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Head-to-head · Salon and Spa Scheduling Software

Phorest vs Acuity Scheduling

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Phorest #4 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Phorest
Acuity Scheduling #6 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software 8.8/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit site

Phorest leads on 0 checks, Acuity Scheduling on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePhorest · 9.0/10
  • Free trialonly Acuity Scheduling

Phorest scores higher on our rubric for salon and spa scheduling software: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Phorest is the better fit for established multi-location salons. Acuity Scheduling is the better fit for service businesses needing polished scheduling depth.

  • Phorest fits best

    Established multi-location salons

  • Acuity Scheduling fits best

    Service businesses needing polished scheduling depth

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 Phorest 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Acuity Scheduling 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #4 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software #6 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software
Best for Established multi-location salons Service businesses needing polished scheduling depth
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $16/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Live chat, Docs
Compliance GDPR, HIPAA HIPAA
Integrations 10 integrations 13 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Phorest 0/6 · Acuity Scheduling 0/6
Online booking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Staff availability Not checked yet Not checked yet
Appointment reminders Not checked yet Not checked yet
Resource booking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Waitlist management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Digital intake forms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines booking, POS, payments, staff, inventory and marketing tools
  • Supports group bookings, deposits, reminders and branded booking apps
  • Provides multi-location management, reporting and client management
  • Branded booking pages with embeddable scheduling
  • Two-way sync with Google Calendar, Outlook, iCloud, and Office 365
  • Payments, reminders, intake forms, memberships, and waitlists
Cons
  • Quote-based pricing makes plan comparisons less transparent
  • There is no free plan or advertised free trial
  • Branded apps, two-way SMS and memberships require the Elite plan
  • No free plan
  • Less salon-specific than purpose-built salon platforms
  • SMS reminder availability may vary by region
Our verdict

Phorest is cloud-based management software for salons, spas, medspas and aesthetic clinics. It brings appointment scheduling, online booking, client records, staff management, point of sale, payments, inventory, marketing automation,…

Read the review →

Acuity Scheduling is online appointment scheduling software for service businesses and professionals. Clients can self-book through published branded scheduling pages, while teams manage availability, calendars, staff, client information,…

Read the review →
  1. PhorestSalon and Spa Scheduling Software 9.0Pricing on request
  2. Acuity SchedulingSalon and Spa Scheduling Software 8.87-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Phorest — where it wins

    • Combines booking, POS, payments, staff, inventory and marketing tools
    • Supports group bookings, deposits, reminders and branded booking apps
    • Provides multi-location management, reporting and client management

    Where it doesn't

    • Quote-based pricing makes plan comparisons less transparent
    • There is no free plan or advertised free trial
    • Branded apps, two-way SMS and memberships require the Elite plan

  • Acuity Scheduling — where it wins

    • Branded booking pages with embeddable scheduling
    • Two-way sync with Google Calendar, Outlook, iCloud, and Office 365
    • Payments, reminders, intake forms, memberships, and waitlists

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Less salon-specific than purpose-built salon platforms
    • SMS reminder availability may vary by region
  • Phorest9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad scheduling and operations suite for established, multi-location salon groups.

    Visit PhorestFull verdict →
  • Acuity Scheduling8.8/10 · 7-day trial

    A polished scheduling platform with strong booking, payments, reminders, and calendar management.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All salon and spa scheduling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update