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 Marketing Software

Simple Salon vs Phorest

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Simple Salon #6 in Salon Marketing Software 8.8/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Simple Salon
Phorest #8 in Salon Marketing Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Phorest

Simple Salon 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 scoreSimple Salon · 8.8/10
  • Free trialonly Simple Salon
  • Most featuresSimple Salon · 5 of 5

Simple Salon scores higher on our rubric for salon marketing software: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Simple Salon is the better fit for salons needing low-cost campaigns and loyalty. Phorest is the better fit for mature multi-location salons needing full lifecycle tools.

  • Simple Salon fits best

    Salons needing low-cost campaigns and loyalty

  • Phorest fits best

    Mature multi-location salons needing full lifecycle 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 Simple Salon 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Phorest 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.6
Ranking #6 in Salon Marketing Software #8 in Salon Marketing Software
Best for Salons needing low-cost campaigns and loyalty Mature multi-location salons needing full lifecycle tools
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $20/user/mo —
Free plan — —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Simple Salon 5/5 · Phorest 0/5
Booking integration ✓ (best) Not checked yet
SMS campaigns ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Email campaigns ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Client segmentation ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Loyalty tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Campaign automation Advanced Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • SMS and email campaigns support targeted client outreach.
  • Loyalty points, rewards, packages and gift vouchers support retention.
  • Web, iOS, Android and API coverage supports flexible access.
  • Combines booking, POS, payments, marketing, loyalty and reputation tools
  • Supports multi-location reporting, staff performance and inventory management
  • Offers branded mobile apps, online booking and automated reminders
Cons
  • There is no free plan.
  • Starter includes pay-as-you-go SMS rather than a bundled allowance.
  • Displayed USD pricing may differ by region.
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation rather than published plan prices
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller salons
  • Advanced capabilities are reserved for higher-tier plans
Our verdict

Simple Salon is cloud-based salon management software for hair, beauty, health and wellness businesses. It brings appointment scheduling, online booking, client records, point of sale, staff management and reporting into one platform. For…

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, payment collection, marketing automation,…

Read the review →
  1. Simple SalonSalon Marketing Software 8.814-day trial
  2. PhorestSalon Marketing Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Simple Salon — where it wins

    • SMS and email campaigns support targeted client outreach.
    • Loyalty points, rewards, packages and gift vouchers support retention.
    • Web, iOS, Android and API coverage supports flexible access.

    Where it doesn't

    • There is no free plan.
    • Starter includes pay-as-you-go SMS rather than a bundled allowance.
    • Displayed USD pricing may differ by region.

  • Phorest — where it wins

    • Combines booking, POS, payments, marketing, loyalty and reputation tools
    • Supports multi-location reporting, staff performance and inventory management
    • Offers branded mobile apps, online booking and automated reminders

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation rather than published plan prices
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of smaller salons
    • Advanced capabilities are reserved for higher-tier plans

More comparisons

All salon marketing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update