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The right salon software isn't just a luxury—it's the difference between chaos and calm in your business. When considering Boulevard vs Booksy, these two platforms stand out as top contenders, each serving distinct business needs and sizes.
Research shows that properly implemented salon software can slash administrative time by up to 40%, freeing you to focus on what you do best—creating amazing experiences for your clients.
This article breaks down how Boulevard and Booksy compare, where each one shines, and what you should know before committing your business to either platform. Ready to find out which one truly fits your needs? Let’s get into it.
Running a salon is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Every aspect—from scheduling to inventory—needs to work seamlessly. The complexity of salon management extends far beyond simple appointment booking. Modern salons must navigate intricate client relationships, manage diverse product inventories, and deliver consistent service quality while staying profitable in a competitive market.
Successful salon owners understand that technology integration is no longer optional but essential for survival. The digital transformation of the beauty industry has reshaped client expectations, with most customers now expecting the convenience of online booking, automated reminders, and personalized service experiences. Meeting these expectations requires robust systems that connect every operational aspect of your business.
Beyond basic functionality, effective salon management requires tools that provide actionable insights. Understanding which services generate the highest profit margins, which stylists have the best client retention rates, and which marketing efforts drive new business allows owners to make strategic decisions rather than guesses. This data-driven approach, including AI-driven pricing optimization, separates thriving salons from those that merely survive.
Your business can't function without these core elements:
These sound simple, but most salon owners struggle with real-world problems:
However, AI can automate staff scheduling, alleviating these headaches. Good software fixes these issues. Simple automated reminders can cut no-shows by up to 30%, while real-time inventory tracking prevents those "I thought we had that" moments.
When comparing Boulevard vs Booksy, think of it like choosing between a Swiss Army knife and a chef's knife. Both cut, but they're built for different hands and different jobs.
Boulevard is the premium sports car of salon management—built for establishments that need serious horsepower and are willing to pay for it. Developed with input from salon industry veterans, Boulevard addresses the specific challenges faced by high-volume and multi-location beauty businesses. Its comprehensive platform streamlines operations while maintaining the personalized touch that distinguishes premium salons.
What sets Boulevard apart is its commitment to addressing the entire client journey, from discovery to rebooking. The platform was designed with the understanding that client retention drives profitability in the beauty industry, where repeat business and referrals form the foundation of sustainable growth. This philosophy is evident in how Boulevard structures its features around enhancing client relationships rather than simply managing transactions.
The software also recognizes the importance of staff satisfaction in salon success. By simplifying administrative tasks and providing insights into individual performance, Boulevard helps salon professionals focus on their craft while understanding their contribution to the business. This dual focus on client experience and staff empowerment creates a virtuous cycle that drives business growth.
Boulevard fits established salons, spas, and medspas that need sophisticated tools and can invest accordingly. If you run multiple locations, Boulevard speaks your language.
Like most premium products, Boulevard comes with a premium price tag:
This isn't pocket change, and it's priced for businesses with established revenue streams.
Boulevard's cloud-based platform shines in several areas:
No rose without thorns:
Boulevard plays well with others:
Moreover, AI's impact on calendar management can further enhance synchronization and automation features.
You can make Boulevard your own with extensive customization:
For those needing help getting started, Boulevard offers premium setup assistance ($495 one-time) and data migration (from $895).
Booksy is the approachable, friendly option built for solo artists and small salons who need effective tools without the complexity. Unlike enterprise-focused solutions, Booksy originated with independent beauty professionals in mind, addressing their unique challenges of client acquisition, simple scheduling, and affordable business management.
The platform stands out for its accessibility—both in terms of cost and learning curve. Booksy recognizes that many beauty professionals entered the industry for their passion for the craft, not their love of business administration. This understanding shapes Booksy's approach to software design, focusing on intuitive interfaces that require minimal training while still delivering substantive business benefits.
Perhaps most notably, Booksy distinguishes itself by functioning as both operational software and a client acquisition platform. While most salon software focuses primarily on managing existing clients, Booksy's marketplace actively connects service providers with potential new customers searching for beauty services. This dual functionality makes it particularly valuable for professionals building their clientele or expanding into new service areas.
Booksy handles the essentials from appointment booking to keeping your finances straight.
Booksy keeps it simple: $29.99 monthly for the base subscription, plus $20 monthly per additional staff member. This grows with your business without breaking the bank.
Booksy's sweet spot includes:
Its friendly interface and affordable pricing make sense for businesses starting out or keeping things intentionally small.
Booksy brings several strong points to the table:
Booksy isn't perfect:
Booksy isn't just software—it's also a client matchmaking service. This two-sided platform connects you with new clients, making it gold for pros building their book.
Booksy was built for phones first, with apps for both businesses and clients. Perfect for on-the-go pros and clients who book while scrolling through Instagram.
For small operations focused on growth, Booksy hits the sweet spot of features and affordability. It's not the Ferrari of salon software, but not everyone needs a Ferrari to get where they're going.
The core features stack up differently:
Boulevard offers:
Booksy provides:
Boulevard dives deeper with more sophisticated tools, while Booksy focuses on doing the essentials right.
Boulevard balances power with usability through thoughtful design. Despite all its features, it's surprisingly easy to navigate.
Booksy takes simplicity as its north star—everything's straightforward, though some users notice differences between the phone and computer experiences.
Both offer mobile apps, but Boulevard maintains more consistent functionality across devices.
Boulevard was built for growth, with tools that support businesses from single locations to large chains without missing a beat.
Booksy can grow with you to a point but starts showing strain with rapidly expanding businesses. It works for small multi-location setups but lacks the sophisticated controls larger operations need.
If you have big growth plans, Boulevard gives you more runway. Booksy works well for moderate expansion goals.
Boulevard opens more doors:
Moreover, integrating AI can help streamline resource allocation for enhanced efficiency.
Booksy covers the basics:
The price difference tells a story:
Boulevard:
Booksy:
Larger operations may find Boulevard's higher price delivers better value, while smaller businesses will likely see Booksy as the more practical choice.
Both platforms offer multiple support channels, but experiences differ:
Boulevard provides business-class support with quick responses, though some mention a learning curve during initial setup.
Booksy users consistently praise the support team as helpful and responsive—many specifically mention customer service as a standout feature.
A 15-location luxury salon implemented Boulevard and saw:
They particularly valued the detailed client-tracking for remembering preferences and purchase patterns, creating more personal service and targeted marketing.
The reporting capabilities helped identify trends across all locations from one dashboard, enabling smarter business decisions based on actual data.
A new independent barber chose Booksy for its affordable price and client-finding features. Within just three months, they experienced:
The barber loved Booksy's social media integration, which turned last-minute openings into appointments and converted Instagram questions into actual bookings. This feature was key for attracting younger clients and filling schedule gaps.
The mobile app let them manage their calendar anywhere, while the affordable monthly cost ($29.99) fit perfectly into a new business budget.
These examples show how each platform serves different businesses: Boulevard for larger operations needing sophisticated tools, and Booksy for independents seeking affordable solutions with strong client acquisition features.
The salon software world is changing fast. Mobile booking, self-service, AI-driven pricing, integrated payments, and social media connections are becoming standard equipment rather than luxury add-ons.
When evaluating Boulevard vs Booksy, it's important to consider future trends. Boulevard is betting big on AI-driven personalization to create more tailored client experiences, including smart pricing and scheduling recommendations. Meanwhile, Booksy focuses on deeper social media hooks, especially with Instagram and TikTok, to capture younger clients.
Your software choice directly impacts your numbers. Salons using comprehensive solutions like Boulevard cut no-shows by up to 23% through personalized reminders. Businesses using Booksy's social features report booking increases up to 17% in just three months.
Watch for these key features:
Looking forward, AI and machine learning will play bigger roles in salon software. Predictive inventory, personalized recommendations, and smart scheduling will become table stakes.
Furthermore, leveraging technology to automate marketing reports and automate marketing plan organization can significantly improve marketing strategies. Maintaining brand consistency is crucial, and automating brand guidelines creation can assist in ensuring your marketing stays on brand.
Choosing between Boulevard vs Booksy increasingly depends on your growth plans and tech needs. Boulevard offers advanced features for larger or growing businesses, while Booksy provides an accessible entry point for smaller operations or those focused on finding clients through social channels.
Strengths
Users love Boulevard's clean, intuitive interface. Many describe it as visually appealing and easy to navigate. The client management system gets specific praise for helping create personalized service that keeps customers returning.
The analytics tools help salon owners understand their business performance and make smart decisions. For businesses with multiple locations, Boulevard's centralized management ensures consistent booking, inventory, and customer experiences everywhere.
Limitations
Price comes up most often as a pain point. Starting at $175 monthly, Boulevard represents a significant investment, especially for smaller businesses. The lack of a free trial makes it hard to test before committing.
Despite the intuitive design, some users mention a learning curve because of Boulevard's depth, particularly for staff who aren't tech-savvy.
Strengths
Affordability stands out as Booksy's most loved feature. At $29.99 monthly, it's much more wallet-friendly than Boulevard, making it attractive for small businesses.
Users consistently praise Booksy's responsive customer service, noting quick problem-solving and helpful support. Many appreciate how easily it fits into existing workflows, allowing for adoption without disruption.
The built-in loyalty program works well for keeping customers coming back. Unlike Boulevard, Booksy offers a free trial, letting businesses test drive before buying.
Limitations
Compared to Boulevard, Booksy's multi-location features are more basic, which can frustrate businesses with several locations. Some users mention occasional differences in how things work between mobile and desktop versions.
While Booksy covers the essentials, certain features lack the depth and customization available in Boulevard.
Boulevard users tend to be established businesses willing to invest in comprehensive tools. They typically feel the higher price is justified by the breadth and depth of features.
Booksy users appreciate the balance of functionality and cost. They frequently mention responsive support and ease of use as major satisfaction drivers, finding the platform offers enough features without unnecessary complexity or expense.
Boulevard works best for:
Booksy fits:
Choosing between Boulevard vs Booksy comes down to your business size and where you're headed. Boulevard serves established, high-end salons with multiple locations or complex needs that justify the investment. Its multi-location features, advanced analytics, and comprehensive tools provide sophisticated control over your operations.
Boulevard shines with:
Booksy fits independent pros, small businesses on a budget, and new salons. Its reasonable pricing and client acquisition tools make it perfect for businesses starting out or keeping things intentionally simple.
Booksy delivers:
Pick software that solves today's problems while leaving room for tomorrow's growth. For businesses planning rapid expansion or needing detailed insights, Boulevard's scalability makes sense long-term. If you're focused on building clientele and handling basics without a big investment, Booksy gives you the essential tools to get moving.
Some salon owners start with Booksy and graduate to Boulevard as they grow—balancing cost with functionality at each stage. Your specific business model, client type, growth plans, and budget will guide which platform best supports your journey.
Before deciding between Boulevard vs Booksy:
Additionally, focusing on tools that enhance scheduling efficiency and leveraging improved scheduling efficiency can optimize your appointment scheduling process. Technology, such as automating meeting scheduling, can greatly simplify processes.
Effective client management helps you track crucial customer information and enhance decision-making. Utilizing tools for automating marketing plan organization can greatly improve your marketing strategies.
The right software choice isn't just about features—it's about transforming your business operations and driving growth. A high-end salon chain might find Boulevard's comprehensive toolset worth every penny, while an independent stylist could benefit more from Booksy's affordability and client discovery features.
Take your time evaluating both options with your current needs and future goals in mind.
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