Pronto

Overview

Pronto is salon-management software that brings bookings, checkout, client records, inventory and reminders into one system. It suits independent operators and growing salon teams that want those workflows together, with a choice of cloud or self-hosted use. Its strongest case is the forever-free entry point and straightforward online booking; its limits on the free plan and the relatively early state of some advanced features matter as a business grows.

It is aimed at beauty and hair salons, nail salons, barbershops, spas, lash studios and tattoo studios. Clients can book with just a name and phone number, without an account or app download, and the booking page can be linked from Instagram or Google. Existing client lists can be imported from Fresha, Vagaro, Booksy, Mindbody, Square or another service that exports CSV.

Key features

Bookings and client management

Online self-booking, staff calendars, cancellation controls and appointment payments cover the core appointment flow. Removing the account and app requirement lowers friction for new clients, while importing a client list can help a salon move from another booking system. The free tier's 50-booking monthly cap makes it better suited to a small operation than a busy appointment book.

Checkout and inventory

The point of sale accepts cash, card and transfer, supports discounts and printed or digital receipts, and can continue checkout offline. That combination is useful when a salon needs a register alongside appointment management. Inventory tracking rounds out the workflow, though product capacity depends on plan: the free tier allows 100 products, Starter 2,000, and Pro and Agency remove the stated product cap.

Reminders and data

Automatic booking confirmations and reminders can go through Email, Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber. Cloud users can export client data and history at any time; self-hosted data stays on the user's server. Pronto's privacy policy says data is encrypted in transit and at rest, passwords are hashed, access is controlled and security reviews are regular. It also says payment-card data is not stored and deleted-account data is deleted or anonymized within 30 days, except where law requires retention.

Self-hosting and support

Self-hosting uses Docker Compose and requires at least 1 GB of RAM; supported environments are Linux, macOS or Windows with WSL2. This gives technically capable operators control over where their data resides, but setup and upkeep are a more involved choice than using the cloud. Email and priority support are listed, with priority support on Agency; documentation directs users to GitHub issues for help. White-label mode, API access, staff permissions and dedicated support with SLA are coming soon, so they should not drive a purchase decision today.

Pricing

Pronto has a free plan and monthly paid tiers. The key trade-off is capacity: the free plan permits one staff member, 100 clients, 50 bookings per month and 100 products, while paid plans raise or remove those limits.

Free is a practical starting point for a solo provider with modest booking volume, but its client and product ceilings can become restrictive. Starter is the step up for small teams that need up to five staff and unlimited bookings, though its 2,000-product cap remains. Pro fits a larger single team needing unlimited products and up to 15 staff. Agency is the option for an unlimited team or multiple locations, with priority support included. Paid plans begin at $19 a month; no trial term is stated for Pronto.

Platforms

Pronto is available on the web and can be self-hosted on Linux or macOS, or on Windows through WSL2. The self-hosted route offers data residency on the operator's server, while the cloud route includes export of client data and history.

Who it's for

Pronto is a good fit for salons and related appointment-based businesses that want booking, POS, client management, inventory and reminders in a single service, especially those moving from another platform or preferring a self-hosted option. It is less compelling for a growing business that expects granular staff permissions, API access, white-labeling or SLA-backed support immediately, since those features are still coming soon. Businesses needing more than one staff account or more than 50 monthly bookings will need a paid plan.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A permanent free plan lets a solo operator start with booking, client records and inventory without a monthly subscription.
• Pros: No-account online booking, Instagram and Google links, and imports from named salon platforms can reduce barriers for clients and migration work.
• Pros: Offline checkout and several payment methods support a broader register workflow than booking alone.
• Pros: Cloud exports and a self-hosted option give users different ways to retain control of client data.
• Cons: Free is capped at one staff member, 100 clients, 50 monthly bookings and 100 products, so it is not a durable fit for every salon.
• Cons: Staff permissions, API access, white-label mode and SLA-backed dedicated support are not ready yet.
• Cons: Self-hosting requires Docker Compose, at least 1 GB RAM and a supported operating-system setup, adding technical responsibility.

Alternatives

For more salon software comparisons, see Esthetician Software, Salon Inventory Management Software, Massage Therapy Scheduling Software, Salon POS Software, Barbershop Scheduling Software and Salon Appointment Scheduling Software.

Salonist is worth considering if a free plan with online booking, calendar scheduling and staff shift management is the priority; its free Marketplace Listing tier includes 50 appointments per month. DaySmart Salon is a paid option with a free trial and a $29.00 USD monthly Basic plan for one user, including online booking and appointment confirmations. Orbis Salon may suit a very small operation seeking a low-cost paid tier: Lite is £4.99 a month for one staff member, one location and 30 bookings monthly, with a 50p booking service fee per booking. GlossGenius is a paid alternative with a free trial; its $28.00 USD monthly Standard plan includes a custom booking website, unlimited client notifications, email and text marketing, and inventory and retail features.

Meevo offers salon and spa plans with different user, email-contact and SMS-credit allowances, but the Lite and Essentials plans have custom pricing. Timely may suit a buyer who wants a paid service organized around projects and users: Starter is $11 a month for 20 projects and five users, while Premium is $20 a month for unlimited projects. Boulevard is another paid option, with Essentials and Premier tiers carrying substantially higher stated monthly prices and allowances for professionals, messaging or storage. DaySmart Med Spa may be a fit for med-spa buyers seeking a paid plan with a free trial; its $29.00 USD monthly Basic tier is for one user and includes scheduling, online booking, reminders, payments, mobile app access, reports and online deposits.

Verdict

Pronto is the clearest fit for an independent salon or small team that wants booking, checkout, client records and inventory together, with a real free starting tier and the option to self-host. The main reason to choose it is that breadth at a low entry cost; look elsewhere if the business already needs advanced staff permissions, API access, white-labeling or dedicated SLA support.