The best salon POS systems are loaded with features beyond just efficiently accepting payments. These point-of-sale systems can also schedule appointments, manage employees and inventory, and automate marketing. Here are some of the best salon POS systems with features ideal for service-based businesses.
Salon-specific features
DaySmart SalonBest Salon POS Systems and Software
Calculate your monthly cost estimate
Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Square POS Learn more on Square POS's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Overall | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 Free plan; $60 Plus plan for retailers and restaurants. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Square POS's secure website |
Clover POS Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Customizability | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | ||
Lightspeed Retail POS Learn more on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Multilocation salons | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $89.00 for Lean plan, $149 for Standard plan, $269 for Advanced plan. | Learn more on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website | ||
DaySmart Salon | Best for Salon-specific features | N/A | $29.00 Basic plan; $69 Deluxe plan; $129 Premier plan. |
Our pick for
Overall
Square POS
Learn more
on Square POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Free plan; $60 Plus plan for retailers and restaurants.
Square is one of a few in the space that offers a free version of its POS system. Even the free version comes with a long list of features and functionality, including sales tracking and reporting, offline mode for accepting payments without a Wi-Fi connection and a customizable interface. It’s a strong choice for businesses that don’t require specialized or advanced POS features.Read Full Review
Pros
- Deep list of features.
- Free version offers a lot of functionality.
- Square offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Our pick for
Customizability
Clover POS
Learn more
on Clover POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$14.95
and up.
Clover point-of-sale hardware is pricey, but the reasonable monthly cost and low payment processing fees may help offset that upfront investment over time.Read Full Review
Pros
- Competitive flat rates for payment processing.
- Hardware performs well and is well designed.
Cons
- No free options.
- Pricing can be tough to understand.
Our pick for
Multilocation salons
Lightspeed Retail POS
Learn more
on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$89.00
for Lean plan, $149 for Standard plan, $269 for Advanced plan.
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system for retailers. It has strong inventory management capabilities and is a good match for more established small businesses with multiple locations. Newer small businesses with less complicated operations could be better served with a simpler, less expensive product.Read Full Review
Pros
- Built-in POS system and payment processing; in-house POS hardware available.
- Generate unlimited barcode labels.
- One-on-one onboarding and a dedicated account manager included with all plans.
Cons
- Lowest-tier plan doesn’t include e-commerce features.
- Longer-term contract required.
Our pick for
Salon-specific features
DaySmart Salon
Payment processing fees
N/A
Monthly fee
$29.00
Basic plan; $69 Deluxe plan; $129 Premier plan.
DaySmart Salon is POS software specifically designed for hair and nail salons, day spas and barber shops. It comes with useful tools that enable online booking, employee management, marketing and reputation management. Best of all may be the fact that DaySmart lets you try its system free for 14 days.
Pros
- Free trial period.
- Variety of plans offering extensive functionality.
- Integrated payment processing.
Cons
- Does not sell hardware.
- Unlimited training and phone support not included with cheapest plan.
Square: Best overall
Monthly POS software fee:
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant and Retail Plus plans.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
Hardware:
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $49 and up for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included).
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer.
- $799 for Square Register two-screen system.
Payment processing:
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
Why we like it: Square POS is one of the most streamlined, tech-forward POS solutions available. The Square POS app — which enables payment processing — can take on employee management, inventory tracking and automated sales reports. Square POS integrates with other merchant services in the Square universe, including Square Appointments, an intuitive appointment-scheduling app. Its customer relationship management, or CRM, tools are handy, too: You can save credit card information to easily check out repeat customers, compile customers’ important information in a centralized directory and send custom digital receipts. You can also provide tip options upon checkout.
Clover: Best for customizability
Monthly POS software fee:
- $14.95 for Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
- $49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
- $54.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
- $64.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
- $69.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $84.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
- $99.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
- $114.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Hardware:
- $49 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
- $599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer.
- $799 for Clover Mini POS.
- $1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
- $1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
Payment processing:
- 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Why we like it: Clover POS is a highly customizable, all-in-one POS system that can accept essentially every type of payment your customers use, including chip, swipe and contactless payments. Clover software is loaded with features that are particularly helpful for salon owners, including capabilities to manage employee shifts, measure employee performance through sales reports and offer customers tip options upon checkout. Clover also integrates with staff management apps like Gusto, a payroll processing software, and Time Clock, time-tracking and employee shift management software, among many others. Clover’s built-in CRM tools include promotional tools, rewards and discounts, physical and digital gift cards, customer profiles detailing buying history, and the ability to request private feedback with digital receipts. Salons with a retail element can also use Clover’s Inventory app to organize and track products.
Lightspeed Retail POS: Best for multilocation salons
Monthly POS software fee:
- $89 for Lean plan ($69 if billed annually).
- $149 for Standard plan ($119 if billed annually).
- $269 for Advanced plan ($199 if billed annually).
Hardware:
Pricing for Lightspeed's iPad and desktop hardware kits is quote-based. Individual hardware products are listed in Lightspeed's online store:
- $99 for Chipper 2X BT card reader.
- $199 for iPad stand or swivel stand.
- $299 for WisePOS E countertop reader.
- $429 for Lightspeed Lite Server for data backup and offline mode functionality.
Payment processing:
- 2.6% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
Why we like it: Lightspeed Retail POS is an all-in-one POS system for retail stores that accepts all major payment types. The software is designed to scale across multiple locations, so it can be a good option for salons and spas that are looking to expand. Lightspeed's system includes loyalty features, inventory management tools and reports and business data and insights. You can also customize your Lightspeed Retail POS by downloading compatible apps from Lightspeed's long list of software integrations.
DaySmart Salon: Best for salon-specific features
Monthly POS software fee:
- $29 for Basic plan.
- $69 for Deluxe plan (plus $9 for every additional user).
- $129 for Premier plan.
- Platinum plan is available but pricing is undisclosed.
Hardware: No proprietary hardware available.
Payment processing: Integrated with software. Uses Clover Mini or Flex hardware to process chip, swipe and contactless payments. Fees are undisclosed.
Why we like it: DaySmart (formerly Salon Iris) is a salon POS software solution designed to streamline operations and securely accept payments. DaySmart is preloaded with an online booking interface, an employee management dashboard, two-way texting capabilities for easier communication with your clients and tools for targeted text marketing campaigns and reputation management. DaySmart also offers a QuickBooks integration, the ability to print payroll checks and a free 14-day trial.
What to look for in a salon POS system
Here are five factors to think about when searching for the right salon POS software for your business.
- Payment flexibility. A good POS system enables you to accept and process all types of payments from your clients. It should also be easy to set up and have an intuitive interface.
- Industry customization. Ideally, your POS software should have certain key features used in the salon industry, such as appointment scheduling, employee tracking and payroll processing capabilities. These features can help ensure your stylists and estheticians are getting paid in full and on time.
- Inventory and loyalty features. If you sell products like most salons and spas do, sophisticated inventory management capabilities are a must. Because many clients may be repeat customers, it’s useful to have salon POS software that includes loyalty programs, gift cards, referral codes and other incentives to show your customers how much you value their patronage.
- Mobile capabilities. A system with mobile POS readers is crucial if you or your staff members make house calls or if you want to share your services outside your main location.
- Good pricing and good fit. Ultimately, the right POS system is the one with fees and hardware you can afford, features that streamline and automate your logistical processes and technology that you and your staff feel comfortable using. As you search, watch for free trial periods. That way, you can try out different salon POS software, risk-free, before making your final decision.
A version of this article was first published on Fundera, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.
Caroline Goldstein contributed to this article.
Last updated on May 26, 2023
Methodology
NerdWallet’s point-of-sale systems provider ratings reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including cost, system capabilities, contract requirements, customer service and integrations and add-ons. Learn more about how we rate point-of-sale (POS) systems providers.
These ratings are a guide, but services, hardware and pricing can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
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