.

5. Mangomint

 — Premium Boutique Option

• User Base: High-end and boutique U.S. salons

• Strengths: Gorgeous UX, automation (Express Booking™, virtual waiting room), concierge onboarding

• Pricing: $165 / $245 / $375 per month (Essentials / Standard / Unlimited)

• Limitations: Premium pricing, paid add-ons for advanced features

• Best For: Upscale salons, medspas, and chains that want premium workflows

6. Acuity Scheduling App

 — Budget-Friendly Generalist

• User Base: Solo stylists, freelancers, small businesses

• Strengths: Affordable, easy booking pages, integrates with Stripe/PayPal, good calendar sync

• Pricing: $20 / $34 / $49 monthly (up to 36 calendars on Premium)

• Limitations: Not salon-specific, lacks POS/inventory, limited marketing features

• Best For: Solo salons and small teams who want simple appointment booking at low cost

Feature Comparison Table

Platform	Pricing Model	Commission Fees	Unlimited Users?	POS/Payments	Marketing Tools	Support
Fresha	Free + £9.95/staff	20% on new clients	❌ No	✅ Yes	Add-ons (Loyalty)	Standard
Booksy	$29.99 + $20/staff	30% Boost (optional)	❌ No	✅ Yes	Boost + SMS marketing	Good
Vagaro	$25–$85 flat	❌ None	❌ No	✅ Yes	Full suite + extras	Phone/email/chat
AvoSchedule	$14.99 - 19.99 flat	❌ None	✅ Yes	❌ None	Included, unlimited	⭐ 24/7 human-first
Mangomint	$165–$375	❌ None	❌ No	✅ Yes	Advanced automation	Concierge onboarding
Acuity	$20–$49	❌ None	❌ No	✅ Via Stripe	Basic integrations	Standard

ROI: Real-World Cost Analysis

For a salon with 5 staff:

• Fresha: ~$600/year + commissions

• Booksy: ~$1,320/year

• Vagaro: ~$1,020/year

• Mangomint: $2,000–$4,500/year

• Acuity: $588/year (but limited salon tools)

• AvoSchedule: $150 - $200 flat, unlimited users and features

👉 While Fresha looks cheapest upfront, commissions pile up. AvoSchedule delivers predictable costs with full features included.

Implementation Roadmap

• Week 1: Audit processes, import client data, train staff

• Week 2: Configure services, reminders, payment flows

• Week 3: Soft launch with internal testing & client updates

• Week 4+: Full rollout, marketing push, performance tracking

Future Trends Beyond 2025

• AI predictive scheduling (optimal time slots, staffing forecasts)

• AR try-on tools (virtual color/style previews)

• Voice-based bookings via Alexa/Google Assistant

• Sustainability features (eco tracking, paperless receipts)

• Advanced analytics (revenue forecasting, lifetime value)

FAQ: Salon Booking Software 2025

Q1: What is the best salon booking app for small businesses?

👉 AvoSchedule — unlimited users & features at one flat price, perfect for small salons scaling up.

Q2: Is there a free online booking system for salons?

👉 Fresha offers a free plan, but charges 20% commission on new marketplace clients. Truly free isn’t sustainable—AvoSchedule offers a transparent flat fee instead.

Q3: What’s the best salon POS system with scheduling?

👉 Vagaro and Mangomint have full POS. AvoSchedule integrates payments but keeps pricing simpler.

Q4: Which is better: Vagaro vs AvoSchedule?

👉 Vagaro is feature-rich but charges per calendar. AvoSchedule offers unlimited growth with one price—better value for scaling salons.

Q5: Does Acuity Scheduling work for salons?

👉 Yes, but it’s not salon-specific—better suited for freelancers than multi-staff salons.

Final Recommendation

• Choose Fresha for free entry and marketplace reach.

• Choose Booksy for mobile-first bookings and social media integration.

• Choose Vagaro Booking for enterprise-level salon management.

• Choose Mangomint if you want premium automation and concierge onboarding.

• Choose Acuity Scheduling App for simple, affordable scheduling.

• ✅ But if you want the best salon booking software in 2025—with flat pricing, unlimited features, easy setup, and the best customer service—choose AvoSchedule.

Bottom line: The right salon booking system will pay for itself in reduced no-shows, higher rebooking rates, and happier clients. In 2025, the clear winner for salons and spas that want to scale without hidden fees is AvoSchedule.