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:
Now, let’s dive into some of our top picks for software for beauty salons.
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:
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:
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!”
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📌 Pro tip: A clear booking policy helps prevent last-minute cancellations and no-shows—keeping your chair full and your schedule on track. Need inspiration? Check out these booking policy examples to set expectations and protect your time. |
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:
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:
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:
💬 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:
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)
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📣 Marketing is a must when you’re running a salon. Check out our small business marketing guide for easy-to-implement tactics. |
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:
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:
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.