Running a hair salon means juggling scissors, styling products, and a constantly ringing phone—all at once. Building a custom online booking system sounds like the perfect solution, but most salon owners assume app development requires expensive developers or months of technical learning. The reality is that without a streamlined scheduling tool, you're losing clients to competitors who let customers book with a tap instead of a phone call.
That's where Adalo comes in. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. For salon owners ready to modernize their booking process, this means you can create a professional, branded appointment system that works exactly how your business needs it to—without writing a single line of code.

Why Adalo Is Perfect for Building Your Salon Booking App
Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This means you can create a professional booking system for your hair salon that reaches clients wherever they are—on their phones, tablets, or computers—without writing a single line of code or hiring expensive developers.
Having your booking app available in both app stores gives your salon a competitive edge. Clients can download your branded app directly to their phones, receive push notifications about upcoming appointments, and book their next cut or color with just a few taps. This level of accessibility keeps your salon top-of-mind and turns one-time visitors into loyal, repeat customers.
Are you still answering phones and scribbling appointment times into a physical calendar? Every minute spent on manual scheduling is time you could spend styling hair, training your team, or growing your business. An online booking system schedules appointments for you—freeing your hands for the work that actually generates revenue.
Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, makes creating your own custom booking system easier than ever. With visual development tools and pre-built components, salon owners can build professional booking apps tailored to their specific needs without any coding experience. One build publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Android Play Store simultaneously.
Benefit 1: Save Time and Schedule Appointments with Ease
Your customers can book appointments directly from your system in seconds by clicking a few buttons. When customers confirm their appointment times, your booking system automatically enters them into your online calendar, eliminating the risk of misplacing your physical scheduling book or double-booking clients.
Today, more business happens online than ever before. Millennials and Generation Z both prefer to schedule online, not over the phone. Appealing to these generations with an online booking system helps you lock them down as long-term customers. Salons still relying on phone-only booking are actively losing business to competitors who've modernized.
The time savings compound quickly. Instead of interrupting a haircut to answer the phone, your booking system handles scheduling 24/7—even while you sleep. Customers appreciate the convenience, and you appreciate the uninterrupted workflow.
Benefit 2: Better Communication
Most online booking systems come with a built-in messaging tool. You can use this tool to chat with your customers within the booking system itself. A messenger allows for quick communication between you and your customers without the chaos of scattered text threads.
Your customers will appreciate being able to message you directly through your booking system. Customers won't have to scroll through their SMS or WhatsApp histories to find your salon—they'll reach out with a few simple taps. As a bonus, messaging within your own booking system makes your salon appear more professional and established.
You'll also be able to send automated reminders to customers about their upcoming appointments. This feature alone can dramatically reduce no-shows. Studies show that appointment reminders sent 24 hours in advance cut no-show rates significantly—protecting your revenue and keeping your schedule full.
Benefit 3: You Can Do More Than Just Book Appointments
Most online booking systems come with features and tools that do more than you think. When you get an online booking system, the number of additional features will surprise you. Here are just a few extras that you might get:
- Email marketing integrations that let you send newsletters to your customers
- Analytics integrations so you can see how often your customers visit and how much they spend
- Payment integrations to platforms like Stripe, PayPal, and Square—letting customers pay with a convenient press of a button
- Inventory management features that track when you need to replenish stock, so you'll never run out of product mid-appointment
Booking software will not just save you time but also streamline your operations. Customers appreciate well-managed, professional businesses. Most likely, they'll refer you to their friends and colleagues—which is always good for business.
What to Look for In A Booking Platform
We're confident that you're sold on getting online booking software. But with so many choices out there, selecting a booking system might seem challenging. We've reviewed the major options and identified what matters most.
Users must be able to get a good idea of how a booking system works before making a commitment, and a booking system must offer stellar communication between your team and your clients. We picked our top booking software with the following in mind:
- Each booking system comes with a free trial. Use this period to learn all the booking system's ins and outs and determine if it's a good fit. With a free trial, you avoid spending money on a system you know nothing about.
- Reminders and confirmations about booking times are crucial to solid communications, so the booking systems we chose come with their own internal messaging platforms. Sending reminders 24 hours in advance about appointments reduces no-shows significantly.
- Setting up and using these booking systems requires no technical, programming, or computer skills. To use these systems, you either create your very own app using a codeless drag-and-drop interface or create a profile like setting up an Instagram or Facebook account. You'll be amazed at how quickly you'll have your booking system up and running.
The following are four solid booking management software programs that we recommend:
Adalo
Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that uses a drag-and-drop interface so you can build your very own booking app for your salon. You need zero coding, technical, or programming skills to use the platform.
When you choose Adalo, you'll be able to tailor your booking system to your salon's brand, and you'll also be able to make it available to your customers via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. If you want full control over the look, feel, and function of your booking system, this is the choice for you.
The platform's agnostic builder lets you publish the same app to the web, native iOS, and native Android—all without writing a line of code or rebuilding. Over 3 million apps have been created on Adalo, with the visual builder described as "easy as PowerPoint." Magic Start generates complete app foundations from a simple description—tell it you need a booking app for your salon, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically.
For salons planning mass distribution through the app stores' vast marketplaces, Adalo offers significant advantages over web-only builders. Paid plans include unlimited database records with no usage-based charges, meaning no surprise bills as your customer base grows. The modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users.
Pricing: Start using Adalo for $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing.
DaySmart Salon
DaySmart Salon is an all-in-one software solution for your salon. You'll get more than just booking software because DaySmart lets you process payments, track analytics, and leverage an inventory management system. If you want a booking system that also helps you manage your salon operations, DaySmart Salon might be a good fit.
The platform focuses specifically on salon and spa businesses, with features designed around industry-specific workflows. Staff scheduling, commission tracking, and client history are built into the core experience.
Pricing: While DaySmart Salon's basic version starts at $29/month, you'll need to upgrade to the deluxe version at $69/month for payment processing and digital forms.
Booksy
Booksy features appointment scheduling and staff management. You'll be able to assign shifts and keep track of wage and salary information. For marketing, Booksy has social media integrations that allow you to manage your social media content and campaigns in one place. If you're looking for a booking system that contributes to your marketing efforts, give Booksy a shot.
The platform also includes a marketplace where potential customers can discover your salon, providing an additional channel for new client acquisition beyond your existing marketing efforts.
Pricing: Booksy starts at $29.99/month but charges an extra $20 per additional user. If you have a big team, Booksy can get expensive quickly.
Mangomint
Mangomint is designed for salons with medium-sized teams and above. Its booking features allot specific tools or services, like a hydrofacial machine or a laser hair removal system, to certain times. This feature ensures special services aren't double booked. If you're a big or growing salon with unique services that can only be used by one client at a time, check out Mangomint.
The platform emphasizes automation and smart scheduling, reducing the manual work required to manage complex service menus and equipment dependencies.
Pricing: Mangomint is the priciest booking software on our list, with the cheapest option starting at $165/month. If you have a huge team, Mangomint might offer more value at $375/month for unlimited users.
Comparing Your Options
| Platform | Starting Price | Best For | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adalo | $36/month | Custom branded apps, App Store publishing | Requires building your own app |
| DaySmart Salon | $29/month | All-in-one salon management | $69/month for full features |
| Booksy | $29.99/month | Marketing integrations, marketplace | $20/month per additional user |
| Mangomint | $165/month | Large teams, equipment scheduling | High price point |
Conclusion: Better Customer Communication
When you choose your system, you'll need to inform your clients that you're taking online bookings and make sure they know how to book appointments. While switching over to your new booking solution might take a little effort, your clients will most likely find it easier and more convenient than before.
By using an online booking system, you'll be able to spend more time on your trade. An online booking system will serve you like a good employee, changing your salon's scheduling and operations for the better. The investment in setup pays dividends every day in saved time and reduced no-shows.
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions? | Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically. |
| What's the fastest way to build and publish a salon booking app to the App Store? | Adalo's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building let you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. The platform handles the complex App Store submission process, so you can focus on your app's features and user experience instead of wrestling with certificates and store guidelines. |
| Can I easily create a custom booking system for my salon? | Yes, with Adalo's AI-powered app builder, you can easily create a custom booking system for your salon. Using the drag-and-drop interface, you can build a professional booking app tailored to your brand without any coding experience, allowing customers to schedule appointments directly from their phones. |
| How does an online booking system reduce no-shows at my salon? | Online booking systems come with built-in messaging tools that allow you to send automated reminders to customers about their upcoming appointments. Sending reminders 24 hours in advance significantly reduces no-shows, keeping your schedule full and your revenue consistent. |
| What additional features can I get with salon booking software? | Beyond appointment scheduling, most booking systems offer email marketing integrations for newsletters, analytics to track customer visits and spending, payment processing through Stripe, PayPal, and Square, and inventory management features. These tools help streamline your entire salon operations in one place. |
| Why do millennials and Gen Z prefer online booking systems? | Millennials and Generation Z prefer to schedule appointments online rather than over the phone. Having an online booking system appeals to these generations and helps you lock them down as loyal customers, keeping you ahead of competitors still using outdated phone-based scheduling. |
| Do I need technical or coding skills to set up a salon booking system? | No technical, programming, or coding skills are required to set up modern booking systems. With platforms like Adalo, you can create your own app using a codeless drag-and-drop interface, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you can have your booking system up and running. |
| How much does it cost to build a salon booking app? | Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and no record limits on paid plans. DaySmart Salon starts at $29/month but requires $69/month for full features. Booksy starts at $29.99/month plus $20 per additional team member. Mangomint starts at $165/month for larger teams. |











