Managing appointments, payments, and staff manually slows a salon down. Missed slots mean lost income. That’s where a reliable salon booking system comes to the rescue. It keeps everything, bookings, staff calendars, and payments, all in one place.
In 2025, the best tools go far beyond simple scheduling. Each salon booking plugin now supports online payments, SMS reminders, and POS devices. Some even manage multiple branches and team calendars automatically.
Still, not every salon booking plugin needs the same setup. A hair salon booking system might prioritize staff calendars and recurring clients. A nail salon booking system may focus on fast checkouts and repeat visits.
The goal of this guide is to help you choose the best salon booking system for your business based on real-world usability, not marketing noise.
Here’s what we evaluated before ranking each plugin:
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Your staff should handle it without training. |
| Payment & POS Support | Stripe, PayPal, or WooCommerce must integrate cleanly. |
| Multi-Staff Scheduling | Stylists need their own calendars and service lists. |
| Automation | SMS and email reminders reduce no-shows. |
| Transparent Pricing | Avoid plugins that hide costs behind add-ons. |
8 Top Salon Booking System Options
Here is a detailed breakdown of the best salon booking system for WordPress:
Salon Booking System
The Salon Booking System plugin is one of the most established tools in the WordPress space. It’s built for salons, spas, barbershops, and any service-based business that needs dependable scheduling.
It connects directly with WooCommerce, Stripe, and PayPal, letting clients pay online or in person. Staff get a dedicated app to view, confirm, or reschedule appointment bookings in real time.
Why It Stands Out
This plugin focuses on full workflow automation. Once set up, it handles booking confirmations, reminders, and payments without manual effort. Its Google Calendar two-way sync keeps stylists and customers aligned.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Google Calendar Sync | Keeps staff schedules updated automatically. |
| Mobile App for Staff | Stylists can check appointments on the go. |
| SMS and Email Notifications | Reduces missed appointments. |
| Group Booking Support | Allows clients to book multiple services at once. |
| 30+ Add-Ons | Extend functions like deposits, ratings, and service packages. |
Pros
- Works well for both small salons and busy spa chains.
- Integrates easily with online payments.
- User-friendly for both customers and administrators.
Cons
- Too many configuration options can confuse beginners.
- Limited design customization for the booking form.
Pricing: Free version available; premium plans start from $99 per year.
The Salon Booking System is a reliable choice for most salons that want a solid hair salon booking system or nail salon booking system without heavy customization.
Salonly
Salonly is designed for salon owners who want a clean interface and fast setup. It’s built to simplify bookings rather than overwhelm users with complex features.
This salon booking plugin works smoothly with PayPal, Stripe, and WooCommerce, so clients can pay online right after confirming an appointment. It supports deposits, service categories, and custom booking forms without needing code.
Why It Works for Modern Salons
Salonly keeps things easy. Its dashboard shows appointments, payments, and client data in one view. It’s suitable for small to medium salons that want control without tech overhead.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Deposits & Partial Payments | Lets clients reserve services with advance payment. |
| PDF Invoicing | Automatically sends receipts and records. |
| Custom Fields | Add service details or stylist preferences. |
| Mobile App | Manage bookings from phones or tablets. |
Pros
- Clean, intuitive dashboard.
- Works well for solo stylists or small teams.
- Compatible with most payment gateways.
Cons
- Limited design customization.
- Pricing details less transparent than competitors.
Pricing: Paid tiers only; cost depends on features selected.
Salonly is ideal if you need a nail salon booking system or hair salon booking system that’s quick to install and maintain. It fits small salons that value simplicity over bulk features.
Gravity Booking
Gravity Booking extends Gravity Forms into a fully functional salon booking system. It’s ideal for agencies or developers who want total flexibility in how appointments, payments, and workflows are handled.
Gravity Booking is built on Gravity Forms, offering deep customization and payment flexibility. It fits perfectly for agencies and developers managing multi-service clients. You can also explore their full comparison of WordPress appointment and hour booking plugins to see how it stacks up against other booking tools.
If you’re using Gravity Booking, setup takes a few minutes through Gravity Forms. You can follow this step-by-step guide to install and configure Gravity Forms Booking for a quick start.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Custom Booking Flows | Use Gravity Forms logic to tailor client journeys. |
| Advanced Notifications | Trigger automatic emails/SMS for confirmations and follow-ups. |
| Payment Integrations | Stripe, PayPal, and Square are supported. |
| Multi-Service Handling | Manage bookings for multiple stylists or service categories. |
Pros
- Extremely customizable for developers and advanced users.
- Deep integration with other Gravity Forms add-ons.
- Ideal for combining with WooCommerce for hybrid booking + product sales.
Cons
- Requires a Gravity Forms license.
- Not beginner-friendly as setup takes time and technical understanding.
Pricing: Requires Gravity Forms license + add-on ($79–$199/year).
Gravity Booking is the right choice for developers building hair salon booking systems or nail salon booking systems that demand granular control over every booking interaction.
Amelia
Amelia is arguably the most advanced salon booking system for WordPress. It’s built for salons that manage both appointments and events, such as workshops or group sessions.
It integrates with Stripe, PayPal, Mollie, and Razorpay, giving flexibility for global payment options. Its dashboard covers everything—client data, team schedules, and revenue tracking without switching tabs.
Why Salons Choose Amelia
Amelia focuses on automation and user experience. Staff and clients can both sync appointments directly to Google Calendar, and Zoom integration supports virtual consultations or training sessions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Google Calendar 2-Way Sync | Keeps appointments aligned across devices. |
| Zoom Integration | Useful for remote beauty consultations or classes. |
| Group and Recurring Bookings | Handles regular clients and multi-person services. |
| Custom Booking Forms | Build branded appointment pages. |
Pros
- Smooth calendar management for large teams.
- Great for salons offering online or hybrid services.
- Handles multiple payment gateways without extra plugins.
Cons
- Key features are locked behind the Pro plan.
- Learning curve for advanced automation setup.
Pricing: Starts around $59 per year.
Amelia works best for growing salons needing a complete hair salon booking system that supports multiple stylists, recurring clients, and digital payments in one platform.
Bookly
Bookly is a popular salon booking plugin in the WordPress market. It’s built to scale and is perfect for busy salons that handle dozens of daily client schedules.
It integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and WooCommerce, and offers 40+ premium add-ons to extend its functionality. You can enable group bookings, add coupons, or even link staff performance tracking.
Why It’s Popular
Bookly’s real strength is flexibility. You can start with the free version, then activate only the add-ons you need. Its clean salon booking interface also works well on mobile devices, which helps with walk-in confirmations or last-minute appointments to reduce no-shows.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Custom Booking Forms | Fully editable design for each service type. |
| SMS and Email Reminders | Keeps clients informed automatically. |
| Calendar Integration | Syncs with Google Calendar in real time. |
| 43+ Add-Ons | Extend for coupons, waiting lists, or multi-staff scheduling. |
Pros
- Extremely flexible and widely supported.
- Integrates easily with payment gateways.
- Offers strong automation options.
Cons
- Most advanced features require paid add-ons.
- Costs can add up with multiple extensions.
Pricing: Free core plugin; paid add-ons available separately.
Bookly is a reliable choice for larger salons or chains that want a scalable hair salon booking system or nail salon booking system with deep customization control.
Booknetic
Booknetic is a powerful salon booking system designed for salons, spas, and wellness studios that prefer a one-time payment model instead of annual renewals.
It supports PayPal, Stripe, Square, and other payment gateways. This appointment booking plugin automates every stage, from booking confirmation to reminders and follow-ups, with options for email, SMS, and even WhatsApp notifications.
Why It Appeals to Salon Owners
Booknetic removes subscription anxiety. You pay once and own the license for life. That makes it ideal for small to medium salons looking for predictable costs and robust automation.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-Staff Management | Assign services and schedules to each stylist. |
| WhatsApp + SMS Notifications | Confirm or remind clients automatically. |
| Custom Booking Forms | Match your brand style and workflow. |
| Dashboard Reports | Track bookings, revenue, and client behavior. |
Pros
- Lifetime license with no renewal fees.
- Strong automation and notification tools.
- Clean and easy admin dashboard.
Cons
- No dedicated mobile app.
- Some integrations require manual setup.
Pricing: $79 one-time payment.
Booknetic is best for owners who want a durable hair salon booking system or nail salon booking system without recurring costs. It’s also one of the easiest to maintain long-term.
BookingPress
BookingPress is a modern salon booking plugin for WordPress designed around automation and on-site payments. It stands out for its Stripe POS integration, allowing salons to accept card payments directly at the counter using Stripe hardware.
It also supports WooCommerce, so salons can sync appointments with product purchases or membership plans. For owners who want both online and physical checkout in one place, BookingPress offers that bridge.
Why Salons Choose It
BookingPress focuses on complete appointment flow, starting from booking, payment, reminders, and reports—all inside the WordPress dashboard. It’s ideal for salons that want to modernize payment operations while keeping full control over data.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Stripe POS Integration | Accept in-person card payments at the salon. |
| Multi-Staff & Multi-Service Support | Manage teams and multiple service types easily. |
| Calendar Sync | Google Calendar and iCal support. |
| SMS/Email Notifications | Automated reminders and confirmations. |
| Customizable Booking Forms | Build forms that match salon branding. |
Pros
- POS-ready setup fits physical salons.
- Works well with WooCommerce and Stripe.
- Smooth automation across staff and client communication.
Cons
- Stripe POS only available in Enterprise plan.
- Price higher than standard entry-level plugins.
Pricing: Starts at $79/year; Enterprise plan needed for POS.
BookingPress suits salons wanting an end-to-end hair salon booking system that combines digital bookings with on-site transactions.
Bookster
Bookster is a simple yet capable salon booking plugin built for WordPress. It’s ideal for salons and spas that want a smooth setup without complex configurations or expensive extensions.
It integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and WooCommerce, handling both online and in-person payments. The interface is clean and mobile-friendly, making it easy for clients to book directly from their phones.
Why It Works for Small Salons
Bookster focuses on core features that matter most—bookings, payments, staff schedules, and reminders. It avoids unnecessary bloat while still offering flexibility for customization.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-Staff Scheduling | Each stylist can manage their own calendar. |
| SMS and Email Notifications | Clients receive automatic reminders. |
| WooCommerce Integration | Manage services as products for better tracking. |
| Mobile-Friendly UI | Optimized for booking on any device. |
Pros
- Fast and lightweight, even on shared hosting.
- Simple interface suitable for small teams.
- Works well with key payment gateways.
Cons
- Lacks deep integrations like POS or third-party CRMs.
- Limited reporting options.
Pricing: Free version available; premium starts at $39/year.
Bookster is best for startups or solo stylists who need a minimal hair salon booking system or nail salon booking system that runs reliably without overcomplication.
Ending Note on Best Salon Booking System
Every successful salon in 2025 runs on a salon booking system that manages bookings, payments, and staff without manual work. The right salon booking system isn’t just about convenience. It’s about running a smoother, faster business. If you’re choosing between options like Amelia, Gravity Forms Booking, or Salon Booking System, focus on how well they integrate with payments, Google Calendar, and staff scheduling. That’s what defines scalability.