10 Best Salon Membership Software in 2025

Running a salon in 2025 means competing for loyalty, not just foot traffic. And here's the thing: membership programs are turning out to be the secret weapon that keeps clients coming back, while also making your revenue predictable. ✨

Salons with membership programs see:

• Members visiting 3× more often each year
• Members spending 75% more on retail products compared to non-members
• An 88% higher chance of member clients returning within 60 days

That’s powerful.

But here's the catch: running a membership program manually (think spreadsheets, sticky notes, and a few prayers) is a recipe for chaos.

You need software that:

• Automates recurring billing
• Tracks member credits
• Makes your clients feel like VIPs without you lifting a finger

The right tool can free up your time while giving your clients a seamless experience.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the 10 best salon membership software platforms for 2025. You’ll find:

• Pricing details 💲
• Real user feedback (yes, even from Reddit and review sites)
• The exact features that matter most

Whether you’re a solo stylist or managing multiple locations, you’ll find the perfect match here.

What Is Salon Membership Software? (And Why Salons Are Rolling It Out)

Think of salon membership software as your autopilot for recurring revenue.

The Goal: Predictable Revenue, Repeat Visits, VIP Perks

Instead of waiting for clients to remember to book, membership software creates a system where they commit upfront to monthly visits in exchange for perks like:

• Discounts
• Priority booking
• Exclusive services
• Bundled treatments

For your business, that means predictable cash flow and higher client lifetime value.

💡 The numbers back this up: membership-based spas saw an 8% revenue increase in 2023 compared to just 6% for non-membership spas, according to Zenoti’s 2024 Beauty & Wellness Benchmark Report.

In fact, the average “membership spa” earns three times the revenue of a non-membership spa.

Core Building Blocks of Salon Membership Software

Great membership software handles the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to:

• Recurring billing: Automatic monthly charges via stored payment methods
• Member credits and packages: Track included services, rollover credits, or “use-it-or-lose-it” allotments
• Automated renewals: No manual invoicing, memberships renew automatically
• Usage tracking: See who’s redeeming benefits and who needs a little nudge
• Loyalty points and perks: Reward repeat visits with exclusive add-ons or discounts
  
  

Where It Fits Into Your Salon Tech Stack

Membership software doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It should integrate with:

• Your booking calendar
• POS system
• CRM
• Email marketing
• Payment processor

Some platforms bundle everything (like Vagaro, Fresha, Mangomint), while others (like Join It) plug into your existing tools as a dedicated membership layer.

👉 The right choice depends on whether you want an all-in-one system or a best-of-breed tool that plays nicely with the rest of your stack.

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How We Chose These Tools (So You Can Trust This List)

We didn’t just Google “salon software” and call it a day.

Must-Have Criteria

Every platform on this list checks these boxes:

• Recurring billing: Automates monthly member charges
• Credits and packages: Manages member benefits and service allotments
• Member analytics: Reports on retention, churn, and usage
• Data export: Lets you own and move your data
• Integrations: Connects with payment processors, marketing tools, or accounting software

Nice-to-Have Features

We gave bonus points for software that includes:

• Digital membership cards 📱
• Deposit collection to reduce no-shows
• Waitlists that auto-fill cancellations
• Two-way texting for real-time client communication

Signals We Looked For

We prioritized platforms with:

• Recent updates (active development = not stale)
• Transparent pricing (clear starting price or published rate cards)
• Review volume (at least 5+ verified reviews on SoftwareAdvice, Capterra, or G2)
• Candid community feedback (Reddit, LinkedIn, and salon forums)
  
  

Salon Membership Software Comparison Table​

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Top 10 Salon Membership Software

1) Join It 

Join It is a cloud-based membership management platform designed for small to medium-sized organizations—including salons that want to add memberships without overhauling their entire tech stack.​

Why salon owners love it: Join It handles recurring billing, custom membership tiers, automated renewals, and integrates seamlessly with Stripe, Mailchimp, Zapier, and QuickBooks. You get digital membership cards that clients can store on their phones, plus discount codes and event ticketing if you host member-only events.​

User reviews on SoftwareAdvice praise Join It's intuitive interface, Eventbrite integration, and strong customer service. The ability to manage events and memberships in one place is a major win for salons that host workshops or VIP nights.​

Pricing:

• Starter: $29/mo + 3% service fee (membership database, recurring billing, event ticketing, Mailchimp/Zapier integrations)​
• Total: $99/mo + 2% fee (adds advanced CRM, coupon codes, membership analytics, bulk email)​
• Extra: $199/mo + 1.5% fee (custom domain, account manager, white-label pages)​
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organizations​

Annual billing saves 10%. Nonprofits get an extra 10% discount. Free trial: 30 days.​

Ideal for: Salons that already have booking/POS systems and just need a dedicated membership layer that integrates cleanly. Also perfect for salons in the business services category looking to add recurring revenue streams.​

Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.7 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.9 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.7 / 5
• Functionality: 4.4 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (February 2024 – NFMLA)

• Pros: The interface is simple and effective, making it easy to add, delete, and check member details. Sending emails to members is also straightforward.
• Cons: Email options feel limited, mostly restricted to automated or quick/easy formats with less flexibility.

⭐ Review 2 (October 2023 – Non-Profit Arts Organization)

• Pros: Extremely intuitive platform that the whole team can use with ease. Eventbrite integration, reporting features, and sign-up page customization were standout benefits. Customer support was described as prompt, responsive, and accommodating.
• Cons: A few features could be expanded, but most issues were solved quickly with support.
• Reasons for choosing Join It: Suited the organization’s needs and avoided unnecessary features.
• Reasons for switching to Join It: Other platforms like Wild Apricot were too expensive and not as tailored to their needs.

Start your 30-day free trial with Join It →  (no credit card required)​

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2) Mangomint 

Mangomint is a premium salon and spa management platform with a sleek interface and smart automation. It's designed for growing salons (2–20+ service providers) that want to impress clients and simplify operations.​

Standout membership features:

• Express Booking™: Automated waitlist fills cancellations instantly​
• Memberships and packages: Full credit tracking, rollover options, and tiered benefits​
• Integrated online store: Sell retail and gift cards directly through member portals​
• Two-way texting: Communicate with members in real time (add-on: $75/mo)​

Reddit users rave about Mangomint. One wrote: "I absolutely love Mangomint... customer support is top notch and they have everything you need". Another added: "They transfer your data for you"—a huge relief when switching platforms.​

Pricing:

• Essentials: $165/mo (2–10 providers; core scheduling, POS, unlimited SMS/email)​
• Standard: $245/mo (up to 20 providers; adds Express Booking, virtual waiting room, integrated marketing)​
• Unlimited: $375/mo (unlimited providers; adds Shopify integration, open API)​

Add-ons include client intake forms ($50/mo) and payroll processing ($50/mo + $8/worker). Free trial: 21 days.​

Ideal for: Growing boutique salons that prioritize user experience and want concierge-level onboarding.​

Overall Rating: 4.9 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.9 / 5
• Customer Support: 5.0 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.8 / 5
• Functionality: 4.8 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (October 2025 – Medical Practice, 11–50 employees)

• Pros: Very easy to use for messaging, communication, payment processing, appointment scheduling, and overall management. The platform feels modern and straightforward, with excellent customer support.
• Cons: One reviewer wished that rescheduling in week view would automatically roll appointments into the following week instead of requiring manual adjustments.

⭐ Review 2 (October 2025 – Retail, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Customer support stood out — quick responses even during weekends. The system is intuitive, with smooth transfer/setup and bundled hardware options.
• Cons: In week view, the calendar doesn’t display the full appointment/client name, which was a minor frustration.
• Reasons for choosing Mangomint: Ease of use, free setup transfer, 2 months included, and hardware bundle.
• Reasons for switching to Mangomint: Stronger support compared to their previous platform (Vagaro).

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3) Zenoti 

Zenoti is an enterprise-grade platform built for large salon, spa, and med-spa chains. If you're managing 5+ locations and need centralized control over memberships, inventory, staff, and payroll, Zenoti delivers.​

Enterprise membership features:

• Cross-center membership redemption: Members can visit any location​
• AI Copilot and dynamic pricing: Optimize membership pricing and suggest upsells​
• 400+ reports: Track membership revenue, churn, and lifetime value across all locations​
• Automated marketing campaigns: Re-engage inactive members automatically​

SoftwareAdvice reviewers praise Zenoti's ability to handle complex membership programs, digital gift cards, and loyalty points. However, some feel overwhelmed by the extensive feature set and report a steep learning curve. Support response times can also be slower during high-volume periods.​

Pricing:

• Growth: Starts at $350/location/mo (some sources show $250)​
• Hypergrowth: Custom (adds AI voice receptionist, reputation manager)​
• Complete: Custom (enterprise features like payroll automation, global rewards)​

No free trial—prospective customers must book a demo and negotiate pricing.​

Ideal for: Multi-location chains that need enterprise-level reporting and centralized membership management.​

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.3 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.6 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.3 / 5
• Functionality: 4.4 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (October 2025 – Health & Wellness, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Comprehensive system that covers appointment booking, employee management, services, inventory, and forms. Users liked features such as integrated photo capture guidelines for before/after comparisons in aesthetics. Customer support was described as helpful and proactive.
• Cons: Not the most intuitive system and comes with a learning curve. Setup can take time, so businesses with limited bandwidth may struggle.
• Reasons for choosing Zenoti: Chosen for its integrated photo capturing system and advanced form features.
• Reasons for switching to Zenoti: Needed stronger before-and-after photo documentation compared to other platforms.

⭐ Review 2 (October 2025 – Medical Practice, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Once implemented, Zenoti provides a wide range of benefits — from marketing and communications to robust service management. Reviewers praised the patience and responsiveness of support staff during onboarding.
• Cons: The platform can feel heavy and not easily transferable to new employees. Training coworkers requires extra effort due to system complexity.

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4) Fresha 

Fresha (formerly Shedul) is a salon and spa management platform that's free to start—it monetizes through payment processing and marketing add-ons.​

Why it's a game-changer: Fresha offers online booking, POS, client profiles, appointment reminders, and membership management at no upfront cost. Members can store digital consultation forms, book with deposit options, and receive automated promotions.​

Users appreciate Fresha's sleek interface and the fact that basic booking and POS are completely free. Salon owners praise the integrated deposit system and marketing tools (email/text promotions, deals, gift cards).​

Pricing (varies by region):

• Independent (1 person): ~$6 USD)
• Team: ~$4 usd /team member/mo​
• Enterprise: Custom for 20+ members​

Includes 20 free texts and 50 free marketing emails per month on Independent plan. After that, emails cost 0,04 each and texts cost 0,14  each. Free trial: 14 days.​

Ideal for: Solo stylists and small teams that need a robust system without upfront costs.​

Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.8 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.8 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.8 / 5
• Functionality: 4.7 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (October 2025 – Hospital & Health Care, Self-Employed)

• Pros: Easy to use with simple calendar functionality and helpful text reminders. Good for tracking stock, bills, and discounts.
• Cons: Pricing has become less favorable over time, with more features turning into paid add-ons instead of being included in the base subscription.
• Overall Impression: Once reliable and affordable, but long-term users feel costs have crept up significantly.
  
  

⭐ Review 2 (October 2025 – Medical Practice, Self-Employed)

• Pros: User-friendly design and cooperative customer service. Platform is simple to navigate.
• Cons: The “new client fee” policy was described as unfair. Even existing customers booking via QR codes were flagged as “new clients,” creating unexpected charges.
• Overall Impression: Frustration with pricing policies overshadowed otherwise positive usability.

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5) Vagaro 

Vagaro is a widely used appointment-scheduling and business-management solution for salons, spas, and wellness businesses. It's known for being feature-rich and affordable.​

Membership features:

• Customizable calendar with waitlist​
• Online booking via website, Google, or Facebook​
• Membership management and loyalty programs​
• Unlimited daily deals via Vagaro Marketplace​
• 24/7 customer support​

Reviewers highlight Vagaro's affordability and integrated booking. However, Reddit users mention the UI feels "slower and clunkier" than premium competitors like Boulevard or Mangomint. Add-on costs (text marketing $20/mo, branded app $100/mo, payroll $34/mo) can also stack up.​

Pricing:

• Base: $23.99/mo for one bookable calendar (includes scheduling, POS, marketing, memberships)​
• Each additional calendar increases the price incrementally (e.g., $35.99 for two, $45.99 for three)​

Add-ons: Text marketing ($20/mo), branded app ($100/mo), payroll ($34/mo + $5/employee), QuickBooks integration ($10/mo). Free trial: 30 days.​

Ideal for: Budget-conscious salons that want comprehensive features without breaking the bank.​

Overall Rating: 4.7 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.6 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.6 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.7 / 5
• Functionality: 4.6 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (October 2025 – Health & Wellness, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Longtime users praised Vagaro’s affordability and range of tools for small business growth. Covers scheduling, payments, website, marketing, forms, inventory, payroll, and analytics. Support described as consistent and helpful.
• Cons: After some updates, minor glitches or delays can occur on desktop or mobile. Usually resolved quickly.
• Reasons for choosing Vagaro: Price, features, and ease of use stood out over competitors.
  
  

⭐ Review 2 (September 2025 – Insurance, 51–200 employees)

• Pros: All-in-one solution with lots of useful tools in one place. Strong for managing customer service, scheduling, notifications, and payment processing.
• Cons: Setup and payment configuration takes time, and some notifications don’t always reflect in real time.
  Overall Impression: Robust platform with many features, but requires extra time investment during setup.

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6) Boulevard 

Boulevard is a premium salon and spa management platform that emphasizes client experience and revenue growth. It's designed for high-end salons, spas, and med-spas that want to deliver a luxury feel.​

Premium membership features:

• Intelligent waitlist and self-check-in​
• Dynamic pricing for peak/off-peak bookings​
• Membership and package management with full credit tracking​
• Branded client app for bookings and account management​
• Two-way texting and advanced reporting​

Reddit users consistently praise Boulevard's user-friendly interface and strong customer support. One wrote: "Boulevard has all of the above. New features quarterly. Meets every need. Clients love it."​

Pricing (current promotional rates):

• Essentials: $158/location/mo (reg. $176)​
• Premier: $263/location/mo (reg. $293)​
• Prestige: $369/location/mo (reg. $410)​
• Enterprise: Custom​

Add-ons like forms ($65/mo) and QuickBooks integration ($45/mo) cost extra. No free trial—demo required. Some reviews note Boulevard requires a 12-month commitment.​

Ideal for: Upscale salons that want a polished, client-facing booking experience and don't mind paying for premium features.​

Overall Rating: 4.6 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.6 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.7 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.5 / 5
• Functionality: 4.4 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (October 2025 – Health & Wellness, 11–50 employees)

• Pros: Highly professional team and user-friendly interface. Strong appointment scheduling features and smooth workflow.
• Cons: Reviewer reported no major dislikes, describing the app as reliable and easy to use.
• Reasons for switching to Boulevard: Adopted after previous experience with the platform at another employer.
  
  

⭐ Review 2 (September 2025 – Health & Wellness, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Easy transition from old software, with features that support aesthetics practices. Reviewers highlighted its comprehensive tools and intuitive design.
• Cons: Still being optimized. Reviewers wanted to see improvements in credit card processing rates and prescribing features.
• Reasons for switching to Boulevard: Needed a better system than their existing one, with stronger functionality.

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7) Phorest 

Phorest is a salon, spa, and clinic management platform popular in Europe and North America. It emphasizes marketing automation and real-time reporting to help salons grow.​

Marketing-focused membership features:

• Automated email and SMS reminders​
• Built-in loyalty program with points tracking​
• Reputation management tools​
• Digital consultation forms​
• Cross-location gift card redemption (higher tiers)​

SoftwareAdvice reviewers appreciate Phorest's marketing tools and ability to manage multiple locations. The integrated payments and loyalty program are highlights. However, some criticize occasional bugs and the cost of add-ons. Customer support can also be slow.​

Pricing: Phorest does not publish pricing publicly—you must request a quote. Third-party sources estimate the entry-level plan starts around $99/mo.​

Four packages: Starter, Grow, Ultimate, Elite. Free trial reports are conflicting—some sources say 14 days, others say none.​

Ideal for: Salons that want to automate client re-engagement and track marketing ROI across multiple locations.​

Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.7 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.8 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.4 / 5
• Functionality: 4.5 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (September 2025 – Consumer Services, 11–50 employees)

• Pros: Strong reporting, tech support, POS integration, and extra tools like Phorest Go. Reviewers valued its range of features for managing staff and services.
• Cons: Navigation issues — for example, when clicking through pages, you’re sent back to the start rather than where you left off. Also, some wanted more flexibility for customizing online stores.
• Reasons for switching to Phorest: Previous system lacked cloud-based features and online booking options.
  
  

⭐ Review 2 (September 2025 – Consumer Services, 11–50 employees)

• Pros: Excellent inventory management and reporting. Stylists enjoy using the Phorest Go app. Comprehensive support for operations from booking to appointments.
• Cons: A few frustrations with gap booking and processing time, which created inefficiencies for reception staff.
• Reasons for switching to Phorest: Needed more complete features than their existing salon software offered.

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8) DaySmart Salon (formerly Salon Iris) 

DaySmart Salon evolved from Salon Iris and offers appointment scheduling, POS, client management, inventory, and membership tracking.​

Membership features:

• Packages and membership management​
• Integrated payment processing​
• Gift cards and loyalty programs​
• Digital forms and resource management​

SoftwareAdvice reviewers praise DaySmart's ease of use and customizable reminders. The POS integrates well with payment processors. However, complaints include occasional glitches, limited customer support, mandatory credit card requirements for bookings, and high add-on costs.​

Notably, DaySmart's loyalty program feature scored just 3.11/5 on SoftwareAdvice, indicating user dissatisfaction with that module.​

Pricing:

• Basic: $29/mo (1 user; scheduling, online booking, POS, gift cards)​
• Deluxe: $69/mo (3 users; adds Instagram/Facebook booking, kiosk)​
• Deluxe Growth: $149/mo (3 users; adds resource management, QuickBooks, marketing automation)​
• Premium: $199/mo (6 users; adds payroll, multi-ticket checkout)​
• Premium Growth: Custom (multi-location)​

Free trial: 14 days.​

Ideal for: Independent professionals and small salons that need basic membership tracking without premium pricing.​

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.3 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.2 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.1 / 5
• Functionality: 4.2 / 5
  
  

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (May 2025 – Health & Wellness, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Easy to use booking system with reminder appointments and clear reports on staff performance, services, and commissions.
• Cons: No option to make credit card entry mandatory for online booking, which some found inconvenient.
• Reasons for switching to DaySmart Salon: Previous system (Square) caused issues with appointment scheduling due to AI assistant errors.
  
  

⭐ Review 2 (April 2025 – Veterinary, Self-Employed)

• Pros: Clean layout with strong reporting features across daily, weekly, and monthly views. Helpful and prompt customer service.
• Cons: Pricing felt expensive compared to alternatives. Monthly cost was the biggest drawback.
• Overall Impression: Solid choice for reporting and client tracking, though cost-sensitive users may hesitate.

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9) Meevo 

Meevo (Meevo 2) by Millennium Systems International is an all-in-one platform for salons, med-spas, and franchises. It provides scheduling, client management, POS, marketing, inventory, and reporting.​

Franchise-friendly membership features:

• Role-based dashboards for staff and franchisees​
• Membership management with recurring billing​
• Staff payroll and commission tracking​
• Advanced reporting and analytics​
• Optional add-ons: Digital forms, walk-in manager, eGift cards​

Users commend Meevo's customization options and responsive support. However, some complain about high cost compared to competitors, complex reporting, and billing issues.​

Pricing (from third-party sources, last updated Aug 2023):

• Basic (Lite): ~$139/mo (up to 5 professionals)​
• Simple (Essentials): ~$179/mo (up to 10 professionals)​
• Pro: ~$269/mo (up to 15 professionals; adds memberships, business intelligence)​
• Pro 1: ~$419/mo (up to 25 professionals)​
• Pro 2 (Unlimited): ~$529/mo (unlimited professionals)​
• Enterprise: Custom​

Meevo requires an annual contract and charges additional fees per professional. No free trial.​

Ideal for: Salons and franchises that need advanced multi-location management and are willing to commit to an annual contract.​

Overall Rating: 4.4 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.3 / 5
• Customer Support: 4.6 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.4 / 5
• Functionality: 4.3 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (October 2025 – Consumer Services, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Once setup is complete, the interface is very easy to navigate. Reports integrate well with QuickBooks, and customer support is consistently praised as friendly and helpful.
• Cons: Initial setup was frustrating and time-consuming. Departments seemed disconnected, and adjustments between business workflows and Meevo’s structure were difficult.
• Reasons for switching to Meevo: Needed a platform that could track both clients and products, tailored for salons/spas.
  
  

⭐ Review 2 (October 2025 – Hospitality, 5001–10,000 employees)

• Pros: Excellent tool for improving staff workflow and guest experience. Users highlighted strong functionality, customization, and ability to enhance spa operations.
• Cons: Proprietary EMV card readers sometimes lost connection, which caused disruptions in payment processing.
• Reasons for choosing Meevo: Long history with the brand (used in multiple resorts over a decade).
• Reasons for switching to Meevo: Other systems struggled with integrations like room charging and gift card processing.

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10) Versum (Booksy) 

Versum was a Polish salon software provider that merged with Booksy. It's still available for existing users, but new customers are directed to Booksy's platform.​

Global membership features:

• Online booking with 24/7 availability​
• Automatic reminders​
• Loyalty programs​
• Stock control and financial reporting​
• Multi-location management​

Reviews highlight Versum/Booksy's ease of use and attractive pricing. Users appreciate the intuitive booking system and comprehensive reports. Downsides include limited customization of the booking page, lack of physical POS hardware, and support hours favoring European time zones.​

Pricing (via Booksy):

• Solo: $25/mo (1 employee)​
• Basic: $39/mo (2–6 employees)​
• Medium: $69/mo (7–12 employees)​
• Pro: $109/mo (12+ employees)​

Free trial available (length unspecified).​

Ideal for: International salons (especially in Europe) looking for affordable, straightforward membership and booking tools.​

Overall Rating: 5.0 / 5

Secondary Ratings:

• Ease of Use: 4.9 / 5
• Customer Support: 5.0 / 5
• Value for Money: 4.9 / 5
• Functionality: 4.9 / 5

Latest Reviews

⭐ Review 1 (July 2025 – Design, Self-Employed)

• Pros: Comprehensive system with many features included at no extra cost — from emails to text messages and newsletters. Easy to customize, especially for complex appointment structures with multiple categories.
• Cons: Monthly cost can seem high at first, but users noted it balances out with the amount included. Some mentioned the platform doesn’t generate new customers directly, but is strong for managing existing ones.
• Reasons for switching to Versum: Previous system lacked integration with existing calendars and required too much manual correction for double bookings.

⭐ Review 2 (July 2023 – Facilities Services, 2–10 employees)

• Pros: Seamless partnership-level integration (compared positively to Booksy). Highly praised for support and functionality.
• Cons: Reviewer reported no significant issues at the time of review.

If you're also exploring spa-specific solutions, check out our guide to spa membership software

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Key Buying Questions (Pick the Right Fit the First Time)

Choosing salon membership software isn’t just about features, it’s about fit. Here are the core questions to guide your decision:

Solo, Boutique, or Multi-Location?

Your salon’s size dictates your needs:

• Solo stylists: A lightweight solution works best. Many choose tools that keep costs down and focus on memberships only. Join It is a strong option here since it doesn’t overload you with features you’ll never use.
• Boutique teams (2–10 staff): You’ll likely need software that balances membership management with scheduling and team coordination.
• Multi-location chains: Centralized control becomes essential, so look for systems that handle multiple branches under one account.

Do You Need Deep Booking/POS - or a Dedicated Membership Layer?

This is the make-or-break decision.

• If you already have tools you like for POS and booking (for example Square or Acuity), you may not need another bulky all-in-one system. In this case, a dedicated membership platform like Join It plugs right into your existing stack and handles recurring billing, member credits, and perks.
  
  
• If you’re starting from scratch or frustrated by disconnected tools, an all-in-one system that combines booking, POS, and memberships might simplify things.
  
  

👉 The takeaway: If you want flexibility and already have a setup you trust, Join It can be the membership engine layered on top.

Will You Charge Deposits and Manage Credits/Packages?

Not every software handles deposits and credits well. Make sure your platform can:

• Collect deposits at booking to cut down on no-shows
• Track monthly credits (for example, “1 facial included per month”)
• Allow rollover or expiration rules

This functionality ensures that memberships feel valuable while keeping your revenue steady.

Texting Volume vs. Per-Message Fees

Most platforms offer “free” texting up to a limit, then charge per message.

• Some charge per text, which adds up quickly if you’re doing frequent reminders
• Others bundle unlimited two-way texting at a flat rate

💡 Pro tip: If you communicate heavily with members, unlimited texting plans often save money in the long run.

Data Export, Cancellation Terms, and Support SLAs

Before you commit, ask the unglamorous but critical questions:

• Data ownership: Can you export your full member list if you leave? (Some platforms make it difficult.)
• Cancellation terms: Is it truly month-to-month, or are you locked into an annual contract?
• Support quality: Test response times during your free trial. Submit a ticket and see how quickly they answer.

✨ With Join It, your data stays yours, contracts are flexible, and support is responsive — but always test for yourself before making a final call.

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Real-World Feedback: What Owners Actually Say

When choosing salon membership software, nothing beats hearing straight from the people who use these tools every day. Here’s what salon owners and consultants are saying across Reddit, LinkedIn, Quora, and industry forums.

Reddit Highlights

Salon owners on Reddit are famously brutally honest.

• Mangomint & Boulevard praised for modern UX and support‍

“I absolutely love Mangomint… customer support is top notch and they have everything you need.”
“Boulevard has all of the above. New features quarterly. Meets every need. Clients love it.”

• Vagaro: Capable but sometimes clunky‍

“Vagaro – functional but the interface is dated and hard for staff to use.”
One spa owner noted Vagaro worked “okay” but felt clunky at scale, citing calendar issues and extra add-on costs.

• The ‘One System vs. Four Apps’ frustration‍

“I was using Acuity for booking and Square for POS, but deposits in Acuity didn’t sync with Square, which caused checkout chaos. Switching to an all-in-one fixed everything.”

👉 This is where a platform like Join It stands out - it avoids the “four different apps duct-taped together” problem by giving you a dedicated membership layer that integrates cleanly into your existing stack.

LinkedIn Takeaways (Strategy & Ops)

Conversations on LinkedIn lean less on features and more on strategy and operations:

• Train staff, explain perks clearly, measure rebooking & retention
  Industry consultant Patti Biro puts it well:
  “The real value (savings, discounts) is objective, but the perceived value is subjective — it’s how much the member believes it’s worth. You need to continually communicate value.”
  
  ✅ Translation: Send monthly perk reminders, host VIP events, and track inactive members so you can re-engage them.
  
  
• Enterprise tools for multi-location control
  
  “After switching to Zenoti, we could finally manage memberships across all locations. Members can visit any spa and their credits sync automatically.”

Quora Patterns

On Quora, the recurring theme is matching software to size:

• Small salons and solo stylists lean toward lightweight, cost-effective solutions.
• Large chains or spas often adopt more complex (and more expensive) tools.
• As one expert advised:
  
  “The ‘best’ software depends on whether you’re a large spa or a single-chair salon. Mindbody might be overkill for a small salon, whereas GlossGenius could be more cost-effective.”

Again, this is where Join It fits well for small and boutique salons — it’s lean, affordable, and doesn’t drown you in enterprise-level complexity.

Pro Forums (SalonGeek, etc.)

On professional forums like SalonGeek, the chatter often comes down to ease of use and cost fairness:

• Owners compare per-staff pricing
• Simplicity beats feature overload
• A common sentiment:
  
  “If it’s easy to use and the price is fair, we stick with it.”
  
  

Key Takeaways from Real Users

Across all platforms, the same pain points and must-haves keep surfacing:

 ✅ Simple billing and reliable auto-renewals are non-negotiable
✅ Fast, helpful support makes or breaks the experience
✅ Transparent pricing (no hidden fees) builds trust
✅ Real data exports matter — you should always own your member list
✅ Mobile-first UX is expected — clients want seamless booking on their phones 📱

👉 And this is exactly the gap Join It was built to fill: simple membership management, clean integrations, transparent pricing, and ownership of your data without lock-in.

Ready to launch your membership program? See Join It's pricing → or start your free trial today  (no credit card required).

Sources

1. Global Market Insights. Salon Services Market Analysis
2. Zenoti. 2024 Beauty & Wellness Benchmark Report
3. Modern Salon. Salon Membership Statistics
4. Per Diem. Salon Membership Trends 2024
5. American Spa. Building Value in Membership Programs
6. Salt Marketing. Salon Membership Operational Challenges
7. SoftwareAdvice. Salon Software Reviews
8. Reddit. r/smallbusiness Salon Software Discussion
9. SalonGeek. Best Salon Software Forum Thread
10. SwitchedOnSalon. Best Salon Membership Software Tools
11. TheSalonBusiness. Ultimate Salon Software Guide 2025
12. Book4Time. All-In-One Spa and Salon Software
13. Insight Salon Software. Salon Membership Management
14. Quora. Best Salon Management Software
    
    

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