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Software · head to head

Salonist vs SpotOn

Salonist logo

Salonist

Software

Complete salon software from India

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SpotOn logo

SpotOn

Software

Restaurant tech that works as hard as you

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Salonist has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Salonist free plan limited to 50 appointments per month; SpotOn credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users
  • They diverge on capability: Salonist covers Appointment booking, SpotOn covers Cloud POS.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Salonist and SpotOn actually diverge.

Attributes where Salonist and SpotOn differ
AttributeSalonistSpotOn
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2017).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Salonist

  • Appointment booking
  • Billing & invoicing
  • Inventory management
  • Staff management
  • GST compliance
  • Marketing automation
  • Business analytics
  • Razorpay

Only in SpotOn

  • Cloud POS
  • Online ordering
  • Reservations
  • Marketing tools
  • Reporting
  • DoorDash
  • Google
  • Yelp

Both cover

  • Loyalty programs
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Salonist

  • Indian salon managementnot SpotOn
  • GST billingnot SpotOn
  • Customer loyaltynot SpotOn
  • Inventory controlnot SpotOn

SpotOn

  • Point of Salenot Salonist
  • Order Managementnot Salonist
  • Inventory Controlnot Salonist
  • Staff Schedulingnot Salonist

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Salonist

  • Free plan limited to 50 appointments per month
  • Pricing listed in AED (UAE currency) with regional variations
  • Offline capabilities not clearly documented for mobile app
  • Advanced AI features (AI Automation Marketing) only on Expert plan

SpotOn

  • Credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users
  • System crashes and lost tickets in high-volume restaurants
  • Customer tabs can disappear from system, resulting in lost revenue
  • Menu edits live only in back office; no real-time updates to handhelds
  • Limited hardware options with no direct accessory purchases available

Pricing, plan by plan

Salonist

Free
  • Marketplace ListingFree
    • 50 appointments/month
    • Online booking
    • Staff scheduling
  • Essential$2900/year
    • Point of Sale
    • Sales reports
    • Customer history
  • Advance$4180/year
    • All Essential features
    • Customer surveys and loyalty
    • Gift cards and campaigns
  • Expert$6580/year
    • All Advance features
    • Multi-branch management
    • Dedicated account manager

SpotOn

On request
  • All-In PlanFree
    • Hardware included
    • Card present: 2.79% + $0.20
    • Keyed: 3.79% + $0.20
  • POS Essentials$55/month
    • Best value
    • Card present: 2.45% + $0.15
    • Hardware discounted

Which should you pick?

Choose Salonist if

  • You need appointment booking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want billing & invoicing.
Salonist review

Choose SpotOn if

  • You need cloud pos.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want online ordering.
SpotOn review

Questions people ask

Is Salonist or SpotOn better?
Neither clearly leads. Salonist starts at Free and SpotOn at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Salonist or SpotOn?
Salonist has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Salonist and On request for SpotOn.
Does Salonist or SpotOn run on more platforms?
Salonist runs on Web, Ios, Android. SpotOn runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Salonist for free?
Yes. Salonist has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SpotOn starts at On request.
What is Salonist best used for?
Salonist is most often used for indian salon management, gst billing, customer loyalty, inventory control. Of those, indian salon management and gst billing are not what SpotOn is typically brought in for.
What can Salonist do that SpotOn cannot?
Salonist covers Appointment booking, Billing & invoicing, Inventory management, Staff management. SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Online ordering, Reservations, Marketing tools. Both handle Loyalty programs, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Salonist: Does Salonist offer a free plan?

Salonist offers a free Marketplace Listing plan with 50 appointments/month, online booking, staff scheduling, and marketplace access. Unlimited staff are included on every plan.

Source
SpotOn: What hardware does SpotOn require?

SpotOn provides proprietary hardware including countertop terminals (Station 15 at $750), tableside handhelds ($297), and kitchen display systems. All hardware is included with the All-In Plan or purchased separately with other plans.

Source
Salonist: What features are included in the Essential plan?

Essential ($2,900 AED/year or approximately $59/month) includes Point of Sale, sales reports, customer history, coupon management, retail product and expense tracking, automated reminders, memberships, e-wallet, and staff commission tracking.

Source
SpotOn: Does SpotOn have online ordering?

Yes, SpotOn offers commission-free online ordering with a white-label app option and integration into their Core Bundle. The system supports QR code ordering and digital menus.

Source
Salonist: Does Salonist support multiple locations?

Multi-branch management is available on the Expert plan ($6,580 AED/year) with centralized reporting and a dedicated account manager.

Source
SpotOn: What payment processing fees does SpotOn charge?

Fees vary by plan. All-In Plan: 2.79% + $0.20 for card-present transactions. POS Essentials: 2.45% + $0.15. Business or custom plans offer negotiated rates.

Source
Salonist: What payment gateways does Salonist support?

Salonist integrates with multiple payment gateways including Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, and other regional providers. The Advance plan and above include multiple payment integration options.

Source
Salonist: Does Salonist have a mobile app?

Yes, Salonist offers mobile apps for iOS and Android allowing clients to browse services, check prices, view customer reviews, and book appointments.

Source
Salonist: What is included in the Advance plan?

Advance ($4,180 AED/year or approximately $109/month) adds customer survey management, loyalty rewards, gift cards, SMS/email campaigns, inventory management, lead management system, and advanced onboarding to Essential features.

Source
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