Finding the best point of sale system for your salon can be a struggle. With so many options and features to choose from, things can get confusing quickly. There are a few systems that were designed specifically for salons, making them a good contender when shopping around.
However there are a few that meet all the needs required without having been designed for salons specifically. You will also find that some systems provide all the necessary features at no cost, while others cost per additional feature. For a detailed glance at some of the most popular systems, check out the list of the best salon POS systems below.
The Top 5 Best Salon POS Systems
| Brand | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Square | 2.6% + 10¢/transaction | Cost Efficient Option |
| 2. Vend | $69/month | Ease of Use |
| 3. Fresha | 2.19% + $0.20/transaction | New Salons |
| 4. DaySmart | $29/month | Walk-ins |
| 5. Mangomint | $165month | Big Salons |
| 6. Vagaro | $25/month | Features |
1. Square – Best Cost Efficient Option
PRICING: 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
Square is a widely popular system that is both stylish and an affordable point of sale system. You can get the small and simple card reader or even get a full cashier station. Square will provide the first card reader to you for free and every additional card reader after that is $10. It’s a great system for those that are just starting out and need something simple and easy to work with. A really important note about square is that there is no subscription fee. They do charge per transaction though, so keep this in mind when deciding on your preferred point of sale system.
KEY FEATURES:
- Contactless payments
- Accepts any payment
- You can disable signature and receipt screens
- Card reader attaches to any device (apple, android, tablets)
- Analytics
- Customizable tip screen at checkout
REASONS TO BUY:
- No startup fee
- You can accept payments when offline
- No monthly payment processing fees
- Free card reader option
- No refund or chargeback fees
- No subscription fee
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Not a lot of features
>>MORE: Retail POS Systems | How Much Does A POS System Cost? | Mobile POS Systems | Ecommerce POS Systems
2. Vend – Best for Ease of Use
PRICING: Starting at $69 a month with yearly subscription and one register
Vend has been around for a little while and has been used by some pretty big companies. They have a lot of features to make running a business easy. One feature to note is their quick key feature that allows you to have hot items easier to find for quicker checkout. Vend also has the ability to add your logo and business name to your receipts. With their high subscription plans they offer launch services to help you get setup easier and even onboarding assistance for when you hire employees.
KEY FEATURES:
- Works with PC and Mac
- Has an app for iPad
- Works offline
- Quick key creation
- Discounts for any or specific items
- Customizable receipts
- Gift card options
- Split payment options
- Store credit option with refunds
- Layaway payment options
- Register reporting
- Customizable profiles
REASONS TO BUY:
- 14 day free trial
- Monthly or yearly subscription options
- Multiple store capabilities
- Add sale notes on customers receipts
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Best for inventory heavy companies
- Hardware is an additional cost
3. Fresha – Best for New Salons
PRICING: 2.19% + $0.20 per transaction
Fresh is great because it was designed to be used for salons and spas. While there are other systems that were also designed for salons, the others typically have a ranged focus that includes salons. Fresha has a very narrowed focus on salons and spas, allowing them to more accurately provide features and content necessary for salons. It can be used by businesses as well as used by customers looking for services. Not to mention that there is no subscription fee to use. It is definitely a top contender for any salon professional. However, any equipment needed will have to be purchased separately. It also does not have many features. But as long as you are looking for simplicity and ease of use, Fresha is quite the contender.
KEY FEATURES:
- Track client history
- Appointment bookings
- Automatic marketing promotion tools
- Reporting and analytics
- No cap on team members
REASONS TO BUY:
- No subscription fee
- Designed for beauty professionals
- Multiple store capabilities
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Hardware is purchased separately
- No gift card abilities
- Few features
4. DaySmart – Best for Walk-ins
PRICING: Starting at $29 a month for one user
DaySmart has a lot of great features that are integral to salon professionals. While the cheaper plan has some of the features needed, it would be best to get the second tier subscription if you choose to go with this system. The second tier, or Deluxe, includes all the basic level features as well as client loyalty, packages, payroll, gift card features, and more. For $69 a month, the Deluxe plan may be more cost efficient in the long run due to the features that come with it. Having all the necessary features included at no additional cost can be cheaper in the long run.
KEY FEATURES:
- Appointment bookings
- Payroll
- Appointment reminders
- Marketing promotion tools
- Two way texting
- Online booking site
- Mobile app
REASONS TO BUY:
- 14 day free trial
- Allows for bookings through social media
- No contract
- Free cancellation
- Supports walk-in’s
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Hardware is purchased separately
- Training and extended support are only available to premium subscribers
- Some features are locked behind premium subscriptions
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5. Mangomint – Best for Big Salons
PRICING: Starting at $165 a month and 2.4% + 15¢ per transaction
Mangomints goal is to be quick,efficient, and easy to use. Because this is their goal, they have a lot of great automations to make your life easier. This can also help to lessen the workload. It’s important to note that the plan you are on dictates how many service providers you can have. The starting category allows for up to 10 staff that provide services. The starting category also costs $100 per bluetooth reader device. On the higher plans, the one bluetooth card reader is included at no additional cost.
KEY FEATURES:
- Appointment bookings
- Client management tools
- Reporting
- Gift card tools
- Staff management tools
REASONS TO BUY:
- 30 day free trial
- They offer a personalized demo
- Integration capabilities
- Accessible from any device
- Learning center
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Not ideal for smaller salons
6. Vagaro – Best for Features
PRICING: Starting at $25 a month and 2.75% per transaction
Vagaro had salons in mind when designing their system. They provide a system as well as having customers to locate your store through their search engine. Their integration with social media also allows for easy booking through your social media. All these opportunities to locate customers are great for any business. Vagaro’s only weakness is due to it being web based. There can sometimes be a lag or delay due to increased site activity. The extra features they offer can be great for running any business. Such as the personal branded app that your clients can download and use for booking convenience. The downside with some of the features is the monthly additional charge required to use them.
KEY FEATURES:
- Appointment bookings
- Automatic notifications for clients
- Marketing tools
- Payroll tools
- Reporting
- Custom forms and quizzes
- Membership capabilities
- Personally branded app
- Inventory tracking
REASONS TO BUY:
- 30 day free trial
- Web based and accessible anywhere
- No monthly subscription
- Integration possibilities
- Contactless payment options
- POV hardware is purchasable through them
- Free card reader when subscribed for a year
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Can be slow at times
- Some features cost extra
References and Links
- https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-salon-pos-system/
- https://www.capterra.com/sem-compare/salon-software/
- https://thesalonbusiness.com/best-salon-pos/
- https://squareup.com/us/en
- https://www.vendhq.com/
- https://www.fresha.com/for-business
- https://www.daysmartsalon.com/packages/
- https://www.mangomint.com/
- https://sales.vagaro.com/