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Head-to-head · Salon and Spa Scheduling Software

Phorest vs Ovatu

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks 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
Ovatu #7 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 6 features Visit Ovatu

Phorest leads on 0 checks, Ovatu on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePhorest · 9.0/10
  • Free trialonly Ovatu
  • Most featuresOvatu · 1 of 6

Phorest scores higher on our rubric for salon and spa scheduling software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Phorest is the better fit for established multi-location salons. Ovatu is the better fit for salons wanting deep scheduling and inventory tools.

  • Phorest fits best

    Established multi-location salons

  • Ovatu fits best

    Salons wanting deep scheduling and inventory tools

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 ↗ Ovatu 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #4 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software #7 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software
Best for Established multi-location salons Salons wanting deep scheduling and inventory tools
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $25/user/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — 30 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR, HIPAA GDPR
Integrations 10 integrations 17 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Phorest 0/6 · Ovatu 1/6
Online booking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
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
  • Combines booking, rosters, waitlists, and resource scheduling
  • Includes POS, payments, deposits, invoices, and terminals
  • Tracks inventory with stocktakes and purchase orders
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 is available
  • Pricing is charged per employee per month
  • Campaigns and inventory control require the Loaded plan
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 →

Ovatu is cloud-based business management software for salons and other appointment-based businesses. It brings online booking, appointment scheduling, staff rosters, client profiles, reminders, payments, point of sale, forms, marketing,…

Read the review →
  1. PhorestSalon and Spa Scheduling Software 9.0Pricing on request
  2. OvatuSalon and Spa Scheduling Software 8.730-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

  • Ovatu — where it wins

    • Combines booking, rosters, waitlists, and resource scheduling
    • Includes POS, payments, deposits, invoices, and terminals
    • Tracks inventory with stocktakes and purchase orders

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Pricing is charged per employee per month
    • Campaigns and inventory control require the Loaded plan
  • Phorest9.0/10 · Pricing on request

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

    Visit PhorestFull verdict →
  • Ovatu8.7/10 · 30-day trial

    A broad salon operations suite with deep scheduling, inventory, payments, and booking tools.

    Visit OvatuFull 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