Salon Software with Payroll: 6 Best Tools to Pay Your Team Right

Running a salon or spa means you’re a stylist, therapist, therapist-to-your-stylists, and somehow…the accountant too? Payroll might not be glamorous, but you can’t avoid it—and when it’s messy, it takes time away from the work you actually love.

That’s where salon software with payroll comes in.

Whether you're managing a team of stylists on commission, juggling contractors, or just trying to stay compliant without pulling your hair out, the right tool can make all the difference.

This guide breaks down the best salon payroll software of 2025 so you can stop stressing over spreadsheets and get back to helping clients look and feel their best.

TL;DR: Best salon software with payroll in 2025

Short on time and just want the best salon payroll software now? Here’s your cheat sheet:

Top picks based on your salon’s needs:

• Homebase: Best all-in-one solution for small salons. Free for up to 20 employees and includes time tracking, scheduling, tip management, compliance tools, and a full payroll suite.
  Vagaro: Great for commission-based salons that want built-in booking and basic payroll features in one platform.
• Square: Best if you already use Square POS and want a seamless payroll add-on with mobile access and tax filing.
• Salonist: Ideal for growing salons that want cloud-based scheduling, POS, and payroll capabilities under one roof.
• Mangomint – Built for high-end salons and spas with sleek UX and automated billing, tip tracking, and compensation features.
• Advantage Salon & Spa Software – Best for established salons needing robust POS, payroll, and inventory management with custom configurations.

Must-have payroll features to look for:

• Automated tip tracking and commission support for salons with flexible compensation
• Time tracking tools that sync directly with payroll
• Built-in tax filing and compliance alerts to avoid costly mistakes
• Mobile access so you can approve payroll while managing clients
• Scheduling and PTO tracking baked into your payroll system

Many of these tools offer free trials or flexible pricing, so you can find what fits your budget before you commit.

6 best salon softwares with payroll in 2025

1. Homebase

Best for: All-in-one salon payroll software for small teams who do it all

If you’re the kind of salon owner who wears 15 hats before noon (stylist, scheduler, HR manager, therapist...), Homebase is built for you. It bundles scheduling, payroll, hiring, compliance, and even team messaging into one easy platform so you can stop duct-taping tools together and actually breathe between clients.

Pros:

• Free plan for up to 20 employees
• Built-in time tracking, scheduling, messaging, and labor law compliance tools
• Tip pooling and distribution available through autopayroll
• Contractor and W-2 support with automatic tax filing
• Employee access to hours, pay, and early wage access in the Homebase app
• Payroll can be fully automated and managed from your phone

Cons:

• Payroll and HR features require a paid plan
• Pricing is per location

Pricing:

• Basic Plan: Free
• Essentials: $24.95/month/location
• Plus: $59.95/month/location
• All-in-One: $99.95/month/location
• Payroll add-on: $39/month + $6 per active employee

2. Vagaro 

Best for: Commission-based salons that want everything under one roof

Vagaro is a favorite among salons and spas for a reason—it does a lot. Think: online bookings, payments, marketing, and payroll, all rolled into one sleek platform. It’s great if your team works on commissions and you need your software to keep up with busy days and complicated pay structures.

Pros:

• Designed specifically for beauty and wellness businesses
• Flexible payroll setup with hourly or commission-based pay
• Includes marketing features like email, text campaigns, and branded booking pages
• Easy client self-booking and calendar management
• Employees can view pay stubs and history

Cons:

• No free plan—pricing is per employee calendar
• No built-in HR or compliance support
• Must pay for the full subscription to access payroll, even if that’s all you need

Pricing:

• Plans start at $35/month and increase $15 for each additional employee calendar
• Free 1-month trial available
  
  

3. Salonist

Best for: Busy salons that need a one-stop shop with payroll built in

If your salon runs at full speed (and full chairs), Salonist might be your secret weapon. Built for fast-moving, growing businesses, it covers everything from client bookings to payroll—without needing a dozen separate tools. Bonus: it’s great for salons with international clients and multiple locations.

Pros:

• Offers integrated payroll processing and commission management
• Full POS system with inventory and invoicing
• Online booking, staff scheduling, and client CRM tools
• Marketing automation features included (email, SMS, loyalty)
• Supports multiple business locations and international currencies

Cons:

• Interface may feel busy for smaller teams
• Learning curve during onboarding
• Tiered pricing can get expensive as you scale

Pricing:

• Essential: $59/month
• Advanced: $109/month
• Expert: $179/month
• Marketplace: $190/month
•  Free trial available.

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4. Mangomint

Best for: High-end salons that want payroll to feel as sleek as their space

Mangomint is like the cashmere sweater of salon software: polished, intuitive, and built to impress. It handles payroll, scheduling, and client booking with a minimalist design that makes running a salon feel (almost) effortless. Just be ready to pay for the polish.

Pros:

• Full-featured payroll system with custom pay rates and commissions
• Clean, modern interface that’s easy to navigate
• Includes online booking, POS, inventory, and staff scheduling
• Supports membership billing and gift cards
• Strong automations for appointment reminders and cancellation fees

Cons:

• Higher price point than most competitors
• Limited third-party integrations outside of QuickBooks
• Best suited for Apple users (limited Android functionality)

Pricing:

• Essential: $165/month
• Standard: $245/month
• Unlimited: $375/month
  Includes unlimited users, no long-term contracts.

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5. Advantage Salon & Spa Software

Best for: Detail-loving salon owners who want to handle their payroll offline

Advantage is the no-frills, gets-it-done software your old-school accountant would approve of. It’s been serving up solid salon payroll and reporting tools since perms were hot the first time. If you love having full control from a desktop and don’t care about cloud bells and whistles, this one’s for you.

Pros:

• Built-in payroll with tax reporting and commission tracking
• Robust reporting for sales, tips, and employee performance
• Client notes, retail management, and loyalty program tracking
• Works offline with full desktop control
• Longtime salon industry credibility (over 30 years)

Cons:

• Not cloud-based; Windows-only desktop software
• No mobile app
• Design and interface feel outdated
• Requires upfront installation

Pricing:

• Prices range from $29.50 for a Standard Plan 5-Employee License to $69.50 for a Platinum Plan Unlimited Employee License

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6. Square 

Best for: Salons already using Square POS who want to keep things simple

If you’re already swiping payments through Square, adding payroll to the mix is a no-brainer. Square’s salon-friendly tools let you handle time tracking, scheduling, and payroll right from your phone. It’s not fancy, but it’s fast, familiar, and gets the job done without making you learn another new system.

Pros:

• Seamless integration with Square POS and other Square tools
• Mobile-friendly payroll processing
• Automatically handles tax filings and direct deposits
• Great for salons paying W-2 employees or 1099 contractors

Cons:

• Payroll is an add-on, not included with POS
• Some setup required to enable time tracking via the POS or Square Team app
• Limited HR and compliance support compared to other platforms

Pricing:

• Free: $0.00/month/location
• Plus: $29.00/month/location
• Premium: $69.00/month/location

How to choose the right salon payroll software

Salon owners don’t just need pretty software. They need practical tools that make everyday operations smoother, faster, and less frustrating. Here’s how to find the right payroll platform that keeps up with your team and your blow dryer.

Set your budget early

Before you get dazzled by all the bells and whistles, decide how much you’re actually willing to spend. Look for transparent pricing (ideally no hidden fees) and flat monthly plans so you’re not charged extra every time you run payroll or hire someone new. Many tools offer free trials—use them.

Salon management software that does more than just payroll

The best payroll software for beauty salons doesn’t stop at paychecks. Look for platforms that also help with time tracking, team scheduling, hiring, or HR support for small businesses. Fewer logins = fewer headaches.

Salon payroll tools should be easy for real humans to use

You shouldn’t need a manual (or a margarita) to figure out your software. Choose something intuitive for you and your team, especially if you’ve got a mix of tech-savvy stylists and old-school pros.

Commission payroll for salons

If your team earns commissions or a mix of hourly and retail-based bonuses, make sure your software can handle the math. Not all payroll systems calculate commissions automatically, so double-check what’s included.

Mobile scheduling app for salons = game changer

Your team isn’t sitting at a desk all day. They need mobile access to clock in, request time off, and check their pay. And you? You want to run payroll from your phone between back-to-back clients. Look for a mobile-friendly system that keeps everyone connected.

Salon payroll compliance without the stress

From tip reporting to labor laws, compliance gets complicated fast. A good payroll tool helps you stay legal without turning you into an accountant. Think: automatic tax filings, labor law alerts, and built-in reporting.

Essential Payroll Features for Salons

The best salon payroll software should do more than just cut checks—it should actually make your life easier. Here are the features that matter most when you’re juggling stylists, schedules, and split commissions.

Time tracking for salons

If you’re still scribbling hours on paper or chasing down missing timesheets, it’s time for an upgrade. Look for payroll tools with built-in time clocks, automatic timesheet creation, and mobile punch-in/out options.

Why it matters: Accurate hours mean accurate pay and fewer awkward conversations about underpayment or missing breaks.

Automated tax filing

From tip reporting to W-2s and 1099s, tax season doesn’t have to mean stress. Choose software that automatically calculates and files federal, state, and local taxes on your behalf.

Why it matters: You stay compliant, avoid penalties, and never have to worry about mailing forms the night before a deadline.

Commission support

Salon pay structures are rarely one-size-fits-all. Whether you pay hourly, by commission, or a hybrid of the two, your payroll software should handle the calculations without making you do the math.

Why it matters: Get full visibility into what each employee earned and make sure they’re paid fairly for what they sold or serviced.

Salon employee scheduling + payroll in one

If your schedule lives in one app and payroll lives in another, things are going to get messy. Find a platform that syncs scheduling and payroll so you can build shifts and run paychecks without double entry.

Why it matters: Less manual work. Fewer errors. More time for clients (and maybe even lunch).

Contractor payments

Have stylists or estheticians working as independent contractors? Your payroll software should let you pay both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors in the same place—without needing two systems.

Why it matters: Smooth operations for everyone on your team, no matter how they’re classified.

Ready to simplify your salon payroll?

Great salon payroll software doesn’t just pay people—it frees up your time, keeps your team happy, and makes your business run smoother than a fresh blowout.

With Homebase, you can:

• Turn hours into paychecks automatically, no spreadsheets or manual math.
  
  
• Calculate and file taxes without lifting a finger.
  
  
• Run payroll from your phone (yes, even between appointments).
  
  
• Pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors in the same system.
  
  
• Track tips, breaks, PTO, and commissions—all in one place.
  
  
• Stay compliant with local labor laws and audit-proof recordkeeping.

And it’s not just payroll. Homebase helps you hire, schedule, onboard, and manage your team—all from one free app built for small businesses like yours.

Try Homebase for free today and see why over 100,000 businesses trust us to keep their teams paid, happy, and running on time.

Salon software with payroll FAQs

How do salons handle payroll?

Most salons use payroll software designed specifically for small businesses or service-based teams. That means the system calculates hours, tips, commissions, overtime, and taxes automatically. With a good salon payroll tool (like Homebase), you can ditch spreadsheets and pay your team accurately and on time—without giving yourself a headache.

Can payroll software calculate commissions?

Yes, but not all of them do it well. Look for payroll software for beauty salons that includes built-in commission payroll features. This is especially important if you pay staff based on services or product sales. Tools like Vagaro, Mangomint, and Salonist offer commission tracking, while Homebase lets you track earnings and tips for hourly teams too.

Do I need separate POS and payroll tools for my salon?

Not necessarily. Many salon management software platforms bundle POS with payroll so you don’t have to juggle tools. POS with payroll integration helps you track sales, tips, and hours all in one system. Homebase integrates with top POS systems, while platforms like Square and Salonist offer all-in-one packages.

How much does salon payroll software cost?

Pricing varies based on features and business size. You’ll see everything from free salon scheduling software with add-on payroll (like Homebase) to more robust solutions that cost $50–$150/month. Some charge per employee, others per location. Make sure you’re only paying for the tools you actually need.

Can I pay 1099 contractors through salon payroll tools?

Absolutely—but not all tools support it. If your team includes independent stylists or freelancers, look for payroll software that handles contractor payments and automated 1099 filings. Homebase, Square, and Salonist all offer this feature so you can stay compliant without extra admin work.

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