Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Salon Inventory Management Software

Backbar Zen vs Tilavon

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Backbar Zen #5 in Salon Inventory Management Software 8.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 7 features Visit Backbar Zen
Tilavon #6 in Salon Inventory Management Software 8.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Tilavon

Backbar Zen leads on 1 check, Tilavon on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBackbar Zen · 8.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceBackbar Zen · $9.99/seat/mo
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresBackbar Zen · 5 of 7

Backbar Zen scores higher on our rubric for salon inventory management software: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

Backbar Zen is cheaper to start at $9.99/mo against $39/mo.

Backbar Zen is the better fit for small salons needing affordable backbar tracking. Tilavon is the better fit for growing salons needing broad operations coverage.

  • Backbar Zen fits best

    Small salons needing affordable backbar tracking

  • Tilavon fits best

    Growing salons needing broad operations coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Backbar Zen 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Tilavon 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #5 in Salon Inventory Management Software #6 in Salon Inventory Management Software
Best for Small salons needing affordable backbar tracking Growing salons needing broad operations coverage
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $9.99/seat/mo (best) $39/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 14 days 30 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 30 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Tickets Email, Docs
Compliance PCI DSS PCI DSS
Integrations 3 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Backbar Zen 5/7 · Tilavon 1/7
Purchase orders Not checked yet Not checked yet
Low-stock alerts ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Usage tracking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Multi-location inventory ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Vendor management ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Barcode scanning ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Retail product tracking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Our review
Pros
  • Real-time stock updates with automatic usage tracking
  • Low-stock, expiry, reorder alerts, barcode scanning, and AI recognition
  • Scheduling, payments, client records, and analytics in one platform
  • Inventory includes stock alerts, purchase orders, suppliers, and barcode scanning
  • Covers POS, booking, client records, memberships, staff, and commissions
  • Web, iOS, and Android apps with calendar, payment, and marketing integrations
Cons
  • Basic includes only one stylist seat
  • Platform coverage is limited to web and iOS
  • Enterprise pricing uses custom solutions rather than a fixed monthly rate
  • No free plan; paid plans start at USD 39 per month
  • Advanced inventory begins with the Pro plan at USD 69 per month
  • Multi-location tools are reserved for the Elite plan at USD 119 per month
Our verdict

Backbar Zen is salon management software for independent stylists, salon owners, and salon teams. It combines appointment scheduling, online booking, client profiles, inventory tracking, payment processing, business analytics, and an AI…

Read the review →

Tilavon is cloud-based management software for nail salons, nail bars, and spas in the United States. It brings together point-of-sale checkout, appointment scheduling, online booking, technician scheduling, client records, commissions,…

Read the review →
  1. Backbar ZenSalon Inventory Management Software 8.714-day trial
  2. TilavonSalon Inventory Management Software 8.630-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Backbar Zen — where it wins

    • Real-time stock updates with automatic usage tracking
    • Low-stock, expiry, reorder alerts, barcode scanning, and AI recognition
    • Scheduling, payments, client records, and analytics in one platform

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic includes only one stylist seat
    • Platform coverage is limited to web and iOS
    • Enterprise pricing uses custom solutions rather than a fixed monthly rate

  • Tilavon — where it wins

    • Inventory includes stock alerts, purchase orders, suppliers, and barcode scanning
    • Covers POS, booking, client records, memberships, staff, and commissions
    • Web, iOS, and Android apps with calendar, payment, and marketing integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; paid plans start at USD 39 per month
    • Advanced inventory begins with the Pro plan at USD 69 per month
    • Multi-location tools are reserved for the Elite plan at USD 119 per month

More comparisons

All salon inventory management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update