Best POS System for Hair Salon: Top Solutions for Seamless Salon Management

Not every salon point of sale system (POS) is the same. The best POS system for your hair salon depends on what you need and how much you’re willing to spend. Some systems are perfect for smaller salons, while others are better suited for bigger ones. Some are cloud-based, so you can manage your bookings and sales from anywhere, while others might need POS hardware in the salon. With so many options out there, it’s important to know which features matter most to you, like appointment scheduling, client management, or ease of use.

According to Business Research, the salon software market was worth USD 726.82 million in 2022, and it’s expected to shoot up to USD 2768.53 million by 2032, growing at more than 14% per year. With all these options claiming to be the best, this guide will help you break down the key features, compare top systems, and find the best salon POS system to streamline your business.

Key features of a hair salon POS system

When it comes to choosing the best salon POS system for your hair salon, certain features can really make a difference. Here's what you should keep an eye on:

Appointment scheduling & customer management

For any busy hair salon, staying on top of bookings is key. You don’t want your appointment book to be a chaotic mess. After all, double bookings are a salon owner's nightmare.

Good POS systems will: ✅

• Offer basic appointment scheduling: Book and manage appointments with ease.
• Allow for simple rescheduling: Quickly move appointments without the fuss.
• Send reminders: Send clients booking confirmations and reminders to cut down on no-shows.

The best POS systems will: 🌟

• Provide an online booking feature: Let clients book themselves in 24/7 through your website or app.
• Integrate with client profiles: Access client preferences and history when scheduling appointments.
• Offer automatic rebooking suggestions: Prompt clients to book their next appointment before they leave!

Over 50% of beauty and hair salon customers book their appointments outside regular opening hours. This means having an efficient online booking system is more important than ever. It allows clients to schedule their appointments whenever they want (day or night) making your salon more accessible. Plus, with automatic reminders, you’ll see fewer no-shows, keeping your schedule full.

Employee management

Your team is the backbone of your salon, so keeping tabs on their hours, shifts, and performance is key. 19% of salon pros have worked in three salons or more, that’s a lot of hopping around! This tells us that many stylists are on the lookout for the perfect work vibe.

If you want to keep your rockstar employees around, you need to create a killer work environment. Happy employees stick around, which means less turnover, fewer training headaches, and a more experienced crew. A solid employee management system integrated into your POS helps you track performance, streamline schedules, and give feedback, leading to a more stable and productive team.

Good POS systems will: ✅

• Let you schedule shifts: Has salon POS software to easily create and manage employee schedules.
• Track hours worked: Keep a log of employee hours for payroll accuracy.
• Store basic employee info: Keep contact details, job roles, and permissions on file.

The best POS systems will: 🌟

• Automate scheduling: Create smart schedules based on availability and busy times.
• Track performance: Monitor client feedback and staff performance to celebrate stars and improve training.
• Integrate with payroll: Sync employee hours and commissions with payroll to streamline payments.

Client management

Did you know that the average client retention rate from the first appointment to the second is just 45%? And it drops even further to 39% when comparing the first and third appointments. Keeping clients feeling valued is crucial if you want them to keep returning. 

Good point of sale systems will: ✅

• Store basic client info: Keep track of contact details, preferences, and history.
• Allow simple notes: Jot down important details (like color formulas or favorite treatments).
• Send basic promotions: Reach out to clients with simple promos and deals.

The best POS systems will: 🌟

• Provide detailed client profiles: Access a full history of services, products, and preferences.
• Automate personalized communications: Send birthday discounts, appointment reminders, and targeted offers.
• Sync with loyalty programs: Reward clients with points or perks for their continued loyalty.

Inventory management

Keeping your backbar stocked with everything from shampoo to hair color is essential. Running out of products during a busy day? That’s a disaster!

Good POS systems will: ✅

• Track basic inventory: Know what's in stock and what’s low.
• Allow for manual stock adjustments: Adjust levels for waste, theft, or errors.
• Categorize products: Organize items by type, brand, or use.

The best POS systems will: 🌟

• Offer real-time inventory tracking: Know exactly what’s on the shelves with live updates.
• Automate reordering: Set up auto-reorders for popular products when stock runs low.
• Provide detailed product analytics: Get insights into which products are selling and which are collecting dust.

Integrated payment processing

You don’t want to fumble with payments when the salon’s buzzing. An integrated payment processing feature in your POS system ensures a seamless checkout process for clients, from card payments to contactless options.

Good POS systems will: ✅

• Accept basic credit/debit card payments: Process payments with ease at the POS terminal.
• Offer receipt printing: Print receipts on the spot for client convenience.
• Allow for cash handling: Manage a cash drawer for any in-store cash transactions.

The best POS systems will: 🌟

• Support multiple payment methods: Process payments via card readers, mobile wallets, and contactless options.
• Offer split payments: Let clients pay with multiple methods (like part card, part cash).
• Provide clear payment processing fees: See transparent processing costs, so there are no surprises at the end of the month.

Loyalty programs and other software apps

Everyone loves perks! Offering loyalty programs can turn first-time visitors into regulars. And a salon POS system that makes it easy to track points and rewards? Yes, please!

Good POS systems will: ✅

• Offer basic loyalty tracking: Assign points to client purchases.
• Let clients redeem points: Reward clients with discounts or freebies for their loyalty.

The best POS systems will: 🌟

• Automate loyalty rewards: Automatically track points and remind clients when they’ve earned rewards.
• Provide loyalty analytics: See which clients are your top spenders and which programs drive the most return visits.
• Integrate loyalty with marketing: Combine loyalty programs with personalized offers to boost client retention.

Business insights & reporting

You need to know how your salon is performing, and the right POS solution will give you that insight at a glance. From daily sales to staff performance, analytics can take your salon to the next level.

Good POS systems will: ✅

• Provide basic sales reports: Get simple daily, weekly, or monthly sales totals.
• Allow for manual reporting adjustments: Customize reports as needed.

The best POS systems will: 🌟

• Offer real-time analytics: See live updates on sales, client activity, and staff performance.
• Provide detailed business insights: Track salon trends, identify top products, and see areas for growth.
• Integrate with accounting: Sync reports directly with accounting software to streamline tax season and bookkeeping

Top hair salon POS system options

Now that you know what great salon POS providers offer, let's take a look at some of the winning contenders out there. These include: 

Epos Now

When it comes to running a salon, efficiency and customer experience are everything. That's where the Epos Now beauty salon POS system stands out. This all-in-one solution covers everything from appointment scheduling to online bookings, making salon management easy.

POS hardware

Epos Now provides you with all the hardware needed to run a successful beauty salon. Whether you’re managing bookings or processing payments, our POS hardware is designed for speed and reliability, offering:

• Countertop POS terminal: Equipped with a full HD touchscreen and built-in receipt printer for smooth transactions.
• Air card reader: With integrated Epos Now Payments, you can easily accept credit card payments, debit card payments, contactless, and digital wallet payments (Google Pay and Apple Pay).
• Cash drawer: A high-quality, secure all-metal cash drawer keeps your finances safe and organized.

Our hardware allows for faster service, so you can:

• Process transactions effortlessly: With integrated payments and receipt printing, your checkout process is streamlined.
• Run multiple locations: Epos Now’s POS system can scale with your business, perfect for salons with multiple branches.
• Manage bookings and clients: Keep track of appointments, service preferences, and client history seamlessly.

POS software

Epos Now’s POS software is designed with salons in mind. It’s intuitive, and staff can master it quickly, so they can focus on providing top-tier services. Key features include:

• Appointment scheduling: Stay on top of your daily bookings and easily make changes on the go. Plus, integrations with booking software mean clients can book directly through your website.
• Client profiles: Create and update profiles that track client preferences, special requests, and custom pricing to deliver a personal experience.
• Inventory management: Track products in real time, set up automatic stock replenishment, and ensure you never run low on your best-selling beauty items.
• Sales and performance reporting: Get detailed reports on your top-performing stylists and services, allowing you to make informed decisions and boost revenue.

POS Integrations

Epos Now is designed to adapt to your salon’s unique needs. That’s why we offer a wide range of integrations to optimize your business:

• Online booking integration: Allow clients to book appointments via your website with ease, thanks to integrations with software.
• Loyalty program integration: Increase client retention by setting up rewards programs with apps like Epos Now Loyalty, and see up to a 13% boost in revenue.
• Marketing tools: Automate appointment reminders, send promotional offers, and manage client communication via email and SMS to keep your clients engaged and coming back for more.

Square POS

Square is a payment processing and POS platform designed for businesses across various industries. According to a Forbes review, it can be an option for a new salon owner who is just starting out.

Pros:

• No upfront cost to get started
• Basic plan has no monthly fees
• Offers a variety of POS hardware options

Cons:

• Accounts can be frozen if unusual activity is detected
• Less suited for businesses with high transaction volumes due to costs
• Lacks phone-based customer support

Square's features and limitations might not be ideal for businesses needing more robust support and advanced functionality.

Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a well-known POS system that operates in the cloud and through a browser, featuring an iOS app. It provides inventory management features and 24/7 customer support. However, it may be more complex than a new salon business requires, particularly when more affordable options are available. According to Forbes:

Pros:

• 24/7 customer support
• Dedicated account manager for each account
• Inventory management

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to many other POS systems
• Long-term contracts required
• Difficult cancellation process

While Lightspeed has a number of inventory features and support options, its higher price point and contractual commitments might not be ideal for every business.

Clover

Clover is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a variety of software and hardware solutions tailored to retail and hospitality. Although it’s not the most budget-friendly option, Clover’s range of payment partners makes it adaptable for different types of businesses. As noted by Forbes:

Pros:

• Competitive pricing
• 30-day free trial
• Budget hardware options
• A range of features
• Suitable for businesses with an online presence
• 24/7 phone and email support

Cons:

• Must go through a sales rep to apply, no online sign-up
• Pricing details can be unclear
• No free plan offered

Clover may be an option for many businesses, but its lack of pricing transparency and free options might be seen as drawbacks.

Choosing the best POS system for your hair salon

Now that you've got to understand the leading POS providers for salons, let's talk next steps. These include:

Assess Your Needs

What type of salon do you run? Whether it’s a cozy hair studio, a bustling beauty bar, or a full-service spa, the right POS system can make all the difference.

If you’re a full-service salon, you’ll want features like appointment scheduling and client management tools. If you handle online bookings, look for a POS that easily integrates with booking apps. If you have multiple locations, you’ll need a system that can scale and manage them all with real-time reports.

Already got some hardware like receipt printers or cash drawers? Some POS providers come with their own gear, while others let you use what you’ve got. Just keep in mind that those upfront costs can stack up, along with any monthly software and credit card processing fees. It’s easy to focus on just the POS system without considering the long-term costs involved.

Research your options

There are tons of salon POS systems out there, so take your time to find one that fits your needs.

• Core features: Make sure the system covers the essentials like appointment tracking, payment processing, inventory management, and staff management. You want a system that keeps your salon running smoothly and cuts down on time-consuming manual tasks. It should help you manage bookings, staff schedules, and inventory without breaking a sweat.
• Cloud-based: A cloud POS lets you access your salon data from anywhere, making it super convenient to manage your business remotely. Plus, it updates automatically, so you’re always working with the latest info.
• Integrations: Look for a POS that connects with your accounting software, loyalty programs, inventory tools, and booking services. The easier the integration, the more seamless your salon management will be.
• Salon-specific features: You’ll want things like client profiles, appointment reminders, and sales tracking. These features help you personalize your service and boost customer satisfaction.
• Hardware costs: Some systems come with hardware packages, while others work with what you already own. Just be mindful of the costs for POS terminals, mobile devices, receipt printers, cash drawers, and any customer-facing displays.

Get a Demo

Trying out a demo is a great way to see if the system is user-friendly and meets your salon’s needs. You’ll get a look at how it handles appointments, client services, and more to see if it fits into your existing setup.

And don’t forget to ask about things like early termination fees, monthly charges, and how quickly the support team responds when you need help!

Conclusion

In 2024, the top POS systems for salons are all about making your life easier, whether you’re handling quick checkouts or managing complex bookings. With options like Epos Now, salons can keep their inventory in check, enhance customer service, and speed up transactions without a hitch. Picking the right POS system that fits your salon’s specific needs will streamline your operations, giving you more time to focus on what really matters—your clients and growing your business.