Best Salon POS System: Essential Features and Top Picks

Are you tired of juggling multiple appointment books, struggling to keep track of inventory, or experiencing slow checkout times? 

A robust POS system can revolutionize your salon’s efficiency and customer experience. From streamlining operations to enhancing client loyalty, the best salon POS system can be a game-changer. 

This guide will explore the key features to look for, compare top-rated options, and provide actionable advice to help you select the ideal POS solution for your business. Let’s go!

1. Best salon POS system: A comprehensive overview

	Best for	Pricing	Transaction fees from	Key Features
Shopify POS	Best for omnichannel salons	$5/month – $89/month	Depends on payment providers	Product management, receipt printing, appointment scheduling, staff management, online booking, appointment reminders, unified platform.
Lightspeed	Best for integration capabilities	$69/month – $239/month	Start from 2.6% + 0.10	Omni-channel sales, customer management, inventory management, appointment scheduling.
GlossGenius	Best for mobile-first salons	$24/month – $48/month	2.6%	Mobile-first design, appointment scheduling, client management, payment processing, retail sales, marketing tools.
Square Appointments	Best for multiservice salons	Free – $69/month	Start from 2.6% + 0.30	Integration with Square ecosystem, appointment scheduling, payment processing, team management
Vagaro	Best for booth and chair rentals	Start from $30/month	Start from 2.2%	Appointment scheduling, marketing tools, booth rental management.
eHopper	Best for small salons on a budget	Free – $35.99/month	Depends on payment providers	Appointment scheduling, customer management, payment processing, self-serve kiosk.

>> Compare Shopify vs Clover and explore the world of POS systems for small businesses!

2. What is the best POS system for beauty salon?

A Point of Sale (POS) system is a digital tool designed to record and manage sales transactions. For salons, it’s more than just a cash register; it’s a comprehensive management system that helps streamline operations, improve customer service, and boost revenue.

 

Salons face unique challenges that a traditional cash register simply can’t handle. For instance, scheduling appointments, managing a diverse range of products, and tracking complex services require a more sophisticated solution. A POS system excels in these areas:

• Streamlining Appointments: With features like online booking, automated reminders, and the ability to manage multiple stylists, a POS system ensures that your salon is always booked and organized.
• Inventory Control: From hair dyes to styling products, salons use a variety of items. A POS system helps track stock levels, preventing shortages and reducing waste.
• Enhancing Customer Experience: By storing customer information, preferences, and purchase history, salons can offer personalized services and build stronger relationships.
• Improving Efficiency: Tasks like invoicing, payment processing, and reporting become effortless with a POS system, allowing staff to focus on clients.
• Valuable Insights: Detailed reports on sales, inventory, and employee performance provide valuable data for making informed business decisions.

To maximize the benefits, you should look for a POS system with the following features:

• Appointment Scheduling: Online booking, automated reminders, and the ability to handle group bookings.
• Customer Management: Detailed client profiles, purchase history, and notes.
• Inventory Management: Low-stock alerts, expiry date tracking, and product categorization.
• Payment Processing: Support for various payment methods, including credit cards and gift cards.
• Product Catalog: Manages a wide range of products, including retail items and professional-use products.
• Low Stock Alerts: Prevents product shortages and ensures availability.
• Expiration Date Tracking: Monitors product shelf life and prevents wastage.
• Kitting and Bundling: Supports the creation of product packages and kits.
• Reporting: Customizable reports on sales, inventory, and employee performance.
• Integration Capabilities: Ability to integrate with other salon software, like booking apps or marketing tools.

By investing in the best salon POS system, you can significantly improve efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive business growth. 

3. Best salon POS system list: An in-depth review

3.1. Shopify POS – Best for omnichannel salons

Shopify POS is an ideal choice for salons that prioritize a user-friendly platform, seamless integration with online sales, and a focus on customer experience. Shopify POS is particularly well-suited for salons that prioritize an omnichannel approach. Its strength lies in seamlessly connecting online and offline sales, making it an ideal choice for businesses aiming to provide a unified customer experience.

 

As the best POS system for small business, Shopify POS offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to elevate the salon experience:

• Product and Service Management: Easily add, edit, and manage your salon’s offerings, including hair cuts, color treatments, retail products, and packages.
• Inventory Control: Efficiently track product stock levels, set low-stock alerts, and manage product variations to avoid shortages.
• Personalized Customer Experience: Build and maintain detailed customer profiles, including purchase history, preferences, and appointment details. 
• Flexible Payment Options: Accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets, for seamless transactions.
• Professional Receipts: Generate branded receipts that enhance your salon’s image.
• Effortless Appointment Booking: Allow clients to book appointments online or in-app for increased convenience.
• Efficient Staff Management: Assign appointments, track employee performance, and optimize scheduling.
• Proactive Appointment Reminders: Reduce no-shows and improve client retention with automated reminders.
• Seamless Omnichannel Experience: Manage both online and in-store operations from a single platform for increased efficiency and insights.

Shopify offers two primary ways to access its Point of Sale (POS) system. 

First of all, Shopify’s three main plans – Basic, Shopify, and Advanced – come with POS Lite included at no additional cost:

• Shopify Basic: $39/month
• Shopify: $105/month
• Advanced Shopify: $399/month

Shopify charges transaction fees for in-person payments, which vary depending on your Shopify plan.

	Shopify Basic	Shopify	Advanced Shopify
Transaction fees	2.9% + $0.30 online payments 2.6% + $0.10 in person	2.7% + $0.30 online payments 2.5% + $0.10 in person	2.5% + $0.30 online payments 2.4% + $0.10 in person

Alternatively, you can use Shopify POS as a standalone product at the following prices:

• POS Lite: $5/month
• POS Pro: Starting at $89/month/location

With these two Shopify POS plans, Shopify’s transaction fees also vary based on your chosen plan, starting at 5% for 3rd-party payment providers.

In addition, Shopify offers a range of hardware options to complement its POS system:

• Retail kit: $219
• Barcode scanners: $229 to $329
• Label printers: $299 to $499
• Receipt printers: $299 to $369
• Cash drawers: $139 to $159
• POS Go (with case): $429

By understanding these pricing structures, you can choose the Shopify POS option that best suits your business needs and budget.

3.2. Lightspeed – Best for integration capabilities

Lightspeed POS has established itself as a robust solution for salons seeking a feature-rich, cloud-based platform. With a focus on scalability and integration, Lightspeed caters to salons of various sizes, from small boutiques to multi-location enterprises.

 

As the best pos system for nail salon and other types of small businesses, Lightspeed shines in several key areas crucial for salon operations:

• Omni-channel Sales: Seamlessly manage both in-store and online sales, providing a unified customer experience. 
• eCommerce Platform Integration: Integrate with platforms like Wix and WordPress for easy eCommerce setup.
• Customer Management: Create detailed customer profiles, track purchase history, and deliver personalized experiences.
• Inventory Management: Effectively manage products, including variations and composites, real-time inventory visibility and low-stock alerts to optimize stock management.
• Appointment Scheduling: Lightspeed integrates with third-party appointment booking apps, allowing salons to manage schedules efficiently.
• Reporting and Analytics: Gain valuable insights into sales, inventory, and customer behavior through customizable reports.

Lightspeed offers three primary pricing plans: Basic, Core, and Plus. 

	Basic	Core	Plus
Price	$69/month	$149/month	$239/month
Transaction fees	2.6% + 0.10 for card-present transactions 2.6% + 0.30 for keyed-in transactions
Hardware packages	Offers kits for iPads, MacOS devices, and Windows PCs.

When comparing Shopify vs Lightspeed, both of them provide a range of hardware options, including POS terminals, card readers, receipt printers, and barcode scanners. However, pricing for these components is not transparent on the website and requires direct contact with Lightspeed.

3.3. GlossGenius – Best for mobile-first salons

GlossGenius has emerged as the best POS system for hair salon for beauty professionals seeking a user-friendly and all-in-one solution. Designed specifically for the beauty sector, GlossGenius offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage appointments, clients, payments, and marketing.

 

With its mobile-centric approach, GlossGenius enhances productivity and flexibility for busy salon professionals. It offers stylists and salon owners unparalleled convenience by allowing them to manage appointments, process payments, and access client information from their smartphones or tablets.

Key advantages of this salon POS systems include:

• Mobile-first Design: Ideal for busy professionals who need to manage their business on the go.
• Appointment Scheduling: GlossGenius excels in appointment scheduling with its intuitive interface, online booking capabilities, and automated reminders.
• Client Management: Build strong client relationships through detailed profiles, personalized marketing, and loyalty programs.
• Payment Processing: Accept various payment methods with competitive transaction fees and quick payouts.
• Retail Sales: Efficiently manage product inventory and process sales at the point of service.
• Marketing Tools: Enhance customer engagement with built-in marketing features like email and SMS campaigns.

GlossGenius offers several pricing plans with varying features and costs. Here is a breakdown:

	Standard Plan	Gold Plan
Price	$24/month	$48/month
Transaction fees	2.6% for in-person, online, and card-on-file payments
Hardware packages	Contactless and chip card reader: $49

3.4. Square Appointments – Best for multiservice salons

Square Appointments is a popular point-of-sale system that has gained significant traction in the beauty industry. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline salon operations, from appointment scheduling to payment processing. 

 

Square’s reputation as a trusted provider of payment solutions, combined with its user-friendly interface, has made it a go-to choice for many salons.

Square Appointments stands out for its key features:

• Integration with Square Ecosystem: Access to additional tools like payroll, marketing, and online stores.
• Appointment Scheduling: Square Appointments offers intuitive scheduling features, including online booking, automated reminders, and the ability to manage multiple service providers.
• Payment Processing: Seamlessly integrated with Square’s payment platform, enabling various payment methods and providing detailed transaction reports.
• Customer Management: Build and maintain customer profiles, track purchase history, and send targeted marketing campaigns.
• Team Management: Manage employee schedules, assign permissions, and track performance metrics.

Square offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate different business sizes and needs.

	Free plan	Plus	Premium
Price	Free	$29/month	$69/month
Transaction fees	In-person transaction fee: 2.5%-2.6% + $0.30  Online transaction fee: 2.9% + $0.30  Card-on-file transaction fee: 3.5% + $0.15 Afterpay transactions: 6% + $0.30
Hardware packages	– Contactless reader: $49 – Portable terminal: $299  – Square terminal and stand: $799

>> Read the full comparison of Shopify vs Square here!

3.5. Vagaro – Best for booth and chair rentals

Vagaro is a solid choice for salons, especially those with a focus on appointment booking and client management. Its booth rental management feature is a standout, making it a particularly attractive option for salons with multiple stylists.

 

With a strong focus on the beauty industry, Vagaro provides features tailored to the specific needs of salon owners and their clients.

• Appointment Scheduling: Vagaro offers robust appointment scheduling capabilities, including online booking, automated reminders, and the ability to manage multiple service providers.
• Client Management: Build and maintain detailed client profiles, track purchase history, and send targeted marketing campaigns.
• Inventory Management: While primarily focused on appointment booking, Vagaro also offers basic inventory tracking for retail products.
• Payment Processing: Accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and cash.
• Marketing Tools: Utilize built-in marketing features to promote services, products, and special offers.
• Booth Rental Management: A unique feature allowing salon owners to manage booth rentals, collect rent, and track commission.

Vagaro offers various pricing plans to accommodate different salon sizes and needs. The cost includes a monthly subscription fee and transaction fees for payment processing. Hardware requirements are minimal, as Vagaro is primarily a cloud-based solution.

Price	– $30/month: Covers one calendar and location. – Additional calendars: $10/month per calendar, up to a maximum of $90/month for seven calendars.
Transaction fees	Starting at 2.2%
Add-on features	– Text marketing: Starting at $20/month – Live stream: Starting at $10/month – Check-in app: $10/month – Online forms: $10/month – Prominent Marketplace listing: $10/month – Online shopping cart: $10/month – Branded app: $200/month – Website builder: $20/month – Payroll: $34/month + $5/employee – QuickBooks & Xero integrations: $30/month
Hardware packages	Contact the Vagaro team for more information.

3.6. eHopper – Best for small salons on a budget

eHopper POS positions itself as a user-friendly and affordable solution for small businesses, including salons. It offers a core set of features designed to streamline operations and manage basic salon functions. While not as feature-rich as some specialized salon POS systems, eHopper’s simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive option for budget-conscious salon owners.

 

Here are its key functions:

• Simplicity: The user interface is generally straightforward, making it easy to learn and use.
• Appointment Scheduling: While not as robust as dedicated salon booking software, eHopper offers basic appointment scheduling functionalities.
• Inventory Management: Track product levels, set low-stock alerts, and manage basic product information.
• Customer Management: Create customer profiles and store basic information.
• Payment Processing: Accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and cash.
• Self-Serve Kiosk: Offer customers the convenience of self-checkout and tip management.

This best POS system for small salon offers a tiered pricing structure with a free plan and paid options. 

	Free plan	Essential Plus	Freedom	OmniChannel
Price	Free	$10/month	$20.99/month	$35.99/month
Transaction fees	No
Hardware packages	– All-in-One Touchscreen POS Terminal Single Screen (T2 Model): $549  – All-in-One Touchscreen POS Terminal with Customer Facing Display (T2 Model): $599  – All-in-One Touchscreen POS Terminal with Customer Facing Display (T2s Model): $1,109

4. Key factors to consider when choosing a POS system for your salon

Selecting the right POS system is crucial for the success of your salon. With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best suited for your specific needs. 

To select the best salon POS system, you should consider the key features below.

🔸 Appointment Scheduling:

• Can the system handle complex scheduling, including multiple service providers, recurring appointments, and waitlists?
• Does it offer features like online booking and automated reminders?

 

🔸 Customer Management:

• Can you create detailed customer profiles including contact information, purchase history, and preferences?
• Does the system offer loyalty programs and targeted marketing tools?

🔸 Inventory Management:

• Can you track your inventory levels, set low-stock alerts, and manage product variations?
• Does the system integrate with your suppliers for automatic reordering?

🔸 Payments:

• Does the system accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and cash?
• Can it handle split payments and tips?

🔸 Reporting:

• Does the system generate detailed reports on sales, inventory, and customer behavior?
• Can you customize reports to meet your specific needs?

🔸 Integrations:

• Does the system integrate with other tools you use, such as your accounting software, email marketing platform, or online booking website?

🔸 Mobile Capabilities:

• Can you access your POS system from a mobile device?
• Does it offer features like mobile payments and remote management?

🔸 Additional Considerations:

• Employee Management: Can you track employee hours, commissions, and performance?
• Service Tracking: Can you track specific services provided to each client?
• Retail Sales: Does the system handle both service-based and product-based sales?
• Loyalty Programs: Can you create customized loyalty programs to reward repeat customers?
• Online Booking: Does the system offer online booking functionality?

💡 In essence, if you just get started with POS, you can follow these steps to choose the best salon pos system for beginners:

• Identify Your Needs: Make a list of the specific features you require.
• Research Options: Explore different POS providers and compare their offerings.
• Request Demos: Schedule demos with shortlisted providers to see the system in action.
• Read Reviews: Check online reviews to get feedback from other users.
• Consider Scalability: Ensure the system can accommodate your future growth.
• Calculate Total Cost: Factor in hardware, software, and ongoing costs.

By carefully considering these factors and asking the right questions, you can select the best salon POS system that will streamline your salon operations, improve customer satisfaction, and help you grow your business.

5. Summary

The journey to a thriving salon begins with the right POS system. Don’t let outdated technology hold your salon back. By carefully considering your unique needs and exploring the various options available, you can find the best salon POS system.

So, take the leap and watch your online business flourish with eComStart today!

6. FAQs