FEATURE AND COST EQUIVALENCE
Features may have different names and package rules. This compares practical capabilities, not marketing labels.
| Compare the detail | Phorest | Salon Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Published subscription price | UK plans generally require a quotation; targeted at salons with 3+ staff. | Essentials from £29 + VAT/month for solo stylists; published team pricing. |
| Online booking | Included in Starter with deposits. | Optional in Essentials; included from Premium (from £49 + VAT/month). |
| Consultation forms | In-salon digital consultation options; pre-send forms listed within Grow or as plan-specific functionality. | Digital consultation forms included in every package, including Essentials. |
| Waiting list | Waiting list appears in Phorest feature comparison. | Waiting list available. |
| Marketing | Automated marketing in Starter; Reconnect and reputation tools in Grow. | Automated marketing and rebooking tools; check the campaign types required. |
| Staff and devices | Advertises unlimited staff and devices within its plans. | Unlimited devices; pricing depends on team size and package. |
| SMS price | UK pricing table shows 9.5p Starter, 8.2p Grow and 7p Ultimate (verify quote). | SMS priced at 6p–8p, bundles or pay-as-you-go. |
| Training and local support | Local support advertised Mon–Sat; Phorest Academy online training listed in Grow. | UK-based human support and ongoing training. |
| Exporting client data | Ask for actual export scope, format and charges on migration. | Customers can export their own data; team-run exports are a chargeable service. |
| Contract and switching | Check cancellation conditions and time spent migrating, configuring and retraining. | 12-month agreement; 30 days’ notice before the term ends. Setup £199 + VAT. |
| Card processing | Compare effective fees against your actual card mix, including fixed charges and online payments. | SalonPay rates from 0.3%, subject to individual quote; net or gross settlement. |
Prices and features vary by package, eligibility, location and quotation. Competitor information checked 24 October 2026. All illustrative commission figures exclude VAT, payment fees and service costs.
Check provider information: Official source 1 ·
Compare the current Salon Manager platform, including features, onboarding, UK support, data access and total package cost.
THE CRITICAL QUESTION WITH PHOREST
Phorest publishes quote-based plans. Its Grow tier adds pre-send consultation forms, reputation management and online gift vouchers; other tools appear in further tiers. Ask which package includes everything your team needs.
ASK BEFORE YOU BUY
Are we comparing the same features, not just the headline tier?
THE SALON MANAGER APPROACH
Salon Manager includes consultation forms in Essentials. Online booking is available as an add-on or included from Premium. Our published starting prices make the initial comparison straightforward.
WHY CUSTOMERS CHOOSE SALON MANAGER
Flexible monthly subscriptions elsewhere can be useful. But migrating data, training staff and changing routines still take time. Check the whole investment before you decide.
DETAILS WORTH CHECKING
Salon Manager Essentials starts at £29 + VAT monthly for a solo stylist, with £199 + VAT setup and a 12-month agreement. A 30-day notice period applies before the end of the term. Online bookings are optional in Essentials and included from Premium (from £49 + VAT per month). Premium Plus (from £99 + VAT per month) includes online vouchers. SMS 6p–8p each. SalonPay card rates are individually quoted from 0.3%.
Competitor terms can change. Ask providers to itemise the exact package, optional services, processing charges and cancellation conditions.
CLEAR ANSWERS
Straight answers about features, pricing and terms. Confirm current provider offers before signing.
Yes. Digital consultation forms are included in every Salon Manager package, including Essentials. Check which competitor tier contains the equivalent feature when comparing quotes.
Yes. Salon Manager offers waiting lists, team dashboards, performance reporting and commission tools. A feature can exist under a different name from a competitor’s branded version.
Salon Manager Essentials starts at £29 + VAT per month and has a £199 + VAT setup fee. Phorest provides UK pricing by quotation; ask for a like-for-like proposal covering the required tier, team, payments and implementation.
Ask about migration, data portability, staff training, client communication, onboarding time, payment fees and cancellation conditions. The effort of changing systems matters even when a subscription is flexible.
