Next

Next is a booking and business app for salon professionals who work in salon suites. Available on Android, iOS, and the web, it lets professionals set booking rules, choose between request-based and direct bookings, tailor service durations, and stack appointments. Marketing options include email, in-app, and SMS campaigns, with precreated or custom messages. Its point-of-sale tools handle deposits, cards on file, coupons, discounts, touch and touchless payments, and merged or split payments. The payment page lists a flat 2.52% processing rate on chipped card transactions, including AMEX and Discover, with no per-transaction fees. Connections with participating salon suite locations can support rent management, website booking, cross-marketing, and maintenance requests. The booking app is free; unlimited SMS texts are an optional $5.00 per month. Next names hairstylists, barbers, nail artists, makeup artists, lash technicians, estheticians, massage therapists, and other personal-care professionals as its audience. Connection to a salon suite website and check-in system is marked as coming soon.

Next combines appointment management, marketing, and payment tools for salon-suite professionals. The core booking app is free, while unlimited SMS texts are a paid option.

Next suits salon-suite professionals who need booking, client messaging, and point-of-sale tools. Its listed audience includes hairstylists, barbers, nail artists, makeup artists, lash technicians, estheticians, and massage therapists.

Overview

Next brings appointment scheduling, client marketing and point-of-sale tools to professionals working in salon suites. It is best suited to independent personal-care providers who want booking and core app features without a subscription; the main trade-off is paying extra for unlimited SMS and processing card payments.

Key features

Scheduling

Providers can set booking rules, choose between appointment requests and direct booking, tailor service durations and stack appointments. That flexibility can accommodate different services and working styles: request-based booking leaves the provider in control of approvals, while direct booking can reduce back-and-forth with clients.

Marketing and payments

Next supports email, in-app and SMS campaigns, including precreated campaigns and custom ones. The range is useful for providers who want to reach clients through more than one channel, but unlimited text messages require a recurring add-on, so frequent reminders and promotions carry a separate cost.

The point-of-sale system supports deposits, cards on file, coupons, discounts, touch and touchless payments, and merged or split payments. The payment page gives a flat 2.52% processing rate on chipped-card transactions, including AMEX and Discover, with no per-transaction fees. That rate is useful for estimating costs on those transactions, but it should not be treated as the rate for other payment types.

Salon-suite connections

At participating salon-suite locations, Next can connect with tools for rent management, website booking, cross-marketing and maintenance requests. That can make the app more useful to providers whose suite participates; connection to a suite website and check-in system is marked as coming soon.

Pricing

The Next booking app costs nothing and includes free booking, scheduling and app features. It is a sensible starting point for providers who need the core booking tools but do not need unlimited SMS.

The optional Unlimited SMS texts plan costs $5 a month, billed $5.00 per month. It adds unlimited SMS texts for appointment reminders, confirmations and marketing campaigns. Providers who depend on texts should budget for the ongoing charge; those who do not can keep using the free booking plan.

For chipped-card transactions, including AMEX and Discover, Next gives a flat 2.52% processing rate with no per-transaction fees. This cost is separate from the SMS plan and applies to the specified card transactions.

Platforms

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

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. Its salon-suite connections make it a particularly relevant option for providers at participating locations. The free core booking plan also suits solo professionals who want to avoid a booking subscription, while the paid SMS add-on is a better fit for those who plan to send frequent texts.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free booking, scheduling and app features keep the core service accessible to independent providers.
• Pros: Booking rules, request-based or direct booking, adjustable service durations and stacked appointments offer meaningful calendar control.
• Pros: The POS covers deposits, cards on file, discounts and split or merged payments, with a stated rate for chipped-card transactions.
• Cons: Unlimited SMS costs $5.00 per month, which adds a recurring expense for providers who rely on text reminders or campaigns.
• Cons: Connections depend on participating salon-suite locations, and website and check-in-system connections are still coming soon.

Alternatives

WellnessLiving is worth considering for a provider who wants a broader booking and staff-app package and is willing to pay: its Starter plan is $62 a month billed annually for one staff member, with classes and appointments booking, client and staff apps, and POS.

Salonist may suit providers who want a free marketplace listing with a defined monthly appointment allowance: its free plan includes 50 appointments per month, online booking, calendar and scheduling, and staff shift management.

SalonSynq is another option for providers who prioritize unlimited bookings at no monthly fee: its Start Plan is free for one user and includes manual payment logging, a vanity booking link and email reminders, but no SalonSynq online payment.

ScheduleAnyone may be a better fit for businesses seeking a wider range of desktop platforms, including macOS and Windows.

Tonso may appeal to businesses that prefer to pass booking fees to clients.

Appy Pie Salon App Builder is an alternative for salons focused on publishing their own app, with a plan from $18 a month that includes hosting, SSL, push notifications, Stripe payments, loyalty and app-store submission.

Authic is another paid option, with custom pricing.

ClinicHub is another option for clinics considering a white-label license with custom pricing.

Browse more options in Salon App Builder Software.

Verdict

Next is a strong fit for independent salon-suite professionals who want scheduling, campaigns and payment tools without a core booking subscription. Its flexible booking controls and free plan are the main reasons to choose it; look elsewhere if you need unlimited SMS included or depend on suite connections that are still forthcoming.