The 6 best apps for hairdressers

Running a successful hairdressing business can be a fun and creative career, but it also requires a lot of admin, including managing appointments, tracking finances, marketing services, and sometimes dealing with client no-shows.

Thankfully, the rise of technology means there are now some fantastic apps that can help make life much easier for hairdressers like you. Whether you're an independent stylist or run a full salon, the right apps can save time, reduce stress, and help your business thrive.

In this guide, we’ll go over the best apps for hairdressers that can improve the way you manage your business. These apps cover everything from booking appointments to accounting, and they’re a game-changer for hairstylists who want to streamline their operations. Keep reading to find some of the best apps for hairdressers.

 

1. Fresha - The All-In-One Booking Solution for UK Hairdressers

Fresha is one of the best booking apps for hairdressers in the UK, and it’s widely used across the country. It’s known for its ease of use, helpful features, and the fact that it’s free for basic features, which makes it especially appealing for smaller businesses or independent stylists.

How it works

Fresha lets clients book appointments online while you can manage your schedule, client details, payments, and marketing from one platform. It’s also fully UK-compliant, meaning it meets UK payment processing and booking standards.

Features and benefits:

• Free for Basic Features: No monthly subscription fee is needed for basic features, making it ideal for hairdressers just starting out or running a small business.
• Online Booking: Clients can book their appointments any time through your custom online booking page, and you can set your available hours and services.
• Automated Reminders: Fresha sends reminders to your clients to help reduce no-shows and last-minute cancellations.
• Payment: You can accept payments in-person and through the app and track transactions all in one place.
• Customer Management: You can store client profiles, their past services, and preferences, allowing you to tailor their experience.
• Marketing: The app includes email marketing tools that help you stay in touch with clients, sending promotions, offers, and appointment reminders.

Cost

• Free Plan: This includes unlimited online bookings, client management, appointment reminders, and basic reporting. It's perfect for smaller businesses or freelancers who don’t want to pay for software right away.
• Paid Features: The paid version (Fresha Pro) unlocks additional features like advanced reporting, custom branding for booking pages, and the ability to sell products online. The cost for this plan starts from £19/month.

 

2. Timely - Ideal for UK Hairdressers Looking for Smart Scheduling

Timely is a great option for hairdressers who need an intelligent scheduling solution. Timely uses AI to optimise your calendar and make booking even more seamless.

How it works

Timely automatically fills your calendar by finding optimal times for your clients, ensuring no double-bookings or wasted hours. Clients can book online, and the app automatically updates your schedule.

Features and benefits:

• AI-Powered Scheduling: Timely automatically optimises your calendar based on your preferences and client availability.
• Payment Processing: Timely integrates with UK payment systems so you can accept payments through the app.
• Real-Time Booking: Clients can book directly through your personalised booking page, and your calendar is updated in real-time.
• Automated Reminders: Timely sends appointment reminders, reducing no-shows and ensuring a smooth experience for both you and your clients.
• Mobile-Friendly: Whether you’re on the go or in the salon, you can access your schedule and bookings via Timely’s mobile app.

Cost

• Solo Plan: For a single stylist, the cost is around £12/month, which includes access to the online booking system, automated reminders, and client profiles.
• Team Plan: If you have a team of stylists, the cost starts from £26/month per user, which includes all features such as staff scheduling, multi-location support, and reporting.
  

 

3. Phorest - A Comprehensive Salon Management Solution for Hairdressers

Phorest is a salon management app perfect for salons and individual hairdressers who want a comprehensive tool beyond just booking appointments.

How it works

Phorest offers everything you need to run your salon efficiently. From online booking and client management to POS systems and marketing tools, Phorest is a one-stop shop for hairdressers looking to streamline operations.

Features and benefits:

• Online Booking: Clients can book their appointments online through your Phorest booking page. You can customise your availability and services based on your schedule.
• POS System: Phorest has a built-in point-of-sale system, allowing you to easily take payments and manage bookings in one app.
• Client Management: You can store detailed client records, including their service history and preferences. This helps you build strong relationships and personalise your services.
• Automated Marketing: Phorest offers automated marketing features like email campaigns, SMS reminders, and promotional offers to help you stay in touch with your clients.
• Reporting and Analytics: Phorest generates detailed reports, giving you insights into your business’s performance, such as profits, popular services, and employee performance.

Cost

£29-£99/month depending on the features, number of users, and whether you choose the full salon management or more basic options.

 

4. Square - Trusted Payment and Scheduling Solution

Square provides more than just a payment system—it offers an all-in-one solution that includes booking, scheduling, and invoicing. For hairdressers who need to manage their payments and business operations easier, Square is a great choice.

How it works

Square combines online booking, payment processing, invoicing, and even inventory management. It’s ideal for hairdressers who want their business tools on one platform.

Features and benefits:

• Integrated Payments: Accept payments via card, contactless, or mobile payment systems. Square works with UK-based payment processors and is known for its security and ease of use.
• Online Booking: Clients can book their appointments directly through your Square booking page, and you can manage your schedule in real-time.
• Invoicing and Billing: Square allows you to send professional invoices, whether you’re freelance or mobile.
• Analytics: Square provides business insights, including sales data, client trends, and service performance, which can help you make informed business decisions.
• Inventory Management: If you sell haircare products, Square offers inventory management tools that track stock levels and sales.

Cost

Square has a pay-as-you-go pricing model for its different services:

• Payment Processing: There’s no monthly fee for the core payment system. Square charges 1.75% per card payment made via chip and pin, contactless, or Apple Pay.
• Appointment Scheduling: The Square Appointments feature, which includes online booking, is free for individuals. It costs around £25/month per user for teams or salons.

 

5. Booksy - Widely used by UK Hairdressers

Booksy is a well-known booking app widely trusted by hairdressers, barbers, and beauty professionals. 

How it works

Booksy allows clients to book appointments 24/7 through your custom booking page. The platform also combines payment processing, client management, and even marketing features.

Features and benefits:

• Real-Time Booking: Clients can easily book their appointments based on your real-time availability. You can offer different service categories, durations, and prices.
• Automated Reminders: Booksy sends automated reminders to clients via email or SMS, helping reduce no-shows.
• Payment Integration: Accept payments directly through the app, including card payments, which are processed securely with UK-compatible payment systems.
• Client Profiles: Maintain client records with service history, preferences, and contact details for a personalised experience.
• Marketing and Promotions: Booksy allows you to run promotions, offer discounts, and send newsletters to clients directly through the app.

Cost

• Solo Plan: For individual stylists, the cost is around £12/month, which includes online booking, appointment reminders, and payment integration.
• Salon Plan: For salons with multiple stylists, Booksy starts at £40/month for up to two users. Additional users are priced at approximately £10/month per user.

 

6. Vagaro

Vagaro is another excellent app option for hairdressers, especially those running larger salons or managing teams. It offers a complete suite of tools for scheduling, POS, marketing, and reporting.

How it works

Vagaro is an all-in-one solution that helps you manage client bookings, payments, inventory, staff and marketing, all within the app. It’s suitable for both small businesses and larger salons.

Features and benefits:

• Online Booking: Clients can book appointments directly through your customised Vagaro booking page, making it convenient for both clients and hairdressers.
• Point of Sale (POS): Vagaro includes a POS system that processes payments, tracks sales, and manages inventory, all in one place.
• Employee Scheduling: For salons with multiple stylists, Vagaro helps you manage staff schedules and even track performance.
• Client Profiles: Maintain detailed records of each client, including preferences, service history, and contact details, to offer personalised services.
• Automated Marketing: Vagaro has built-in tools for email and text message marketing, including promotional offers and reminders.

Cost

• Solo Plan: The Vagaro Solo plan starts at £19.99/month for individual hairdressers or very small businesses.
• Salon Plan: For salons, the cost starts at £29.99/month for up to three employees. Larger salons or businesses with more employees may see pricing increase to £49.99/month or more.

 

Get ahead of the game

Each of these apps offers a variety of pricing options, so the right choice will depend on the size of your business and what features you need. To summarise, here’s a quick overview of the pricing range to help you make your decision:

• Fresha: Free for solo stylists, with paid features starting at £19/month.
• Timely: From £12/month for solo stylists to £26/month per user for teams.
• Phorest: Custom pricing, generally £29-£99/month based on features.
• Square: Free for solo stylists, with £25/month per user for salons.
• Booksy: From £12/month for solo stylists to £40/month for salons.
• Vagaro: From £19.99/month for solo stylists to £49.99/month for larger salons.

These apps are affordable and can also be a great investment to help you grow your business and reduce admin time. Plus, many of them also offer free trials, so you can try them out and see which one best suits your needs before committing.

 

Specialist hairdresser insurance through Ripe

Working as a hairdresser does not come without its risks, so you may want to consider specialist hairdresser insurance to protect yourself against the worst-case scenarios.

Insurance arranged by Ripe includes up to £10m of Public and Products Liability cover and up to £5m Treatment Risk cover as standard, so you’re protected against third-party claims for injury or property damage.

You can also opt to include cover for your equipment up to the value of £250k, so you don’t have to replace it out of your own pocket if it’s damaged or stolen.

Find out more about specialist hairdresser insurance, or get an instant online quote today.