7 Must-Have Salon Software Solutions to Keep Your Chair Full

Running a salon takes more than just doing great hair. Behind the scenes, you need the right tools to keep everything organized and stress-free.

At a minimum, you need scheduling software to manage client appointments, a payment system that makes checkout easy, and a CRM to track client details and preferences. But there are plenty of other tools that can make running your salon easier and more efficient.

The problem? As a busy salon owner, you don’t always have time to search for the best options. So we’ve done it for you.

In this guide, you’ll find seven must-have beauty salon software solutions to help you manage bookings, payments, marketing, and more—so your business runs smoothly and your chair stays full.

There’s a lot that goes into running a beauty business. And without the right systems, things can get overwhelming fast.

Here’s what every salon owner has to juggle—and how the right software makes it easier:

• Taking appointments: Scheduling software lets clients book online anytime and sends automatic reminders to reduce no-shows.
• Providing great customer service: Customer relationship management software (CRM) keeps all client details in one place, so every visit feels personal.
• Managing your marketing: Marketing tools to stay top of mind with clients and prospects across social media, email, and other marketing channels.
• Managing inventory: Inventory management software tracks stock levels and alerts you when it’s time to reorder.
• Processing payments: Point-of-sale (POS) software makes checkout seamless with tap, swipe, and online payment options.

Now, let’s dive into some of our top picks for software for beauty salons. 

Start with YouCanBookMe today

Let your clients book themselves—no back-and-forth required!

Just before we jump into the tools, remember that not all salon software is created equal. What works well for one salon might not be the right fit for you.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore your options:

• Business size and complexity: The needs of a solo stylist are very different from those of a multi-location salon.
• Integrations: Look for tools that connect easily with your existing systems, such as your POS, payroll, or marketing platform.
• Budget: Some platforms come with great free plans, while others charge more for advanced features. It’s important to know what you really need now and what you might grow into later.
• Growth and marketing goals: If attracting and keeping clients is a big focus, prioritize tools that support email marketing, SMS reminders, or social media scheduling.
• Avoid overcomplicating your setup: If your team needs to log into several tools just to get through the day, it can slow things down. Try to choose software that either combines features or integrates well with others.
• Ease of use: Software should be simple for both your team and your clients. If it’s hard to use, it’s less likely to be used at all.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best salon software solutions available.

It's simple: To keep chairs full, salons need clients to come through the door. If that process is slow or inconvenient, you risk losing bookings before they even make it into your calendar.

Salon booking software like YouCanBookMe (YCBM) is an ideal tool to have, as it takes the hassle out of scheduling by letting clients book themselves online in just a few clicks. 

You can set up different services, customize your availability, and even take deposits or full payments upfront to cut down on last-minute cancellations. The tool also sends automatic reminders to help ensure clients show up on time, which is a huge bonus.

Key features:

• Client self-scheduling: Clients book their own appointments with who they want, when they want to. 
• Automated reminders: Cut down on no-shows and let your clients know they’re due for a touch-up before that fill turns into a full set. 
• Multiple appointment types: Let clients book multiple services in one go, which will also help you drive upsells.
• Payment integration: Secure deposits or full payments upfront to reduce cancellations.

• Choose your availability: Every staff member can set up custom availability throughout the week. Then, clients can see availability based on stylists they want to book with.

• Add buffer times in between appointments: Automatically add padding in between appointments to give yourself ample time between clients to sanitize your station. 

• Calendar sync: Avoid double bookings with Google, Apple, and Microsoft calendar integration.

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $9 per month.'

💬  What do other salons say about it?
“I am a mobile barber and have my YouCanBookMe link on my social profiles. It has made my job so much easier and more efficient when I let my clients pick the times that work for them on my schedule. They have the power, and I get the meeting—it’s a win-win!”

- Aaron Wright, Mobile Barber

No salon can go without a reliable way to take payments. Square makes it easy to accept credit cards, mobile wallets, and contactless payments right from your phone or tablet. It also tracks product sales and service totals in real time, so you know exactly what’s selling and what needs restocking.

For salon owners, it means faster checkouts, fewer manual errors, and less time spent balancing the till at the end of the day.

Key features:

• Accepts chip cards, mobile wallets, and contactless payments
• Built-in POS system with sales tracking and inventory management
• Real-time stock tracking and low-stock alerts
• Detailed analytics to monitor revenue and customer trends

Pricing: Free for basic features (plus transaction fees).

💬 What do other users say about it?

“Square Payments is easy to use, my clients feel secure, and I can easily integrate it into my payment platform. A win-win.”

- Patricia W. (Capterra review)

Mailchimp is a small business–friendly email marketing platform that lets you send automated messages, promote special offers, and follow up with clients after their visit.

You can segment your audience, schedule campaigns in advance, and track performance with built-in analytics. Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to nurture your existing clients and keep them coming back, so it’s definitely worth adding a tool like Mailchimp to your salon toolkit.

Key features:

• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop email builder
• Automated follow-ups and appointment reminders
• Audience segmentation for targeted promotions
• In-depth analytics to track campaign performance
• Integration with booking and payment platforms

Pricing: Plans start at $20/month.

💬 What do other users say about it?

“I've been using Mailchimp for the past 7 years to manage and distribute my newsletters. When I first started, my open rates were at 9.3% and click rates at 0.2%. Over the years, with consistent effort and the robust tools Mailchimp offers, I've managed to significantly improve these metrics to an average of 45% open rates and 0.8% click rates.”
- Julie D. (G2 review)

The easiest way to keep your chairs full is to stay connected with your clients, and SMS is one of the most effective ways to do it.

Capacity lets you send appointment reminders, last-minute offers, and personalized messages directly to your clients’ phones—where they’re most likely to see them. With AI-powered two-way texting, clients can confirm, reschedule, or book appointments instantly, without playing phone tag. 

Key features:

• Two-way texting for easy client communication
• Bulk messaging for promotions and special offers
• Audience management and segmentation
• Messaging analytics
• SMS payments
• Secure, compliant messaging system
• Integration with booking and CRM tools
• Event-based triggers and automatic replies

💬 What do other users say about it?

“We have been partners for almost 4 years and have implemented several of their solutions. Capacity is constantly making technology improvements/upgrades to their already intuitive platform.”
- Koren G. via G2.

Every salon needs to be on social media—it’s one of the first places potential clients go to check out your work. But of course, that’s easier said than done. Socials take time and consistency, which is where Later, a social media management and influencer marketing tool, can help.

It lets you plan and schedule posts across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and more, so your salon can stay visible without you needing to post on every platform separately.

Key features:

• Plan and schedule posts across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and more
• Visual content calendar to map out your feed in advance
• Analytics to track engagement and find what works
• User-generated content (UGC) tools to easily share client transformations
• Link in bio feature to drive bookings directly from social media

Pricing: Plans start at $16.67/month. 

💬 What do other users say about it?

“Later makes social media scheduling and content planning incredibly easy. The visual calendar is intuitive and helps us clearly map out campaigns across multiple platforms. We especially like the media library feature, which allows us to organize and reuse assets, and the link in bio tool, which adds real value to our Instagram strategy.”

- Bree M. (G2 review)

Keeping track of every client’s preferences, history, and past services is nearly impossible without a proper system.

HubSpot is a powerful customer relationship management (CRM) platform that helps you store client details, send personalized follow-ups, and keep your communications organized. It’s a great option for salons that want to build stronger relationships, improve retention, and stay top of mind between visits.

Key features:

• Centralized client database for personalized service
• Automated email marketing and follow-ups
• Marketing automation for custom campaigns
• Detailed analytics and reporting
• Integration with booking and payment systems

Pricing: Paid plans start at $20 per month.

💬 What do other users say about it?

“It's easy to set up and use. The best CRM is the one you actually use, and HubSpot works well for me.”

- Chris O. (Via Capterra

Some salon owners prefer an all-in-one solution rather than piecing together multiple tools. These platforms handle most things like payments, client management, and inventory in one place, which can make daily operations much simpler.

They do come with a higher price tag, but for many salons, the time and stress saved makes it worth the investment. If that sounds like the right fit for you, Mangomint is a sleek and powerful option built for modern salon teams, especially medium-sized businesses or multi-location salons.

Key features:

• Appointment scheduling with real-time availability
• Integrated POS system for smooth transactions
• Client management with detailed profiles and history
• Inventory tracking and management tools
• Automated email and SMS reminders

Pricing: Plans start at $165 per month.

💬 What do other salons say about it?

“Overall, Mangomint was one of the cleanest, easiest-to-use salon software platforms we’ve worked with. The booking system was smooth, the interface was modern and intuitive, and our team picked it up quickly without much training.” 

- S. Franky H. (via Capterra)

Running a salon is busy work, but the right software can take a lot of the pressure off. From managing appointments and payments to marketing and client follow-ups, these tools help you stay organized, reduce no-shows, and keep your chairs full. If you only start with one, make it a booking system that works for you 24/7.

YouCanBookMe lets clients book online in just a few clicks, choose their preferred member of staff, and even pay in advance—all while sending reminders so they never forget their appointment.

Try it free today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best software for salons?

The best salon software should make scheduling effortless, reduce no-shows, and keep your business running smoothly. No matter what kind of salon you’re running, a tool like YouCanBookMe lets clients book online 24/7, sends automated reminders, and syncs with your calendar to prevent double bookings.

How much does salon software cost?

Salon software pricing varies depending on features. More advanced salon management software with marketing, inventory tracking, and payment processing can cost between $50–$200 per month. If you’re looking for an easy way to manage hair salon and barber shop appointment management, an affordable, flexible scheduling tool is a great place to start.

How do I choose the right salon software?

The best salon software fits your specific needs, whether that’s streamlining nail salon scheduling, automating beauty appointments, or keeping a barber shop fully booked. If your main goal is to simplify bookings, reduce back-and-forth messaging, and cut down on no-shows, a scheduling tool like YouCanBookMe makes it easy.

What features are most important for choosing salon management software?

When you’re choosing salon management software, the most important features are the ones that actually make your day easier. You want a system that handles the basics really well, like letting clients book online, sending reminders so they actually show up, and making checkout quick and smooth.

It should also help you keep track of client notes, like color formulas or past services, so you don’t have to rely on memory or sticky notes. If it can support your marketing, like sending out promos or follow-ups, that’s even better.

However, the biggest thing is ease of use. If it’s not simple for you and your team to learn, it’ll just sit there unused. Pick something that fits the way you work.