Salonist

Overview

Salonist is salon and wellness business software for owners who want booking, checkout, client records, and staff operations in one system. Its breadth makes it a stronger fit for businesses managing more than appointments alone; the marketplace’s fee on qualifying new-client visits is a notable trade-off.

Key features

Bookings and checkout

Appointments can be scheduled and booked online through links, website widgets, Instagram, and Google. That range gives clients several routes to reserve a visit, while the staff calendar keeps scheduling within the same platform. The POS supports desk and mobile checkout, tips, and split payments, making it relevant to businesses that need to handle varied transactions at the counter or on the move.

Business operations

Client management, memberships, packages, retail inventory, staff permissions, timesheets, and reporting extend Salonist beyond a booking calendar. The feature mix can suit owners who want to coordinate staff and retail alongside appointments. Inventory and campaign tools are reserved for higher paid tiers, however, so businesses needing those capabilities must budget above the entry plan.

Apps, integrations, and safeguards

Salonist offers partner and customer booking apps; its pricing page says the client booking app is available on iOS and Android. It lists more than 40 integrations, including Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, WhatsApp, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Shopify, and Google Calendar. Custom integrations and API access are part of Expert, not the lower paid plans.

Salonist says sessions use HTTPS, data is stored online with regular backups, and account owners can assign staff access levels. It also states 99.95% availability and 24/7 support and maintenance. The company says the software runs in 13 languages and serves customers in more than 60 countries.

Pricing

The free Marketplace Listing plan costs nothing and caps usage at 50 appointments per month. It includes online booking, a calendar, and scheduling, making it a practical way to establish a basic listing, but not a full operational suite. Salonist charges a one-time 15% fee on the first visit from a new client acquired through its marketplace; businesses expecting that channel to bring in clients should account for the fee.

Essential costs $79 a month, billed monthly. It includes unlimited staff, POS, reports, standard data import, and in-app chat support. This is the entry paid choice for businesses that need checkout and reporting, but it does not include the campaigns and inventory of the next tier.

Advance costs $109 a month, billed monthly. It adds campaigns, inventory, WhatsApp/SMS notifications, and advanced data import to unlimited staff. It is the better fit for businesses that need to manage retail stock or customer outreach within Salonist.

Expert costs $179 a month, billed monthly. Along with unlimited staff, it includes a dedicated account manager, multi-branch reporting, consent forms, custom integrations, and API access. Those managing multiple branches or needing integration flexibility have a clear reason to step up; smaller single-location operations may not need those additions.

A seven-day free trial requires no credit card, and Salonist says it does not automatically charge when the trial ends. Free onboarding and data import are available. Chat and on-demand phone support are listed on Essential and a dedicated account manager on Expert.

Platforms

Salonist supports Android, iOS, web, and API. The customer booking app is described as available on iOS and Android.

Who it's for

Salonist is best suited to salons, spas, barbershops, and other beauty and wellness businesses seeking booking plus day-to-day business management. The free tier can work for a small operation testing marketplace bookings within the 50-appointment monthly cap. Businesses needing POS and reports can move to Essential, while inventory, campaigns, multi-branch reporting, or API access point toward Advance or Expert. A business seeking only low-cost scheduling may find the marketplace fee and paid entry tier harder to justify.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Booking channels include website widgets, links, Instagram, and Google, giving clients multiple ways to reserve.
• Pro: POS, client management, staff tools, memberships, packages, and reporting cover operational needs beyond appointments.
• Pro: Unlimited staff is included across all paid tiers, so the listed plans do not impose a paid-plan seat ceiling.
• Con: The free Marketplace Listing is limited to 50 appointments per month and carries a one-time 15% fee on the first marketplace-acquired visit from a new client.
• Con: Inventory and campaigns require the $109 a month Advance tier; custom integrations and API access require Expert at $179 a month.

Alternatives

For other options, browse Salon Software, Salon and Spa Scheduling Software, or Salon Payroll Software.

• DaySmart Salon is worth considering if a one-user setup with online booking and appointment confirmations at $29 a month is a closer fit.
• Insight Salon Software may suit a solo operator seeking a single-employee plan at $25 a month.
• Orbis Salon is an option for a very small business seeking a £4.99 a month Lite plan for one staff member, one location, and 30 bookings per month, with a 50p booking service fee per booking.
• Boulevard is another paid salon and med-spa option.
• GlossGenius is an option if a $28 a month Standard plan with a custom booking website and unlimited client notifications suits the business.
• Meevo is another paid option for salon and spa businesses.
• Ovatu may fit a solo business seeking a $25 a month first-employee plan that includes appointments, online booking, POS, and reminders.
• SalonBiz is another paid salon software option.

Verdict

Choose Salonist if your salon or wellness business wants booking, POS, client and staff management, and reporting under one roof, with paid plans that retain unlimited staff. Look elsewhere if the monthly entry price, the free listing’s appointment cap, or its marketplace acquisition fee outweighs the value of combining those operations.