As a salon owner or manager, you have to wear a lot of hats—even on a good hair day.
There are clients to please, staff to keep happy, and a business to run and grow. And then on top of it all, you even have to handle payroll? Something’s gotta give!
Fortunately, the right salon software with payroll can keep you from pulling out your hair (especially important if you’re you know, a hairdresser).
Salon management is A LOT, however, it doesn’t have to be. Let’s see how salon software with payroll can make a difference in your quest for global beautification and even help you focus on the next popular styles.
What is salon payroll software?
Salon software can help you with daily operations, from point of sale (POS) transactions to scheduling and all the way down to hiring. But salon software with payroll takes things a step further.
It can help you with the usual salon management tasks, but also streamline payments—invoicing, taxes, PTO, breaks, wages, and of course, paychecks. We’ll break down everything salon software with payroll is capable of throughout this post, specifically, why you need it and how to get it.
Why your software needs to cover salon payroll.
A little salon payroll assistance goes a long way, especially if it has multiple features. With the right payroll and accounting software for salons, you can:
- Deliver a better experience for your employees
- Pay in a timely fashion
- Automatically process tax filings and issue 1099s and W-2s
- Easily stay compliant with local labor laws
- Spend more time focusing on your business
You’ve got your hands full, and not just with hair. Salon software with payroll assistance can help you focus on doing what you love, and keep your hands free for styling.
How to find the right salon software with payroll.
Just like any two small businesses—or any two heads of hair—no two salon software solutions with payroll are exactly the same. But there are still steps you can take to find a solution that works for you. Make sure to bear these factors in mind when looking for the right salon payroll small business for you.
Decide who’s in charge.
You might run your business, but that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily the one in charge of the payroll. Think about your team and who makes the most sense as the one in charge, or the primary stakeholder for both the salon accounting software and handling payroll as a whole.
If it’s not you, maybe it’s a senior employee who understands the business, or maybe it’s an outside hire altogether.
Write a list of your needs.
Think about your business and what you need. Consider:
- Your team size
- Whether your employees are hourly or salary
- If you need communication features (that is, if shift changes happen frequently)
- What system integrations are critical (like existing accounting systems)
- How your business handles payment
- Frequency of paychecks
Your business may have additional use cases or needs, so go beyond the above list if necessary. And keep in mind, you might not realize additional needs until after you’ve field-tested a potential solution.
Set a budget.
Set a monthly or yearly budget for your salon payroll software. While monthly budgets are typically less work, many solutions offer a discount if you purchase one year at a time. So the extra time on figuring out your annual budget for software can be well worth it!
Explore your options.
Shop around and compare the specific features that each software offers. Keep in mind your needs to help rule out any choices early on, as there will be a lot of options. Take note of which solutions offer a trial so you can test them out before committing. And speaking of…
Test them out.
Speaking of trials, it’s essential you test out potential salon software candidates before committing to a year with any. Giving them a proper spin might mean involving your employees in the testing. It’s important they like using the platform, too!
Make a decision.
Finally, it’s time to pick one. Based on your experience, the feedback of your team, the features it offers, and the price, make a decision.
But keep in mind your decision isn’t forever! If you realize down the road that a better solution is out there, or the current one simply isn’t working, start the process over and shop around.
Implement and onboard.
While your team should have tried your potential solution out during the testing phase, proper onboarding is still crucial to your success.
Even if you involved them in the testing process, go through the software with your team and show them all the features they need to worry about. They should be familiar with punching in and out, submitting time off, inputting tax info, and how communication works within the app.
The top salon payroll software for small businesses.
There are countless salon software with payroll out there. To help you with your search, we organized our recommendations based on each platform’s pros, cons, pricing, best use case, and integrations.
Bear in mind that some of these tools were created specifically for salons and others for small businesses in general. Another great reason to test them out and see if they’re right for you!
1. Homebase
Homebase is an all-in-one HR and team management tool that helps small business owners and managers with scheduling, time tracking, payroll, HR and compliance, hiring and onboarding, employee happiness, and team communication, all at the same time.
What’s included
- Full process automation: Homebase streamlines the payroll process so you can pay your team in a matter of clicks. Instantly convert your timesheets into hours and wages in payroll, calculate wages and taxes, send correct payments, automatically process tax filings, and even receive alerts when labor laws change.
- Works on any device: Homebase meets you where you’re at, allowing you to manage operations and payroll on the go, and your team to securely punch in or out from their smartphones, manage bookings, and more.
- Many functions offered truly free: Users can access time clocks, scheduling, and POST integrations for free.
Additional considerations
- You need a paid plan for payroll and some other features: Tools for HR and compliance support, new hire paperwork, and organizing and storing documents, and others require a plan.
- Pricing is per location: If you operate several salon or spa locations, you’ll be paying additional fees.
Pricing
Homebase is unique because of our useful free plan, which even gives you access to POS and payroll integrations.
Here’s a breakdown of Homebase’s paid monthly plans:
- $24.95/month for the Essentials plan
- $59.95/month for the Plus plan
- $99.95/month for the All-in-One plan
You can add payroll onto any of those options for $39 per month, plus $6 for every active employee.
Who’s it best for?
Homebase is ideal for any salon owner or manager who’s looking for an all-in-one team management platform that’s specifically designed for small businesses and includes great payroll features. And, you can get started anytime for free.
Integrations
Homebase connects with payroll tools you might already be using for POS, accounting, or hiring, such as:
- Square
- Shopify
- Quickbooks
- Wells Fargo
- Square Payroll
2. Vagaro
Vagaro is a booking and business management software specifically for salons, spas, barber shops, and fitness centers. Their features allow users to manage payroll, organize employee calendars, book clients online, accept payments, build websites, and even launch marketing strategies with email and text.
What’s included*
- Flexible payroll function: Pay employees based on an hourly rate or your salon commission rates.
- Created for the wellness and beauty industry: Owners can create customizable commission tiers for their employees based on the specific services and products their salon offers.
- Easy access to employee pay stubs and payment history.
Additional considerations*
- You can’t pay for access to specific features, like payroll: If payroll or invoicing is all you need, you still have to pay the regular subscription price to use it.
- No free plan: Vagaro offers a free month-long trial, but they charge per employee booking calendar after that.
- No HR or compliance features.
Pricing*
Vagaro plans currently start at $30 a month and go up $10 for every employee who makes client appointments with their online booking calendar.
Who’s it best for?
Vagaro works well for salon and spa owners who pay their employees a commission and want their payroll tool to show how much money their staff brings in.
Integrations*
You can integrate Vagaro with payroll and accounting tools like:
- Excel
- Outlook
- Quickbooks
- Gusto
- Xero
- Plaid
*As of June 2024
3. Fresha
Fresha is a booking software for salons and spas that offers appointment scheduling, payment processing, POS tools, marketing promotions, inventory management, and reports and analytics.
What’s included*
- Subscription-free platform: Fresha is designed specifically for salons and spas and all you have to do is sign up to get started and use the platform.
- Unlimited locations and client bookings: As you grow and add locations, you can operate them all with one Fresha account. You can also use it to book unlimited clients.
Additional considerations*
- No dedicated payroll feature: You can use this beauty salon accounting software to track your sales, payment types, taxes, reports, commissions, and tips. But they don’t currently offer a timesheet feature for payroll, so you’ll have to export your data to an accounting tool.
- Optional paid features: Fresha also offers payment processing, new client marketing, and a promotional texts and emails feature
Pricing*
For these, you’ll pay:
- A 2.79% + $0.20 processing fee for every payment transaction
- A 20% commission fee for every new client
- $0.08 per blast text you send with Fresha
- $0.02 per email you sent with Fresha
Who’s it best for?
Fresha may be a great option if you’re looking for a platform that helps you manage sales and fill and manage appointments, with tools to help you market to new clients, track inventory, and schedule appointments.
Integrations*
With Fresha, you can export your data to salon accounting software like:
- Excel
- Quickbooks
- Xero
*As of June 2024
4. Square
The Square Payroll add-on allows you to do automatic time tracking, file payroll taxes, and receive payroll support. And, it integrates with Square’s POS and team management tools.
What’s included*
- Integratates with hundreds of third party tools, including Homebase
- Payroll processing with your phone
- Calculate and process payroll in a few quick steps
Additional considerations*
- Payroll is an add-on, not a core part of the Square POS ($35 + $65/person)
- Time tracking involves set up via the POS or Square Team app
Pricing*
- The Contractors Only plan: Charges you a $6 monthly fee for each person paid.
- Their Employees and Contractors plan: Charges you a $35 monthly subscription fee and a $6 monthly fee for each person paid.
You’ll have to pay those fees in addition to what you might already be paying for Square POS or Square Team.
Who’s it best for?
Salon and spa owners and managers who use the Square POS.
Integrations*
Square integrates with accounting and tax reporting tools like:
- Xero
- Kashoo
- OneUp
- Hurdir
- TaxJar
- Quickbooks
*As of June 2024
5. GlossGenius
GlossGenius is a salon software with payroll assistance that lets salons and beauty businesses manage their appointments, payments, and marketing services.
What’s included*
- No per-member pricing: GlossGenius offers calendar capabilities for multiple salon employees and doesn’t charge per member.
- A range of features: Users get access to online booking calendars, POS tools, messaging tools, reports and analytics, marketing tools, and a mobile app.
- Customer support options: GlossGenius offers customer support that you can access via phone, text, or email.
Additional considerations*
- No comprehensive payroll feature: GlossGenius doesn’t offer time tracking or payroll tools, so you’ll have to download your sales report from the app and export it to a third-party accounting tool.
- No free plan: GlossGenius currently has a 14-day free trial, but they don’t offer a free plan, so you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription to access any of their features.
- No HR or compliance feature: GlossGenius doesn’t offer tax, HR, or compliance solutions.
Pricing*
GlossGenius’s Standard plan is $24 a month, and they also have an Exclusive plan that’s $48 a month. They also offer a 14-day trial.
Who’s it best for?
GlossGenius is best for salon and spa owners who need to upgrade their booking system but don’t need a robust payroll feature.
Integrations*
GlossGenius doesn’t currently offer integrations with accounting or payroll tools, so you’ll have to download your sales reports and calendar data to import it manually to the platform of your choice.
6. Rosy
Rosy is the first cloud-based salon and management tool to exist. It covers salon operations and appointment scheduling with online appointment booking, text and email comms, ecommerce options, inventory management, and reports and analytics.
What’s included*
- A platform made by former salon and spa owners: The Rosy founders are former salon owners and designed the platform with real-world salon and spa issues in mind.
- Tools for commission employees: Like Vagaro, you can use Rosy to create detailed commission reports for both flat-rate commission employees and employees on a commission scale basis.
- Time tracking: Rosy allows employees to clock in and out on their platform, and it lets managers control who has the ability to do so.
Additional considerations*
- Charges per booking calendar: Like Vagaro, Rosy’s Standard plan charges a fee for every booking calendar that your stylists and technicians use. To access all of Rosy’s features, you need to upgrade to a Premium plan.
- No payroll features: Rosy doesn’t offer payroll, tax, or HR and compliance services.
- No free plan: Similar to GlossGenius, Square, and Vagaro, Rosy offers a free trial but doesn’t offer a free plan.
Pricing*
Rosy offers a 30-day free trial. If you want to upgrade to a Standard plan, you’ll pay:
- $29/month for one booking calendar
- $84/month for five to 10 booking calendars
- $119/month for 21 or more booking calendars
For the Premium plan, you’ll pay:
- $37/month for one booking calendar
- $1116/month for five to 10 booking calendars
- $212/month for 21 or more booking calendars
Who is it best for?
Rosy is best for salon and spa owners who have experience with salon management tools and whose salons and spas are growing quickly.
If scaling is more important to you than automating payment or management tools, Rosy could be for you.
Integrations*
Rosy doesn’t integrate directly with accounting, payroll, or tax tools, so you’ll have to export the data from your commission reports to another platform.
*As of June 2024
6 salon accounting and bookkeeping software to consider.
Beyond the above salon software with payroll options, there are several additional accounting and bookkeeping software options to consider. Keep in mind that not all of these are made specifically for the salons or spas.
| Company logo | Company name | Features | Ideal for |
 |
Mangomint |
|
Salons and spas looking to offer ongoing memberships for patrons. |
 |
Phorest |
|
Ideal for growing salons in need of additional market and growth support, not just finance. |
 |
Zoho Books |
|
Businesses in need of additional business management services, such as inventory management and online payment processing. |
 |
Excel |
|
Those looking to save costs and comfortable running their own payroll. |
 |
NetSuite |
|
Small-to-midsize businesses already using the other NetSuite platforms. |
 |
Sage Intacct |
|
Great for small-to-midsize businesses that need more advanced financial reporting features and collaboration with other stakeholders. |
Other considerations for salon owners and managers.
We know that payroll isn’t the only thing salon owners and managers need to think about. You have to hire and train new staff, organize employee schedules, and communicate with your team to make sure everyone is on the same page, because hey, you’re the one in charge.
Consider the following when looking at solutions, and try to find one that checks all these boxes.
- Hiring support: Save yourself time in the hiring process and find a tool that helps with this. For instance, Homebase offers hiring and onboarding support with a library of job description templates.
- Scheduling support: The right tool should help with scheduling and accordingly offer suggestions for ways to fill your schedule. Homebase scheduling helps you build, distribute, and communicate schedules from one platform.
- Communication tools: Being able to quickly communicate shift changes or store updates is crucial, and your software should help. Homebase offers a team communication app that streamlines all of this and more.
- Safety and compliance tools: Compliance and safety go hand in hand, and your software should help. Homebase offers employee handbook creation support, and further support through Homebase HR Pro.
Don’t settle for payroll assistance alone. Find a tool that checks every box possible and helps you focus on doing what you love and growing your business, all at the same time.
It’s time to update your payroll tracking system.
As the owner of a salon, of course you do a little bit of everything. We love that for you—but we also want you to be able to maintain control over your time. That’s why we’ve created a salon software with payroll, great employee experience, and scheduling assistance: to basically help you do just that.
Find time to focus on business by letting software do some heavy lifting rather than yourself.
With Homebase, you can automate punch in and out reminders, use autopayroll to free up precious time, turn timesheets into paychecks in a few clicks, easily comply with FLSA recordkeeping, and altogether manage your team better.
Check it out for free right now. It’s worth your keen eye!
Remember: This is not legal advice. If you have questions about your particular situation, please consult a lawyer, CPA, or other appropriate professional advisor or agency.
