Overview

Bookings can come through direct links, website widgets, Instagram, or Google, while a staff calendar keeps appointments within the same system. The POS handles desk or mobile checkout, tips, and split payments, giving businesses a way to connect reservations with day-to-day transactions rather than juggling separate tools.

The operational scope also covers client records, memberships, packages, retail inventory, staff permissions, timesheets, and reporting. That breadth can reduce the need for separate systems, but it also means Salonist is most useful when a business will actually use several of these functions. Its free Marketplace Listing is capped at 50 appointments per month, and Salonist charges a one-time 15% fee on the first visit from a new client acquired through the marketplace.

Key features

Booking and point of sale

Multiple booking channels give clients different ways to reserve an appointment, and the POS supports tips and split payments as well as mobile checkout. That combination is practical for businesses that need both online reservations and flexible payment handling. The free plan covers online booking and scheduling, but its monthly appointment cap limits how far it can serve a busy operation.

Business administration

Client management, memberships, packages, staff permissions, timesheets, and reporting make Salonist relevant to owners coordinating staff and repeat-client programs alongside appointments. Inventory is included on Advance rather than Essential, so a retailer or service business tracking products should account for the higher tier.

Apps, integrations, and security

Salonist offers partner and customer booking apps; its pricing page describes the client booking app as available on iOS and Android. The platform lists more than 40 integrations, including Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, WhatsApp, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Shopify, and Google Calendar. Expert adds custom integrations and API access, which is the clearest fit for businesses needing tailored connections.

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

Pricing

The free Marketplace Listing costs 0.00 USD per free and includes up to 50 appointments/month, online booking, and a calendar and scheduling. It can suit a small business testing marketplace bookings, but the cap and the one-time 15% fee on a qualifying new client's first visit matter if that channel becomes a regular source of customers.

Essential costs 79.00 USD per month, billed monthly. It includes unlimited staff, POS, reports, standard data import, and in-app chat support. This is the entry paid tier for businesses that need checkout and reporting without the campaign and inventory features reserved for Advance.

Advance costs 109.00 USD per month, billed monthly. It adds campaigns, inventory, WhatsApp/SMS notifications, and advanced data import to unlimited staff. It is the more suitable choice for businesses that need product tracking or those communication tools; otherwise Essential costs less.

Expert costs 179.00 USD per month, billed monthly. Along with unlimited staff, it includes a dedicated account manager, multi-branch reporting, consent forms, custom integrations, and API access. Those additions target multi-branch businesses or operators with integration requirements, rather than a single location with straightforward booking needs.

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, while Expert includes a dedicated account manager.

Platforms

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

Who it's for

Salonist makes the most sense for salons, spas, barbershops, and other beauty or wellness businesses that want appointments, checkout, client administration, and staff operations connected. Essential is a reasonable starting point for a business that needs POS and reporting; Advance is a better match when inventory or campaigns are important, and Expert is aimed at multi-branch operations or custom integration needs. Businesses that only need a basic calendar may find the paid tiers broader and costlier than necessary.

Pros and cons

Broad operational coverage: Booking, POS, client management, staff tools, memberships, packages, and reporting can support more of the business than scheduling alone.
Flexible booking and payment routes: Links, widgets, Instagram, and Google bookings pair with desk or mobile checkout, tips, and split payments.
Clear upgrade path: Inventory and campaigns arrive on Advance, while multi-branch reporting and API access are reserved for Expert.
Marketplace trade-off: The free listing is limited to 50 appointments per month, and qualifying new-client first visits incur a one-time 15% fee.
Paid entry point is substantial: Essential starts at 79.00 USD per month, which may be hard to justify for operators who only need appointment scheduling.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of options, browse Salon Software or Salon and Spa Scheduling Software. Businesses comparing staff-focused tools can also see Salon Payroll Software.

DaySmart Salon is worth comparing for businesses seeking a paid salon product with a free trial and Windows support; its Basic plan is 29.00 USD per month for one user and includes online booking, appointment confirmations, and Instagram and Facebook booking.
GlossGenius is a lower-priced paid option to consider when a custom booking website, client notifications, and email and text marketing are priorities; Standard is 28.00 USD per month.
Insight Salon Software offers a 25.00 USD per month single-employee cloud plan, making it a point of comparison for solo operators who do not need Salonist's unlimited-staff plans.
Orbis Salon is another paid salon option, with a Lite plan at 4.99 GBP per month for one staff member and one location, capped at 30 bookings/month and subject to a 50p booking service fee per booking.
Ovatu is worth comparing for businesses considering a per-employee price structure; its Neat plan starts at US$25 per month for the first employee, with each additional employee at US$7.
Boulevard is a paid alternative for readers comparing salon and spa software.
SalonBiz is a paid alternative for readers comparing salon software.
DINGG is an alternative with custom subscription pricing.

Verdict

Choose Salonist if your salon or wellness business needs booking, checkout, and operating tools in one system, especially when the unlimited-staff paid plans or multi-branch capabilities fit your setup. Look elsewhere if you only need a low-cost calendar, or if the marketplace cap and first-visit fee would undermine the value of its free listing.

	Salonist	Setora
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	$79/mo	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Web	Web, iOS, Android
Free plan	Yes	No
Paid from	79 /mo	—
Online booking	Yes	Yes
Staff availability	—	Yes
Appointment reminders	—	Yes
Waitlist management	—	Yes

Salonist vs Setora

Salonist

Setora