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Head-to-head · Salon Software

Shortcuts vs Salonist

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Shortcuts #12 in Salon Software 8.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Shortcuts
Salonist #13 in Salon Software 7.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Salonist

Shortcuts leads on 0 checks, Salonist on 1, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreShortcuts · 8.0/10
  • Free planonly Salonist
  • Free trialonly Salonist

Shortcuts scores higher on our rubric for salon software: 8.0 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #12 and #13.

Salonist offers free plan; Shortcuts doesn't.

Shortcuts is the better fit for established multi-location salon groups. Salonist is the better fit for salons wanting a free marketplace presence.

  • Shortcuts fits best

    Established multi-location salon groups

  • Salonist fits best

    Salons wanting a free marketplace presence

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Side by side

Feature Shortcuts 8.0/10 Visit ↗ Salonist 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.0 7.9
Ranking #12 in Salon Software #13 in Salon Software
Best for Established multi-location salon groups Salons wanting a free marketplace presence
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $79/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Phone · 24/7
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS
Integrations 6 integrations 40+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Shortcuts 7/7 · Salonist 7/7
Online booking ✓ ✓
Staff calendar ✓ ✓
POS and payments ✓ ✓
Client reminders ✓ ✓
Inventory tracking ✓ ✓
Multi-location support ✓ ✓
Memberships and packages ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Centralizes bookings, POS, client records, inventory and reporting
  • Supports multi-location management with centralized client data
  • Adds deposits, packs, marketing and branded client apps
  • Free marketplace listing for salon discovery and booking visibility
  • Covers booking, POS, inventory, reminders, memberships and staff operations
  • Supports web, iOS and Android with broad payment and marketing integrations
Cons
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation and is customized by plan
  • There is no free plan
  • Branded apps and resource management are reserved for Summit
  • The free offering is narrower than the paid plans
  • Paid plans start at $79 per month on monthly billing
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of very small operators
Our verdict

Shortcuts is salon management software for hair salons, barbers, beauty businesses, spas and multi-location operators. Its Fusion product brings appointment scheduling, online booking, staff and resource management, point of sale,…

Read the review →

Salonist is cloud-based salon and spa management software for beauty and wellness businesses, ranging from single-chair operators to multi-location groups. It brings online booking, appointment calendars, staff scheduling, point-of-sale…

Read the review →
  1. ShortcutsSalon Software 8.0Pricing on request
  2. SalonistSalon Software 7.9Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Shortcuts — where it wins

    • Centralizes bookings, POS, client records, inventory and reporting
    • Supports multi-location management with centralized client data
    • Adds deposits, packs, marketing and branded client apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation and is customized by plan
    • There is no free plan
    • Branded apps and resource management are reserved for Summit

  • Salonist — where it wins

    • Free marketplace listing for salon discovery and booking visibility
    • Covers booking, POS, inventory, reminders, memberships and staff operations
    • Supports web, iOS and Android with broad payment and marketing integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • The free offering is narrower than the paid plans
    • Paid plans start at $79 per month on monthly billing
    • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of very small operators
  • Shortcuts8.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad salon platform for established groups that need centralized operations and client management.

    Visit ShortcutsFull verdict →
  • Salonist7.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A broad salon platform with a free marketplace listing and paid operational tools.

    Visit SalonistFull verdict →

All salon software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update