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 SoftwareBest ForStarting PriceFree PlanStandout FeaturesFreshaSolo stylists$0/monthYesFree to use, easy setup, built-in bookingsVagaroMid-size salons$25/monthNoMemberships, packages, marketing toolsSquare for SalonsSmall teams$0–$60/monthYesIntegrated POS, iPad hardware, clean interfaceGlossGeniusIndependent stylists$24/monthNoBranded booking pages, mobile app, text remindersBoulevardPremium salons$175+/monthNoSmart scheduling, rebooking tools, retention tools Our Top 5 Salon POS Picks #1. Fresha – Best Free Salon POS for Solo StylistsRating: 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 clientsPricing:
TierCostKey DetailsFree Plan$0/monthIncludes POS, bookings, inventory, client profilesMarketplace Fees20% on first-time client bookings via Fresha marketplaceAdd-ons (optional)VariesNo-show protection, marketing blasts, paid remindersPros:
User-friendly dashboard Zero monthly cost Custom deposit and cancellation policies Great for independent stylists or small teamsCons:
Marketplace fees on new clients No custom branding unless you pay Reporting is basic compared to othersBottom 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.
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 clientsPricing:
TierCost (USD)Key DetailsBase Subscription$25/month1 user, bookings, client management, POSAdd Users$10/user/moAdditional fee per staff memberText Reminders$10–$20/moSMS marketing and remindersPayment Processing2.75%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 toolsCons:
Add-on costs for SMS/text reminders Can get expensive with larger teams Setup takes time if you want to use all featuresBottom 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.
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 checkoutPricing:
TierCostKey DetailsIndividual Plan$0/month1 user, bookings, POS, remindersTeam Plan$35/monthUp to 10 users, advanced featuresPremium Plan$60/monthMulti-location support, advanced reportingPayment Processing2.6% + 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 onboardingCons:
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 plansBottom 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.
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-upsPricing:
TierCostKey DetailsStandard Plan$24/monthAll features included — bookings, POS, brandingPayment Processing2.6%Per transaction (flat rate, no hidden fees)Add-onsNoneFlat pricing includes all featuresPros:
Visually appealing booking tools No extra charges for payment processing Tracks everything from tips to taxes Easy for beginners to set upCons:
No free plan or trial Not built for teams Lacks deeper reporting toolsBottom 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.
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 businessesPricing:
TierCost (starts at)Key DetailsEssentials$175/monthBooking, POS, client profiles, limited usersPremier/EnterpriseCustom pricingMulti-location, marketing automation, integrationsPayment ProcessingCustomRequires Boulevard Payments setupPros:
Premium experience for clients and staff Supports large teams and multi-locations Automates retention campaigns and rebookings High-quality customer supportCons:
Price is significantly higher than competitors Long setup process May be overkill for smaller salonsBottom 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.
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 accessTop 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 toolsTop 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 retentionTop picks: Boulevard, Meevo (runner-up)
Summary: Best Salon POS Software in 2025After testing the top contenders, here's how I'd rank them:
POS SoftwareBest ForPrice RangeVerdictFreshaSolo stylistsFreeBest free system, easy to startVagaroGrowing salons$25–$85/monthMost versatile for teamsSquare for SalonsSolo to small teamsFree–$60/monthBest all-in-one for simplicityGlossGeniusIndependent pros$24/monthSleek and branded for solo stylistsBoulevardPremium/high-volume salons$175+/monthTop-tier experience and automationEach 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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