Complete Salon Software Pricing Guide 2025

Compare 30+ Platforms to Find the Best Value for Your Business

Understanding Salon Software Costs

Salon management software pricing varies dramatically across the market, from completely free options to enterprise solutions costing thousands annually. This comprehensive guide helps you understand the real costs and find the best value for your specific needs.

Complete Pricing Comparison (30+ Platforms)

Software	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost (5-person team)	Additional Fees	Best For	Category
FREE OPTIONS
Square Appointments	FREE	£0	Payment processing only (2.6%)	Small to medium salons	🆓 Free Forever
Fresha	FREE Basic	£597 (Plus plan)	20% commission on marketplace clients	Growing salons needing marketing	🆓 Freemium
BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTIONS (£15-35/month)
Acuity Scheduling	£16/month	£960	Payment processing fees	Service-based businesses	💰 Excellent Value
GlossGenius	£24/month	£1,440	Payroll £40+£30, processing 2.6%	Independent professionals	💰 Good Value
SalonIQ	£27/month	£1,620	Setup and training may apply	UK-based salons	💰 Solid Choice
Booksy	£30/month	£1,800	£20/extra user, Boost marketing fees	Marketing-focused salons	💰 Marketing Strong
Vagaro	£30/month	£840	Text marketing £20, website £20	Feature-rich needs	💰 Feature Rich
MID-RANGE OPTIONS (£40-100/month)
The Salon App	£50/month	£3,000	Various add-ons available	Small business focus	⚖️ Mid-Range
Timely	£21/person	£1,260	SMS charges, processing fees	Per-person pricing model	⚖️ Scalable Pricing
PREMIUM OPTIONS (£100-300/month)
Mangomint	£165/month	£1,980	Additional features available	Team-based salons	⭐ Premium Choice
Boulevard (Essentials)	£175/month	£2,100	12-month contract required	Luxury salon brands	⭐ Brand Focused
Boulevard (Premier)	£295/month	£3,540	12-month contract required	High-end operations	⭐ Luxury Tier
ENTERPRISE OPTIONS (£300+/month)
Booker (Starter)	£139/month	£1,668	Many features require upgrades	Established businesses	🏢 Enterprise Entry
Booker (Accelerate)	£289/month	£3,468	Add-on features available	Multi-location businesses	🏢 Enterprise Mid
Booker (Ultimate)	£469/month	£5,628	Comprehensive feature set	Large salon groups	🏢 Enterprise High
Boulevard (Prestige)	£410-455/month	£4,920-5,460	12-month contract, setup fees	Premium salon chains	🏢 Luxury Enterprise
Booker (Ultimate Plus)	£599/month	£7,188	All features included	Large enterprise operations	🏢 Enterprise Max
CUSTOM PRICING OPTIONS
Zenoti	Contact for Quote	£4,800-7,200*	Contract terms, setup fees	AI-focused enterprise	📞 Custom Enterprise
Mindbody	Custom Pricing	£3,600-6,000*	Tiered feature access	Fitness & wellness focus	📞 Custom Multi-Use
Phorest	Request Quote	£3,000-4,800*	Training, setup, support	Comprehensive salon management	📞 Custom Professional
Salon Iris (DaySmart)	£200-500/month	£2,400-6,000	Module-based pricing	Traditional salon software	📞 Legacy Enterprise

*Estimated pricing based on industry reports and user feedback. Contact vendors directly for current pricing.

Understanding the Price Differences

Price Range Analysis: FREE to £7,188 annually - Understanding why costs vary so dramatically

Annual Cost Comparison Examples:

Budget-Conscious Choice: Square Appointments = £0/year

Value-Focused Choice: Acuity Scheduling = £960/year

Premium Choice: Mangomint = £1,980/year

Enterprise Choice: Booker Ultimate = £5,628/year

Maximum Investment: Booker Ultimate Plus = £7,188/year

Key Factors That Affect Pricing

What Drives Software Costs:

1. Business Model: Free/freemium vs subscription vs enterprise licensing

2. Feature Depth: Basic scheduling vs comprehensive business management

3. User Scaling: Per-user pricing vs flat-rate pricing

4. Support Level: Self-service vs dedicated account management

5. Integration Capabilities: Standalone vs ecosystem integration

6. Customization Level: Template-based vs fully customizable

Hidden Costs to Consider

Additional Expenses That May Apply:

💳 Payment Processing: 2.6% - 3.5% per transaction

👥 Additional Users: £10 - £40 per month per person

📱 SMS Marketing: £20 - £50 per month plus per-message fees

🎓 Training & Setup: £500 - £2,500 one-time fees

📊 Advanced Reporting: £50 - £150 per month

🔧 API Access: £100 - £300 per month

🌐 Website Integration: £20 - £100 per month

📱 Mobile App Access: £30 - £50 per month

Feature Comparison by Price Tier

Feature	Free Options	Budget (£15-35)	Mid-Range (£40-100)	Premium (£100-300)	Enterprise (£300+)
Online Booking	✅ Full Featured	✅ Advanced	✅ Professional	✅ Customizable	✅ Enterprise-Grade
Calendar Management	✅ Multi-Staff	✅ Color-Coded	✅ Resource Management	✅ Advanced Scheduling	✅ Multi-Location
Payment Processing	✅ Integrated	✅ Multiple Options	✅ Advanced Features	✅ Custom Rates	✅ Enterprise Terms
Marketing Tools	✅ Basic	✅ Email & SMS	✅ Automated Campaigns	✅ Advanced Automation	✅ Full Marketing Suite
Reporting & Analytics	✅ Standard	✅ Detailed	✅ Advanced	✅ Custom Reports	✅ Business Intelligence
Customer Support	✅ Email/Chat	✅ Priority Support	✅ Phone Support	✅ Dedicated Support	✅ Account Manager

Choosing the Right Price Point for Your Business

Decision Framework:

Consider FREE Options If:

• You're just starting out or have a small operation

• Basic scheduling and payment processing meet your needs

• You're comfortable with marketplace commission models

Consider BUDGET Options (£15-35) If:

• You need more customization than free options offer

• Professional branding is important to your business

• You want dedicated customer support

Consider PREMIUM Options (£100-300) If:

• You operate multiple locations or have large teams

• Advanced marketing automation is crucial

• Custom reporting and analytics drive your decisions

Consider ENTERPRISE Options (£300+) If:

• You run a large salon group or franchise

• Integration with existing business systems is essential

• Dedicated account management justifies the cost

Return on Investment Considerations

Cost vs. Benefit Analysis:

Time Savings: Calculate hours saved on administrative tasks

Revenue Impact: Consider booking increases and reduced no-shows

Operational Efficiency: Factor in staff productivity improvements

Marketing Effectiveness: Evaluate client retention and acquisition costs

Scalability: Assess how the software grows with your business

Key Insight: The most expensive option isn't always the best value. Focus on features that directly impact your revenue and operational efficiency.

Implementation and Switching Considerations

Before Making Your Decision:

✅ Take Advantage of Free Trials: Most platforms offer 14-30 day trials

✅ Calculate Total Cost of Ownership: Include all fees and add-ons

✅ Check Contract Terms: Understand cancellation policies

✅ Evaluate Support Quality: Test customer service responsiveness

✅ Consider Integration Needs: Ensure compatibility with existing systems

✅ Plan for Growth: Choose software that scales with your business

Market Trends and Future Considerations

Industry Direction:

AI Integration: More platforms incorporating artificial intelligence

Mobile-First Design: Emphasis on smartphone and tablet functionality

Marketplace Integration: Built-in client discovery platforms

Contactless Solutions: Enhanced health and safety features

Subscription Flexibility: More month-to-month options replacing long contracts

Summary: Salon software pricing ranges from free to over £7,000 annually. The key is matching your specific needs with the right feature set and price point, rather than assuming more expensive equals better value.

Disclaimer: All pricing information is based on publicly available data as of May 2025 and is subject to change. Features and pricing may vary based on specific business requirements, contract terms, and promotional offers. We recommend contacting software providers directly for the most current pricing and to discuss your specific needs. This comparison is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement of any particular software solution.