Running a salon today is about more than just offering great haircuts, spa treatments, or nail services. Clients expect convenience, easy booking, personalized attention, and a smooth overall experience. The right salon software can help you manage all of this efficiently while also helping you get more salon clients.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the best software to grow your salon business? This guide will walk you through what to look for, how to evaluate software, and the top recommendations. Let’s dive in.
Understanding your salon’s needs
Every salon is unique, and so are its challenges. Before comparing software, it’s important to understand your needs:
- Small salons or solo stylists
Simple tools for appointment booking, reminders, and basic client tracking are enough.
- Mid-sized salon
Requires software that handles scheduling, staff management, CRM, and marketing automation.
- Large salons or multi-location businesses
Scalable software with AI integration, which has multi-location management, scheduling, social media management, handles search engine visibility, retention and loyalty automation, advanced reporting, and POS integrations, is essential.
Writing down your top challenges, like no-shows or low online visibility, helps you pick software that solves your most pressing problems.
Key features to look for in salon software
The right software should focus on features that grow your client base and make your salon run smoothly.
1. Online booking and scheduling
Clients don’t want to call multiple times just to check availability or book a service. They expect convenience and are more likely to choose a salon that offers software for easy booking, scheduling, and rescheduling anytime without the back-and-forth calls or messages. Look for software that has 24/7 booking access and sends automated reminders.
2. Salon CRM software
A client relationship management (CRM) system enables you to track client history and preferences easily. Look for a software that allows you to track service history, has personalized client notes, and client segmentation for promotions.
3. Marketing and engagement tools
Great salon software should do more than just bookings. Features like email campaigns, SMS reminders, loyalty programs, social media management, loyalty building, and referral tracking help you stay connected with clients and keep them coming back. These tools make promoting your services effortless while building long-term relationships.
4. Payments and point of sale
A smooth checkout experience leaves the best impression. The right salon software should support multiple payment options, digital wallets, and integrated POS systems so clients can pay however they prefer. Quick, secure payments not only improve convenience but also leave a good impression.
5. Analytics and reporting
To grow your salon, you need to know what’s working and what’s not. Analytics and reporting features give you insights into sales, popular services, peak hours, and staff performance. With this data, you can make smarter business decisions and boost profitability.
The importance of salon management software
Using salon management software is no longer optional; it’s essential if you want to stay ahead of the curve. It helps you:
- Streamline operations by keeping bookings, payments, and staff schedules organized.
- Increase client retention by automating reminders, personalisation, rewards, and loyalty programs.
- Save time and improve efficiency by automating manual tasks.
- Grow revenue through marketing and upselling tools to boost income.
- Track performance using analytics to guide better business decisions.
This allows you to focus on clients while the software manages the rest for you.
Top salon software comparison table
Detailed software recommendations
Here’s a closer look at each software to help you decide.
1. Zoca
Zoca is a growth-focused platform that helps salons attract and retain clients using AI-powered local SEO, online discovery, loyalty programs, and social media management.
Why choose Zoca?
Perfect for salons focused on client acquisition and growth rather than only daily operations.
Pros:
- Helps salons get discovered in search engines
- Automates marketing and loyalty programs
- Increases repeat visits and high-quality leads
- Handles social media management through an AI social agent
Cons:
- Not a traditional booking system
- Focused primarily on marketing and client growth
Pricing: Custom pricing available
Demo: Book a demo with Zoca to see how it can help you scale.
How Zoca helped SlayByVashae hit $5,310 monthly
When Latasha Seawood opened SlayByVashae Bundles and Styles in Arizona, she had the skills and happy clients, but no visibility. Social media wasn’t driving enough bookings, and on Google, her salon was buried at #8–9 for local searches. The result? Zero new clients from search.
That’s when she turned to Zoca. Using an AI-powered discovery agent, Zoca helped her:
- Rank #1 for “weaves,” “silk press,” and “bundles.”
- Fix her website and booking system.
- Build consistent Google reviews to boost trust.
The transformation was instant:
- Profile clicks jumped 750% (from 74 → 650 weekly).
- 10–15 new clients started booking every week.
- Monthly Google-driven revenue hit $5,310.
- Top rankings for her most profitable services.
Latasha puts it simply:
“Because of Zoca, I’m receiving 10–15 new clients a week. It has changed my life.”
2. GlossGenius
GlossGenius is primarily designed for solo stylists and small salons. It combines booking, client management, payments, and basic marketing in one mobile-friendly platform.
Why choose GlossGenius?
Perfect for stylists or small teams who want a simple, aesthetic, and easy-to-use solution.
Pros:
- Mobile-friendly interface
- All-in-one app for booking, CRM, and payments
- Easy setup and use
Cons:
- Not ideal for multiple locations
- Limited advanced reporting
Pricing: Starts at $24/month
3. Vagaro
Vagaro is a versatile software for small to mid-sized salons, offering booking, CRM, marketing automation, and reporting.
Why choose Vagaro?
Best for salons that want to combine scheduling and marketing at an affordable price.
Pros:
- Affordable and versatile
- Marketing automation included
- Strong booking and CRM features
Cons:
- It can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Some advanced features need extra setup
Pricing: Starts at $23.99/month per user
4. Fresha
Fresha is popular for solo and small salons, offering online booking, automated reminders, and POS features.
Why choose Fresha?
Ideal for salons seeking a simple, free, or low-cost solution that covers essential scheduling and client management.
Pros:
- Free basic plan available
- Easy to use
- Automated reminders reduce no-shows
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Fewer integrations than paid software
Pricing: Paid options start at $3 (team)
5. Zenoti
Zenoti is powerful software for multi-location salons or chains, offering advanced scheduling, CRM, reporting, and membership management.
Why choose Zenoti?
Best for large salons needing scalable, all-in-one management.
Pros:
- Supports multiple locations
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Handles memberships and recurring services
Cons:
- Expensive
- Complex setup and training required
Pricing: Pricing starts at $350/month/location for salon & spa
6. MangoMint
MangoMint is a cloud-based salon software for mid to large salons that need advanced scheduling, reporting, and staff management.
Why choose Mangomint?
Ideal for salons seeking detailed analytics and easy staff management.
Pros:
- Easy staff scheduling
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics
- Scalable as your business grows
Cons:
- Limited marketing tools
- Steeper learning curve
Pricing: Starts at $165/month
Making the Final Decision
Follow this simple framework to choose the right software to get more salon clients:
- List your top challenges
- Match features to those challenges
- Shortlist 2–3 software options
- Test free trials with real clients
- Track metrics like bookings, retention, and revenue
The right software should simplify your operations and help you grow your client base steadily.
Conclusion
Running a salon is no longer just about offering great services; it’s about creating a seamless experience that keeps clients coming back and attracts new ones consistently. The right salon software can be the difference between struggling to fill your chairs and building a steady flow of loyal clients.
If you’re a small salon or solo stylist, tools like Fresha or GlossGenius can help you manage bookings and payments with ease. Mid-sized salons often benefit from Vagaro for its balance of scheduling and marketing features. Large, multi-location businesses may find Zenoti or Mangomint better suited for their scale and complexity.
But if your biggest challenge is growth and visibility, then Zoca stands out. With its AI-powered local SEO, automated marketing, and client acquisition tools, it helps salons like yours get discovered, attract high-quality clients, and grow revenue faster.
Ready to bring in more clients and simplify salon marketing? Book a demo with Zoca and see how it can help you scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best salon software for small businesses?
Fresha and Zoca are great for affordability and simplicity.
2. Can salon software help me get more clients?
Yes. Online booking, automated reminders, referrals, and marketing tools can attract and retain clients.
3. Do I need a salon CRM?
Yes. A CRM helps personalize services and encourages repeat visits.
4. Can I use more than one software?
Yes. Many salons combine a booking tool with a growth-focused platform like Zoca for marketing and client acquisition.
Zoca follows up, replies instantly, and secures bookings while you focus on your craft.