The evolution of salon software has transformed business operations completely. Phorest stands at the forefront of this revolution, offering far more than traditional appointment booking functionality.
Whether you run a solo business or oversee a busy salon team, Phorest delivers strong tools for scheduling and client organization. Still, the beauty tech space is full of powerful platforms—each with its own advantages. In this guide, we’ll compare Phorest with seven other top contenders to help you choose the right fit for your salon’s next step.
Why Consider Alternatives to Phorest?
Phorest’s comprehensive salon management suite stands as an industry leader, seamlessly integrating sophisticated appointment scheduling, robust sales processing, and intelligent client relationship management into one cohesive platform.
With strategic pricing tiers designed to scale with businesses, Phorest represents a premium investment in your salon’s operational infrastructure. However, while Phorest offers exceptional value for established salons, its pricing structure potentially creates a financial barrier for smaller operations or independent professionals in their early stages.
Additionally, businesses seeking specialized system integrations may encounter additional setup requirements or supplementary costs beyond their base subscription package. Though Phorest’s powerful interface delivers comprehensive functionality, some users note a trade-off between this robust capability and the streamlined simplicity found in more basic alternatives—potentially resulting in a steeper learning curve.
Top 7 Phorest Competitors Reviewed
With so many salon software options crowding the market—each promising to be the best—it can be tough to know where to start. We've done the legwork and narrowed it down to seven strong Phorest alternatives, each offering real value to different types and sizes of salon businesses.
Pricing: From $30/mo.; $20 per additional user
Target Audience: Small to medium beauty & wellness businesses
Supported Countries: 40 countries across North, Central and South America, Europe and Africa
Overall Score: 4.46
Pricing: $30 to $90/mo.; 7 pricing editions based on number of users
Target Audience: Hair, Beauty & Nail Salons, Spas, Barbershops, Medspas, Tattoo Studios and Fitness Studios of all sizes.
Independent Hair Stylists, Estheticians, Barbers, Lash & Brow Artists, Nail Technicians and Massage Therapists.
Supported Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Overall Score: 4.60
Pricing: From $165 to $375 per month; 3 pricing tiers w/additional add-ons available
Target Audience: Beauty and wellness businesses; Small to medium-sized salons and spas.
Countries Available: United States, Canada
Overall Score: 4.55
Pricing: From $158 to $369/mo.; 3 pricing tiers
Target Audience: Small to medium-sized hair, beauty and nail salons, spas, barbershops, and medspas.
Supported Countries: Global; No Country Restrictions
Overall Score: 4.45
Pricing: Variable based on business vertical
Target Audience: Large Salons, Spas, Medspas, Fitness Centers, and Barbershops
Supported Countries: 47 Countries across North, Central & South America, The Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa
Overall score: 4.50
Pricing: Three pricing tiers; Standard Plan: $24/mo.; Glod Plan: $48/mo.; Platinum Plan: $148/mo.
Target Audience: Caters specifically to small and mid-size businesses in the beauty and wellness spaces, including hair , beauty and nail salons barbershops, and spas.
Supported Countries: Currently only available for use in the United States. Overall Score: 4.35
Fresha
Pricing: Free basic app w/ optional paid features & add-ons
Target Audience: Small to mid-size beauty and wellness businesses, including hair, beauty and nail salons, barbershops, and spas,
Supported Countries: Over 120 countries across North, Central and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Overall Score: 4.53
Detailed Phorest Alternative Reviews
Today’s beauty and wellness businesses need more than just a digital calendar. The best salon software goes beyond booking—it streamlines daily operations, supports client relationships, and drives long-term growth.
If you're comparing Phorest to other platforms, look past the basics. Consider what each tool brings to the table in terms of real business impact—and whether the price reflects the true value you get.
Alternative #1: Boulevard | The “Premium” Salon and Spa Management Software
Boulevard stands among luxury-tier beauty business platforms, delivering comprehensive management tools focused on customer experience and operational excellence. With entry pricing at $175 monthly for basic scheduling and payment processing and pos system, advanced features like marketing automation and multi-location management require higher-tier subscriptions with custom pricing.
The system balances administrative efficiency through intelligent scheduling and client databases with customer convenience via self-booking, membership management, and integrated payments. While Boulevard offers valuable loyalty features, these premium capabilities remain restricted to costlier subscription levels.
Despite its sophisticated functionality, Boulevard’s significant investment requirements create barriers for smaller operations and independents. The platform clearly targets established enterprises with stable revenue seeking advanced management solutions rather than developing businesses. Emerging salons may find Phorest better suited to their evolving needs and growth trajectory.
Key Features At a Glance
Essential Booking Features
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Appointment scheduling
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Calendar management
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Self-service booking
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Basic client management
Core Business Management Features
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Payment processing
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Client database
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Basic scheduling tools
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Staff management
Enhanced/Premium Features (typically in higher tiers)
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Multi-location management
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Advanced analytics
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Marketing tools
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Membership management
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Loyalty programs
Review Ratings:
Capterra: 4.6/5 (319 reviews). Score: 97/100
G2: 4.3/5 (72 Reviews)
Trustpilot: N/A
Alternative #2: Booksy | The Mobile-Focused Booking App to Build Your Business
Booksy delivers a cloud-powered management solution primarily designed for the smartphone era, featuring digital appointment coordination, financial transactions, and customer data management within its streamlined ecosystem. The platform distinguishes itself with specialized features including digital portfolios showcasing professional work.
This software targets independent professionals and mid-sized beauty establishments through its flagship application, Booksy Biz, which consolidates essential operational functions into a pocket-sized business command center. While daily operations function seamlessly through the mobile interface, Booksy extends functionality via browser-based access for advanced capabilities including team schedule management, product inventory oversight, and performance analytics.
Additionally, Booksy integrates with Google Calendar to streamline operations alongside other platforms like Facebook and QuickBooks.
Booksy’s dedication to mobile functionality represents both its key advantage and primary constraint. The convenience of managing operations from anywhere comes with certain limitations—comprehensive business intelligence and administrative functions require transitioning to the desktop environment for complete access.
Beauty professionals seeking simplified operations with location flexibility will appreciate Booksy’s design philosophy, which prioritizes accessibility and core functionality over complex enterprise capabilities.
Key Features at A Glance
Essential Booking Features
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Appointment scheduling
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Calendar management
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Client profiles
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Mobile booking capabilities
Core Business Management Features
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Payment processing
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Basic client management
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Staff scheduling
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Mobile app for business operations (Booksy Biz)
Enhanced/Premium Features (web platform)
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Online portfolio/showcase
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Inventory tracking
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Business analytics
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Staff oversight tools
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Advanced client management
Review Ratings:
Capterra: 4.4/5 (365). Score: 90/100
G2: 4.8/5 (8 Reviews)
Trustpilot: 4.2/5 (16,154)
Alternative #3: Mangomint | The “Highest-Rated” Software for Salons & Spas
Mangomint delivers an integrated solution for beauty enterprises, unifying appointment management, retail transactions, and customer relationship tools within one sophisticated yet accessible system. Engineered for operational excellence, this platform minimizes administrative burdens while simultaneously elevating client interactions throughout their journey.
The system distinguishes itself through its clean, intuitive design philosophy and powerful workflow automation capabilities—key advantages for time-constrained beauty business owners seeking to focus on service delivery rather than administrative tasks.
Mangomint's feature tweaks enhance the user experience and streamline the booking process, making it more efficient for users.
With subscription investments ranging from $165 to $375 monthly, Mangomint clearly positions itself within the premium segment of beauty technology solutions. This pricing structure aligns with the needs of established businesses maintaining stable revenue operations rather than emerging ventures or independent practitioners working within limited financial parameters.
While newer businesses might find more accessible entry points with alternative platforms, salons prepared to invest in operational refinement will discover significant returns through Mangomint’s comprehensive functionality, particularly its sophisticated automation tools that drive efficiency and strengthen client loyalty.
Key Features at a Glance
Essential Booking Features
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Online Booking
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Appointment Management
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Client Management
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Automated Appointment Reminders
Core Business Management Features
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Integrated Point-of-Sale (POS)
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Staff Management
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Inventory Management
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Reporting & Analytics
Enhanced/Premium Features
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Automation Capabilities
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User-Friendly Interface
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Business Efficiency Tools
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Client Retention Features
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Seamless Integrations
Review Ratings:
Capterra: 4.9/5 (164 Reviews). Score: 85/100
G2: 4.9/5 (55 Reviews)
Trustpilot: 3.9/5 (9 Reviews)
Alternative #4: Vagaro | The “#1 Appointment Scheduling Software” for Beauty, Wellness, & Fitness
Vagaro is a comprehensive business management solution currently utilized by over 220,000 wellness and beauty establishments. Based on our analysis, this platform offers scalable functionality suitable for independent practitioners through multi-location businesses, providing essential operational tools that improve efficiency, client engagement, and revenue performance.
The system enables professionals to establish their digital presence through customizable profiles and professional websites that showcase services, visual portfolios, and team information. For clients, the platform delivers straightforward appointment booking via both desktop and mobile interfaces, featuring automated confirmations and reminders, as well as the Connect messaging that bridges service providers with their customers. Additionally, no-show protection features, deposit capabilities, and upfront payments effectively minimize revenue loss from missed appointments.
From an administrative perspective, Vagaro provides establishment owners with comprehensive client relationship and staff management capabilities, including detailed service histories, payroll management, and integrated commerce functions for online and mobile retail product sales, gift certificates, and service packages.
While particularly well-suited for beauty establishments, spas, and wellness centers, Vagaro’s features make it equally applicable for practitioners across various service-based industries.
Key Features at a Glance
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Online Booking/Appointment Scheduling (web/mobile)
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Calendar management
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Automated reminders and notifications
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No-show protection & Client Deposits
Core Business Management Features
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Point of sale/payment processing
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Client database/history tracking
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Staff scheduling and management
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Basic reporting
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Vagaro Marketplace
Premium Features
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Payroll processing
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Marketing tools
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SOAP Notes
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2-Way Client Messaging Platform
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POS Integration
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Custom branded website
Ratings:
Capterra: 4.7/5 (3445 reviews) Score: 98/100
G2: 4.5/5 (223 reviews)
Trustpilot: 4.5/5 (298 Reviews)
Related: Vagaro Vs GlossGenius: Which is Best for Your Business
Alternative #5: Zenoti | AI First All-in-One Salon, Spa and Medical Spa Software
Within the beauty technology landscape, Zenoti occupies a distinctive position as the enterprise-focused solution designed specifically for expansive operations and multi-site business networks requiring sophisticated management infrastructure.
This comprehensive platform integrates essential operational components—digital appointment coordination, transaction processing, product inventory oversight, and automated marketing campaigns—while distinguishing itself through advanced business intelligence tools and detailed performance visualization capabilities.
Zenoti excels in workforce administration through its nuanced productivity monitoring and staff deployment systems—critical advantages for organizations managing extensive personnel resources across distributed locations. The platform’s unified customer database architecture spans the entire business network, ensuring consistent client information accessibility and service standardization regardless of which location a client visits.
Zenoti also supports growing businesses with its advanced functionality and scalability, making it an ideal choice for those expanding their operations. However, while it delivers exceptional capabilities for larger enterprises, Zenoti's investment threshold beginning around $200 monthly creates accessibility challenges for smaller establishments and independent practitioners.
The platform’s advanced functionality commands a premium investment compared to streamlined alternatives in the marketplace—positioning it firmly as a solution for businesses with established revenue streams and complex operational requirements rather than emerging ventures with limited resources.
Key Features at A Glance
Essential Booking Features
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Appointment scheduling
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Calendar management
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Client booking
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Basic client management
Core Business Management Features
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Point-of-sale system
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Payment processing
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Staff sheduling
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Basic inventory management
Enhanced/Enterprise Features
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Advanced reporting capabilities
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Marketing automation
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Detailed employee performance tracking
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Centralized customer data system
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Cross-location inventory management
Review Ratings:
Capterra: 4.4/5 (1176 reviews). Score: 85/100
G2: 4.4/5 (176 Reviews)
Trustpilot: 4.7/5 (100 Reviews)
Alternative #6: Fresha | The Only “Free” Software for Beauty and Wellness Professionals
Fresha for business delivers a cohesive operational hub consolidating essential business functions—scheduling coordination, financial transactions, and customer engagement—within its streamlined platform architecture. Its distinctive reservation technology seamlessly connects with prominent digital networks including Google, Facebook, and Instagram, allowing businesses to capture bookings organically through these platforms alongside their own digital storefronts.
The system features sophisticated automated communication capabilities managing client interactions across multiple channels—electronic mail, SMS notifications, and its proprietary mobile application. For administrative efficiency, Fresha incorporates promotional campaign tools, customer lifecycle management resources, and flexible payment processing options tailored to business requirements.
Engineered with remarkable scalability, Fresha adapts effectively across the business spectrum—supporting solo practitioners with streamlined functionality while simultaneously accommodating complex multi-location operations with enterprise-level requirements. This versatility establishes Fresha as a versatile solution capable of growing alongside evolving business needs without requiring disruptive platform migrations during expansion phases.
Key Features at a Glance
Essential Booking Features
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Appointment scheduling
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Calendar management
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Client self-booking
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Multi-channel booking integration (Google, Facebook, Instagram)
Core Business Management Features
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Payment processing (optional)
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Basic client management
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Staff scheduling
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Website booking widget
Enhanced Features
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Automated client messaging (email/text)
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Dedicated mobile app
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Marketing tools
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Multi-location support
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Social media platform integration
Review Ratings:
Capterra: 4.8/5 (1,420). Score: 85/100
G2: 4.4/5 (4 Reviews)
Trustpilot: 4.5/5 (2,126 Reviews)
Alternative #7: GlossGenius | “The #1 Salon & Spa Software
GlossGenius delivers a comprehensive scheduling and customer relationship solution distinguished by its visually striking and intuitive design architecture specifically tailored for beauty and wellness professionals.
The platform features an accessible, visually differentiated appointment system with essential functionality including standby registration, automated appointment notifications, and detailed client documentation. While its scheduling capabilities rival those offered by competing systems, collaborative team calendar integration requires investment in their premium Gold subscription tier.
Additionally, GlossGenius's marketing tools are designed to help businesses attract new clients by enhancing visibility through various online integrations and marketing campaigns.
Their sophisticated reservation protection infrastructure provides comprehensive safeguards against missed appointments, matching the effectiveness of alternative solutions. Though GlossGenius delivers exceptional business administration capabilities through its proprietary application, it lacks a dedicated mobile interface for customers, instead utilizing web-based reservation technology similar to several competitors.
Workforce coordination tools encompass staff scheduling visibility, configurable access controls, and compensation analytics, though several advanced capabilities remain exclusive to higher-tier subscriptions. GlossGenius employs straightforward pricing with comprehensive functionality included in standard offerings—contrasting with the freemium approach utilized by some competitors.
GlossGenius’s platform maintains consistent transaction processing at 2.6%, offering simplicity through standardization despite higher costs than commission-free alternatives.
Key Features at a Glance
Essential Booking Features
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Intuitive Color-Coded Calendar
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Online Booking Widget
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Automated Appointment Reminders
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Client Waitlist Management
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Detailed Client Notes & History
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No-Show Protection Stack
Core Business Management Features
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Integrated Payment Processing (2.6% flat rate)
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Mobile Business Management App
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Customizable Service Menu
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Smart Pricing Tools
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Revenue & Performance Analytics
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Digital Receipts & Invoicing
Enhanced/Premium Features (Gold Plan)
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Synchronized Staff Calendars
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Team Commission Reports
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Advanced Client Filtering
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AI-Powered Email Marketing
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Automated Text Marketing
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Custom Branding & Website Link
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Instagram & Google Integration
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Customizable Staff Permissions
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Complimentary Card Reader (first device)
Review Ratings:
Capterra: 4.7/5 (195)
G2: 4/5 (4)
Trustpilot: N/A
Recap: Choosing the Best Phorest Alternative
There you have it—a comprehensive look at Fresha’s leading competitors in the salon management space.
The market offers impressive options to suit various business needs. Each platform has its own strengths. This lets you choose the best solution for your salon’s needs, budget, and growth goals. Many of these platforms also allow clients to book online easily, enhancing visibility and convenience.
A quick recap for your convenience:
Vagaro
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Target: Beauty, wellness, and fitness businesses, big or small. This includes solo practitioners and those with multiple locations.
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Strengths: Versatile feature set, affordable pricing ($30-90/mo.), strong client management tools
Vagaro also offers a dedicated customer support team to address user concerns and issues, ensuring effective assistance through their Help Centre.
Mangomint
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Target: Established salons and spas with consistent revenue
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Strengths: Powerful automation capabilities, intuitive interface, robust efficiency tools
Mangomint's analytics system offers extensive reporting capabilities that cover various aspects of business management, including inventory, staff performance, and financial metrics.
Boulevard
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Target: Established small to medium salons in the salon business seeking premium solutions
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Strengths: Sophisticated client experience features, scheduling optimization, multi-location support
Booksy
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Target: Small to medium businesses prioritizing mobile operations
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Strengths: Mobile-first approach, user-friendly interface, basic functionality with good accessibility, and efficient appointment bookings that streamline the process for users. Booksy allows customers to manage their bookings, handle cancellations, and send client notifications, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Zenoti
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Target: Enterprise-level, multi-location salons and spas
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Strengths: Advanced analytics, cross-location management, sophisticated employee tracking
Zenoti enhances the booking process for spa treatments, making it easier for guests to reserve services and for businesses to increase their revenue.
GlossGenius
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Target: Independent beauty professionals, small salons, and boutique studios. GlossGenius is specifically designed to meet the needs of these users, offering features tailored for beauty professionals.
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Strengths: Easy-to-use interface, competitive pricing ($24-$148/month), integrated marketing tools with AI features
Fresha
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Target Audience: Ideal for small to mid-sized beauty businesses seeking budget-friendly solutions.
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Strengths: Fresha offers a free basic platform paired with robust social media integration and a commission-based pricing model, enabling businesses to keep fixed costs low while benefiting from a scalable system tied to performance.
When picking salon management software, look closely at each platform’s features. Check the pricing and read user reviews. Make sure it fits your business needs. Research each platform carefully. Test free trials if you can. Also, check recent user experiences. This will help you make a better decision.