The Best Software for Barbershops in 2026
From walk-in queue management to appointment booking, find software built for the way barbershops actually work.
What Barbershops Need From Legal Software
Barbershops have unique software needs: many prefer a mix of walk-ins and appointments, require quick check-in/queue management for walk-in clients, need no-frills booking without the beauty-salon-specific design aesthetic, and want a platform that barbers themselves enjoy using.
Top 3 Software Picks for Barbershops
Booksy
The most popular marketplace platform for barbershops
Booksy has the largest community of barbers and barbershop clients of any platform. Its 35M+ consumer base includes a large barber-seeking segment, and many clients specifically use Booksy to find barbers near them. The platform's community vibe — built around barbers — makes it feel native to the craft. No-show protection with credit card holds is excellent.
Pros
- Largest barbershop community on any platform
- 35M+ consumers use Booksy to find barbers
- Built-in no-show protection and deposit collection
- Walk-in queue management available
- Mobile app widely used by barbers and clients
Cons
- —Monthly subscription required (no free plan)
- —No payroll processing
Vagaro
Full-service platform for barbershops with staff
Vagaro is the go-to platform for multi-barber shops that need payroll, commission management, and a comprehensive POS. Its barbershop-specific features include tip tracking, commission by service, and booth rental management. The consumer marketplace includes barbershop categories that clients search frequently.
Pros
- Built-in payroll for W-2 barbers and 1099 contractors
- Commission tracking per barber and per service
- Walk-in waitlist management
- Consumer marketplace with barbershop categories
- Full inventory management for barbershop products
Cons
- —Costs more as you add barbers
- —Some barbers find the interface less intuitive than Booksy
Square Appointments
Free for solo barbers — integrates with Square POS
For solo barbers and small shops already using Square's cash register or card reader, Square Appointments integrates seamlessly. The free solo plan eliminates software costs entirely, and Square's point-of-sale hardware is the industry standard for quick transactions. Walk-in support and simple scheduling make it accessible for shops that prefer simplicity.
Pros
- Free for solo barbers — zero monthly cost
- Best hardware ecosystem (Square readers and terminals)
- Simple, fast checkout for walk-in transactions
- Instagram and Google booking buttons included
- Square Payroll add-on for multi-barber shops
Cons
- —No barbershop consumer marketplace
- —Less community presence than Booksy in the barbershop space
Key Features for Barbershops
What to look for when evaluating salon software for your practice.
Walk-In Queue Management
Digital waitlist for walk-in clients — they add themselves to the queue, see their place in line, and get notified when it's their turn.
Barber-Specific Booking
Let clients book with their preferred barber at their chosen time. Each barber manages their own availability independently.
Tip Tracking
Track tips by barber for accurate income reporting and fair distribution in multi-barber shops.
Booth Rental Management
Track booth rental income separately from service revenue. Renters manage their own appointments while you track overall shop income.
Client Retention
Automated texts to clients who haven't visited in 4–8 weeks. Loyalty programs to reward regular customers.
Barbershop Product Retail
Track and sell pomades, beard oils, and grooming products with inventory management and automatic reorder alerts.
Pricing Comparison
Estimated pricing for barbershops — most platforms offer discounts for annual billing.
| Software | Entry Plan | Mid Tier | Top Tier | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booksy | $29.99/mo | $49.99/mo | $79.99/mo | |
| Vagaro | $30/mo | $50/mo | $90/mo | |
| Square Appointments | Free (solo) | $29/mo | $69/mo | |
| Fresha | Free | Free | Free |
* Pricing based on publicly available rates. Custom-priced platforms require direct quotes. Annual billing typically saves 10-20%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best booking app for a barbershop?
Booksy is the most popular booking app specifically for barbershops — its consumer community has a large barber-specific segment and many clients use it to find barbers. Vagaro is better for shops needing payroll and commission management. Square Appointments is best for solo barbers who want free software with Square POS integration.
How do barbershops handle walk-ins with booking software?
Most platforms offer a digital waitlist or walk-in queue feature. Booksy, Vagaro, and Square Appointments all support adding walk-in clients to a queue alongside appointment clients. Some shops use a tablet at the front for walk-ins to add themselves to the queue without staff involvement.
Does barbershop software support booth renters?
Yes. Vagaro and Fresha both support booth rental arrangements where each barber has their own client list and payments within the shop's account. GlossGenius and Booksy also work for individual booth-renting barbers who manage their own independent accounts.
Can I track tips in barbershop software?
Yes. Vagaro, Square, Booksy, and most major platforms support tip tracking during checkout. Tips can be set as default percentages, custom amounts, or prompted during card payment. For cash tip tracking, you can manually record cash tips in most platforms for accurate income reporting.
What barbershop software works best for a single barber?
For a solo barber, GlossGenius ($24/mo with card reader), Square Appointments (free), or Fresha (free) are the most cost-effective options. Booksy ($29.99/mo) is worth it if marketplace client discovery is a priority. For solo barbers managing costs, the free options provide all essential functionality.
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