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Phorest Salon Software vs Salonist Comparison

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Phorest Salon Software

4.6(393 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Medium Business
  • Large Enterprises

Phorest Salon Software is an all-in-one solution used by over 155,000 hair, beauty, and clinic professionals worldwide. Phorest believes in the human touch at the heart of the salon community. Known globally for providin…

Salonist

4.7(12 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Individuals
  • Freelancers / Consultants

The Salonist is an easy-to-use, comprehensive salon management software that’s specifically designed for the hair salon industry. It helps your business run smoother by keeping track of appointments, inventory, services…

Salonist leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 12 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

Phorest Salon SoftwareSalonist

The core difference lies in the target market size and complexity of features, with Phorest Salon Software catering to mid-to-large salons seeking advanced marketing and booking capabilities, while Salonist is designed for small to medium salons that prefer a straightforward management solution. Ideal buyers for Phorest are larger salons focused on client retention, whereas Salonist suits smaller establishments looking for simplicity in appointment and inventory management.

Who should pick which

  • Best for mid-to-large salons:
  • Integrated marketing and booking tools:
  • Ideal for salons with 51+ employees:
  • Focus on client retention strategies:
  • Advanced features for industry professionals:
  • Suitable for hair salons, beauty clinics, and spas:
  • Best for small to medium salons:
  • Simple all-in-one management solution:
  • Ideal for salons with up to 200 employees:
  • Focus on appointment and inventory tracking:
  • User-friendly interface:
  • Designed for hair and beauty salons:

Phorest Salon Software vs Salonist — at a glance

FeaturePhorest Salon SoftwareSalonist
Rating4.6 / 54.7 / 5
Reviews39312
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forMedium Business, Large EnterprisesIndividuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Medium Business
CategorySpa and Salon Management SoftwareSpa and Salon Management Software
Integrations2+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud
API
Support modesBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online
CertificationsGDPRGDPR
Data residencyGlobalUS

Key differences between Phorest Salon Software and Salonist

  • Free trial: Salonist offers a free trial; Phorest Salon Software does not.
  • Target audience: Phorest Salon Software is built for Medium Business and Large Enterprises, while Salonist targets Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants.
  • User satisfaction: Salonist scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
  • Deployment: Phorest Salon Software supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Salonist supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Phorest Salon Software vs Salonist — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Spa and Salon Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Talk to an expert
Salonist
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Phorest Salon Software

Best for mid-to-large salons needing integrated marketing and booking tools.

Choose if
  • You operate a hair salon, beauty clinic, or spa with 51+ employees.
  • You want industry-leading marketing features tailored to salon client retention.
  • You need a user-friendly cloud system with strong customer support and training.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require highly customizable reporting and advanced data analytics.
  • You are a small or solo salon seeking a low-cost, simple booking solution.

Salonist

Best for small to medium hair salons needing simple, all-in-one management.

Choose if
  • You operate a hair or beauty salon with up to 200 employees.
  • You want an easy-to-use system focused on appointment and inventory tracking.
  • You need industry-specific features tailored to salon operations and client services.
Consider alternatives if
  • You run a large enterprise with complex multi-location management requirements.
  • You require advanced or highly customizable features beyond basic salon management.

Phorest Salon Software: Best for mid-to-large salons needing integrated marketing and booking tools. Salonist: Best for small to medium hair salons needing simple, all-in-one management.

Description

Phorest Salon Software is an all-in-one solution used by over 155,000 hair, beauty, and clinic professionals worldwide. Phorest believes in the human touch at the heart of the salon ... Read More about Phorest Salon Software

The Salonist is an easy-to-use, comprehensive salon management software that’s specifically designed for the hair salon industry. It helps your business run smoother by keeping track of ... Read More about Salonist

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.8/10

8.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.7

(12)

Best Company Size

51-500 employees501+ employees
1-50 employees51-200 employees
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Software Demo

Demo

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How do Phorest Salon Software and Salonist Compare on Features?

Total Features

23 Features

9 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Phorest Salon Software and Salonist on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Other Details

Organization Types supported

  • Individuals
  • Freelancers
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business
  • Small Business
  • Individuals
  • Freelancers
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business
  • Small Business

Platforms Supported

  • Browser Based (Cloud)
  • Mobile - Android
  • Mobile - iOS
  • Installed - Windows
  • Installed - Mac
  • Browser Based (Cloud)
  • Browser Based (Cloud)
  • Mobile - Android
  • Mobile - iOS
  • Installed - Windows
  • Installed - Mac
  • Browser Based (Cloud)

Modes of support

  • 24/7 (Live rep)
  • Business Hours
  • Online
  • 24/7 (Live rep)
  • Business Hours
  • Online

API Support

  • Not Available
  • Not Available
Get help choosing
Get help choosing

Security & Compliance

Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

HIPAA

✗ No
✗ No

GDPR

✓ Yes
✓ Yes

Data Encryption

✓ Yes
✓ Yes

Data Residency

🌐 Global
🇺🇸 US

Phorest Salon Software User Reviews & Rating Comparison

User Ratings

Rating Distribution

29

11

0

0

0

3

0

0

0

0

Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

Buyer sentiment

Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use, strong customer support, and comprehensive salon management features, with some concerns about customization and app intuitiveness.

What buyers like

  • Ease of use
  • Customer support
  • Integrated marketing and booking features

Common complaints

  • Limited customization
  • Time format and appointment detail complexities

Buyer sentiment

Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and industry focus, though limited reviews restrict comprehensive assessment.

What buyers like

  • Ease of use
  • Industry-specific features
  • Appointment management

Common complaints

  • Pricing clarity
  • Feature depth

Pros and Cons

  • Excellent training and customer support

  • Comprehensive features including online booking, marketing tools, and integrated credit card processing

  • User-friendly cloud-based system with mobile app access

  • Lack of custom report generation

  • Limited customizability in online booking features

  • User-friendly interface tailored for salon operations

  • Comprehensive appointment and inventory tracking

  • Specific focus on hair salon industry needs

  • Limited information on pricing transparency

  • May lack advanced features needed by larger businesses

Positive Reviews

No reviews available for the product

No reviews available for the product

Integrations

Integration with other apps

No Integration information available.

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots

Phorest Salon Software

4 Screenshots

screenshots

7 Screenshots

Videos

video-0

3 Videos

video-0

4 Videos

Top Alternatives to Phorest Salon Software and Salonist in 2026

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Related Blogs and Articles for Spa And Salon Management Software

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Phorest Salon Software or Salonist?
Salonist edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
Do Phorest Salon Software and Salonist offer a free trial?
Salonist offers a free trial. Phorest Salon Software does not.
What is the starting price of Phorest Salon Software vs Salonist?
Phorest Salon Software starts at Contact for pricing. Salonist starts at Contact for pricing.
What are the top alternatives to Phorest Salon Software?
Top alternatives to Phorest Salon Software include SalonBiz, Orchid Spa Software, STX Cloud, Treatwell, SalonTarget.
What are the top alternatives to Salonist?
Top alternatives to Salonist include Rosy Salon Software, Vagaro, Wisor, MioSalon, Bodytude.

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