Quick comparison:
Salon Manager is best for UK salons that want an easy-to-use, all-in-one system with fixed pricing, no add-ons, and no hidden fees. Fresha is ideal for salons focused on attracting new clients through its marketplace, while Phorest suits larger salons that need more advanced marketing and reporting tools.
| Feature |
Salon Manager |
Fresha |
Phorest |
Salon IQ |
Slick |
| Pricing model |
Fixed monthly |
Commission-based |
Subscription + add-ons |
Subscription + add-ons |
Subscription |
| Online booking |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
| POS & payments |
✔ Fully integrated |
✔ Integrated |
✔ Integrated |
✔ Integrated |
✔ Integrated |
| Client CRM |
✔ Advanced |
⚠ Basic |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Standard |
| Automated reminders |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
✔ Built-in |
| Marketing tools |
✔ Built-in |
⚠ Limited |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Standard |
✔ Standard |
| Marketing automation |
✔ Advanced |
⚠ Limited |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Standard |
| Reporting & analytics |
✔ Advanced |
⚠ Basic |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Standard |
| Staff scheduling |
✔ Included |
✔ Included |
✔ Included |
✔ Included |
✔ Included |
| Inventory / retail |
✔ Advanced |
⚠ Basic |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Advanced |
✔ Standard |
| Multi-location support |
✔ Strong |
✔ Available |
✔ Strong |
✔ Available |
✔ Available |
| Marketplace |
❌ No |
✔ Yes |
❌ No |
❌ No |
❌ No |
| Commission fees |
❌ None |
✔ Yes |
❌ No |
❌ No |
❌ No |
| Hidden/add-on costs |
❌ None |
⚠ Possible |
⚠ Possible |
⚠ Possible |
⚠ Possible |
| Ease of use |
✔ Very easy |
✔ Easy |
⚠ Moderate |
⚠ Moderate |
✔ Easy |
| Suitable for colleges |
✔ Yes |
❌ No |
❌ No |
❌ No |
❌ No |
| Best for |
All-in-one control |
Client acquisition |
Large salons |
Growing salons |
Simple setups |
| Potential limitation |
No marketplace |
Commission fees |
Add-on costs |
Add-on costs |
Fewer advanced tools |