The best online booking systems for UK salons.

Most salon clients would rather book on their phone than call during working hours, especially in the evening when you’re closed. Online booking means you take appointments while you sleep, spend less time on the phone, and can reduce no-shows with deposits and reminders.

Choosing a system can be confusing, because they all promise the same things. The differences are in how they charge, whether they send you new clients, and how well they fit the way your salon works.

Prices and features change often, so treat this as a starting point and check current pricing on each provider’s website before you decide.

Fresha is widely used by UK hair, nail and beauty salons. It covers bookings, reminders, payments and client records, and it also lists salons on its own marketplace, where new clients can discover and book you.

Things to check:

• How it charges, including any fees on payments or on new clients it brings you through the marketplace.
• Whether you want to appear on a marketplace alongside nearby competitors.
• How easily you can add a booking button to your own website and Instagram.

It suits salons that want an all-in-one system and some extra visibility.

Treatwell is best known as a marketplace where clients search for treatments and book. Salons can also use its software to manage the diary.

Things to check:

• Commission on bookings that come through the marketplace, and how it’s calculated.
• Whether new clients from Treatwell become your regulars or keep booking through the platform.
• Contract length and any monthly fees.

It suits salons that want new clients and are comfortable paying for them.

Booksy is popular with barbers and independent stylists, with a strong mobile app for both the business and clients. It also has a marketplace for discovery.

Things to check:

• Monthly subscription costs, which often depend on the number of staff.
• Any fees for marketplace bookings or features such as deposits.
• How much branding you can show on your booking page.

It suits barbers, solo stylists and small teams who manage everything from their phone.

Square Appointments is part of Square’s payment system, so it’s a natural fit if you already use a Square card reader. Bookings, payments and reporting sit in one place.

Setmore is a general booking tool used by many types of business, including salons. It’s known for being simple to set up and connects with lots of other apps.

Neither has a big beauty marketplace, so you’ll rely on your own website, Instagram and Google for new clients. For many established salons, that’s fine.

• Pricing model: monthly subscription, per staff member, per booking, commission on new clients, or a mix.
• Payments and deposits: can you take deposits or card details to reduce no-shows?
• Reminders: text, email or app notifications, and whether texts cost extra.
• Marketplace: do you want to be listed next to competitors, and at what cost?
• Your branding: does the booking page look like your salon?
• Google booking: some systems let clients book straight from your Google Business Profile.
• Moving later: can you export your client list if you switch?

Write down your top three priorities before comparing, so you don’t get distracted by features you’ll never use.

Whichever system you choose, make booking the easiest thing on your website:

• A clear “Book now” button at the top of every page, especially on mobile.
• Services and starting prices on your site, so clients arrive at the booking page ready to choose.
• A link from your Instagram bio and Google Business Profile to the same booking page.
• Opening hours, address and parking information near the button.

On salon sites I’ve designed, such as Beehive Boutique in East Molesey, the booking button is visible on every page. See more on my salon websites page.

There’s no single best system, only the best fit:

• Want new clients from a marketplace? Look closely at Fresha, Treatwell and Booksy.
• Already use Square for payments? Square Appointments keeps everything together.
• Want something simple and general? Setmore is worth a look.
• Mostly regulars and word of mouth? Pick the system with the clearest pricing and the best reminders.

Many salons start on one system and switch later. Whatever you choose, your website should make booking obvious, and you should own your client list.

• Is there a free trial, and what happens to my data if I cancel?
• What exactly do I pay per month, per staff member and per booking?
• Are text reminders included, or charged separately?
• Can clients book without downloading an app?
• Can I set deposits or cancellation fees for certain services?
• Can I block time for breaks, training and admin?
• Does it handle multiple staff with different services and prices?
• Can I export my client list at any time?

Ask for answers in writing if anything is unclear.

A booking system is only as good as its set-up:

• Service names customers understand, such as “Full head highlights” rather than internal codes.
• Realistic durations, including processing and clean-up time.
• Starting prices that match your website.
• Clear policies for deposits, lateness and cancellations, shown before booking.
• Staff photos and short bios if clients choose a stylist.

Test the whole journey on your phone as if you were a new client. If it’s confusing for you, it’s confusing for them.