Table of Contents
Running a small salon in Europe comes with plenty of good software to choose from. Booking marketplaces bring in new faces, and simpler flat-fee tools keep a busy calendar in order.
The choice gets more interesting up close. The best salon software for small business in Lyon can be a poor fit in Munich, because prices, commissions, and tax rules change at each border.
So we compared the options country by country. This guide covers nine platforms, what each one costs, where it works, and what it charges when it brings you a new client.
Let's take a look.
Key Takeaways
Salon software in Europe splits into marketplaces that charge a one-time fee per new client and standalone tools that charge a flat monthly fee.
Marketplace commission on a new client's first booking ranges from 0% to 35%, depending on the platform and the country.
The same tool can cost a different amount in each country, so one market's price list rarely applies everywhere.
Repeat bookings and bookings through a salon's own website or social profiles are commission-free on major marketplaces.
Germany, France, and Austria require certified tills, and Spain's VeriFactu invoicing rules take effect in 2027.
What to Look for in Salon Software for Small Business in Europe
Online booking sits near the top of our must-haves for a standout salon, and every platform below covers it. European salon software comes with four variables for your business.
Country and language. Local sales, local support, and interface language.
Cost model. A flat monthly fee, a commission on new clients, or both.
Fiscal compliance. A till that meets your country's tax rules.
Data portability. A clean export of your client list and visit history.
For a wider look beyond Europe, see our global salon software roundup.
Marketplace vs Standalone Salon Software: What Each Really Costs
A booking marketplace lists your salon in a booking app and takes a cut of each new client's first visit. It’s commissioned advertising. Treatwell, Fresha, and Booksy (with its Boost feature) work this way. Planity runs a marketplace too, but with a fixed fee and no commission.
A standalone booking tool runs your calendar and client records for a flat fee, and new clients come from your own marketing. Phorest, Salonized, Shore, Timely, and Zenoti work this way.
Local Rules: GDPR, Fiscal Tills, and E-Invoicing
Under GDPR, your salon is the data controller, so ask each provider for its data processing agreement before you import a contact. Fiscal rules then depend on where you take payments.
Germany. Electronic tills need a certified security module, the TSE, under the KassenSichV.
France. Till software must be secured and backed by a certificate, such as NF525, or the vendor's own attestation. The French guide to certified till software covers details.
Austria. Once annual turnover passes €15,000 with more than €7,500 in cash sales, the Austrian till rules require a register with a signature device.
Spain. VeriFactu rules for invoicing software set for 2027. Check the Spanish tax agency's VeriFactu page for the final date.
Every other European country sets its own rules. To check yours, start with your national tax authority, listed in the European Commission's directory of national tax websites. Then ask your accountant, and get your software provider to confirm in writing that its till meets local rules.
Best Salon Booking Software for Small Business in Europe
These nine platforms cover the main European models, from big marketplaces to flat-fee software built for one market. Prices exclude VAT and were checked in October 2026.
1. Treatwell: Best for Salons That Want Marketplace Demand
Type: Marketplace + salon software
Treatwell is the top pick for EU salons that want a steady flow of new clients from a large consumer marketplace.
On your side. Treatwell Connect runs your calendar, team, client history, and checkout, with unlimited staff and daily payouts.
Key app features
Marketplace listing in 13 countries across Europe
Commission-free bookings from your own website and social profiles
A till with TSE in Germany, plus VeriFactu or TicketBAI e-invoicing in Spain
Pricing. €35-€49 a month, depending on the country and plan. New marketplace clients cost 25-35% of their first booking, and repeat bookings cost 0%. Online prepayments carry a 2-2.5% fee.
2. Booksy: Best for Barbers and Solo Stylists
Type: Marketplace + booking app
Booksy is the top pick for barbers and solo stylists who run their day from a phone and want every feature on one plan.
On your side. One plan covers the calendar, reminders, marketing texts, waitlists, and no-show protection.
Key app features
100 free marketing texts a month (500 in Ireland), with reminders always free
Reserve with Google and booking links for Instagram and Facebook
NF525-certified till in France and VeriFactu support in Spain
Pricing. €34.99-€59 a month, depending on the country, plus €5-€10 per extra person. New marketplace clients cost 0-45% of their first visit. They're free unless you switch on the optional Boost feature, offered in Spain, Poland, and the UK. There's a 7-day free trial and no contract.
3. Fresha: Low Entry Price With a Global Marketplace
Type: Marketplace + salon software
Fresha suits solo pros and small teams that want a low monthly fee and a listing on a global marketplace.
On your side. Calendar, point of sale, inventory, memberships, gift cards, and packages in one system.
Key app features
Retail tools with an online product store
Consultation forms and patch test records
Team pay runs, commissions, and timesheets on the Team plan
Pricing. From €7.95 per team member or €11.95 solo a month, with prices set by country. New marketplace clients cost 0-20% of their first booking, depending on the market. Card fees start at 1.29% + €0.20. There's a 7-day trial and no contract.
4. Phorest: Retention Tools for Growing Teams
Type: Salon management software
Phorest is a Dublin-based platform built for salons and clinics with three or more staff.
On your side. Booking, point of sale, stock, rosters, and staff tracking, with unlimited staff on every plan.
Key app features
TreatCard loyalty program and messages for clients overdue to rebook
Online Reputation Manager for Google reviews (Grow and up)
A branded booking app (Ultimate and up)
Pricing. Quote-only, across four plans. No new-client fees. Setup, data migration, and training are included, and there's a demo instead of a free trial.
5. Zenoti: Built for Multi-Location Groups
Type: Enterprise salon and spa software
Zenoti is the upper limit on this list, a US-based platform for salon groups with several locations, including Europe.
On your side. One system for bookings, payroll, commissions, inventory, and reporting across every location.
Key app features
Central reporting and staff goals across sites
Optional AI agents, including an AI receptionist for phone calls
Room and resource scheduling
Pricing. Quote-only, from roughly €270 a month per location according to review sites such as Capterra. No new-client fees.
6. Salonized: Flat-Fee Software for Salons With Their Own Client Base
Type: Salon software (standalone)
Salonized is an Amsterdam-based tool, now part of the Treatwell group, with one simple plan for salons that bring in their own clients.
On your side. Online calendar, client records, product management, reports, newsletters, and rebooking reminders.
Key app features
Dynamic pricing and last-minute discounts to fill quiet slots
Automatic waiting list and loyalty points
Optional Treatwell marketplace link with no Treatwell monthly fee
Pricing. €35 a month plus €5 per extra employee, with 10% off annual billing. New clients cost nothing, or 35% of their first booking if you add the Treatwell link. There's a 14-day free trial.
7. Timely: Commission-Free Software for the UK and Ireland
Type: Salon software (standalone)
Timely is a New Zealand-founded tool aimed mainly at English-speaking markets, including the UK and Ireland, with zero new-client fees.
On your side. Calendar, stock, and payments, with booking from Instagram, Facebook, and a mini website.
Key app features
Digital consultation forms and client photo storage (Elevate and up)
Automatic rebooking reminders and staff sales targets (Innovate)
Waitlist and add-on services for upselling
Pricing. About €23-€42 per staff member a month, depending on the plan. No new-client fees. Online card payments cost 1.95% + €0.25.
8. Planity: Zero Commission in France, Belgium, and Germany
Type: Marketplace + salon software
Planity calls itself France's No. 1 beauty booking platform. It also runs in Belgium and Germany, and charges no commission at all.
On your side. A salon page on planity.com, an online agenda, client files, and deposits.
Key app features
No commission on any booking, including new marketplace clients
NF525-certified till, stock management, and accounting export (Agenda + Caisse)
300 reminder texts a month in France
Pricing. Quote-only, across three fixed-fee plans. No new-client fees, no setup or maintenance fees, and no minimum contract.
9. Shore: German Salon Software With a TSE-Ready Till
Type: Salon software + till (standalone)
Shore is a Munich-based platform that pairs online booking with an iPad till built for German tax rules.
On your side. Calendar, client management, statistics, and email marketing, plus the till on All-in-One.
Key app features
Certified cloud TSE for German tills (€9 a month)
DATEV interface for your accountant
Online booking through your website, Google, and Instagram
Pricing. €49.90-€129.90 a month, depending on the plan and on yearly or monthly billing. No new-client fees. There's a 14-day free trial.
Salon Software Prices in Europe Compared
The monthly fee is only one line. Here's the full picture side by side.
| Software | Where it works | Monthly price (ex VAT) | New-client fee | Card fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatwell | 13 countries | €35-€49 | 25-35% | 2-2.5% on online prepayments |
| Booksy | DE, FR, ES, IE, PL, UK | €34.99-€59, plus €5-€10 per extra person | 0-45% | From 0.99% + €0.10 |
| Fresha | Global | From €7.95 per member | 0-20% | From 1.29% + €0.20 |
| Phorest | IE, UK, NL, DE, FI | Quote | None | Quote |
| Zenoti | Global | Quote, from about €270 | None | Quote |
| Salonized | Eurozone, UK | €35, plus €5 per employee | 0-35% | Not included |
| Timely | UK, IE, wider Europe | About €23-€42 per staff | None | 1.95% + €0.25 online |
| Planity | FR, BE, DE | Quote | None | Quote |
| Shore | DE, CH, ES, FR | €49.90-€129.90 | None | On request |
How to Choose the Right Salon Booking Tool for Your Team
Start with how you get new clients, then match the tool to your team and country.
Solo stylist or barber. Booksy for one simple plan, Fresha for the lowest entry price.
Small salon that wants more bookings. Treatwell, with 25-35% of each new client's first visit budgeted.
Salon with a full book. A flat fee from Planity, Shore, Salonized, or Timely.
Team of three or more. Phorest, for loyalty and rebooking tools.
Several locations. Zenoti, at a group-sized price.
Before you sign, run three checks.
Export test. Ask how you'd get your client list, visit history, notes, and gift card balances out as a file.
Contract length. Watch for minimum terms, like Treatwell's 12 months in Spain and Italy or Shore's annual plan.
Till compliance. Confirm the till meets TSE, NF525, RKSV, or VeriFactu rules where you trade.
Turn Smooth Bookings Into Retail Sales
Once your calendar runs itself, the next margin lever sits at the checkout desk. Clients who love a treatment often want to take part of it home.
Most tools above track stock next to services, so retail fits right in. Our guide to the best private label products for salons covers formulas that sell well after an appointment, and private label spa products shows how a take-home routine extends the visit.
To sell skincare and hair care under your own salon name, Selfnamed offers private label skincare for salons, with 200+ ready-to-brand products and no minimum orders on most of them.
Choose Salon Software for Small Business Based on Real Costs
The best salon software for small business is the one that fits your country, your team, and the way new clients find you.
Treatwell brings the strongest marketplace demand.
Booksy keeps barbers and solo stylists on one plan.
Fresha has the lowest entry price.
Phorest gives growing teams retention tools.
Zenoti handles multi-location groups.
Salonized offers a simple flat fee.
Timely serves UK and Irish salons without new-client fees.
Planity pairs a marketplace with zero commission.
Shore adds a TSE-ready till for German salons.
Look past the monthly fee. Commission, card fees, texts, and contract length decide the real cost. Then pick the tool that gives you back the most hours for the least money, and spend those hours with your clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The best salon software for small business depends on how you get new clients. Treatwell suits salons that want marketplace demand, and Booksy suits barbers and solo stylists. If your book is already full, a flat-fee tool like Planity, Shore, Salonized, or Timely avoids commission altogether.
-
Fresha usually has the lower subscription, from €11.95 a month when checked from Latvia. Treatwell's published fees run €35-€49 in the Netherlands and Germany. For new clients, Treatwell charges 25-35% of the first booking, and Fresha charges 20% where its fee applies.
-
Yes, if you take payments through an electronic till. Germany requires a certified TSE, and France requires secured till software backed by a certificate, such as NF525, or the vendor's own attestation. Treatwell and Shore offer TSE options in Germany, while Booksy and Planity include NF525-certified tills in France.
-
Treatwell and Planity both state that client data belongs to the salon. Treatwell, Fresha, and Booksy Boost charge commission only on a new client's first marketplace booking, so repeat visits stay commission-free, whether the client rebooks in the app or with you directly.
Must read