We tested and compared 15+ leading salon POS systems to find out which ones actually help salon owners save time, book more clients, and boost revenue.

Whether you’re a solo stylist or running a multi-location franchise, our top five recommendations are based on real-world testing, hands-on experience, and feedback from salon owners just like you.

Our Top 5 Salon POS Software Picks

Salon POS	Overall Rating	Starting Price	Best For	Free Plan
Fresha	4.8	0	Best Free POS	Yes
Square	4.6	0 – 69/month	Best for Small Salons	Yes
Vagaro	4.5	25/month	Best All-in-One Platform	No
GlossGenius	4.4	24/month	Best for Solo Stylists	No
Boulevard	4.3	175/month	Best for Premium Client Experience	No

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Fresha	Square	Vagaro	GlossGenius	Boulevard
Appointment Booking	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mobile App	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Inventory Tracking	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Marketing Tools	No	Basic	Advanced	Basic	Advanced
Team Management	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Free Plan	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Premium Features	Basic	Moderate	Advanced	Basic	Premium

Methodology

We spent over 150 hours researching and testing each platform across five key areas:

• Scheduling and booking features
• Payment and tipping functionality
• Client management and loyalty tools
• Staff and inventory management
• Reporting and ease of use

Each software was tested across desktop and mobile to simulate real-world use in active salon settings.

Our Top Picks

1. Fresha – Best Free Salon POS

Starting Price: 0 per month
Transaction Fees: 2.19 percent + 0.20 per payment
Mobile App: Yes (iOS and Android)

Fresha is the only salon POS software on this list that offers its entire platform with no monthly fees.

You only pay transaction fees if you accept payments through the app, making it a great choice for solo stylists and small salons looking to keep costs down.

Pricing Breakdown:

• Monthly Software Cost: 0
• Booking Tools: Included
• Inventory, Client Records: Included
• Processing Fees: 2.19 percent + 0.20 per transaction
• Add-ons: No paid add-ons required
• Hardware: Optional, not required to use

Pros:

• Free to use (no subscription)
• Online booking site included
• Smart client profiles with visit history
• No-show protection with card-on-file
• iPad and mobile-friendly

Cons:

• Limited customization for booking page
• No advanced marketing tools

Bottom Line: If you’re just starting out or want a powerful, budget-friendly POS, Fresha is unbeatable.

2. Square for Salons – Best for Small Salons

Starting Price: Free for solo; 69 per month for teams
Transaction Fees: 2.6 percent + 0.10 per tap, dip, or swipe
Mobile App: Yes (iOS and Android)

Square is already a trusted name in small business payments, but its dedicated version for salons packs in features like smart tipping, staff time tracking, and loyalty programs.

Pricing Breakdown:

• Monthly Software Cost:
  • Free for solo users
  • 69 per month for teams
• Card Processing Fees: 2.6 percent + 0.10 per swipe or tap
• Appointments & Reminders: Included
• Loyalty Program: Optional paid add-on
• Hardware: Starts at 49 for reader; full register bundles available

Pros:

• Beautiful interface and intuitive setup
• Tipping prompts increase staff earnings
• Loyalty programs and gift cards
• Hardware available (stand, reader, register)
• Syncs with social media for booking

Cons:

• Reporting features are limited
• Not ideal for large teams

Bottom Line: Ideal for small salons looking for ease of use and modern tools with no startup cost.

3. Vagaro – Best All-in-One Salon POS

Starting Price: 25 per month per user
Transaction Fees: 2.75 percent flat fee per card transaction
Mobile App: Yes

Vagaro combines POS, scheduling, marketing, inventory, and client management into one powerful dashboard. It’s suited for growing salons that want full control without juggling multiple platforms.

Pricing Breakdown:

• Monthly Software Cost: 25 per user
• Transaction Fees: 2.75 percent (flat rate)
• Text Marketing Add-on: Starting at 10 per month
• Forms, Check-in App: Optional add-ons, 10 to 20 per feature
• Hardware: iPad stand, card readers, and printers sold separately
• Custom Branded App: Available as an add-on (custom pricing)

Pros:

• Full marketing suite (text and email campaigns)
• Custom branded app options
• Built-in reports and payroll
• Membership and class booking features
• Add-ons for more control (forms, check-ins)

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• Can get pricey for teams

Bottom Line: Great value for salons that need a one-stop shop for both booking and business growth.

4. GlossGenius – Best for Solo Stylists

Starting Price: 24 per month
Transaction Fees: 2.6 percent flat
Mobile App: Yes (iOS only)

GlossGenius focuses on branding and user experience. It’s built with solo stylists and mobile beauty pros in mind, offering sleek booking pages and automated branding features.

Pricing Breakdown:

• Monthly Software Cost: 24
• Flat Processing Fees: 2.6 percent (no extra per-transaction fees)
• Text Message Reminders: Included
• Website & Branding Tools: Included
• Hardware: Optional card reader available for additional cost
• No hidden charges for booking or client management

Pros:

• Best-in-class mobile experience
• Easy to use and visually stunning
• Accepts contactless payments
• Free website with client booking
• Auto text reminders and confirmations

Cons:

• No Android version
• Limited team features

Bottom Line: Perfect for stylists who want a professional image and easy setup with no tech stress.

5. Boulevard – Best for Premium Salons

Starting Price: 175 per month (custom pricing for teams)
Transaction Fees: Custom
Mobile App: Yes

Boulevard is the salon POS of choice for upscale salons, med spas, and franchises. With smart scheduling, client retention features, and a polished interface, it’s built to impress both owners and clients.

Pricing Breakdown:

• Monthly Software Cost: Starts at 175
• Custom Plans Available: Yes, for franchises or larger teams
• Marketing Tools & Campaigns: Included
• Two-way Texting & Reminders: Included
• Hardware: Available through Boulevard or via integration
• Transaction Fees: Custom (based on volume and setup)

Pros:

• Optimized for high-end client experience
• Intelligent waitlist and resource tracking
• Integrated marketing automation
• Two-way text with clients
• White-glove onboarding available

Cons:

• High cost
• Not ideal for startups or small shops

Bottom Line: If your brand is positioned as premium, Boulevard aligns perfectly with that level of service.

Key Takeaways

• Fresha is the best free salon POS with no monthly cost
• Square for Salons is perfect for solo or small teams needing a quick setup
• Vagaro is the best all-in-one platform for growing salons
• GlossGenius is ideal for solo stylists focused on branding
• Boulevard is great for salons offering a high-end, white-glove experience

How To Choose the Right POS for Your Salon

Not every salon has the same needs, so here’s what to look at when picking the best POS system for you:

Criteria	What To Consider
Team Size	Are you solo or managing staff
Budget	Do you want free, low-cost, or premium tools
Mobile vs Desktop Use	Will you use it primarily on a tablet or PC
Client Type	High-volume walk-ins or scheduled appointments
Retail Inventory	Do you sell a lot of product or just a few items
Marketing Needs	Do you need email or text campaigns built in
Ease of Use	Is your staff tech-savvy or not

What the Data Says

• 70 percent of salons say their biggest challenge with POS is training staff (source: Software Advice)
• Using appointment reminders cuts no-show rates by up to 60 percent (source: Vagaro)
• Square POS increased stylist tips by 35 percent on average after smart tipping was introduced (source: Square)
• 63 percent of salons now prefer cloud-based POS over on-premise systems for flexibility (source: Capterra)
• GlossGenius users report saving over 7 hours per week on admin tasks (source: GlossGenius)

Final Verdict: Which POS Do I Recommend

Here’s a quick breakdown of who each tool is best for:

Use Case	Recommended POS
Budget-conscious salons	Fresha
Growing small salons	Square
All-in-one management	Vagaro
Solo stylists	GlossGenius
Premium client experience	Boulevard

Your choice depends on your team size, budget, and how important features like marketing, branding, and advanced reporting are to you.