Booking, POS, payroll, supplies, and insurance picks for salon and spa owners.
Salons have two distinct technology needs: client-facing tools (booking, POS) and back-office tools (payroll, accounting, banking). Choose booking and POS software that handles your service menu, staff commissions, and online scheduling in one platform. Pair with Gusto for payroll that handles booth renter 1099s and W-2 stylists in the same account, and QuickBooks for the financial records lenders need.
Online booking, client management, service menus, and automated appointment reminders built specifically for salons and spas. Built-in POS and payroll integration reduce the number of disconnected tools you manage.
Premium salon and spa POS with smart scheduling, service durations, staff commission tracking, and inventory management. The platform of choice for high-volume and multi-location salons.
Handles commission-based pay, booth renter 1099s, and traditional W-2 stylists in the same account. Automated tax filings and benefits administration keep your compliance clean.
General liability and commercial property quotes in minutes online — covers chemical services, equipment, and slip-and-fall claims. COIs emailed instantly for your landlord or SBA lender.
No monthly fee, unlimited transactions, and high-yield APY on idle cash between payroll cycles and supply orders. Keeps salon revenue cleanly separated — required for lender underwriting.
Service revenue by stylist, product COGS, and booth-renter income tracked separately — exactly the P&L breakdown lenders want when you apply for salon expansion or equipment financing.
Some links above are affiliate links. ClearValue Lending may earn a commission at no cost to you. Picks are editorial and independent of compensation.
Vagaro and Mindbody are the most widely used booking platforms for salons and spas. Vagaro is built for traditional salons with service menus, chair rental, and automated appointment reminders. Boulevard is preferred by high-volume, multi-location salons for its advanced POS and staff management.
Booth renters are independent contractors and receive 1099s at year-end; employed stylists receive W-2s. The distinction affects payroll tax obligations, benefits eligibility, and state labor law compliance. Gusto handles both classifications in the same account.
Salon lenders typically require 12 months of business bank statements, 2 years of tax returns, and a P&L showing service revenue, product COGS, and labor costs. QuickBooks Online tracked by service category and stylist produces exactly this format.
Yes. Mixing salon revenue with personal accounts prevents accurate income tracking, complicates tax filings, and disqualifies the business from most small business loan applications. A no-fee business checking account like Bluevine keeps salon cash flow separate.
The SBA's guidance on state cosmetology licensing, health permits, and business registration requirements for salon and spa owners.