Best POS Systems for Nail & Beauty Salons (2026)
Accept cards, manage retail, and track every transaction — without expensive hardware or complicated setup.
The Problem
Nail and beauty salons process dozens of transactions daily across services and retail products. Cash-only operations lose 15–25% of potential revenue from clients who don't carry cash. Old-fashioned POS systems cost $1,000–5,000 in hardware. Modern cloud-based salon POS systems eliminate both problems.
- →Cash-only salons lose 15–25% of revenue from clients who prefer cards
- →Legacy POS hardware (traditional cash registers) costs $1,000–5,000 upfront
- →Separate POS and booking systems create reconciliation headaches
- →Tip prompting on digital payments increases average tip by 20–35%
- →Retail product sales go untracked without integrated POS inventory
Top 5 Software Solutions
Ranked for POS system for nail salons
Square Appointments
★★★★☆4.4/5Industry-standard POS with best-in-class hardware
Best for: Salons wanting the best hardware ecosystem
Vagaro
★★★★☆4.7/5Integrated booking + POS in one platform
Best for: Multi-staff salons
GlossGenius
★★★★☆4.8/5Card reader included with subscription
Best for: Solo nail techs & beauty pros
Mangomint
★★★★☆4.9/5Premium POS with fastest checkout experience
Best for: Established salons (3+ staff)
Feature Comparison
How top platforms compare on POS system for nail salons capabilities
| Feature | Square | Vagaro | GlossGenius | Mangomint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Reader Included | ||||
| Contactless/Tap Payments | ||||
| Tip Prompting | ||||
| Split Payments | ||||
| Gift Card Processing | ||||
| Retail Inventory POS | Basic | |||
| Checkout from Mobile | ||||
| Service + Retail in One Ticket | ||||
| Processing Rate (Card Present) | 2.6% + $0.10 | 2.75% | 2.6% (Standard) | 2.45%–2.9% |
Pricing Comparison
Cost of POS system for nail salons capabilities across platforms
| Software | Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Appointments | Free (solo) / Plus ($29/mo) | Free + 2.6% + $0.10 | Hardware from $49 |
| Vagaro | 1 staff | $30/mo + 2.75% | Hardware available separately |
| GlossGenius | Standard / Gold | $24/mo or $48/mo | Card reader included free; Gold = 0% platform fee |
| Mangomint | Essentials | $165/mo + processing | Best rates for high-volume salons |
* Prices are per user/month billed annually. Contact vendors for current pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything attorneys ask about POS system for nail salons
What POS system is best for a nail salon?
For nail salons, the best POS depends on size. Solo nail techs: GlossGenius ($24/mo, card reader included). Multi-staff salons: Vagaro ($30–90/mo) or Square Appointments (free with hardware). Premium salons: Mangomint ($165/mo) has the best checkout experience. Square is best for salons wanting the widest hardware selection.
How much does a nail salon POS system cost?
Cloud-based POS software is mostly free or $24–90/mo and runs on a tablet or phone. Hardware costs vary: GlossGenius includes a free card reader; Square's basic reader is $49; Square Terminal (standalone device) is $299; iPad POS setups run $300–600. Modern cloud POS is dramatically cheaper than traditional POS systems ($3,000–8,000).
Can I use an iPad as a POS for my nail salon?
Yes. Square, Vagaro, GlossGenius, and Mangomint all support iPad as the primary POS device. Square's iPad setup is the most polished with a range of stands and accessories. You attach a card reader (typically $49–299) and use the platform's app on the iPad. This setup handles all payment types including tap-to-pay.
What payment processing rates do salon POS systems charge?
Standard card-present rates: Square 2.6% + $0.10, Vagaro 2.75%, GlossGenius Standard 2.6%, GlossGenius Gold 0% platform fee (pay interchange only, ~1.5–2%), Mangomint ~2.45%–2.9%. For high-volume salons, GlossGenius Gold or negotiated rates from platforms like Mangomint can save hundreds per month.
Do I need a separate cash register for my nail salon?
No. Modern salon software platforms include a full cash register function within the POS app. You can record cash payments, print or email receipts, manage a cash drawer, and run end-of-day cash reconciliation reports entirely within platforms like Vagaro, Square, or Mangomint. A separate cash register is unnecessary and redundant.
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