Discover smart salon software tools to slash hassle, pack out your calendar, and power up your profits

1 TIMELY

Timely equips salons with a complete set of reporting and analytics tools to help owners keep track of key performance indicators such as sales, customer behaviour, and staff productivity. The customisable dashboard allows owners to view trends and staff performance while managing secure data access without complexity.

A standout tool in Timely’s offering is Textie Bestie, an AI-powered chatbot specifically designed for the hair and beauty sector. It helps salons create effective SMS campaigns, making it easier to engage clients and drive repeat bookings using one of the platform’s most impactful marketing channels.

Salons using Timely frequently note the difference its reporting makes to their day-to-day running. Kayleigh Clark, hairdresser and educator, says it allows her to see exactly how her business is performing, while Jessica White, Timely Ambassador, praises its clear reporting for making commission tracking and team management simple and effective.

By combining smart marketing tools with practical reporting, Timely helps salons analyse their business performance, engage clients consistently, and support their teams with clear targets that drive growth.

2 VAGARO

Helping salon owners gain visibility over what drives their business through its detailed reporting dashboard, Vagaro lets them monitor KPIs like service sales, booking patterns, and inventory levels with ease. For multi-location businesses, the system simplifies tracking performance across branches, supporting clear decision-making.

Vagaro has expanded its capabilities with Vagaro AI, a content generator that assists owners in writing service descriptions, staff bios, and marketing copy, saving time while improving the quality of online content. An AI-powered chatbot also manages client questions and bookings around the clock, helping salons remain responsive without overloading front desk teams.

Looking ahead, Vagaro is focused on features that will help salons increase revenue and reduce admin time, including automated rebooking, smarter scheduling, and targeted promotions. Its reporting tools help track income and expenses in real time, which is vital for salons looking to maintain profitability and steady growth.

Feedback highlights how Vagaro’s tools help improve team performance and streamline daily tasks while supporting focused marketing efforts, giving owners practical tools to grow confidently.

3 PHOREST

Phorest helps salons transform data into confident decisions with tools that deliver clear, actionable insights. A key update is benchmarking, allowing salons to compare rebooking rates and client retention against similar businesses to find growth opportunities. Enhanced reporting lets owners examine lost client data, track visit history, and personalise follow-ups to win clients back.

The platform is also embracing AI, with conversational tools that assist teams in handling client queries efficiently while maintaining a personal touch. This helps ease front desk workloads while supporting a smooth guest experience. Phorest also offers features to encourage growth, including upselling prompts, smarter messaging, and membership management.

Phorest’s tipping feature has seen UK salons report higher tip amounts and stronger team morale, as clients can easily show appreciation during checkout. By making tipping seamless, the system supports both clients and staff without friction.

Overall, Phorest’s focus on data-led tools and AI development allows salons to clearly see what is happening in their business, optimise daily operations, and grow sustainably in a competitive market.

4 FRESHA

Fresha offers salons a practical suite of tools to address challenges around client engagement, payments, and team management. The platform is expanding with features that simplify payments, such as invoice instalments and enhanced memberships, while also improving scheduling flexibility and resource management to keep operations smooth.

Fresha has made strides with AI and machine learning, reporting a 99% reduction in fraud within six months thanks to its proprietary technology, protecting clients and businesses from financial risks. The company plans to roll out further AI capabilities to enhance efficiency and security for its salon partners.

The platform’s new Client Loyalty add-on is already showing promising results. Salons using the feature are creating points and rewards systems to encourage repeat visits and increase average client spend. Feedback from businesses has been positive, with clients enjoying the incentive to return and owners recognising the potential for building long-term loyalty and increasing revenue.

5 ZENOTI

Giving salons practical tools to make confident, data-led decisions while simplifying daily operations, Zenoti's dashboards allow owners to track revenue, client trends, and team performance clearly, helping them spot opportunities and fine-tune services across multiple locations.

The platform’s AI-powered tool HyperConnect improves client communication by turning missed calls into bookings and using sentiment analysis to keep clients engaged. Geraldine Fusciardi, Senior VP for Europe, highlights how Zenoti’s AI actively supports business growth while preserving the personal touch.

Zenoti has also launched The Check-In, a free growth hub designed to connect salon professionals with expert-led resources, industry trends, and practical strategies for seizing opportunities. The platform acts as a gateway to targeted insights.

Zenoti’s predictive analytics and reporting tools provide clear, actionable data to guide marketing, team incentives, and upselling opportunities.

6 SLICK

Slick's new staff reports allow owners to share relevant KPIs with specific team members, ensuring that colourists, for example, only see metrics relevant to them.

Recognising the rise of chair rental and co-working spaces, Slick has developed a split payment system that separates employed staff earnings from self-employed income, making it clear for owners to track their income while allowing freelancers to manage their payments. Slick uses machine learning to optimise online bookings, arranging appointments efficiently to avoid gaps in the diary. This has helped Slick users fill around 25% more slots than other software.

An example of success is Numero Dix in Scotland, where the team consistently fills every slot, sometimes adding additional appointments to meet demand. Their results come from using automated retention programmes, reminders, and deposits.

7 TREATWELL

Treatwell gives salons the tools to grow while reducing manual tasks that take up valuable time. Through Treatwell Connect, salons can access detailed reports on sales, service performance, and team productivity in one place, without the need for spreadsheets. Owners can track what is working best in their business and use this insight to guide decision-making and growth.

Automated reminders, rebooking prompts, and targeted marketing campaigns help salons engage clients effectively while reducing no-shows. Treatwell also integrates with booking options across Google, Instagram, Facebook and websites, making it easy for clients to book appointments while keeping the salon in control of availability.

Treatwell’s software includes POS and stock tracking features to simplify checkout while maintaining clear records of sales and inventory, allowing salons to keep operations organised and efficient. Automated communication tools help salons stay in touch with clients, sending appointment reminders and review requests to encourage return visits and build loyalty.

With its reach across Europe and focus on combining client-facing convenience with practical business tools, Treatwell supports salons in maintaining steady bookings, reducing admin time, and building stronger relationships with clients.

8 SHORTCUTS

Offering salons powerful software designed to streamline operations, grow revenue, and elevate the client experience, Shortcuts' advanced reporting tools help owners track KPIs such as client retention, rebooking rates, and service sales while monitoring team performance in real time. With customisable dashboards, owners can view daily performance snapshots and detailed trend analyses to make data-led decisions confidently.

The platform’s AI-powered features, including automated marketing campaigns and intelligent client segmentation, help salons personalise their outreach while reducing manual admin. SMS confirmations, reminders, and targeted promotions assist in reducing no-shows and driving repeat bookings, while seamless integrations with payment systems and online booking tools ensure clients can book and pay easily.

Shortcuts is also designed with team management in mind, offering features such as commission tracking, roster management, and performance incentives to motivate staff and align them with business goals. The company actively collaborates with leading salons globally, using industry insights to refine tools that support growth and adaptability. With its clear focus on practical, scalable solutions, Shortcuts gives salons the tools they need to analyse business health, engage clients, and manage teams effectively while maintaining a seamless client journey.