Next

Next is a booking and business app for personal-care professionals working in salon suites. It is best suited to solo providers who want scheduling, client campaigns and point-of-sale tools together; its free core is appealing, but SMS and payment processing have costs to consider.

Overview

Next combines appointment controls, marketing and payments in one app, with booking and core app features on a free plan. That makes it a sensible starting point for an independent stylist or other personal-care provider who wants to manage more than a calendar. Its suite-location connections can also support rent management, cross-marketing and maintenance requests at participating locations, though website booking and check-in connections are still coming soon.

Key features

Scheduling and campaigns

Providers can set booking rules, choose request-based or direct booking, adjust service durations and stack appointments. Request-based bookings leave room to approve appointments, while direct booking gives clients a more immediate route onto the calendar. Custom service lengths and stacked appointments suit providers whose work does not fit a uniform appointment pattern.

Campaigns can go out by email, in-app message or SMS, using precreated or custom content. That range gives providers options for client outreach, but unlimited SMS is a paid add-on; businesses that depend on frequent text reminders or promotions should include its monthly charge in their budget.

Payments and suite connections

The point-of-sale tools support deposits, cards on file, coupons, discounts, touch and touchless payments, and merged or split payments. The payment page states a flat 2.52% processing rate for chipped card transactions, including AMEX and Discover, with no per-transaction fees. That is a clear rate for the stated transaction type, not a basis for assuming the same rate applies to every payment method.

Connections at participating salon suites can help with rent management, cross-marketing and maintenance requests. The maker also describes website booking and check-in connections as coming soon, so providers who need those links now should not choose Next on the assumption they are already available. Card data is transmitted using SSL, while payment information is stored by Next’s third-party payment processor; the features page says information remains private when connecting with a suite location.

Pricing

The Next booking app costs nothing and includes free booking, scheduling and app features. It is the right fit for providers who want the core tools without a booking subscription. The optional Unlimited SMS texts plan costs $5 a month, billed $5.00 per month, and covers unlimited texts for appointment reminders, confirmations and marketing campaigns. Providers who do not need SMS can avoid that recurring charge; those who do get a defined unlimited-text plan.

Next is freemium, with paid plans from $5/mo. The stated paid option is the SMS add-on; the core booking plan remains free. The processing rate is a separate transaction cost to weigh if you use the point-of-sale system.

Platforms

Next is available on Android, iOS and the web. The maker says the Next Pro app is available for Android or Apple and sends users an email invitation to download it.

Who it's for

Next names hairstylists, barbers, nail artists, makeup artists, lash technicians, estheticians, massage therapists and other personal-care professionals as its audience. It is particularly well matched to providers in salon suites who want booking, client outreach and payment features in one place. Businesses that require website booking or check-in integration today should look elsewhere until those connections arrive.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free booking, scheduling and app features provide a low-cost way to coordinate appointments.
• Pros: Flexible booking rules, service durations and appointment stacking can accommodate different provider workflows.
• Pros: The POS supports deposits and split or merged payments, alongside discounts and coupons.
• Cons: Unlimited SMS adds a recurring $5.00 monthly charge for providers who rely on text outreach.
• Cons: The 2.52% rate is stated for chipped card transactions, so it does not establish the rate for other payment types.
• Cons: Website booking and check-in connections are not yet available, limiting the appeal for providers who need those suite links now.

Alternatives

WellnessLiving is worth considering for a business that prefers a paid plan with a free trial and a defined annual option: its Starter plan costs $62 a month, billed annually, for one staff member, booking, client and staff apps, and POS.

Salonist offers a free Marketplace Listing capped at 50 appointments per month, with online booking, scheduling and staff shift management. Choose it if those stated listing features and cap suit your operation.

SalonSynq has a free Start Plan with unlimited bookings for one user, manual payment logging, a booking link and email reminders, but no SalonSynq online payment. It may suit a solo provider who values unlimited bookings over integrated online payments.

Tonso is another freemium option, including a free plan when the business passes booking fees to clients.

Appy Pie Salon App Builder has a paid publishing plan at $18 a month covering hosting, SSL, push notifications, Stripe payments, loyalty and app-store submission. Consider it if publishing a salon app is the priority.

SalonWings, Authic and Orbis Salon are other options to compare.

For more products in this category, see Salon App Builder Software.

Verdict

Next is a strong fit for independent salon-suite professionals who want free booking and scheduling alongside campaigns and POS tools. Its flexible appointment controls and suite connections are useful advantages, but budget for SMS if you need unlimited texting and weigh the stated card rate against your payment mix. Choose another product if website booking or check-in integration is essential today.