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Head-to-head · Salon and Spa Scheduling Software

SimplyBook.me vs Phorest

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score SimplyBook.me #2 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 6 features Visit SimplyBook.me
Phorest #4 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Phorest

SimplyBook.me leads on 1 check, Phorest 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 scoreSimplyBook.me · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly SimplyBook.me
  • Free trialonly SimplyBook.me

SimplyBook.me scores higher on our rubric for salon and spa scheduling software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

SimplyBook.me offers free plan; Phorest doesn't.

SimplyBook.me is the better fit for budget-conscious businesses needing flexible booking. Phorest is the better fit for established multi-location salons.

  • SimplyBook.me fits best

    Budget-conscious businesses needing flexible booking

  • Phorest fits best

    Established multi-location salons

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 SimplyBook.me 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Phorest 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software #4 in Salon and Spa Scheduling Software
Best for Budget-conscious businesses needing flexible booking Established multi-location salons
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $11.90/mo —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7 Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Compliance ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML, 2FA GDPR, HIPAA
Integrations 5,000+ integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features SimplyBook.me 0/6 · Phorest 0/6
Online booking Not checked yet Not checked yet
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
  • Free plan supports a booking website, widget, one feature, and one provider
  • Two-way Google and Outlook calendar synchronization
  • Payments, reminders, mobile apps, API access, and broad integrations
  • 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
Cons
  • Free plan is limited to one provider and one custom feature
  • Less salon-specific than leading category-focused options
  • Round-robin booking is not included
  • 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
Our verdict

SimplyBook.me is an online appointment scheduling platform for service businesses, including salons, clinics, gyms, educators, and consultancies. For salons and spas, it combines branded booking pages, embeddable widgets, shared calendars,…

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. SimplyBook.meSalon and Spa Scheduling Software 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. PhorestSalon and Spa Scheduling Software 9.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SimplyBook.me — where it wins

    • Free plan supports a booking website, widget, one feature, and one provider
    • Two-way Google and Outlook calendar synchronization
    • Payments, reminders, mobile apps, API access, and broad integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to one provider and one custom feature
    • Less salon-specific than leading category-focused options
    • Round-robin booking is not included

  • 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
  • SimplyBook.me9.2/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible, broad booking platform for budget-conscious salons and service businesses.

    Visit SimplyBook.meFull verdict →
  • Phorest9.0/10 · Pricing on request

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

    Visit PhorestFull 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