The Best Software for Hair Salons in 2026
Manage color appointments, stylists, and retail inventory with software built for the way hair salons actually work.
What Hair Salons Need From Legal Software
Hair salons have unique scheduling needs: color services with processing times, style+cut combos, and multi-stylist coordination. The right software handles appointment blocking for color processing time, retail product sales tracking, staff commission management, and automated rebooking for clients on 6–8 week color cycles.
Top 3 Software Picks for Hair Salons
Vagaro
Industry-standard for multi-stylist hair salons
Vagaro is the most widely used platform among mid-size hair salons. Its scheduling system handles color processing time buffers well, and the built-in payroll is essential for managing W-2 stylists. The consumer marketplace drives strong new client discovery, and the per-staff pricing scales predictably. Vagaro's rebooking reminders are particularly effective for color clients on regular cycles.
Pros
- Color appointment scheduling with processing time buffers
- Built-in payroll for stylists and assistants
- Strong retail product inventory for color lines and styling products
- Large marketplace for new client discovery
- Multi-chair scheduling view for busy days
Cons
- —Interface can feel dated compared to newer platforms
- —Add-on costs for some marketing features
Mangomint
Highest-rated salon software by hair salon owners
Mangomint consistently receives the highest ratings from hair salon owners on G2 and Capterra (4.9/5.0). Its Express Booking™ feature is particularly valuable for hair salons — clients can book a color, cut, and blowdry in one seamless flow. The virtual waiting room and premium UI reflect the luxury experience that high-end hair salons want to project.
Pros
- Highest user satisfaction rating in the industry (4.9/5.0)
- Express Booking™ for multi-service hair appointments
- Fastest, most responsive platform available
- Optional payroll add-on ($50/mo)
- Best-in-class multi-staff scheduling calendar
Cons
- —Higher starting price ($165/mo vs competitors)
- —No consumer marketplace for client discovery
Fresha
Free platform with solid multi-stylist scheduling
Hair salons with a loyal client base benefit enormously from Fresha's zero-subscription model. A 3-stylist salon on Fresha pays $0/month in software fees, versus $50/month on Vagaro — saving $600/year. Color appointment scheduling, staff management, and retail inventory are all included free. The 2.19% fee only applies to new clients.
Pros
- Zero monthly subscription for any team size
- Full multi-stylist scheduling included free
- Color processing time and service buffer management
- Automated rebooking campaigns to retain color clients
- Consumer marketplace for new client acquisition
Cons
- —No built-in payroll processing
- —Less polished design than premium platforms
Key Features for Hair Salons
What to look for when evaluating salon software for your practice.
Color Service Scheduling
Block multiple time slots for color appointments with separate processing time buffers — clients don't displace other bookings during rinse/process time.
Multi-Stylist Calendar
See all stylists' schedules at a glance with color-coded service types. Manage double-booking gracefully with smart availability rules.
Stylist Commission Tracking
Track service revenue by stylist, calculate commission percentages automatically, and generate payroll-ready commission reports.
Retail Inventory
Manage color line inventory (Wella, Redken, Goldwell), styling products, and retail items with automatic reorder alerts.
Automated Rebooking
Set automatic SMS/email reminders for clients due for color touch-ups at 6, 8, or 12-week intervals — the #1 revenue recovery tool.
Reviews & Reputation
Automatically request Google reviews after appointments. Positive review campaigns are built into all major platforms.
Pricing Comparison
Estimated pricing for hair salons — most platforms offer discounts for annual billing.
| Software | Entry Plan | Mid Tier | Top Tier | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vagaro | $30/mo | $50/mo (2–5 staff) | $90/mo (7+) | |
| Mangomint | $165/mo | $245/mo | $375/mo | |
| Fresha | Free | Free | Free | |
| Boulevard | $176/mo | $293/mo | $410/mo | — |
* Pricing based on publicly available rates. Custom-priced platforms require direct quotes. Annual billing typically saves 10-20%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best booking software for a hair salon?
For most hair salons, Vagaro ($30–90/mo) is the best all-around choice for its payroll, marketplace, and multi-staff features. Mangomint ($165/mo) is rated highest by hair salon owners and suits established salons wanting premium quality. Fresha is best for cost-conscious salons with established clientele.
How does color appointment scheduling work in salon software?
Most salon software lets you set a service duration and add-on processing time separately. For example, a full color might block 30 minutes of stylist time for application, then 45 minutes of 'processing time' (available time while color develops), then 30 minutes for rinse and blow-dry. The stylist is free to take other clients during processing time blocks.
What software do Aveda salons use?
Aveda salons commonly use Vagaro, Mangomint, or Boulevard. These platforms support the service menu complexity, retail inventory management, and client experience standards that align with Aveda's brand. Many also use Zenoti for multi-location Aveda franchises.
Can I accept deposits for color services?
Yes. All major salon platforms support deposit collection at booking time. This is especially valuable for expensive color services — a $50–100 deposit significantly reduces no-shows and late cancellations. Vagaro, Booksy, Mangomint, and Boulevard all support automated deposit collection.
How do I manage booth renters in my hair salon software?
Vagaro and Fresha both support booth renter setups where each renter has independent client management, booking, and payments within your salon's account. You track booth rental income separately from service income. Renters can be given limited access without seeing each other's client data.
More Practice Area Guides
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