Boulevard vs salonMonster

Boulevard is a client experience and business management platform for appointment-based self-care businesses, including salons, medspas, spas, barbers, massage businesses and nail salons. Clients can book through a business website or social media. Precision Scheduling is designed to manage calendars and reduce appointment gaps, while Beau AI answers calls, helps clients book and captures leads 24/7. Marketing features include email campaigns, text marketing, two-way texting and SMS appointment notifications. The platform also lists appointment reminders, intake forms, waitlists, inventory tracking, resource booking, payments and multi-location support. Integrations include Google and Apple calendars, Shopify, QuickBooks Online, Okta and Zapier, plus booking links for Facebook, Instagram and Google. Boulevard offers role-based permissions, IP restrictions and staff activity logs. An onboarding specialist can help configure locations, services and staff accounts; training is available through Boulevard Academy. It runs on Android, iOS and the web, with pricing from $143/mo. Processing payments requires a modern computer or laptop, an iPad, broadband internet and Boulevard Duo.

salonMonster handles salon booking, payments, client records and reporting through web, mobile apps, hosted booking pages and APIs. Clients can book online around the clock, while salons control eligible services and clients, lead times, cancellations and approvals. Client records can store colour and service history, no-shows, communication history and work photos. Plans include email and SMS appointment reminders and confirmations, plus bulk email marketing. Operational tools cover inventory counts, backbar tracking, automatic reordering and point-of-sale tracking. The integrated payment system works with salonMonster accounts, has no monthly processing fee and lists Stripe-powered processing; the company says it is PCI compliant. Records for clients, bookings, sales, services, products and staff can be exported to CSV at no charge. salonMonster offers free client migration and says it can import colour formulas and appointment history. Pricing starts at $30 a month, with $15/mo per additional staff member; 7+ staff is $120/mo. A 14-day trial is listed, and beauty students and schools can request free education accounts.