Shortcuts review
A broad salon management suite for larger operators, with loyalty-adjacent marketing tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Shortcuts is salon management software for hair salons, barbers, beauty businesses, spas and multi-site operators. Its Fusion platform brings appointment scheduling, online booking, staff and resource management, client profiles, point of sale, payment processing, marketing, inventory, reporting and multi-location controls into one system. That broad scope makes it a fit for larger salons wanting loyalty-adjacent operations rather than a narrowly focused rewards product. Core capabilities include colour-coded calendars, resource allocation, 24/7 online booking, automated reminders, client communication logs and cancellation management.
The tier structure moves from day-to-day administration to broader digital and marketing operations. Base includes the appointment book, SMS confirmations, point of sale, client profiles and history, plus service and team management. Climb adds cloud access, email and SMS marketing, online booking, Reserve with Google, appointment deposits and cancellation fees, and walk-in management. Summit extends the system with a branded client app, targeted promotions, series packs, visual treatment notes and contraindications, and resource management. Pricing is customised, so businesses need a sales conversation to assess the right tier and overall cost.
Shortcuts also connects with Reserve with Google, Stripe, Mailchimp, Xero, Shopify, Power BI and Vish, giving operators options across bookings, payments, marketing, finance, commerce and reporting. Integrated payment processing through ShortcutsPay supports booking deposits, online payments and in-person transactions. For larger teams, staff management, rostering, performance reporting and centralised client data can support multi-location coordination. Choose Shortcuts when operational breadth and location management matter most; consider alternatives if the primary requirement is a dedicated loyalty programme rather than a wider salon-management platform.
Shortcuts pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines booking, POS, payments, client records and inventory
- Supports multi-location management with centralised client data
- Climb and Summit add marketing, promotions and branded app tools
- Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires a customised sales conversation
- The platform offering is web-based
- Loyalty is less central than booking, marketing and operations
Shortcuts fact sheet, pricing and score →
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