Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Salon Staff Scheduling Software

Salonist vs Kitomba

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Salonist #1 in Salon Staff Scheduling Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Salonist
Kitomba #7 in Salon Staff Scheduling Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Kitomba

Salonist leads on 1 check, Kitomba on 0, and 0 are 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 scoreSalonist · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Salonist
  • Free trialonly Salonist

Salonist scores higher on our rubric for salon staff scheduling software: 9.4 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Salonist offers free plan; Kitomba doesn't.

Salonist is the better fit for salons wanting broad, low-cost operations coverage. Kitomba is the better fit for established multi-site salons needing core scheduling.

  • Salonist fits best

    Salons wanting broad, low-cost operations coverage

  • Kitomba fits best

    Established multi-site salons needing core scheduling

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 Salonist 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Kitomba 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in Salon Staff Scheduling Software #7 in Salon Staff Scheduling Software
Best for Salons wanting broad, low-cost operations coverage Established multi-site salons needing core scheduling
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Integrations 15 integrations 3 integrations
Features Salonist 0/5 · Kitomba 0/5
Availability management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Time-off management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Shift swaps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Open shift coverage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Appointment sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Staff limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Staff mobile access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes online booking, scheduling, and staff shift management
  • Supports booking through websites, Instagram, Google, and the Salonist app
  • Combines payments, inventory, memberships, reporting, and client records
  • Combines appointment books, calendars, booking pages, reminders and deposits
  • Adds POS, EFTPOS, inventory, waitlists and multi-location reporting
  • Supports staff targets, repeat appointments, messaging and automated reminders
Cons
  • Free plan is limited to 50 appointments per month
  • Advanced features are distributed across higher plans
  • The product may be broader than needed for scheduling-only teams
  • Pricing requires contacting sales and varies by package, features and staff count
  • Calendar synchronization is one-way
  • There is no free plan
Our verdict

Salonist is cloud-based salon and spa management software for beauty and wellness businesses, from solo professionals to multi-location operators. Its core scheduling tools include online appointment booking, a drag-and-drop calendar,…

Read the review →

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

Read the review →
  1. SalonistSalon Staff Scheduling Software 9.4Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. KitombaSalon Staff Scheduling Software 8.5Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Salonist — where it wins

    • Free plan includes online booking, scheduling, and staff shift management
    • Supports booking through websites, Instagram, Google, and the Salonist app
    • Combines payments, inventory, memberships, reporting, and client records

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 50 appointments per month
    • Advanced features are distributed across higher plans
    • The product may be broader than needed for scheduling-only teams

  • Kitomba — where it wins

    • Combines appointment books, calendars, booking pages, reminders and deposits
    • Adds POS, EFTPOS, inventory, waitlists and multi-location reporting
    • Supports staff targets, repeat appointments, messaging and automated reminders

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales and varies by package, features and staff count
    • Calendar synchronization is one-way
    • There is no free plan
  • Salonist9.4/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    Broad salon operations coverage with a free entry plan and multi-platform access.

    Visit SalonistFull verdict →
  • Kitomba8.5/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad scheduling and operations platform for established, multi-site salon businesses.

    Visit KitombaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All salon staff scheduling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update