The best free booking software for hair salons and barbershops in the United States
In the US, more and more clients book from their phone: through Instagram, Google Search and Maps, or a link sent by text. Good free software should take those bookings without a cut, keep client records in order and help you respect state privacy laws. Here is how to choose in 2026.
Guide written by Saloria, one of the software options listed. Competitor data from the official pages checked from the United States on 8 November 2026; table in alphabetical order. Prices and terms may change.
The main options in the United States
| Software | Model | Cost to start | Commissions and fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booksy | Marketplace + subscription | $29.99/month + $20 per extra team member (+ tax); 14-day trial | Boost: one-time 30% of a new client’s first visit, max $100 |
| Fresha | Marketplace + subscription | Independent $19.95/month; Team $14.95 per team member/month; 7-day trial | One-time 20% on new marketplace clients (min. $6); none on returning clients |
| GlossGenius | Subscription | Standard $24/month billed annually ($28 monthly); 14-day trial | On payments, e.g. 2.9% + $0.30 for online invoicing |
| Saloria | Free and all-in-one | $0, no expiry | None |
| Square Appointments | Free plan + paid plans per location | Square Free $0; Plus $49/month per location; 30-day trial of paid plans | On payments: 2.6% + 15¢ in person on Square Free |
| Vagaro | Subscription + marketplace listing | $30/month ($23.99 for the first 6 months); $10 per extra calendar; 30-day trial | Not stated on the pricing page |
Official sources checked on 8 November 2026
What free software should do for a US salon
A booking link you can put in your Instagram bio, your Google Business Profile and your text messages; confirmations and reminders that cut no-shows; client records with visit history; and a data export whenever you need it. It should be built for stylists and barbers, with services whose durations include processing time, not a generic scheduler. If many of your clients prefer Spanish, a booking page they can read in Spanish helps too.
Free isn’t always free: watch the fees
Some platforms cost little or nothing to start but earn on new clients or on payments. Fresha’s pricing, shown in US dollars, lists a one-time 20% commission on brand-new marketplace clients, with a $6 minimum per client; Booksy’s Boost charges a one-time 30% of a new client’s first visit, up to $100. Square Free has no subscription but charges processing fees when you take a payment, while GlossGenius and Vagaro charge a monthly subscription. Saloria’s Free plan has no fee and no commission.
Privacy and client data
There is no single federal privacy law covering salon client data; several states have their own laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Whatever state you are in, your software should record consent, let you export and delete client data and store it securely. Saloria records the relevant consents, lets you export your data and does not use your clients’ data for a marketplace.
Why Saloria fits US salons
Saloria is built for hair salons and barbershops: an English interface, prices in US dollars, and a booking page and website your clients can read in English, Spanish and nine other languages. Individual professional calendars start with Basic; consultation, analysis, reports, matching and AI previews are included in every plan. Reminders go out by email, as automatic text reminders are not included today, and clients pay in the salon.
How to get started
- List where your bookings come from: phone calls, texts, Instagram, Google.
- Rule out options that charge commission on clients who already find you.
- Check consent records, data export and deletion.
- Try it free with your real services and one real appointment.
Discover Saloria features
Frequently asked questions
Is there truly free salon booking software in the US?
Yes. Saloria has a Free plan with no expiry: calendar, online booking, client records, a website and a product showcase, with no commissions. It covers up to 200 appointments a month and 200 visible clients. Square also lists Square Free with no monthly fee, with processing fees on payments.
Do free booking apps take commissions?
It depends. Marketplaces such as Fresha, and Booksy with Boost switched on, charge on the new clients they bring; payment tools charge processing fees. Saloria charges no commission on any plan.
Does Saloria send text reminders or take deposits?
Not today. Confirmations, reminders and the link to reschedule or cancel are sent by email, even on Free. Online payments are coming soon; today clients pay in the salon.
Do my clients need to download an app?
Not with Saloria: they book in the browser, from your link or from your salon website, without creating an account.
Saloria editorial team. Data checked on 8 November 2026 on the official pages listed. Features not described in those sources are not assumed to be missing.