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Head-to-head · Salon Payroll Software

Spa/Salon Manager vs Gratsio

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Spa/Salon Manager #2 in Salon Payroll Software 9.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Spa/Salon
Gratsio #8 in Salon Payroll Software 8.6/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Gratsio

Spa/Salon Manager leads on 0 checks, Gratsio on 2, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSpa/Salon Manager · 9.3/10
  • Lowest starting priceGratsio · $29/mo
  • Free planonly Gratsio
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresSpa/Salon Manager · 4 of 6

Spa/Salon Manager scores higher on our rubric for salon payroll software: 9.3 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Gratsio offers free plan; Spa/Salon Manager doesn't. Gratsio is cheaper to start at $29/mo against $74/mo.

Spa/Salon Manager is the better fit for established salons needing detailed payroll calculations. Gratsio is the better fit for budget-conscious salons needing payroll rules.

  • Spa/Salon Manager fits best

    Established salons needing detailed payroll calculations

  • Gratsio fits best

    Budget-conscious salons needing payroll rules

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Side by side

Feature Spa/Salon Manager 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Gratsio 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.6
Ranking #2 in Salon Payroll Software #8 in Salon Payroll Software
Best for Established salons needing detailed payroll calculations Budget-conscious salons needing payroll rules
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $74/mo $29/mo (best)
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 30 days 7 days
Free trial length 30 days · no card needed 7 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web
Support Phone, Docs Email, Live chat, Community, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 1 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Spa/Salon Manager 4/6 · Gratsio 3/6
Commission tracking ✓ ✓
Tip calculation ✓ ✓
Contractor payments ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Tax filing Not checked yet —
Payroll reports ✓ ✓
Direct deposit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports wages, commissions, taxes, deductions, and four pay methods
  • Handles W-2, W-3, 1099 forms and payroll checks
  • Combines payroll with booking, point of sale, inventory, and time tracking
  • Free plan includes marketplace listing, booking and basic CRM
  • Tracks salary, commissions, bonuses, deductions and tips
  • Payroll reports connect compensation to completed tickets
Cons
  • Starting price is $74 per month with no free plan
  • Entry plans limit terminals to one
  • QuickBooks is the listed accounting integration
  • Does not file taxes
  • Does not pay staff directly
  • Advanced payroll and finance tools require the Studio plan
Our verdict

Spa/Salon Manager combines salon and spa management with payroll, appointments, point of sale, inventory, client records, and employee time tracking. It is designed for established salons that need to calculate taxes, deductions, wages,…

Read the review →

Gratsio is a web-based platform for salons, studios, independent beauty professionals and multi-location beauty businesses. It combines online booking, appointment calendars, client records, payments, reminders, websites, analytics,…

Read the review →
  1. Spa/Salon ManagerSalon Payroll Software 9.330-day trial
  2. GratsioSalon Payroll Software 8.6Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Spa/Salon Manager — where it wins

    • Supports wages, commissions, taxes, deductions, and four pay methods
    • Handles W-2, W-3, 1099 forms and payroll checks
    • Combines payroll with booking, point of sale, inventory, and time tracking

    Where it doesn't

    • Starting price is $74 per month with no free plan
    • Entry plans limit terminals to one
    • QuickBooks is the listed accounting integration

  • Gratsio — where it wins

    • Free plan includes marketplace listing, booking and basic CRM
    • Tracks salary, commissions, bonuses, deductions and tips
    • Payroll reports connect compensation to completed tickets

    Where it doesn't

    • Does not file taxes
    • Does not pay staff directly
    • Advanced payroll and finance tools require the Studio plan
  • Spa/Salon Manager9.3/10 · 30-day trial

    Detailed salon payroll with scheduling, point of sale, and employee management.

    Visit Spa/SalonFull verdict →
  • Gratsio8.6/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A budget-friendly salon platform with payroll reporting, but no tax filing or direct staff payments.

    Visit GratsioFull verdict →

More comparisons

All salon payroll software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update