Finding the right POS software for your salon isn’t just about processing payments.
You need something that helps with bookings, inventory, staff, client experience — and looks good while doing it.
I’ve tested and reviewed 15 of the top-rated salon POS systems and narrowed them down to the five best for 2025.
Whether you’re a solo stylist or running multiple locations, these are the tools that stood out for performance, pricing, and salon-specific features.
Quick Comparison: Best Salon POS Software of 2025
| POS Software | Best For | Starting Price | Free Plan | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresha | Solo stylists | $0/month | Yes | Free to use, easy setup, built-in bookings |
| Vagaro | Mid-size salons | $25/month | No | Memberships, packages, marketing tools |
| Square for Salons | Small teams | $0–$60/month | Yes | Integrated POS, iPad hardware, clean interface |
| GlossGenius | Independent stylists | $24/month | No | Branded booking pages, mobile app, text reminders |
| Boulevard | Premium salons | $175+/month | No | Smart scheduling, rebooking tools, retention tools |
Our Top 5 Salon POS Picks
#1. Fresha – Best Free Salon POS for Solo Stylists
Rating: 4.8
Starting price: $0/month
Free plan available: Yes
Best for: Solo stylists and small salons on a budget
If you’re looking for a POS system that won’t drain your cash flow, Fresha is hard to beat.
It’s 100% free to use — no monthly subscription — with optional paid add-ons like marketing blasts and no-show protection.
What stands out:
- No subscription fees (unless you opt-in for upgrades)
- Built-in online booking and reminders
- Inventory tracking for retail sales
- Easy to manage client history and notes
- Marketplace for attracting new clients
Pricing:
| Tier | Cost | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0/month | Includes POS, bookings, inventory, client profiles |
| Marketplace Fees | 20% on first-time client bookings via Fresha marketplace | |
| Add-ons (optional) | Varies | No-show protection, marketing blasts, paid reminders |
Pros:
- User-friendly dashboard
- Zero monthly cost
- Custom deposit and cancellation policies
- Great for independent stylists or small teams
Cons:
- Marketplace fees on new clients
- No custom branding unless you pay
- Reporting is basic compared to others
Bottom line:
Fresha is the best choice if you’re working solo or just starting out. It has everything you need to manage appointments and payments — and you won’t pay a dime unless you want to scale up with add-ons.
#2. Vagaro – Best for Mid-Size Salons With a Team
Rating: 4.6
Starting price: $25/month
Free plan available: No
Best for: Growing salons with multiple staff
Vagaro offers one of the most complete salon POS packages, with powerful tools for managing staff, bookings, and client relationships. It’s popular with salons that want flexibility without enterprise-level costs.
Key features:
- Robust staff calendar and commission tracking
- Memberships and packages for recurring clients
- Text/email marketing campaigns
- Inventory and retail tracking
- Custom mobile app for clients
Pricing:
| Tier | Cost (USD) | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Base Subscription | $25/month | 1 user, bookings, client management, POS |
| Add Users | $10/user/mo | Additional fee per staff member |
| Text Reminders | $10–$20/mo | SMS marketing and reminders |
| Payment Processing | 2.75% | Per transaction (Vagaro merchant account) |
Pros:
- Scalable pricing as your team grows
- Clean booking interface
- Supports wellness services, fitness, and classes
- Great retention and marketing tools
Cons:
- Add-on costs for SMS/text reminders
- Can get expensive with larger teams
- Setup takes time if you want to use all features
Bottom line:
If you’re running a team and need full control over staff, client records, and marketing, Vagaro is one of the most balanced salon POS systems out there.
#3. Square for Salons – Best for Small Teams and Easy Setup
Rating: 4.5
Starting price: Free for individuals, $35/month for teams
Free plan available: Yes
Best for: Solo stylists or small salons needing hardware
Square for Salons brings Square’s payment tools into a package built specifically for stylists. It combines sleek hardware with intuitive software, making it a great fit for small teams.
What you get:
- iPad and register integration
- Built-in payments with transparent fees (2.6% + 10¢)
- Online booking with cancellation protection
- Sales reports and staff performance dashboards
- Automatic tip prompts at checkout
Pricing:
| Tier | Cost | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Plan | $0/month | 1 user, bookings, POS, reminders |
| Team Plan | $35/month | Up to 10 users, advanced features |
| Premium Plan | $60/month | Multi-location support, advanced reporting |
| Payment Processing | 2.6% + 10¢ | Per transaction (card-present) |
Pros:
- Free plan available for solo users
- Hardware bundles that look great in any salon
- Supports gift cards, loyalty, and retail sales
- Fast setup and onboarding
Cons:
- Not ideal for larger teams or multi-location businesses
- Reporting and marketing tools are basic
- Some tools (like advanced staff permissions) are locked behind higher-tier plans
Bottom line:
If you want something stylish, easy to set up, and reliable for day-to-day use, Square for Salons is a solid choice — especially if you already use Square for retail.
#4. GlossGenius – Best for Independent Stylists with a Personal Brand
Rating: 4.4
Starting price: $24/month
Free plan available: No
Best for: Solo stylists and beauty pros focused on branding
GlossGenius is made for independent beauty professionals who want their POS system to match their personal brand. From the sleek booking page to automated reminders, it’s designed to look good and work fast.
Top features:
- Stylish, customizable booking website
- Expense tracking and automated taxes
- Mobile-first design — run everything from your phone
- Built-in payment processing
- Automatic appointment confirmations and follow-ups
Pricing:
| Tier | Cost | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Plan | $24/month | All features included — bookings, POS, branding |
| Payment Processing | 2.6% | Per transaction (flat rate, no hidden fees) |
| Add-ons | None | Flat pricing includes all features |
Pros:
- Visually appealing booking tools
- No extra charges for payment processing
- Tracks everything from tips to taxes
- Easy for beginners to set up
Cons:
- No free plan or trial
- Not built for teams
- Lacks deeper reporting tools
Bottom line:
GlossGenius is a great fit if you’re a one-person business who wants clean branding and easy tools that just work — especially if you’re booking most clients through Instagram or your website.
#5. Boulevard – Best for High-End and Multi-Service Salons
Rating: 4.3
Starting price: $175/month
Free plan available: No
Best for: Premium salons, medspas, and chains
Boulevard positions itself as a luxury POS system — and it delivers. With smart waitlists, advanced scheduling, and high-end client features, it’s ideal for salons that prioritize customer experience and efficiency.
Best-in-class features:
- Predictive scheduling to reduce gaps and no-shows
- Automated rebooking and follow-up workflows
- Smart waitlists with real-time alerts
- Custom checkouts and client profiles
- API integrations for larger businesses
Pricing:
| Tier | Cost (starts at) | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $175/month | Booking, POS, client profiles, limited users |
| Premier/Enterprise | Custom pricing | Multi-location, marketing automation, integrations |
| Payment Processing | Custom | Requires Boulevard Payments setup |
Pros:
- Premium experience for clients and staff
- Supports large teams and multi-locations
- Automates retention campaigns and rebookings
- High-quality customer support
Cons:
- Price is significantly higher than competitors
- Long setup process
- May be overkill for smaller salons
Bottom line:
If you’re managing a busy salon with multiple services and care deeply about client retention, Boulevard is worth the investment — but it’s not a starter system.
How to Choose the Right Salon POS Software
Still not sure which one to go with? Here’s what I recommend looking for based on your business type:
For Solo Stylists
- Focus on low-cost tools with easy online booking
- Look for platforms that work on mobile
- Make sure client notes and appointment history are easy to access
Top picks: Fresha, GlossGenius
For Mid-Sized Salons
- You need staff scheduling, commission tracking, and service menus
- Client marketing features can make or break retention
- Look for loyalty or membership tools
Top picks: Vagaro, Square for Salons
For Premium or Enterprise Salons
- Multi-location syncing and API integrations
- Automated rebooking and advanced reporting
- Higher price, but offset by improved efficiency and retention
Top picks: Boulevard, Meevo (runner-up)
Summary: Best Salon POS Software in 2025
After testing the top contenders, here’s how I’d rank them:
| POS Software | Best For | Price Range | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresha | Solo stylists | Free | Best free system, easy to start |
| Vagaro | Growing salons | $25–$85/month | Most versatile for teams |
| Square for Salons | Solo to small teams | Free–$60/month | Best all-in-one for simplicity |
| GlossGenius | Independent pros | $24/month | Sleek and branded for solo stylists |
| Boulevard | Premium/high-volume salons | $175+/month | Top-tier experience and automation |
Each system has its strengths, so it really comes down to how your salon runs — and how much tech you’re ready to handle.
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