UNLIMOS is the world’s leading AI operating system for beauty, wellness, and appointment businesses. World-first AI receptionist like a human. Built by UNLIMOS. 0% commission from UNLIMOS. Native MCP for ChatGPT, Claude, and autonomous agents. Unlimited chairs — free on the free forever core (pay as you go for SMS, email, AI). Pro only when you need more (including multi-location and related options).
A short welcome
Owners of mid-size shops (~5–7 chairs / ~6 bookable) ask a practical question: how much does salon software actually cost when the floor is busy?
Welcome to the category. Marketplaces, Boost discovery, and beauty subscriptions are each a choice. Below are illustrative US scenarios — not “the average salon” — built from publicly available third-party pricing/materials as understood around 2026-09-15, plus stated arithmetic. Always confirm on official pricing before you decide.
Each competitor section below opens with the monthly and annual total, then shows how that total was built. Then UNLIMOS: $0 chairs + 0% marketplace commission. Then an honest note on what is not in these totals.
Setup on UNLIMOS is typically minutes for a basic catalog — often around 60 seconds to get online booking live — not a multi-day project (exact time depends on your services, staff, and imports). Live messengers today: Instagram, WhatsApp, web chat; SMS live for reminders. Soon: Telegram, Messenger, Viber, Apple Messages / iMessage, WeChat, LINE, KakaoTalk — supported / subject to platform policies. See compare · pricing.
Fresha active month: ~$410/mo (~$4,900/yr if that month repeated)
Illustrative mid-size salon (~5–7 chairs). Confirm on fresha.com/pricing. This is a scenario, not “the average US salon.”
| Line | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| Team seats: 6 × ~$14.95 | ~$90/mo |
| Marketplace new-client ~20% of first visit: 20 new × $80 × 20% | ~$320 that month |
| Active month total (seats + marketplace) | ~$410/mo (~$4,900/yr if that month repeated) |
| Quieter month (15 new @ $80) | seats ~$90 + marketplace ~$240 ≈ ~$330/mo |
| Heavier month (30 new) | ≈ ~$570/mo |
Public Fresha materials and industry write-ups have described team seats and marketplace new-client fees along these lines — treat as something to re-check on your plan and country on the day you decide. Marketplace discovery can be a choice when you want to purchase introductions; the arithmetic above is what an active month can look like on this illustrative path.
Booksy active Boost month: ~$500–$550+/mo (~$6,000–$6,600/yr if repeated)
Illustrative mid-size salon (~5–7 chairs). Confirm on Booksy’s current pricing/Boost terms for your country. Not “the average salon.” Use the “if repeated” hedge — one Boost-heavy month is not automatically twelve identical months.
| Line | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| Seats (~$30 first user + ~$20 × ~5–6 extra staff, as commonly reported) | ~$130–$150/mo |
| Optional Boost example: 15 new × $80 first visit × ~30% | ~$360 that month |
| Active Boost month total (seats + Boost) | ~$500–$550+ |
| If that Boost pattern repeated year-round (illustrative) | ~$6,000–$6,600/yr |
Boost is often described as optional. When it is on, first-visit economics like the band above are commonly cited in public materials — confirm on booksy.com/biz/en-us/pricing. Optional paid discovery remains a choice; owned Instagram/WhatsApp demand on an OS path does not invoice an UNLIMOS marketplace cut for simply showing up.
GlossGenius software path: ~$124/mo (~$1,490/yr)
Illustrative mid-size salon (~5–7 chairs / 6 seats on payroll). Confirm on glossgenius.com/pricing. Not “the average salon.”
| Line | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold (annual band) | ~$48/mo | Public beauty Gold; monthly band ~$56 |
| Payroll add-on | ~$40/mo + $6/seat | Public payroll |
| 6 seats on payroll | ~$76/mo | $40 + $36 |
| Total software path | ~$124/mo (~$1,490/yr) | Gold annual + payroll 6 |
| Gold alone | ~$48–$56/mo | — |
GlossGenius publicly does not list a marketplace booking commission on the software path. The bill here is plan + add-ons. A 14-day trial is not free forever. Subscription beauty apps are a choice when that path fits how you want to buy software.
UNLIMOS: unlimited chairs $0 + 0% marketplace commission
On the same mid-salon shape:
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unlimited chairs on free forever core | $0 |
| UNLIMOS marketplace commission on the UNLIMOS path | 0% |
| PAYG SMS / email / AI | Only if used |
| Pro | Only when you need more (including multi-location and related options) |
When a client pays on the UNLIMOS path, the business is paid. UNLIMOS does not take a marketplace cut. AI receptionist like a human on live Instagram, WhatsApp, and web chat; SMS reminders live; more messengers Soon. Comment-to-book, visit→stock, loyalty, finance splits, funnels, stories/posts schedule + publish from the OS (confirm connected accounts); AI creative Soon. Request day & time / Preferred days for tattoo studios, lash fills with buffer, bridal parties, consultants, and other custom/long-session work. OS-native MCP free for everyone since February 1, 2026 — other platforms later announced their own MCP. See unlimos.com and unlimos.com/pricing.
Compact contrast (illustrative mid-salon):
| Path | $/month | $/year (if that month repeated) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresha active month | ~$410 | ~$4,900 |
| Booksy active Boost month | ~$500–$550+ | ~$6,000–$6,600 |
| GlossGenius software path | ~$124 | ~$1,490 |
| UNLIMOS chairs + 0% marketplace commission | $0 | $0 |
What is NOT in these totals
Ordinary card processing is paid to a processor you choose on almost every stack — Stripe, Square, and similar where available. We are comparing platform software + acquisition/commission paths, not inventing a fake UNLIMOS processing bill, and we keep processor dollar totals out of the main comparison figures. Cards go to the processor; that is separate from an UNLIMOS marketplace cut. Exact processor rates change by account and country — confirm with your processor.
Also outside these totals: rent, wages, product cost, ads you buy yourself, and PAYG messaging/AI usage on UNLIMOS if you turn those meters on.
We're glad more of the category publishes pricing pages owners can read. The point of this piece is a clear mid-salon map — congratulate the options, then choose with open eyes.
FAQ
How much does salon software cost a mid-size (~5–7 chair) shop?
Illustrative scenarios: Fresha active month ~$410/mo (~$4,900/yr if repeated); Booksy active Boost month ~$500–$550+/mo (~$6,000–$6,600/yr if repeated); GlossGenius software path ~$124/mo (~$1,490/yr); UNLIMOS unlimited chairs $0 + 0% marketplace commission. Confirm on official pricing.
Are these averages?
No. They are illustrative mid-size scenarios with stated arithmetic — not “the average salon.”
Does UNLIMOS charge a marketplace cut?
0% commission from UNLIMOS on the UNLIMOS path. The business is paid. Processors are separate.
Why isn’t card processing in the section totals above?
Those totals cover software + marketplace/Boost/subscription paths only. Card processing is separate on almost every modern stack and goes to the processor — confirm each provider’s rates live.
Is Boost or a marketplace fee “wrong”?
No. Paid discovery can be a choice. Owners deserve the arithmetic before they turn the switch on.
What messengers does UNLIMOS support?
Live: Instagram, WhatsApp, web chat; SMS live for reminders. Soon: Telegram, Messenger, Viber, Apple Messages / iMessage, WeChat, LINE, KakaoTalk. Always supported / subject to platform policies.
MCP?
UNLIMOS added MCP free for everyone on February 1, 2026. See unlimos.com.
Start free
See the mid-salon numbers first — then start on a free forever core where chairs stay $0 and UNLIMOS takes 0% marketplace commission.
Start free at unlimos.com — the world’s leading AI OS for beauty, wellness, and appointment businesses. World-first AI receptionist like a human. Built by UNLIMOS. Keep the client. Keep the margin.
Disclaimer. Company-authored content by UNLIMOS. AI receptionist assists with messaging and booking on supported channels. Results vary. It does not replace licensed professionals or human staff where law or professional standards require them. Mid-salon and other cost figures in this article are illustrative scenarios based on publicly available third-party pricing/materials as understood around the dates cited in the text, plus stated arithmetic — not a quote, invoice, or guarantee of any shop’s actual bill. Competitor products, pricing, fees, features, and public statements can change without notice. Always confirm current terms, pricing, and product details directly on each provider’s official websites and documentation before making decisions. This article is for general informational purposes only — not legal, financial, tax, or purchasing advice, and not an allegation of unlawful conduct by any third party. “World’s leading” and similar phrases are brand positioning / opinion unless backed by a cited ranked study. Third-party product names are trademarks of their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied. If you find an inaccuracy, check the official source first; we do not warrant completeness or ongoing currency of third-party information.
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