The best Salon Scheduling App and Software in 2024

Article

Glava Andreea

Editor-in-Chief

01.02.2024

1078

In the dynamic world of the beauty industry, effective appointment management is key to success. As beauty professionals strive to enhance their services and streamline their operations, the choice of scheduling software becomes a pivotal decision. Among the top contenders in this space are Fresha, Booksy, and Stilio.

Each platform offers unique features designed to cater to the specific needs of beauty businesses. In this article, we embark on a comprehensive exploration and comparison of these three leading scheduling solutions, shedding light on their functionalities, user experiences, and how they contribute to the seamless management of appointments in the beauty sector.

Whether you're a salon owner, independent stylist, or beauty enthusiast, understanding the strengths of these software options can significantly impact the efficiency and success of your beauty endeavors.

Stilio

Stilio - Commission-free Salon Management software. A seamless, innovative platform designed for salons, spas, barbershops, and beauty professionals to manage and schedule appointments effortlessly, calendar management, 24/7 booking options, SMS confirmations and reminders etc. Detailed reports on bookings, specialists, clients, and revenue for valuable business insights and decisions!

Pros:

Commission FREE for bookings made via the platform or booking link available.
User-Friendly Interface: The software has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for salon owners, admin, staff or individual beauty specialists to integrate and use the platform faster.
It is the only CRM and mobile scheduling app that can be adapted not only for salons but also for individual specialists, and beauticians.
Flexibility: The app is known for its flexibility in setting up salon or specialist profiles meeting most of its needs
No hidden fees, straightforward subscription-based model that has the best price for value proposition. Memberships start at 15 euros.
24/7 Real customer support via social media, app, contact form, or email.
Possibility to manage reviews. Only clients that showed up can leave reviews.

Cons:

Relatively new on the market, 2 years since its foundation, fewer salons registered on the booking platform compared to Fresha or Booksy.

Price:

Stilio offers 3 types of subscriptions: 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. Prices start from 15 euros and already include a budget for SMS notifications sent to clients. The highest package up to 20 specialists comes at 50 euros per month (including 25 euro sms credit for client notifications).

Fresha

Formerly known as Shedul, is a salon and spa management software that provides tools to streamline various aspects of salon operations. It is designed to help salon owners, stylists, and beauty professionals manage appointments, track client information, and handle administrative tasks efficiently.

Pros:

Free Basic Version: Fresha offers a free version with essential features, making it accessible for small and independent salons to get started without significant upfront costs.
User-Friendly Interface: The software is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for salon staff to navigate and use the platform effectively.
Appointment Management: Fresha provides robust appointment scheduling and calendar management features, allowing salons to organize and optimize their booking process.
Client Management: Salons can maintain detailed client profiles, helping them offer personalized services and build stronger relationships with customers.
Online Booking: Fresha allows salons to integrate online booking capabilities, providing convenience for clients and reducing the workload on salon staff.

Cons:

Fresha plans are free, although users pay a 20% one-time commission for every new booking made via the Fresha marketplace.
Payment processing and marketing messages are also optional paid extras.
Limited Customization: Some users have noted that the level of customization in Fresha may be more limited compared to other salon management solutions, potentially impacting specific customization needs.
Feature Limitations in Free Version: While the free version is a great starting point, some advanced features may only be available in the paid subscription, potentially limiting the capabilities of smaller salons using the free version.
There is no phone support. The communication takes place via email and only during business hours
Customer Support Response Time: Some users have experienced longer response times from customer support, which can be a concern when immediate assistance is needed to address issues or queries.

Price:

Fresha operates on a freemium model, offering a free version with basic features. Although users pay a 20% one-time commission for every new booking made via the Fresha marketplace or link. There are also a lot of extra fees like payment processing, payment refunds, etc, which depend on the value of the service. The higher the value, the higher the commission.

Booksy

Booksy is a salon and appointment booking software designed to assist beauty and wellness professionals in managing their appointments, clients, and business operations. It offers tools for online scheduling, client management, and business promotion.

Pros:

Intuitive Booking System: Booksy provides an intuitive online booking system that allows clients to easily schedule appointments, helping salons attract and retain customers.
Client Management and CRM: The software offers features for managing client profiles, allowing businesses to keep track of client preferences, and history.
Business Promotion Tools: Booksy includes promotional tools, such as the ability to showcase services, reviews, and special offers, helping salons market their services and attract new clients.
Mobile App: Booksy has a dedicated mobile app, providing salon owners and staff with the flexibility to manage appointments, track business performance, and engage with clients on the go.
POS and Payment Integration: The platform integrates with point-of-sale (POS) systems and allows secure payment processing, streamlining financial transactions within the software.

Cons:

Cost for Premium Features: While Booksy offers a basic version, some advanced features may be available only in premium subscription plans, which could result in additional costs for salons looking to access the full range of functionalities.
Learning Curve: Users may experience a learning curve when getting accustomed to Booksy's interface and features, particularly if they are new to salon management software.
Advertisements for other competitors and businesses with similar products in the main header/banner of the booking webpage.
Poor customer support can take days to respond.
Customers can give reviews even if they did show up and you cannot delete the review
Payment processing and wirement can take more than 1-2 weeks.

Price:

Booksy offers two premium plans, Lite and Pro. Pricing starts at $29.99/month plus $20/month/additional staff member. There is also a one-time commission fee for each new client. SMS notifications are as well extra cost.

Ultimately, the best choice hinges on understanding your specific needs and aligning them with the strengths of these software solutions. With Stilio, Fresha, and Booksy paving the way, beauty professionals now have powerful tools at their disposal to not only manage appointments efficiently but also foster growth and success in an increasingly digital world. Choose wisely, and let your beauty business flourish in the era of smart scheduling.