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Head-to-head · Salon Software

Phorest vs Kitomba

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Phorest #1 in Salon Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 7 features Visit Phorest
Kitomba #5 in Salon Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 7 features Visit Kitomba

Phorest leads on 0 checks, Kitomba 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 · 9.3/10

Phorest scores higher on our rubric for salon software: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Phorest is the better fit for established salons needing branded client experiences. Kitomba is the better fit for established salons prioritizing booking maturity.

  • Phorest fits best

    Established salons needing branded client experiences

  • Kitomba fits best

    Established salons prioritizing booking maturity

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 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Kitomba 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #1 in Salon Software #5 in Salon Software
Best for Established salons needing branded client experiences Established salons prioritizing booking maturity
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR, HIPAA PCI DSS
Integrations 10 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Phorest 0/7 · Kitomba 0/7
Online booking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Staff calendar Not checked yet Not checked yet
POS and payments Not checked yet Not checked yet
Client reminders Not checked yet Not checked yet
Inventory tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-location support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Memberships and packages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Branded booking apps for iOS and Android
  • Bookings, deposits, reminders and group appointments in one system
  • Broad operations coverage across POS, staffing, marketing and inventory
  • Online booking, calendars, reminders and two-way appointment messaging
  • Integrated POS, EFTPOS, deposits, vouchers and online payment collection
  • Enterprise tools for multi-location management and unified financial reporting
Cons
  • Quote-based pricing requires a sales conversation
  • The full feature set may exceed smaller teams' needs
  • Branded apps and memberships are limited to the Elite plan
  • Custom pricing requires a sales conversation
  • Calendar sync is limited to one-way synchronization
  • No free plan is available
Our verdict

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

Read the review →

Kitomba is salon and spa management software for hair, beauty, medispa, wellness and barber businesses. It brings together online booking pages, appointment books, staff calendars, automated SMS and email reminders, client records,…

Read the review →
  1. PhorestSalon Software 9.3Pricing on request
  2. KitombaSalon Software 8.8Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Phorest — where it wins

    • Branded booking apps for iOS and Android
    • Bookings, deposits, reminders and group appointments in one system
    • Broad operations coverage across POS, staffing, marketing and inventory

    Where it doesn't

    • Quote-based pricing requires a sales conversation
    • The full feature set may exceed smaller teams' needs
    • Branded apps and memberships are limited to the Elite plan

  • Kitomba — where it wins

    • Online booking, calendars, reminders and two-way appointment messaging
    • Integrated POS, EFTPOS, deposits, vouchers and online payment collection
    • Enterprise tools for multi-location management and unified financial reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Custom pricing requires a sales conversation
    • Calendar sync is limited to one-way synchronization
    • No free plan is available
  • Phorest9.3/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad salon management suite for established teams building branded client experiences.

    Visit PhorestFull verdict →
  • Kitomba8.8/10 · Pricing on request

    A mature salon platform combining booking, payments, client management and multi-location tools.

    Visit KitombaFull 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