OpenSalon review
A self-hosted salon scheduler with staff calendars, client records, inventory, and a REST API.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
OpenSalon is a self-hosted, open-source appointment scheduling and business management application for salons and other appointment-based businesses. Its staff-column day calendar, appointment workflow, client records, staff directory, service catalog, and product inventory make it relevant to operators who want to manage basic salon operations in one application. Developers building basic salon tools are a particularly strong fit: the product also exposes a REST API across its core records and scheduling data. It runs on the operator’s infrastructure and has a browser-based interface.
The breadth of its operational features is more notable than a narrow calendar focus. Appointments can include multiple services, with duration and price calculated automatically; rescheduling checks for staff conflicts, and blocked slots can represent breaks, lunch, or days off. Appointment status includes cancellation and no-show states. Client profiles hold contact details, notes, preferences, and appointment history, while inventory tracks stock levels and low-stock alerts. These pieces suit a basic internal workflow, but they do not establish the customer-facing booking and communication tools many salons may expect. Buyers needing online booking, reminders, payments, or calendar sync should consider alternatives that explicitly provide those capabilities.
OpenSalon is described as free and open source, with no hosted pricing or paid tiers to compare. Self-hosting means the operator runs it on their own infrastructure, so it is a better fit for teams able to manage that arrangement than for salons seeking a hosted service. There is also a license discrepancy: the repository README states AGPL-3.0, while the current LICENSE file contains the MIT License. Teams evaluating adoption should resolve that issue before building around or distributing the software. Choose OpenSalon for an extensible, self-managed foundation for basic scheduling and records; look elsewhere if a hosted, customer-ready booking experience or clear licensing is central.
OpenSalon pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Staff-column day calendar supports appointment creation and rescheduling.
- Client records, service catalogs, staff management, and inventory share one system.
- REST API covers appointments, clients, staff, services, products, and blocked slots.
- Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted operation requires running the application on your own infrastructure.
- No verified online booking, reminders, payments, or calendar sync features.
- Repository README and current LICENSE file state different software licenses.
OpenSalon fact sheet, pricing and score →
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