The Best Software for Nail Salons in 2026
From basic booking to full salon management — find the right platform for your nail business, whether you're a one-person studio or a busy multi-tech salon.
What Nail Salons Need From Legal Software
Nail salon owners need software that handles rapid back-to-back appointments, tracks retail product inventory (polishes, tools, nail art supplies), manages multiple technicians, and automates client rebooking reminders. The right platform pays for itself by reducing no-shows and increasing repeat visit frequency.
Top 3 Software Picks for Nail Salons
Vagaro
Best all-in-one for nail salons with 2+ technicians
Vagaro is the top choice for established nail salons with 2 or more technicians. Its per-staff pricing model ($30/mo for 1, $50/mo for 2–5, $70–90/mo for 6+) scales cleanly as you grow. Payroll processing, retail inventory management, and a strong consumer marketplace make it the most complete platform for nail salon operations. Vagaro's new client marketplace drives real discovery bookings.
Pros
- Built-in payroll for W-2 nail techs and contractors
- Large consumer marketplace for new client discovery
- Strong retail inventory management for polish and supplies
- Commission tracking for nail service revenue
- Automated rebooking reminders to reduce gaps
Cons
- —Pricing adds up quickly with many staff members
- —Learning curve for full feature set
GlossGenius
Purpose-built for independent nail techs and small studios
GlossGenius was literally built for beauty professionals like nail technicians. Its $24/mo Standard plan covers everything a solo or small nail salon needs: online booking, POS with an included card reader, client management, and a beautiful branded booking page. The Gold plan's 0% platform processing can save $100–300/month for high-volume nail techs. No other platform at this price point includes a physical card reader.
Pros
- Card reader included at no extra cost
- Beautiful client-facing booking pages — clients love the experience
- Gold plan offers 0% platform processing fee
- Custom intake forms for nail service consultations
- Built for solo beauty pros — minimal complexity
Cons
- —Not ideal for multi-staff payroll management
- —No consumer marketplace for new client discovery
Fresha
Free forever — ideal for cost-conscious nail salons
Fresha is the only truly free full-featured salon platform. For nail salons where 70%+ of business is returning clients, Fresha's zero-subscription model means nearly zero software costs. It handles unlimited staff, marketing automation, inventory, and memberships — all for free. The 2.19% + $0.20 fee only applies to brand-new client bookings, not your regulars.
Pros
- Zero monthly subscription fee — ever
- Unlimited staff at no extra cost
- Full marketing, inventory, and membership tools included free
- Consumer marketplace for new client discovery
- No financial barrier to get started
Cons
- —New client transaction fees add up during growth phases
- —Less polished client experience than GlossGenius
Key Features for Nail Salons
What to look for when evaluating salon software for your practice.
Appointment Booking
Online booking with real-time availability, service duration buffers, and automated confirmation texts so nail techs never double-book.
POS & Card Processing
Accept credit cards, contactless payments, and digital wallets in-chair. Card-on-file for no-show fees protects your revenue.
Service Menu Management
Create detailed service menus with descriptions, photos, and add-ons — gel, dip, nail art, acrylics — each with appropriate booking durations.
Retail Inventory
Track nail polish inventory, tools, and retail products with automatic low-stock alerts. Manage COGS for your product sales.
Marketing & Reminders
Automated appointment reminders reduce no-shows by 60–80%. Email campaigns for promotions and rebooking nudges keep clients returning.
Commission & Payroll
Track technician commissions per service, manage booth rental income, and process payroll — essential for salons with multiple nail techs.
Pricing Comparison
Estimated pricing for nail salons — most platforms offer discounts for annual billing.
| Software | Entry Plan | Mid Tier | Top Tier | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vagaro | $30/mo (1 staff) | $50/mo (2–5 staff) | $90/mo (7+ staff) | |
| GlossGenius | $24/mo Standard | $48/mo Gold | N/A | |
| Fresha | Free | Free | Free | |
| Booksy | $29.99/mo Boost | $49.99/mo Boost+ | $79.99/mo Biz+ |
* Pricing based on publicly available rates. Custom-priced platforms require direct quotes. Annual billing typically saves 10-20%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What software do most nail salons use?
Vagaro and Fresha are among the most widely used platforms for nail salons in 2026. Vagaro is popular for established multi-tech salons, while Fresha is popular for cost-conscious owners. GlossGenius dominates among solo nail technicians and independent artists. Booksy is commonly used by salons that want marketplace client discovery.
How much should a nail salon spend on software?
A solo nail tech can get all essential features for $0 (Fresha) to $24–48/mo (GlossGenius). A 3–5 tech nail salon should budget $50–90/mo for Vagaro or $165/mo for premium platforms like Mangomint. The rule of thumb: software should cost no more than 1–2% of your monthly revenue.
Does nail salon software handle booth rental income?
Yes. Vagaro, Fresha, and GlossGenius all support booth renter arrangements. Booth renters can have their own client lists, booking calendars, and payment processing within your salon's umbrella account. Each booth renter manages their own appointments while the salon owner tracks overall space utilization.
What features reduce no-shows at nail salons?
The most effective no-show prevention features are: (1) automated SMS/email reminders 24–48 hours before appointments, (2) credit card on file requirement at booking, (3) deposit collection at booking time, and (4) no-show fee enforcement. All major nail salon software platforms support these features.
Can nail salon software track nail polish inventory?
Yes. Vagaro, Fresha, and Mangomint all include inventory management that tracks retail products including nail polishes, gels, and supplies. You can set reorder alerts, track COGS per sale, and manage supplier orders. GlossGenius has basic inventory tracking but is less suited for heavy retail management.
More Practice Area Guides
Want to compare specific platforms head-to-head?
Find the Right Software for Your Nail Salons Practice
Start with a free trial of our top pick and see if it fits your workflow.
Try Vagaro Free