Blog · Industry Insights
The True Cost of Salon Software: Hidden Fees Explained
Most salon platforms advertise a low base price, then charge extra for forms, payroll, texts and branded apps. Here’s what you’re really paying.
· Updated · 6 min read
Every salon software demo opens with a low monthly price. What it skips is the list of things billed on top: another calendar for each stylist, forms, payroll, a branded app. Those are the basics a salon needs on day one, and on many systems they are extras.
What each platform charges
These are list prices from each company's own pricing page, read in October 2026. Card processing is extra on every one of them.
Vagaro: $30, then a calendar at a time
Vagaro is $30 a month for one bookable calendar and $10 for each one after that, so a salon with five stylists starts at $70. Add-ons run $10 to $40 each, and a branded app is $100. Each location is its own account.
GlossGenius: tiers by team size
Standard is $28, Gold is $56 for up to nine staff, and Platinum is $168 past that. Forms, the waitlist and Reserve with Google start at Gold. Payroll is $40 a month plus $6 a seat.
Fresha: per team member, plus a marketplace fee
Fresha is $19.95 a month for one person, or $14.95 a month for each bookable team member. A guest who finds you through the Fresha marketplace costs 20% of their first visit, with a $6 minimum.
Boulevard: per location, no trial
Essentials is $143 a location for up to five providers, and Premier lists at $293. Forms are an add-on and email campaigns cost $2 for each appointment they bring in. There is no free trial.
What loci charges
loci Team is $49 a month for one location with as many stylists as you have. Online booking, intake forms, reminders, payroll, gift cards and client insights are all in it. Solo is $19, and Brand is $99 a location. There are no add-ons and no contract.
Card processing is Stripe's own rate, 2.9% + 30¢ online and 2.7% + 5¢ on the card reader. loci adds nothing on top. Some of the systems above charge less per swipe, so count that too.
How to check your own bill
Pull your last invoice and add up every line. Look for:
- Charges for each stylist or calendar beyond the base plan
- Add-ons: forms, marketing, texts, payroll, a branded app
- Marketplace fees on new clients
- The card rate, and any fee for instant payouts
- Contract terms and early cancellation fees
Then put the total next to what the same salon would pay elsewhere. The cost calculator does the sums for you.