The Sticker Price Is a Lie
Most salon software vendors advertise a monthly subscription price that sounds reasonable — $29, $49, $79/month. But by the time you've added your actual use case, that number has often tripled. This guide breaks down the full cost of ownership across the major platforms so you can compare apples to apples.
The Five Cost Buckets
When evaluating any salon software, look at all five:
- Base subscription — the advertised monthly fee
- Per-location or per-staff fees — the multiplier most vendors bury in pricing pages
- Add-on modules — payroll, marketing, forms, inventory often sold separately
- Payment processing rate — often 2.6%–3.5%+ per transaction
- Hardware costs — card readers, terminals, iPads, receipt printers
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
Vagaro
Starts at $30/month for one bookable calendar, but adds $10/month per additional calendar. A salon with 6 staff members is at $80/month before add-ons. Email marketing ($20/month), forms ($10/month), and check-in app ($10/month) push a realistic mid-size salon to $120–$160/month. Processing rate: 2.75% card-present.
Mindbody
The most expensive in the market — Starter plan at $129/month, Accelerate at $259/month, Ultimate at $349/month. Staff limit varies by tier. Processing through Mindbody Payments or third-party (higher rates apply). Hardware must be purchased separately. Realistic annual spend for a mid-size spa: $4,000–$6,000+.
Boulevard
Premier tier at $175/month per location is the minimum for most salon features. Add payroll ($49/month), and a two-location salon is at $800/month before processing. Boulevard's processing rates start at 2.45% but vary by plan.
Square for Salons
Free tier is available but severely limited — no staff management, no commission tracking. The Plus plan at $29/month per location adds team features. Square's processing at 2.6% + $0.10 per swipe adds up fast at high volume. Payroll is an additional $35/month + $6/employee.
Santurg
Single plan at $79/month includes unlimited staff, all core features (scheduling, POS, payroll, CRM, inventory, forms, email marketing), and one location. Multi-location pricing available. Processing through Stripe at 2.7% card-present. No per-seat fees. No module fees for core features.
Real-World Cost Comparison: 6-Staff Salon
Let's model a salon with 6 service providers, processing $40,000/month in services and $5,000/month in retail.
| Platform | Monthly Sub | Processing (est.) | Total/Mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vagaro | $130 | $1,238 | $1,368 |
| Mindbody | $259 | $1,350 | $1,609 |
| Boulevard | $224 | $1,103 | $1,327 |
| Square | $99 | $1,170 | $1,269 |
| Santurg | $79 | $1,215 | $1,294 |
What You Should Actually Ask During a Demo
- What's the cost per additional staff member or location?
- What features require a paid add-on vs. included in base?
- What hardware do I need and where do I buy it?
- What's the payment processing rate — and is there a monthly minimum?
- What does onboarding cost and how long does it take?
The lowest subscription fee doesn't mean the lowest total cost. Run the full model for your actual volume and staff count before deciding.