5 best online booking systems for salons, barbershops, and spas in 2024

What truly sets a spa or salon apart? Is it the skilled stylist, the modern tools, or the luxurious ambiance? While these are key ingredients, the real magic happens when you create an unforgettable experience that makes your clients fall in love with your brand and keeps them coming back for more.

However, in the service industry, it’s easy to stumble and leave customers unhappy. One of the initial and critical pitfalls is the appointment scheduling process.

Imagine your customers waiting over a phone call, or expecting a call back to make an appointment, only to find that their preferred slot is already booked after multiple back-and-forth checks. It can make them feel underwhelmed and frustrated.

That’s where an online booking system shines. No more back-and-forth checks and waiting to book an appointment. It’s a smoother, more professional approach that puts your customers at the forefront.

So, if you’re ready to upgrade, you’re in the right place.

With many online booking systems available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Don’t worry; we’ve done the legwork.

How to find the ideal online booking system for your salon or spa 

As you explore your options, keep the following factors in mind to ensure you find the perfect online booking system for your spa and salon:

 1. Ease of use 

Choose a system that’s easy for both your staff and clients to use. The simpler it is, the faster you’ll be booking appointments. Look for a user-friendly interface that anyone can navigate with ease.

 2. Customization 

Customization is key for a consistent, on-brand experience. Find software that lets you personalize booking pages, emails, and all customer interactions to match your spa or salon’s branding. This creates a professional, cohesive experience for your clients.

 3. Control and flexibility 

Your scheduling tool should let you fully manage your calendar. This includes creating services, blocking off holidays, spacing out appointments, and deciding how far in advance bookings can be made. This flexibility helps in distributing your team’s workload uniformly and keeping things running smoothly.

 4. Integration 

Your online booking system should integrate seamlessly with your existing tools, like calendars, video conferencing, CRMs, and payment gateways. Smooth integration keeps everything working together, making your business more organized and efficient.

 5. Affordability 

Online booking systems come in a range of pricing models, from free plans to custom enterprise options. If you’re unsure about committing to a paid plan, use free trials to explore premium features and find the best fit for your spa or salon before making a financial commitment.

Here are the top 5 online booking systems that make you stand out from the rest 

1. Zoho Bookings: For salons, barbershops, and spas looking to provide a personalized booking experience. 

Zoho Bookings is a comprehensive online booking system that can be tailored for spas and salons or barbershops, offering streamlined appointment management to meet the unique needs of personal care businesses. Its intuitive interface simplifies scheduling for various services, whether it’s individual treatments, group sessions, or educational workshops.

Managing a team of therapists and stylists becomes much easier with Zoho Bookings’ robust team management features. You can onboard staff members, assign them different roles (like admin, manager, or staff), and allocate them to specific services or treatment rooms.

A key feature of Zoho Bookings is its extensive customization options, allowing businesses to create a booking experience that seamlessly integrates with their branding. This includes selecting background images, themes, uploading logos, and choosing color schemes, ensuring a consistent brand presence across all customer interactions.

Customization extends to automated notifications and reminders, where businesses can personalize email notifications and SMS reminders. This proactive approach ensures that clients are promptly informed about their upcoming appointments, minimizing the chances of missed bookings.

With flexible pricing plans, including a forever-free option and affordable premium plans, Zoho Bookings scales effectively to support the growth of spas and salons of all sizes.

Other key features:

1. Multi-location support: Manage appointments and staff across multiple locations from one dashboard for streamlined operations.

2. Charge for premium services: Offer higher rates for top-notch stylists or therapists.

3. Recurring appointments: Allow clients to book multiple appointments at regular intervals, either as flexible drop-in sessions or as a committed series.

4. Calendar sync: Connect with all popular calendar apps, ensuring no scheduling conflicts by automatically blocking off busy times, ensuring peace of mind.

5. Remote services: Set up virtual appointments through platforms like MS Teams, Google Meet, Zoho Meeting, or Zoom to expand service offerings beyond physical visits.

6. Website widget: Embed customizable booking pages into your website, by simply pasting the iFrame code.

7. Extended capabilities: Streamline end-to-end appointments with features like POS, payroll processing, and inventory management by integrating with other Zoho apps.

8. Mobile apps: Available on both Android and iOS to manage appointments on-the-go.

Who is it for?

• If you’re looking to transition from pen-and-paper registers.

• If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable online booking system.

• If you want a tool that’s easy to kick-start your appointment scheduling with.

Zoho Bookings pricing:

Forever-free plan and paid plans available (pricing below)

Basic: $6 per user per month (billed annually)

Premium: $9 per user per month (billed annually)

Available platforms: Web, Android, iOS

2. Acuity Scheduling: Extensive features make the learning curve worthwhile 

Acuity Scheduling, a part of the Squarespace family, offers a wide range of features for salons and spas. One of Acuity Scheduling’s key strengths is its versatility in managing client transactions.

Whether you want to sell subscriptions, memberships, appointment packages, or even gift certificates, Acuity has it. This flexibility allows salons and spas to provide their clients with multiple options, adding a layer of convenience.

The platform’s integration capabilities are another highlight. Acuity connects with essential business tools, simplifying operations and saving valuable time.

While Acuity’s extensive features may seem overwhelming at first, the effort to learn the platform pays off with a highly customizable scheduling tool that can streamline operations and enhance client interactions.

Other key features:

1. Appointment types: Tailor appointment options by hour, session, or package to meet your needs.

2. Calendar sync: Connect with Gmail, Outlook, and Office 365 calendars, plus iCloud integration.

3. Booking forms: Design custom forms to collect essential client information before appointments.

4. Reminders and notifications: Automate reminders and alerts for bookings, rescheduling, and cancellations to keep everyone reminded and informed.

Who is it for?

• If you’ve crafted your site with Squarespace.

• If you’re looking for a wide range of features and robust integrations.

Acuity Scheduling pricing:

No forever-free plan; offers four paid plans:

Emerging: $16 per month for one user (billed annually)

Growing: $27 per month for six users (billed annually)

Powerhouse: $49 per month for thirty-six users (billed annually)

Enterprise: Custom plan with unlimited users

Available platforms: Web, Android, iOS

3. Mangomint: Online booking system designed for spas and salons that operate as teams 

Mangomint is an intuitive scheduling software designed for spas and salons (currently available only in the USA and Canada). With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Mangomint delivers a seamless solution for managing appointments, client relationships, and overall business operations.

With easy drag-and-drop scheduling, automatic conflict detection, and real-time updates, managing your calendar has never been easier. This ensures that your salon or spa runs smoothly, with no double bookings or missed appointments.

Mangomint simplifies the management of client information, appointment tracking, and maintaining detailed client histories. One of its distinctive features is its inventory management system. Ideal for salons and spas that sell products, this tool tracks stock levels, manages orders, and analyzes sales trends. This holistic approach to business management empowers owners to make data-driven decisions and optimize their operations.

Other key features:

1. Client profiles: Maintain detailed client profiles with appointment history, preferences, and notes, allowing for personalized service.

2. Staff management: Manage staff schedules, commissions, and performance metrics with ease.

3. Payroll processing: Pay your employees and contractors with support for various compensation types, including hourly, salary, commission, and tips.

4. Memberships and packages: Offer memberships and packages to enhance client satisfaction and create recurring revenue streams.

5. Reporting and analytics: Generate detailed reports on various aspects of your business, from appointment trends to financial summaries.

Who is it for?

• Ideal for larger teams aiming to streamline overall operations.

Mangomint pricing:

No forever-free plan; offers three paid plans:

Essentials: $165 per month (for 2 to 10 service providers)

Standard: $245 per month (for up to 20 service providers)

Powerhouse: $375 per month (unlimited service providers)

Available platforms: Web, Android, iOS

4. Fresha: Pay for the features that your spa or salon needs 

Fresha, formerly known as Shedul, is a simple platform that integrates with your salon or spa’s daily operations.

One of Fresha’s most impressive features is its all-in-one approach to scheduling, client management, and point-of-sale systems. This integrated platform offers a comprehensive solution that eliminates the need for multiple tools. Whether you’re looking to manage appointments, handle client payments, or track inventory, Fresha covers it all.

Fresha offers a pricing model with no monthly fees. You only pay a percentage on transactions, making it a cost-effective choice for small and medium-sized businesses. This pay-as-you-go model ensures that you’re only paying for what you use.

Other key features:

1. Appointment management: Manage appointments with ease, allowing clients to book, reschedule, or cancel online.

2. Point of sale: Integrated POS system handles transactions, including payments, tips, and sales of products or services.

3. Marketing tools: Use built-in marketing features such as automated email reminders and promotional campaigns to engage clients and drive repeat business.

4. Inventory management: Track and manage inventory, including product stock and service availability, to keep your operations running smoothly.

Who is it for?

• If you’re not tech-savvy, but running a small or a medium-sized spa or salon.

Fresha pricing:

Free plan: No cost for basic features

Upgrades: Pay-on-use. Click here for more information.

Available platforms: Web, Android, iOS

5. Zenoti: From appointment scheduling to integrated marketing 

Zenoti is an extensive online booking system that integrates essential tools to streamline your spa or salon business. From appointment scheduling and billing to marketing, inventory management, and staff oversight, Zenoti covers the major and extended operations of appointment scheduling.

For multi-location businesses, Zenoti offers a robust enterprise-level solution with advanced reporting and corporate controls. It’s designed to manage multiple sites effectively, providing detailed custom reporting and centralized supervision.

A standout feature of Zenoti is its client management system. It provides a 360-degree view of each client, including their service history, preferences, and visit frequency. This insight allows you to deliver a personalized experience, boosting client satisfaction and loyalty.

The built-in POS system simplifies transactions, from processing payments to managing sales and inventory. Zenoti delivers a unified platform that ensures your financial operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Other key features:

1. Employee scheduling: Create and manage staff schedules easily, ensuring optimal coverage and reducing scheduling conflicts.

2. Online payments: Accept payments online through various platforms, enhancing convenience for clients and streamlining your checkout process.

3. Inventory management: Track stock levels and manage inventory in real time to avoid shortages and overstock situations.

4. Third-party integrations: Connect with other business tools and software for seamless data synchronization and extended functionality.

Who is it for?

• Ideal for mid-sized to large spas and salons, including those who operate in multiple locations.

Zenoti pricing:

• Custom pricing based on the requirements.

Available platforms: Web, Android, iOS

Ready to choose from the best? 

As you weigh your options among top contenders like Zoho Bookings, Acuity Scheduling, Mangomint, Fresha, and Zenoti, remember that each offers distinct features designed to elevate your service and streamline your operations.

Zoho Bookings stands out with its deep customization and seamless integration with Zoho apps—perfect for spas and salons aiming for flexibility and an unforgettable customer experience.

Why wait to see these benefits in action? Start your 15-day free trial with Zoho Bookings today.