Updated February 2026
Salon Software Pricing Comparison 2026
Real monthly costs, transaction fees, and per-staff pricing for the top salon platforms. No marketing fluff — just the numbers you need.
Side-by-Side Pricing
| Platform | Starting Price | Per-Staff Cost | Card Rate | Free Tier | Free Trial | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GlossGenius | $24/mo Standard plan | Included in plan tier | 2.6% | 14 days | Solo nail techs & stylists | |
| Vagaro | $30/mo 1 bookable calendar | +$10/mo per calendar | 2.75% | 30 days | Multi-staff salons | |
| Fresha | Free* *Transaction fees apply | Subscription-based tiers | 2.29% + $0.20 | N/A (free tier available) | Budget-conscious owners | |
| Booksy | $29.99/mo Full features included | +$20/mo per staff | 2.6% + $0.30 | 14 days | Building a new client base | |
| Boulevard | $176/mo Essentials plan, per location | Included in plan tier | Custom | Demo only | Upscale salons & spas | |
| Square Appointments | Free For solo providers | Unlimited staff on paid plans | 2.6% + $0.15 | N/A (free tier available) | Businesses already on Square |
Pricing verified February 2026. Always confirm current pricing on the vendor's website before purchasing.
Detailed Plan Breakdowns
GlossGenius
Solo nail techs & stylists
Standard$24/mo
Gold$48/mo
Platinum$148/mo
Card processing2.6%
Vagaro
Multi-staff salons
1 calendar$30/mo
2 calendars$40/mo
3 calendars$50/mo
7+ calendars$84/mo
Card processing2.75%
Fresha
Budget-conscious owners
StarterFree*
Individual$19.95/mo
TeamPer-member pricing
Card processing2.29% + $0.20
Booksy
Building a new client base
Main$29.99/mo
+1-9 staff+$10/mo each
Unlimited staff$119.99/mo
Card processing2.6% + $0.30
Boulevard
Upscale salons & spas
Essentials$176/mo
Premier$293/mo
Prestige$410/mo
Card processingCustom
Square Appointments
Businesses already on Square
Free$0/mo
Plus$29/mo
Premium$69/mo
Card processing2.6% + $0.15
What Will You Actually Pay?
Monthly costs vary dramatically based on your team size. Here's what each platform costs for common salon setups.
| Platform | Solo Provider | 3-Person Team | 6-Person Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| GlossGenius | $24/mo | $48/mo | $148/mo |
| Vagaro | $30/mo | $50/mo | $80/mo |
| Fresha | Free* | ~$40/mo* | ~$70/mo* |
| Booksy | $29.99/mo | $49.99/mo | $79.99/mo |
| Boulevard | $176/mo | $176/mo | $176/mo |
| Square Appointments | Free | $29/mo | $29/mo |
*Fresha estimates exclude marketplace commission fees on new client bookings. Actual costs depend on booking volume and new client acquisition.
Salon Software Pricing FAQs
What is the cheapest salon software in 2026?+
Fresha and Square Appointments both offer free tiers. Square Appointments is completely free for solo providers with no subscription fees — you only pay card processing fees (2.6% + $0.15). Fresha’s free tier charges a 20% commission on new marketplace bookings plus payment processing fees. For a paid plan, GlossGenius at $24/month is the most affordable full-featured option.
How much does salon software cost per month on average?+
For a solo provider, expect to pay $0–$30/month. For a small salon with 2–4 staff, costs typically range from $40–$80/month. Mid-size salons (5–10 staff) typically pay $80–$200/month. Premium platforms like Boulevard start at $176/month per location regardless of team size.
Do salon software platforms charge transaction fees?+
Yes, virtually all salon software platforms charge payment processing fees when you accept card payments. Typical rates range from 2.29% (Fresha) to 2.75% (Vagaro) per card-present transaction. GlossGenius charges a flat 2.6%. Some platforms like Fresha also charge a 20% commission on new clients who book through their marketplace.
Is Vagaro or GlossGenius more affordable for a small salon?+
For a solo provider, GlossGenius ($24/mo) is cheaper than Vagaro ($30/mo). For a 3-person team, Vagaro costs about $50/month (base + 2 extra calendars at $10 each), while GlossGenius Gold at $48/month includes team management features. GlossGenius also has lower card processing fees (2.6% vs. 2.75%), which adds up for high-volume salons.
Does Boulevard offer a free trial?+
Boulevard does not offer a free trial. Instead, they provide a personalized demo with their sales team. Boulevard’s Essentials plan starts at $176/month ($159/month if paid annually). They also offer a 10% discount on all plans when you pay annually.
What hidden fees should I watch for with salon software?+
Common hidden costs include: per-staff or per-calendar surcharges (Vagaro charges $10/month per extra calendar), marketplace commissions on new client bookings (Fresha charges 20%), add-on costs for payroll (GlossGenius charges $40 + $6/employee), text message marketing credits, premium support tiers, and hardware costs for POS card readers.
Not sure which platform fits your budget?
Use our head-to-head comparisons to see detailed feature breakdowns alongside real pricing.
Compare Platforms