Run, Phorest, Run — Simplicity’s Coming
What It Claims to Offer:
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A tool for everything — and then some: Phorest crams in every feature imaginable: loyalty, email marketing, reviews, dashboards, branded apps. But more isn’t better — it’s overwhelming. Most salons end up lost in a maze of menus, toggles, and unexplained settings.
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Business coaching — at the beginning: The onboarding feels polished, with goal-setting workshops and advisors. But once you’re live? That structured support fades fast, leaving you navigating a bloated system alone.
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Big brand feel — but not in a good way: Yes, Phorest is well-known across the UK and internationally. But it’s clear it’s been built for corporate chains — not busy salons trying to serve clients without a full-time admin team.
Where It Completely Fails:
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Painfully overcomplicated: Salon teams describe it as “too click-heavy” and “designed by people who’ve never worked a front desk.” Even the basics take too long. If your stylists aren’t tech wizards, expect frustration and wasted time.
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Silent system changes: Phorest pushes out updates that can break parts of your workflow — like online bookings or website integrations — without any notice. You’re left firefighting with confused clients and no explanation.
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Support that vanishes when it matters: The Business Advisor model sounds reassuring, but many salons report slow responses, unresolved issues, and support that feels like a ticket machine, not a team.
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Overkill for most salons: This isn’t software for the everyday stylist or independent salon. It’s built for regional managers, boardroom dashboards, and KPI reviews. If you’re hands-on and client-facing, Phorest can feel more like a burden than a benefit.
