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Head-to-head · Salon Software

Ovatu vs Salonist

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 9 checks side by side
Higher score Ovatu #8 in Salon Software 8.4/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 6 of 7 features Visit Ovatu
Salonist #13 in Salon Software 7.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Salonist

Ovatu leads on 1 check, Salonist on 1, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 9 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOvatu · 8.4/10
  • Lowest starting priceOvatu · $25/user/mo
  • Free planonly Salonist
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresSalonist · 7 of 7

Ovatu scores higher on our rubric for salon software: 8.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #8 and #13.

Salonist offers free plan; Ovatu doesn't. Ovatu is cheaper to start at $25/mo against $79/mo.

Ovatu is the better fit for feature-rich salons needing integrations. Salonist is the better fit for salons wanting a free marketplace presence.

  • Ovatu fits best

    Feature-rich salons needing integrations

  • Salonist fits best

    Salons wanting a free marketplace presence

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 Ovatu 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Salonist 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.9
Ranking #8 in Salon Software #13 in Salon Software
Best for Feature-rich salons needing integrations Salons wanting a free marketplace presence
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $25/user/mo (best) $79/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days 7 days
Free trial length 30 days · no card needed 7 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, macOS, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Phone · 24/7
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS
Integrations 17 integrations 40+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Ovatu 6/7 · Salonist 7/7
Online booking ✓ ✓
Staff calendar ✓ ✓
POS and payments ✓ ✓
Client reminders ✓ ✓
Inventory tracking ✓ ✓
Multi-location support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Memberships and packages ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Combines booking, rosters, reminders, POS, inventory, and reporting
  • Supports forms, waivers, gift cards, passes, loyalty, and marketing
  • Offers web, macOS, iOS, and Android access with broad integrations
  • Free marketplace listing for salon discovery and booking visibility
  • Covers booking, POS, inventory, reminders, memberships and staff operations
  • Supports web, iOS and Android with broad payment and marketing integrations
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced marketing features require the Loaded plan
  • Additional employee charges apply beyond the first employee
  • The free offering is narrower than the paid plans
  • Paid plans start at $79 per month on monthly billing
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of very small operators
Our verdict

Ovatu is salon and appointment-business management software for salons, beauty businesses, wellness providers, and similar operators. It brings online booking, staff scheduling, customer records, automated email and SMS reminders,…

Read the review →

Salonist is cloud-based salon and spa management software for beauty and wellness businesses, ranging from single-chair operators to multi-location groups. It brings online booking, appointment calendars, staff scheduling, point-of-sale…

Read the review →
  1. OvatuSalon Software 8.430-day trial
  2. SalonistSalon Software 7.9Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ovatu — where it wins

    • Combines booking, rosters, reminders, POS, inventory, and reporting
    • Supports forms, waivers, gift cards, passes, loyalty, and marketing
    • Offers web, macOS, iOS, and Android access with broad integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Advanced marketing features require the Loaded plan
    • Additional employee charges apply beyond the first employee

  • Salonist — where it wins

    • Free marketplace listing for salon discovery and booking visibility
    • Covers booking, POS, inventory, reminders, memberships and staff operations
    • Supports web, iOS and Android with broad payment and marketing integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • The free offering is narrower than the paid plans
    • Paid plans start at $79 per month on monthly billing
    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of very small operators
  • Ovatu8.4/10 · 30-day trial

    A broad salon platform covering bookings, operations, payments, marketing, and inventory.

    Visit OvatuFull verdict →
  • Salonist7.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A broad salon platform with a free marketplace listing and paid operational tools.

    Visit SalonistFull verdict →

More comparisons

All salon software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update