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Head-to-head · Esthetician Software

Salon Manager vs Phorest

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Salon Manager #2 in Esthetician Software 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Salon Manager
Phorest #6 in Esthetician Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Phorest

Salon Manager leads on 0 checks, Phorest on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSalon Manager · 9.2/10
  • Most featuresSalon Manager · 5 of 5

Salon Manager scores higher on our rubric for esthetician software: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Salon Manager is the better fit for growing salons needing treatment workflows. Phorest is the better fit for mature multi-location beauty businesses.

  • Salon Manager fits best

    Growing salons needing treatment workflows

  • Phorest fits best

    Mature multi-location beauty businesses

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Side by side

Feature Salon Manager 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Phorest 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.8
Ranking #2 in Esthetician Software #6 in Esthetician Software
Best for Growing salons needing treatment workflows Mature multi-location beauty businesses
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price £29/mo —
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Compliance GDPR, 2FA GDPR, HIPAA
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Salon Manager 5/5 · Phorest 0/5
Online booking ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Digital intake forms ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Treatment notes ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Retail inventory ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Payment processing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Staff accounts Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Digital consultation and consent forms support treatment assignments.
  • Scheduling covers staff, rooms, resources, recurring visits and waiting lists.
  • Stock, POS, payments, reporting and multi-location tools share one system.
  • Combines booking, POS, payments, client records and staff management
  • Supports group bookings, deposits, reminders and branded mobile apps
  • Adds inventory, marketing, loyalty and multi-location reporting
Cons
  • No free plan for low-commitment use.
  • Essentials does not include online booking or consultation forms.
  • The platform is web-based rather than offering listed native mobile apps.
  • Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed by plan
  • There is no free plan
  • Some advanced features require higher-tier plans
Our verdict

Salon Manager is cloud-based software for solo professionals, salons, spas, aesthetic clinics, colleges and multi-location groups. Its scope covers appointment scheduling, online booking, client CRM, digital consultation and consent forms,…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. Salon ManagerEsthetician Software 9.2Paid
  2. PhorestEsthetician Software 8.8Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Salon Manager — where it wins

    • Digital consultation and consent forms support treatment assignments.
    • Scheduling covers staff, rooms, resources, recurring visits and waiting lists.
    • Stock, POS, payments, reporting and multi-location tools share one system.

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan for low-commitment use.
    • Essentials does not include online booking or consultation forms.
    • The platform is web-based rather than offering listed native mobile apps.

  • Phorest — where it wins

    • Combines booking, POS, payments, client records and staff management
    • Supports group bookings, deposits, reminders and branded mobile apps
    • Adds inventory, marketing, loyalty and multi-location reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed by plan
    • There is no free plan
    • Some advanced features require higher-tier plans

More comparisons

All esthetician software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update