Choosing the right salon software can shape how smoothly your business runs every single day. From keeping your schedule organized to handling payments and staying connected with clients, the tools you use behind the scenes matter more than most people realize. One familiar name in the beauty industry is Phorest, a platform built to support salons with everything from booking and client management to marketing and loyalty features.

Phorest is known for taking a structured, salon-focused approach that appeals to teams who want clear systems and ongoing support. Still, experienced business owners know there’s no such thing as one perfect solution for everyone. What works beautifully for one salon might feel limited to another.

That’s why exploring your options is always a smart move. In this guide, we break down some of the best alternatives to Phorest so you can find the software that fits your workflow, your goals, and the way you actually run your business day to day.

Is Phorest the Right Fit?

Phorest is a well-known salon software platform, but it’s not always the right fit for every type of business. Some owners find that costs increase as their team grows or as they add more features. Others wish for more advanced options when it comes to reporting, inventory management, or marketing tools.

Salons with complex service menus or unique scheduling needs may also find that Phorest doesn’t adapt easily to their workflow. When your business depends on custom bookings, multi-location coordination, or detailed service structures, flexibility becomes especially important.

Looking at these alternative options allows you to find a system that better supports your goals, whether that is scaling your business, simplifying daily operations, or gaining access to more powerful business tools.

The Elite Eight: Top Phorest Competitors Reviewed

The salon software space is full of options, but not every platform delivers the same value. We narrowed it down to eight strong Phorest alternatives that stand out for different business needs and growth stages.

In-Depth Reviews of Phorest Alternatives

Salon software today does far more than managing appointments. It plays a role in everything from client communication to marketing and daily operations, which makes choosing the right platform even more important.

When comparing Phorest to other salon software options, it helps to look beyond scheduling alone. Consider how each system supports your ability to grow revenue, improve the client experience, and simplify your workflow. It’s also smart to weigh the value of added features against their cost, so you can be confident you’re investing in tools that truly support your business goals.

Alternative #1: Vagaro | The “#1 Appointment Scheduling Software”

Used by more than 220,000 beauty and wellness businesses worldwide, Vagaro offers a complete salon and spa software solution designed to support both independent professionals and growing multi-location teams. The platform brings together key tools for appointment booking, client management, and revenue growth in one streamlined system.

Businesses can build a strong online presence with customizable profiles and branded website options that highlight services, portfolios, and team members. This makes it easier for new clients to discover your business and get a feel for your brand before they ever book.

Clients benefit from simple online booking across desktop and mobile, along with automated appointment reminders and two-way messaging that keep communication clear and convenient. Features like required deposits and no-show policies also help protect your time and reduce lost revenue.

On the operations side, Vagaro provides detailed client profiles, service history tracking, built-in payroll tools, and a flexible POS system that supports in-person, online, and mobile payments, plus gift cards and service packages.

While Vagaro is best known in the beauty and wellness space, its wide range of features make it a strong option for many service-based businesses looking for an all-in-one management platform.

Key Features at a Glance

Alternative #2: Mangomint | The “Highest-Rated” Software for Salons & Spas

Mangomint is a sleek, all-in-one salon and spa software that covers the basics and then some. From online booking and payments to client management, everything lives in one clean system designed to make busy days run a little smoother. By automating a lot of the behind-the-scenes work, Mangomint helps cut down on admin time so owners can focus more on clients and less on clicking through screens.

On thing users really love is how easy Mangomint feels to use. The design is simple and modern, but there’s a lot of power under the hood. It’s a great fit for salon owners who want their software to work hard in the background without needing a lot of setup or daily babysitting.

Pricing typically falls between $165-$375 per month, which puts Mangomint in the premium category. As with a few other alternatives on this list, Mangomint’s price point makes the most sense for established salons with steady revenue rather than brand-new businesses or solo artists just getting started.

For growing teams that are ready to invest in smarter systems and smoother operations, Mangomint can be a strong long-term choice. It’s built for salons who want to level up without adding more chaos to the day.

Key Features at a Glance

Alternative #3: Boulevard | The “Premium” Salon and Spa Management Software

If you’re looking for a more elevated salon software experience, Boulevard definitely plays in the premium lane. Boulevard’s tiered pricing starts at $175/month for core features like scheduling and payments, with Business and Enterprise plans offering more advanced tools and custom pricing based on your needs.

Boulevard stands out because it focuses just as much on the client experience as it does on back-office operations. Owners get smart scheduling tools that help teams stay productive, plus detailed client profiles that keep important info in one place. On the client side, booking feels easy, memberships are simple to manage, and payments are quick and convenient.

Compared to Phorest, Boulevard leans more into premium design and high-end client experience tools, while Phorest is often chosen for its strong marketing features and built-in loyalty programs. Salons that care most about sleek booking flows may prefer Boulevard, while those that rely heavily on marketing automation may still feel at home with Phorest.

Given its price point, Boulevard is ideal for established salons and spas with steady revenue. For smaller teams, solo pros, or newer businesses, the monthly investment can feel like a stretch. If you’re still in the early stages or keeping costs tight, a more budget-friendly option may be a better fit for now.

Key Features at a Glance

Alternative #4: Zenoti | AI First All-in-One Salon, Spa and Medical Spa Software

Zenoti is built with big business in mind. It’s designed for multi-location salons, med spas, and wellness brands that need serious structure behind the scenes. While many salon software platforms start small and scale up, Zenoti starts at the enterprise level and stays there.

Zenoti covers everything from appointment booking and payments to inventory management and marketing automation, all connected in one system. Zenoti’s reporting and analytics tools are especially strong, giving management a clear view of performance across every location so they can spot trends and make smarter decisions faster.

Zenoti truly shines when it comes to managing large teams. Owners get advanced scheduling tools, employee performance tracking, and centralized client profiles that keep the customer experience consistent no matter which location someone visits.

Compared to Phorest, Zenoti is more focused on enterprise operations and multi-location control, while Phorest tends to appeal to growing salons that want strong marketing tools and loyalty features without stepping fully into enterprise-level complexity. If your business runs across several locations and needs deep reporting and workforce management, Zenoti may feel like a better fit.

Pricing typically starts around $200/month, which puts Zenoti firmly in the premium category. That makes it a smart option for established brands with steady revenue, but not always the most practical choice for solopreneurs or small, single-location salons.

For large teams that need powerful data tools and centralized control, Zenoti delivers serious value. For smaller businesses, though, the level of complexity and cost can feel like more than you need at this stage.

Key Features at a Glance

Alternative #5: Booksy | The Mobile-Focused Booking App to Build Your Business

Booksy is a cloud-based management tool that helps businesses book appointments easily, handles payments and manages client relationships. A standout feature is the digital portfolio, which lets service providers show off their work and attract new clients easily.

What distinguishes Booksy from many competitors is its mobile-first philosophy. The Booksy Biz app puts key business tasks right in your pocket. This smartphone method helps service providers manage appointments, process payments, and update client info from nearly any location.

Booksy's web interface offers extra tools for better management. For example, it helps with staff scheduling, inventory control, and performance analytics.

The mobile-focused design represents both Booksy's greatest strength and main limitation The ability to run a business from a smartphone offers great flexibility for professionals who aren't desk-bound. Accessing some advanced features requires you to switch to the browser version, which can make the experience feel a bit disconnected.

Booksy offers good functionality to satisfy most operational needs while maintaining simplicity through its mobile interface. It's great for freelancers and small businesses that need mobility and simple tools.

Larger operations with complex management needs may find the platform's mobile focus limited, while traditional desktop options, like Fresha's dashboard, offer more flexibility.

Key Features at A Glance

Ratings:

Capterra: 4.4/5 (365). Score: 90/100

G2: 4.8/5 (8 Reviews)

Trustpilot: 4.2/5 (16,154)

Alternative #6: GlossGenius | “The #1 Salon & Spa Software” 

GlossGenius is known for its clean design and easy-to-use tools, making it a favorite for beauty and wellness professionals who want their software to feel just as polished as their brand. The platform brings scheduling and client management together in one sleek system that looks good and works hard behind the scenes.

Gloss's booking calendar is simple and visually organized, with features like waitlists, appointment reminders, and client notes built right in. For solo pros, the basics are more than enough. For teams, though, managing staff schedules and availability usually means upgrading to the Gold plan.

Compared to Phorest, GlossGenius leans more toward simplicity and solo-friendly workflows, while Phorest is often chosen by salons that want deeper marketing tools, loyalty programs, and built-in campaigns. If marketing automation and retention tools are on your list of must-haves, Phorest may still have the edge.

When it comes to protecting your time, GlossGenius offers strong tools to help reduce no-shows, similar to what you’ll find with platforms like Fresha. Clients book through a browser-based system rather than a dedicated app, which works well for most users but may feel limited if you prefer a branded client app experience.

On the team management side, GlossGenius includes staff scheduling, permission controls, and commission tracking, with more advanced features available at higher tiers.

For payments, GlossGenius uses a flat processing rate of around 2.6%. It’s simple and predictable, though slightly higher than other platforms.

Review Ratings: 

*Capterra: 4.7/5 (195) 

G2: 4/5 (4) 

Trustpilot: N/A 

Alternative #7: Rosy Salon Software | “Powerful. Trusted. Loved. Salon Software.”

Rosy salon software is a solid choice for salons that want reliable tools without a lot of extra noise. Built specifically for hair and beauty businesses, Rosy focuses on the features most owners actually use every day, like scheduling, inventory tracking, and client communication.

Pricing starts around $29/month, making Rosy one of the more budget friendly salon software options on the market. Plans scale based on the number of users and the features you need, so smaller teams can keep costs low while still getting the tools that matter most.

One area where Rosy really shines is support. Many users tout responsive customer service and regular product updates as big reasons they stick with the platform. When you rely on software every day, having a team that listens to and improves things over time makes a real difference.

Compared to Phorest, Rosy offers a simpler and more affordable experience. Rosy is a better fit for small to mid-sized salons that want dependable scheduling, inventory, and payments without paying for tools they may not use yet.

If you’re looking for salon software that feels approachable, practical, and budget friendly, Rosy is a strong option to consider. It delivers what many salons need most without making things more complicated than they need to be.

Review Ratings 

Capterra: 4.6/5 (145) 

G2: 4.6/5 (15) 

Trustpilot: N/A 

Alternative #8: Fresha | The Only “Free” Software for Beauty and Wellness Professionals

Fresha brings together many of the tools that salons need to run their business in one unified system. However, one of Fresha’s biggest draws is how clients can book directly through your own booking page or find your services on Fresha’s marketplace, helping you attract new customers without a heavy upfront cost.

Unlike platforms that charge a high monthly subscription, Fresha now offers plans starting at $19.95/month for independent professionals, and around $14.95/team member monthly for team plans. This pricing doesn’t include transaction fees and a marketplace commission on every new client booking. This evolution means Fresha is no longer completely free and requires ongoing investment, especially as your team grows.

Fresha also manages client communication with automated emails and text reminders, and it integrates smoothly with online calendars and social platforms to make booking as frictionless as possible. Its marketing and client tracking tools let you stay connected with your audience while keeping your schedules organized.

Compared to Phorest, Fresha tends to feel more accessible on the cost side and makes it easier to capture new clients through its marketplace. Phorest on the other hand, is often chosen by salons that want deeper built-in marketing features, loyalty programs, and more robust retention tools all included in the core subscription plan. If minimizing upfront software spend and maximizing discoverability are priorities, Fresha may feel like a better fit. If long-term client retention and advanced marketing automation are your focus, Phorest may still be worth the investment.

Overall, Fresha provides a flexible salon software solution with pricing that can scale with your team and keeps your booking and client management tools in one place.

Review Ratings:  

Capterra: 4.8/5 (1,420). Score: 85/100 

G2: 4.4/5 (4 Reviews) 

Trustpilot: 4.5/5 (2,126 Reviews) 

Summary: Choosing the Right Phorest Alternative 

Today’s salon software market offers plenty of strong alternatives designed to support different types of businesses. Whether you run a solo studio, manage a growing team, or oversee multiple locations, there is a platform built to match your workflow, budget, and long-term goals.

The comparison below makes it easier to see how each option stacks up, so you can quickly narrow down the best fit for your business and feel confident about your next move.

Vagaro 

• Target Audience: Caters to beauty, wellness, and fitness businesses of all sizes, from individual practitioners to multi-location enterprises. 

• Strengths: Offers a versatile set of features, including robust client management tools, at affordable pricing starting from $23.99 per month. 

Booksy 

• Target Audience: Designed for independent professionals, small salons, and barbershops looking for simple, mobile-first scheduling tools.

• Strengths: Offers all-in-one salon management platform with guided onboarding, data migration support, and ongoing business coaching for growing teams.

Mangomint 

• Target Audience: Ideal for established salons and spas with consistent revenue streams. 

• Strengths: Features powerful automation capabilities, an intuitive interface, and tools aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. 

Boulevard 

• Target Audience: Suited for established small to medium salons seeking premium solutions. 

• Strengths: Focuses on enhancing the client experience with sophisticated features, optimizing scheduling, and supporting multi-location operations. 

Zenoti 

• Target Audience: Designed for large, multi-location salons and spas. 

• Strengths: Delivers enterprise-level features like robust analytics, seamless cross-location management, and detailed employee tracking. 

GlossGenius 

• Target Audience: Tailored for independent beauty professionals, small salons, and boutique studios. 

• Strengths: Boasts an intuitive interface, competitive pricing (ranging from $24 to $148 per month), and integrated AI-powered marketing tools. 

Rosy 

• Target Audience: Ideal for small to medium-sized salons and spas seeking dependable, core functionality. 

• Strengths: Offers straightforward inventory management, a product reservation system, and responsive customer support at a value-oriented price starting at around $39 per month. 

Fresha 

• Target Audience: Ideal for small to mid-sized beauty businesses seeking budget-friendly solutions. 

• Strengths: Offers a free basic platform paired with robust social media integration and a commission-based pricing model, enabling salons to keep fixed costs low while benefiting from a scalable system tied to performance. 

Choosing the right salon software comes down to finding a platform that fits your business, not just one that looks good on paper. Take time to compare features, pricing, and real user feedback so you can feel confident in the decision you’re making. If a free trial is available, use it! Getting hands-on is often the fastest way to know if a system truly works for your team.

Looking for more ideas to grow your beauty or wellness business? Beauty Playbook is here with real-world tips, proven marketing strategies, and industry insights to help you move forward with confidence. Your next big step starts with the right tools and the right support behind you.