Has this ever happened to you?
@beautybyashleypulido Ugh accidentally double booking is the worst 😵💫 #denverhair ♬ Lo-Fi analog beat - Gloveity
Ashley starts her TikTok saying “I’m an idiot and I’m the worst hairstylist ever, and I accidentally double booked myself this morning and I had to turn one of my clients away.”
While we think Ashley’s being a little too hard on herself, she goes on to say, if you’re a hairstylist, you know how bad it can feel when your schedule gets away from you.
“I feel so bad. This hasn’t happened to me in so long and when it does it’s the worst feeling. Every hair stylist knows this feeling. … What if they took the day off for this? What if they drove from far away?”
All’s well that ends well, though. Ashley finds a friendly way to make it up to her dropped client by building a goodie bag of some of her favorite products to surprise her at her rescheduled appointment.
Ashley handled her double booking debacle like a true professional, but faulty scheduling is something that can throw even the best beauty and bodyworkers off their game. Unhappy clients, bad reviews, and a cascade of altered appointments are all distinct possibilities when your scheduling isn’t up to snuff.
Thankfully, the digital age holds solutions, and scheduling software can help you stay organized, keep your clients informed of any changes, and keep those dreaded double bookings at bay.
We’ve curated a list of the best scheduling software options available in 2024 based on their user-friendliness, reliability, and comprehensive features.
Our Breakdown of the Best Salon Scheduling Software
Fresha
Fresha tops multiple consumer lists for best scheduling software—and it’s easy to see why. Combining the calendar and appointment setting features of a scheduling app with automated reminders and Point of Sale capabilities, Fresha works more like a personal assistant than a datebook. Fresha serves an international market and has two sides: a business app and a personal app. When clients download Fresha, they can find salons in the area, book appointments, and even pay for services through the app. Professionals using the business app can set their pricing, availability, and more—all through a super intuitive interface.Standout Features
- Sleek and user friendly appointment setting interface that works on all devices
- Fast, secure payment processing
- POS capabilities including barcode scanner and receipt printing (via separate Fresha card terminals)
- Marketing promotions to help grow your business
- Product inventory and online store hosting
Pricing
Fresha stands out as one of the few free-to-use scheduling platforms out there, but you can tap into some neat features for extra fees.- Accept in-person and online payments through the Fresha POS system for 2.19% + $.20.
- Enable Tap to Pay functionality for an additional $0.10 per authorisation.
- Fresh takes a one-time, 20% commission on all new clients that find your services through the Fresha marketplace. This does not apply to returning customers.
- Send text reminders for $0.02 per message.
- Professionals get 20 free texts per month and unlimited in-app notifications.
- Send promotional texts for $0.08 per message, and emails for $0.02 per message.
- Get advanced data reporting for $9.95 per team member, per month.
Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling is another popular choice that offers a user-friendly booking system, automating appointment reminders, and facilitating easy online payments. With its customizable scheduling options and seamless integration, Acuity enables salons and spas to expand their online presence and attract more clients. Acuity’s standout feature is its emphasis on automation, taking otherwise time-consuming tasks and making them simple, repeatable workflows to help you get more done. A notable example is its no-show protection feature, which automatically charges a no-show fee to clients who miss their appointment.Standout Features
- Create custom intake forms, cancellation policies, invoices, and more.
- Tools for salon owners and managers including staffing availability, time off and resource management.
- Ability to livestream classes and workshops in the app.
- Marketing integrations with Mailchimp, AWeber, and more.
- Offer coupons, discounts, and subscriptions to grow and retain customer loyalty.
Pricing
Acuity offers a three-tiered pricing structure with an increasingly exhaustive list of features available as you climb the rungs.- The Emerging membership level is available for $16 per month and offers all the basic scheduling functionalities a sole practitioner or single salon staff member needs.
- At the “Growing” level, ($27 per month) 6 team members all core functionalities along with extras like text message reminders, appointment packages, and the ability to sell subscriptions.
- As a “Powerhouse” member, ($49 per month) 36 staff members get access to basic and advanced functionalities, as well as increased customization on their platform like the ability to display a custom logo, and BAA for HIPAA compliance.
Goldie
Goldie comes highly rated by independent professionals and offers a simple, easy platform for keeping track of your schedule, growing your business, and keeping your clients happy. The beauty of Goldie is in its simplicity and ease of use for the money. Solo practitioners who are just starting out can pick up the free version and find everything they need to keep their calendars straight. For $20 per month, busy professionals can get everything they need to grow their brand, manage a salon, and learn from their customer data.Standout Features
- Offers an easy to use booking platform at the free level, with the option to upgrade to a personal booking website with customizable themes and branding. Clients never have to create their own accounts.
- Synced calendar option to keep all of your appointments visible on whichever calendar app you prefer to use.
- Ability to automatically collect deposits from clients when they book to protect you from no-shows.
- Integrated “book” button you can add to your social media profile to convert followers into clients.
- Comprehensive income reporting to help make filing your taxes much easier.
Pricing
Goldie offers three service tiers: Starter (free to use), Pro ($19.99 per month), and Team ($39.99).- Starter level offers basic booking functionalities, but caps the amount of appointments you can set at 20 per month, making this option more suited for stylists who are still building a client book or who work part-time.
- The Pro level includes unlimited appointments, payment processing at 2.6% + $0.30 per transaction, customizable marketing and reporting tools, and priority customer support.
- The Team level includes all basic functionalities and marketing options, as well as team management and staff-level reporting and insights, making this option best suited for salon owners and managers.
Vagaro
Vagaro is a comprehensive scheduling solution that caters not only to salons and spas. Apart from scheduling, Vagaro provides point-of-sale functionality and inventory management, making it an all-in-one business management platform. Vagaro is all about customization, offering a whole range of additional services so you only pay for what you need. The Vagaro marketplace also creates new opportunities for revenue, allowing clients to find you through the marketplace app and even providing an option for you to set up your own web store.Standout Features
- Integrated “Book Now” feature on Vagaro, Instagram, Facebook, and Apple Maps.
- Free transfer of all your data from any software.
- Free listing with unlimited daily deals and bookings on the Vagaro Marketplace.
- Customizable branded app and website builder.
- Send legal waivers, intake forms, and surveys to your clients and their responses will be automatically saved to their account.
Pricing
Vagaro’s pricing starts at $25 per month for just one bookable calendar, and increases by $10 for every calendar you add. You can also begin with a free trial.- For a full pricing breakdown of their additional services and a cost calculator, visit Vagaro’s pricing page.
GlossGenius
If you’re looking to make your client experience a little more chic without sacrificing any of the basic functionalities you need to run a business, GlossGenius might just be the platform for you. GlossGenius offers all of the scheduling, appointment reminders, marketing and reporting tools that you need, but in a sleek package that feels a little more bespoke. With an additional emphasis on client profiles, GlossGenius makes it easy to manage your books as well as your client relationships.Standout Features
- Integrate booking, payment, and client data with GlossGenius reports and analytics.
- Customizable card readers to match your design preferences.
- Detailed client profiles help you remember names, pronouns, birthdays, and other milestones so you can send proactive booking nudges.
- Connect to Yelp, social media, and websites to solicit bookings anywhere people see your name.
- Manage client reviews by asking preferred clients to write one, then deciding for yourself whether to post it.
Pricing
GlossGenius only offers two pricing levels: Standard for $24 per month, or Gold for $48 per month.- Standard clients get basic booking functionalities, built-in marketing tools, basic data analytics and more.
- Gold clients receive a suite of advanced features like AI-assisted email marketing, premium website design, management for multiple team members, and more.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SALON SCHEDULING SOFTWARE
When choosing the best scheduling software for your salon or spa, there are several essential features and factors to consider:
- Appointment management: A reliable scheduling system should offer easy appointment creation, modification, and cancellation features. It should also allow staff members to view their schedules and manage their availability efficiently.
- Automated reminders: Appointment reminders via email or SMS can significantly reduce no-shows, leading to more efficient time management and increased revenue.
- Online booking: Customers today prefer the convenience of booking appointments online. Therefore, a user-friendly online booking system is essential for attracting new clients and enhancing the overall customer experience.
- Customer database management: A comprehensive customer database helps salon owners maintain detailed records of each client, including their preferences, purchase history, and contact information. This data enables personalized services and targeted marketing campaigns.
- Reporting and analytics: Insightful reports and analytics provide valuable information about your business’s performance, allowing you to make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement.
- Affordable and scalable: Consider the pricing plans and whether they align with your budget. Some software solutions offer tiered pricing based on the number of users or features required.
- High level of security and support: Security is paramount, as the software will likely handle sensitive customer information and financial transactions. Ensure that the software provider offers robust security measures and regular updates. Additionally, check for customer support options in case of any issues or questions.
OUR RATING SCALE: EVALUATION CRITERIA
To compile our list of the best salon scheduling software solutions, we conducted extensive research and considered various factors. Some key elements that influenced our rankings include:
- Reviews and ratings: We analyzed customer reviews and ratings from salon and spa owners who have firsthand experience with the software. Positive user feedback and high ratings indicated the reliability and satisfaction of the users.
- Features: The richness of features offered by each software was evaluated, including appointment management, automated reminders, customer database management, reporting, and marketing tools.
- User-friendliness: The ease of use and user interface of the software played a significant role in our rankings. Intuitive and user-friendly software ensures a smoother transition for both salon owners and their clients.
Integrations: The ability to integrate with other tools and platforms, such as payment gateways, social media, and accounting software, adds value and convenience to the overall salon management process. - Price: Sole practitioners and salon owners alike are running businesses, and every expense needs to be justified. We only took into account the software options that publicly display their pricing so you can make an informed decision before you invest.
SELECT THE BEST SOFTWARE WITH CONFIDENCE
Choosing the right scheduling software is a crucial step for salon and spa owners in optimizing their operations and delivering exceptional customer experiences. With our rankings and comprehensive guide on what features to look for, you can confidently select the best software solution for your business needs! Additionally, don’t forget the importance of salon and spa insurance from BBI, which provides an added layer of protection for your business. By embracing technology and leveraging essential tools, you can take your salon or spa to new heights of success and customer satisfaction.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need any specialized training to use scheduling software?
No. For the majority of sole practitioners and salon owners, scheduling software should be easy to pick up and use on day one! In addition, many have how-to guides and support that can help you learn how to get the most from the software.
Do I really need an app to help with my booking?
Not necessarily. However, research has shown that only 54% of appointment bookings happen during the hours in which salons and spas are open. That means that, by just offering a service allowing clients to book after hours, you could potentially double your bookings without the need to put pen to paper!
You might also like:
- Set your business up for success with proven salon marketing strategies
- Check out salon payment apps that can complement your appointment booking system
- ICYMI: Our media announcement showcasing new monthly payment options for BBI
