salon software price comparisons

Why Your Own Booking System Matters for Chair Renters

As a self-employed hairdresser, having your own separate booking system isn't just convenient — it's essential for proving your independent business status to HMRC.

Proves Self-Employment

A separate booking system shows HMRC you're running your own business, not working as an employee.

24/7 Client Booking

Clients can book anytime without phone calls. Most systems report 30-40% more bookings.

Reduces No-Shows

Automated SMS and email reminders can cut no-shows by up to 90%.

Professional Image

A branded booking page sets you apart and builds client confidence.

💚 Free Options — Perfect for Starting Out

Square Appointments

Best Free Option for Solo Stylists

FREE for individuals

✓ Free for single-user accounts — no monthly fees
✓ Online booking website included
✓ Automated SMS & email reminders
✓ Integrated card payments (1.75% in-person UK)
✓ No-show protection with card-on-file
✓ Google Calendar sync
✓ Mobile app for iOS & Android

Best For: Solo chair renters who want a reliable, free booking system with payment processing. Perfect for starting out.

Setmore

Generous Free Tier with Paid Upgrades

FREE / Pro from £12/month

✓ Free tier with up to 4 staff calendars
✓ Online booking page
✓ Email reminders (SMS on paid plans)
✓ Square integration for payments
✓ Facebook & Instagram booking buttons
✓ Mobile apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
✓ Live receptionist add-on (US only)

Best For: Those wanting a free system with room to grow. Good integration with social media.

💗 Built for Solo & Mobile Hairdressers

JENA

Made Specifically for Solo Hairdressers

£19/month (£5/week)

✓ Built specifically for solo hair & beauty pros
✓ Professional website builder included
✓ 0% booking fees — no commission
✓ Automatic deposit collection
✓ Multi-location scheduling (home/mobile/salon)
✓ Client reminders & confirmations
✓ Colour development time tracking
✓ Free migration from Fresha/Booksy

Best For: Chair renters, mobile hairdressers, and home salon owners who want a system built specifically for them — not adapted from multi-salon software.

Pocket PA

The App for Mobile Hairdressers

From £5/week

✓ Built for mobile & self-employed stylists
✓ Colour-coded appointments
✓ Online bookings with deposits
✓ Invoice and expense tracking
✓ Receipt photo storage
✓ Mileage tracker for mobile work
✓ Tax return ready reports
✓ SMS appointment reminders

Best For: Mobile hairdressers who need business management AND appointment scheduling in one app. Great for tax time.

GlossGenius

Beautiful App for Beauty Pros

From £24/month

✓ Stunning, customisable booking website
✓ Flat 2.6% payment processing
✓ Unlimited appointment reminders
✓ Client profiles with history
✓ Email & text marketing built-in
✓ Reports and analytics
✓ Free data transfer
✓ 2 weeks free trial

Best For: Stylists who want a beautiful, professional-looking system that impresses clients.

🇬🇧 UK-Based Software (UK Support & GDPR)

The Salon App

UK-Built All-In-One Solution

Contact for pricing

✓ UK-designed for British salons
✓ Digital consultation forms
✓ Client management & history
✓ Online booking 24/7
✓ Automated marketing tools
✓ Staff performance tracking
✓ Works on any device
✓ Paperless salon management

Best For: Those wanting a comprehensive UK system with strong consultation form features.

Salon Manager (iSalon)

UK-Built with 99% No-Show Reduction

From £25/month

✓ Built specifically for UK salons
✓ Deposit protection system
✓ Automated reminders (99% no-show reduction)
✓ Branded mobile booking app
✓ Client records & consultation notes
✓ Built-in marketing automation
✓ UK GDPR compliant
✓ Unlimited UK-based training

Best For: Established chair renters wanting professional UK support and robust no-show protection.

SalonIQ

UK Industry Veterans Since 1993

Contact for pricing

✓ UK-designed since 1993
✓ 2,000+ UK salons trust them
✓ Online booking & deposits
✓ Integrated payments
✓ Marketing & promotions
✓ Solo stylist packages available
✓ Founded by salon owners

Best For: Those who want deep UK industry experience from people who've run salons themselves.

Salon Iris

UK Support, GDPR Compliant

From £39/month

✓ UK-based customer support
✓ Solo stylist packages available
✓ Online booking & payments
✓ SMS/email reminders
✓ Client management
✓ Reporting & analytics
✓ GDPR compliant
✓ Free trial available

Best For: Solo stylists wanting UK support without overseas call centres.

🌐 Marketplace Platforms — Get Found by New Clients

Treatwell

UK's Largest Beauty Marketplace

From £195/year + commission

✓ Massive UK marketplace exposure
✓ TV advertising brings clients to you
✓ Digital calendar & booking management
✓ Free SMS reminders
✓ 0% commission on repeat bookings
✓ Marketing tools included
! Commission on first-time marketplace clients
! No free trial

Best For: Those who need maximum UK visibility and are willing to pay commission for new client acquisition.

Fresha

Largest Global Marketplace (Now Paid)

£9.95/month + 20% new client commission

✓ Massive global client marketplace
✓ Online booking & payments
✓ Client management & reminders
✓ Marketing tools included
✓ Mobile app
! Now charges £9.95/month per calendar
! 20% commission on new marketplace clients
! Costs add up quickly

Best For: Those who need maximum marketplace exposure and are happy to pay for it. Consider alternatives if you have a strong existing client base.

Booksy

Popular with Barbers & Stylists

From £25/month

✓ Strong marketplace presence
✓ Easy client booking app
✓ Automated reminders
✓ Built-in marketing tools
✓ Good mobile experience
✓ Client management
✓ Deposit collection

Best For: Stylists who want a well-known booking platform their clients may already use.

SalonLife

0% Commission Marketplace

From £9.99/month

✓ 0% commission on marketplace bookings
✓ UK GDPR fully compliant
✓ Colour formula tracking & client photos
✓ Mobile calendar with drag-and-drop
✓ Individual pricing per stylist
✓ Stock management included
✓ ~28% of bookings via marketplace
✓ 14-day free trial

Best For: Chair renters who want marketplace exposure without commission fees. Great for colour work with formula tracking.

💰 Budget-Friendly Professional Options

Vagaro

Feature-Rich & Affordable

From £20/month

✓ Comprehensive booking & POS
✓ Online booking & marketplace
✓ Client management & forms
✓ Email & text marketing
✓ Website builder included
✓ Inventory management
✓ 30-day free trial
✓ Free credit card reader

Best For: Those wanting lots of features at a competitive price point.

Timely

55,000+ Hair & Beauty Pros Worldwide

From £20/month per staff

✓ Beautiful, customisable calendar
✓ Online booking & deposits
✓ Automated reminders (100 SMS included)
✓ Client records & consultation forms
✓ Marketing automation
✓ Stock management
✓ Detailed reporting
✓ 14-day free trial

Best For: Established stylists wanting a polished, professional system with strong support.

Acuity Scheduling

Part of Squarespace Family

From £16/month

✓ Client self-booking 24/7
✓ Stripe, Square, PayPal payments
✓ Automated confirmations & reminders
✓ Intake forms
✓ Calendar sync
✓ Group scheduling
✓ 7-day free trial
! SMS reminders on higher plans only

Best For: Those already using Squarespace for their website, or wanting simple scheduling without salon-specific features.

SimplyBook.me

Highly Customisable

Free tier / Paid from £8/month

✓ Free tier available
✓ Full booking website or widget
✓ Accept bookings, sell products & gift cards
✓ Multiple payment options
✓ Marketing tools
✓ Business statistics
✓ Highly customisable

Best For: Tech-savvy stylists who want maximum customisation options.

🏛️ What HMRC Looks For in Self-Employed Stylists

Your booking software should help you demonstrate genuine self-employment. Make sure your system:

✅

Shows only YOUR appointments — not shared with salon owner

✅

Uses YOUR business name and branding

✅

Invoices clients directly under your name

✅

Keeps your finances separate from the salon

✅

Generates reports for your tax returns

✅

You control your own hours and pricing

Quick Comparison: At a Glance

Software	Monthly Cost	Free Tier	Marketplace	UK Based	Best For
Square Appointments	FREE (solo)	✓	✗	✗	New chair renters
Setmore	FREE / £12+	✓	✗	✗	Free with social booking
JENA	£19	Free trial	✗	✗	Solo/mobile specialists
Pocket PA	~£20	✗	✗	✓	Mobile + tax management
The Salon App	Contact	✗	✗	✓	UK consultation forms
Salon Manager	From £25	✗	✗	✓	UK support & training
SalonLife	From £9.99	14-day trial	✓ (0%)	✗	Commission-free marketplace
Treatwell	From £16/month	✗	✓	✓	UK marketplace visibility
Fresha	£9.95 + 20%	✗	✓ (20%)	✗	Maximum global visibility
Booksy	From £25	✗	✓	✗	Strong brand presence
Vagaro	From £20	30-day trial	✓	✗	Feature-rich value
Timely	From £20	14-day trial	✗	✗	Beautiful calendar system
GlossGenius	From £24	2-week trial	✗	✗	Beautiful branding

Want More Help With Your Chair Rental Journey?

This guide is part of the resources I provide to help self-employed hairdressers build successful, independent businesses.

Best Booking Software for Self-Employed Hairdressers

⚠️ Important Update: Fresha Price Changes (April 2025)

Jump to:

Why Your Own Booking System Matters for Chair Renters

Proves Self-Employment

24/7 Client Booking

Reduces No-Shows

Professional Image

💚 Free Options — Perfect for Starting Out

Square Appointments

Setmore

💗 Built for Solo & Mobile Hairdressers

JENA

Pocket PA

GlossGenius

🇬🇧 UK-Based Software (UK Support & GDPR)

The Salon App

Salon Manager (iSalon)

SalonIQ

Salon Iris

🌐 Marketplace Platforms — Get Found by New Clients

Treatwell

Fresha

Booksy

SalonLife

💰 Budget-Friendly Professional Options

Vagaro

Timely

Acuity Scheduling

SimplyBook.me

🏛️ What HMRC Looks For in Self-Employed Stylists

Quick Comparison: At a Glance

Want More Help With Your Chair Rental Journey?

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⚠️ Important Update: Fresha Price Changes (April 2025)

Jump to:

Why Your Own Booking System Matters for Chair Renters

Proves Self-Employment

24/7 Client Booking

Reduces No-Shows

Professional Image

💚 Free Options — Perfect for Starting Out

Square Appointments

Setmore

💗 Built for Solo & Mobile Hairdressers

JENA

Pocket PA

GlossGenius

🇬🇧 UK-Based Software (UK Support & GDPR)

The Salon App

Salon Manager (iSalon)

SalonIQ

Salon Iris

🌐 Marketplace Platforms — Get Found by New Clients

Treatwell

Fresha

Booksy

SalonLife

💰 Budget-Friendly Professional Options

Vagaro

Timely

Acuity Scheduling

SimplyBook.me

🏛️ What HMRC Looks For in Self-Employed Stylists

Quick Comparison: At a Glance

Want More Help With Your Chair Rental Journey?

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