Choosing the right salon software for your salon or spa is a decision you should make with care. With the abundance of options available, it can be difficult to narrow down your search. Your goal as a salon owner is to find software that provides flexibility in its tools and functions so that you can succeed in meeting numerous business needs.

As you conduct your research, you may have considered Booksy for your salon management needs. For a monthly subscription fee that starts at $29.99 per month, this online marketplace will showcase beauty and wellness professionals for potential clients. These prospects can search for and view professionals near them, and businesses can list their salon or spa and access Booksy’s tools.

Booksy offers some notable features that businesses may find useful, such as calendar and appointment management, business management software that enable staff and shift management, and a marketing stack that includes email and social media templates and promotional tools. Yet there are many other Booksy alternatives worth considering, 10 of which we have outlined below.

What to Look For in a Booksy Alternative

As you consider Booksy alternatives, ask yourself the following questions:

What do I need in my salon or spa software – just the basics or more robust features?

You might need little more than booking management software to enable clients to book and manage appointments. However, you might also benefit from additional features like a booking website, mobile booking capabilities, and payment processing. Make a list of everything you think you may need.

What is my budget? 

Your budget should account for all of your needs, both now and in the future. Consider the different features and functions you need to create a successful salon or spa.

Among salon and spa software apps, there’s a wide range of price points depending on the features and level of customization offered. You may be able to start with a free plan and choose a higher tier as your business grows and your needs change or you add more users. Note that if you plan to expand to have multiple locations or a large staff, you’ll want to find an app that will scale with your business. Don’t forget to inquire about base fees, setup fees, and recurring fees before committing to any one software.

What kind of support does the app offer?

Look for easy onboarding and support so you can get up and running quickly without a large learning curve. You’ll also want easy access to support to get your questions answered.

What features will I get? What’s most important?

At a basic level, you will want your salon management app to enable appointment bookings and changes, detailed views into each customer’s booking history and preferences, and easy tracking of sales data. Additional desired options might be marketing tools that let you send text or email messages directly to clients and the ability to process payments online or issue refunds.

Is it important that I have a mobile app?

Nowadays, it’s to your advantage to have a mobile app that clients can access for appointment requests. While most salon and spa solutions offer a mobile version of their desktop apps, you’ll want to be sure to review the features of each mobile offering and ensure it will work for your needs.

Top 10 Boosky Alternatives in 2024

Any salon or spa looking for Booksy alternatives should identify the features that are most important to them in their booking software. From booking and managing appointments to processing payments and customer management, each software app has its own unique features to meet various needs.

Here are our picks for the top 10 Booksy alternatives to consider as you select the best software for your needs:

1. GlossGenius
2. Vagaro
3. StyleSeat
4. Square
5. Arketa
6. Mindbody
7. Salonist
8. Acuity
9. Zenoti
10. Boulevard

Let’s dive deeper into each one.

1. GlossGenius

• Best for: Independent salon owners
• Pricing: 14-day free trial available – pricing starts at just $24 per month with low payment processing fees

GlossGenius combines stunning design and client-facing functionality with online booking technology that’s seamless, powerful, and effective. Every GlossGenius account includes a beautiful booking website that matches your brand’s aesthetic, helping you drive more bookings, increase revenue, and encourage repeat appointments.

Behind the glossy exterior, GlossGenius isn’t just another pretty face. Real-time reports and analytics enable you to identify areas where you’re creating the most impact as well as opportunities to improve your operations. Clients can book appointments with ease, reschedule, and pay for their services via popular payment platforms like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and others. Meanwhile, you get built-in marketing tools to send unlimited texts and emails to local customers.

GlossGenius Reviews

• G2: 5/5 stars
• App Store: 4.7/5 (+2,700 reviews)

2. Vagaro

• Best for: Booking through a marketplace
• Pricing: Free trial available – paid plans start at $25 per user per month

Among Booksy alternatives, Vagaro is a strong contender capable of accommodating everyone from solo salon pros to large enterprises. Vagaro clients can create a profile, promote their brand, and enable clients to book appointments with their favorite providers. The app is easy-to-navigate, affordable, and loaded with features for smaller businesses that only need limited seats.

Vagaro offers users a hosted, personalized website where they can post their menu of services, brand photos and videos, staff bios, and hours of operation. Clients can book appointments through the desktop or mobile app and receive text or email reminders of upcoming bookings. Meanwhile, business owners get robust client management tools and deeper insights into previous visits, plus team management and payroll processing tools. Integrated POS features allow for the sales of gift cards, packages, and products online and through mobile (although some Vagaro customers report having problems with payment processing, so it might be worth looking into a Vagaro alternative).

Related Reads: Vagaro vs Booksy: An Honest Comparison

Vagaro Reviews

• G2: 4.4/5 (+119 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (+3,200 reviews)

3. StyleSeat

• Best for: Discovering local stylists
• Pricing: Free with transaction fees

Many beauty and wellness professionals turn to StyleSeat as a place to showcase their best work, connect with existing and new clients, and grow their businesses. Clients can discover new local providers, book appointments, and learn more about their favorite stylists, makeup artists, eyelash professionals, and other pros. Integrated alternative payment options such as Klarna and refer-a-friend bonuses make StyleSeat accessible and share-worthy.

StyleSeat claims to deliver a new client every 35 seconds among its user base. The app pays to appear at the top of local search engine results, runs social media and TV ads, and works with influencers to drive more bookings. As a provider, you get your own booking website and can easily send appointment reminders and notifications for last-minute openings. No-show protection, deposits at booking, and card-on-file reservations safeguard your valuable time.

Related Reads: 10 Best StyleSeat Alternatives Worth Checking Out

StyleSeat Reviews

• GetApp: 4/5 (+51 reviews)

Related Reads: StyleSeat vs Booksy: An Honest Review for Salons

4. Square

• Best for: Businesses of all sizes
• Pricing: Pay as you go on the free plan – upgrade to the paid plan starting at $29 per month as you scale.

You’ve likely heard of Square, one of the most popular apps among salon and spa professionals. Notable features include payment processing, integrated marketing tools and loyalty programs to drive more business, and the ability to sell on social media, online, or through POS.

The “pay as you go” model can work well for anyone concerned about paying a monthly service fee for salon software. You’ll also be able to easily manage permissions, payroll, and timecards while taking advantage of add-on features like banking tools to help you process payments, access funds, and even get a loan. If you need custom solutions, Square has you covered with developer tools to help you build the solutions you need.

Related Reads: Square vs GlossGenius: Which Should You Pick?

Square Reviews

• G2: 4.6/5 (+145 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (+2,600 reviews)

5. Arketa

• Best for: Fitness businesses
• Pricing: Free plan available – paid plans start at $39 per month

Robust tools and a streamlined user experience make Arketa stand out among Booksy alternatives. With Arketa, you can easily sell in-person sessions or online programs, helping you expand your revenue streams by selling online challenges, e-books, courses, workshops, retreats, merchandise, and more.

From your Arketa dashboard, you can easily manage clients, engage with your community, and track your business’s progress. Easy email automations and text notifications allow you to nurture your pipeline while keeping your community engaged and eager to hear from you. Arketa also integrates with 5,000 apps and provides automated workflows to simplify your operations.

Arketa Reviews

• G2: 4.8/5 (+49 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.8/5 (+49 reviews)

6. Mindbody

• Best for: Enterprise businesses
• Pricing: Request a quote for pricing specific to your salon or spa

No doubt, you’re familiar with Mindbody among the available Booksy alternatives. With easy appointment booking, simplified team management, and largely positive customer experiences, Mindbody has earned its place among notable salon and spa software apps. Mindbody clients also get a listing in the Mindbody app, helping to increase local exposure among their target audience.

Related Reads: 7 Best Mindbody Alternatives You Should Check Out

If you have more complex needs such as data migration support, Mindboy can help you transition from your existing software to the Mindbody app. Clients receive one-on-one setup and training as they onboard onto the platform. Easy payment processing, location and team management, reporting, marketing, sales, and other tools make for a well-rounded user experience.

Related Reads: MindBody vs GlossGenius: Which Should You Pick?

Mindbody Reviews

• G2: 3.6/5 (+378 reviews)
• Capterra: 4/5 (+2,700 reviews)

7. Salonist

• Best for: Small businesses
• Pricing: Starts at $39 per month

If you’re looking for an all-in-one app to handle multiple activities among clients and employees – from invoicing and inventory management to payroll and appointment booking – Salonist could be the tool for you. The flexible booking system allows clients to schedule appointments anytime, anywhere from the app, while loyalty tools encourage client retention as you reward them for repeat business.

Use the integrated POS tools for in-store payment processing, along with online shopping tools that help you increase revenue. Marketing automation tools enable you to promote your brand and convert interested pirates into new clients. Meanwhile, detailed analytics give you greater insights into client activities and opportunities to grow your brand.

Salonist Reviews

• G2: 5/5
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (+21 reviews)

8. Acuity

• Best for: Simple scheduling software
• Pricing: Free trial available – paid plans start at $16 per month for a single user and location

Acuity Scheduling is more than a salon and spa scheduling tool; businesses of all kinds use Acuity for online appointment scheduling, client management, payment processing, subscriptions, memberships, and much more. It’s a complete solution for booking appointments, managing your business, sending client reminders, driving repeat business, and more.

With Acuity, it’s easy for clients to book their own appointments, reschedule anytime they have a conflict, and pay for their services with integrated payment tools. Process payments through major processors, including PayPal, Stripe, Square, and others. With the ability to offer unlimited services and appointments for one monthly rate, Acuity is one of the stronger Booksy alternatives on our list. Plus, the app integrates with CRM tools to make pipeline management a breeze.

Acuity Reviews

• G2: 4.7/5 (+395 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.8/5 (+5,500 reviews)

9. Zenoti

• Best for: Fitness brands
• Pricing: Request a quote based on desired features and required licenses

A solid choice among salon and spa software, Zenoti can help you automate tasks, unify and manage your brand under a single dashboard, and generate positive customer experiences. Clients can easily book appointments online or in-store, while automated dispute resolution, billing, and payments as well as POS integration ensure a positive client experience.

Zenoti centralizes transactions and automates dispute resolution, billing, and payments, helping to simplify the payment process for clients and staff. Less time spent resolving issues means more time to focus on clients and business growth. Check in on your client dashboard anytime for a complete view of financials, inventory, staff, and guests, and more, so you can make the best decisions for your business now and in the future.

Zenoti Reviews

• G2: 4.2/5 (+119 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (+1,000 reviews)

10. Boulevard

• Best for: Small to medium sized businesses
• Pricing: Boulevard is among the pricier Booksy alternatives, starting at $175 per month

Boulevard is the “software for self-care,” where beauty brands can connect with clients and grow their brands. Built-in scheduling, management, and client experience tools platform enable wellness and beauty brands to create a positive user experience. From medspas to nail salons, there’s something for everyone on Boulevard.

From the client perspective, the self-booking features allow for easy scheduling and changing of appointments. It’s also easy to buy memberships, store their credit card information, and complete purchases using the built-in POS and payment processing tools. Meanwhile, client management tools encourage repeat bookings and help you view detailed client histories through detailed client profiles. Loyalty programs create lifelong customers who can take advantage of unique perks and special savings.

Boulevard Reviews

• G2: 4.1/5 (+56 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.6/5 (+275 reviews)

Conclusion

Finding a salon management app that streamlines your salon business doesn’t have to be difficult. There are a number of options available, including the Booksy competitors above. So take some time to learn more about each platform, decide what's most important to you, and find an app that fits your business. You don't have to spend hours sorting through applications – we’ve done the heavy lifting to help you find the best app for your needs.