Booking software comparison
Phorest Alternative for Salons
Phorest is salon software with bookings, deposits, SMS, POS and stock. Separalo is $7.99/mo with email reminders only. Fair limits, no guessed Phorest prices.
By the Separalo team
Updated
Short answer
Separalo can be a Phorest alternative for a small salon or solo stylist that already has clients and wants a low-cost booking page. Stay on Phorest if you need online deposits, automated SMS, a smart POS, stock management, or loyalty programmes. Phorest’s public pricing page lists Starter, Grow, Ultimate, and Elite plans aimed at salons with three or more staff, but it does not publish dollar amounts; contact Phorest for a quote.
Key takeaways
- Separalo: $7.99 USD/mo, 14-day trial, email confirmations and reminders only.
- Phorest: quote-based plans (Starter–Elite); features include bookings with deposits, email/SMS reminders, POS and stock.
- Separalo does not collect deposits, sync external calendars, or run POS/inventory.
- Signup for Separalo is open today in Colombia and the United States.
What Phorest publishes about pricing
Checked on October 14, 2026 on Phorest’s pricing page. Plans are Starter, Grow, Ultimate, and Elite. The page says plans suit growing salons and aesthetic clinics, “perfect for 3+ staff,” and include unlimited devices and unlimited staff. Dollar or euro amounts are not listed publicly; you request a quote.
| Item | What is public |
|---|---|
| Separalo plan | $7.99 USD a month. One price. 14-day trial. Up to 2 businesses, owner plus up to 3 team members per business. |
| Phorest plans | Starter, Grow, Ultimate, Elite. Feature lists on the pricing page; amounts by quote. |
Capabilities to check before switching
| Need | What to review |
|---|---|
| Deposits and payments | Phorest Starter lists scheduling and online bookings with deposits, POS, and payment links. Separalo does not process deposits or appointment payments. |
| Reminders | Phorest lists automated email and SMS reminders. Separalo sends confirmations and the day-before reminder by email only. |
| POS and stock | Phorest includes a smart POS and stock management on Starter. Separalo does not include POS or inventory. |
| Team size | Phorest targets 3+ staff with unlimited staff on its plans. Separalo includes the owner plus up to three additional members per business. |
How booking works in Separalo
Publish each service with its price and length. Clients open your link, pick a service and open time, and verify email. The appointment confirms or waits for your approval. You can enable the day-before email reminder.
Service menu from a Separalo demonstration salon.
When staying with Phorest makes sense
- You need deposits at booking, cardless checkout, or SMS payment links.
- Your salon runs POS and stock in the same system.
- Clients expect automated SMS reminders, not email alone.
- You have more than four people per business (owner plus three) or need Phorest’s loyalty and marketing stack.
Try Separalo before you switch
- During the 14-day trial, load services, stylists, and hours.
- Walk through a booking on a phone and check the email reminder.
- Move upcoming appointments by hand. There is no automatic import from Phorest.
- Update Instagram and your site only when one calendar is live.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Separalo a good Phorest alternative?
- Yes, if you already have clients and only need a booking page at $7.99 a month with email confirmations and reminders. No, if you need Phorest’s deposits, automated SMS, POS, stock, or loyalty tools.
- Does Separalo send SMS like Phorest?
- No. Phorest plans include automated email and SMS reminders. Separalo sends confirmations and the day-before reminder by email only. You can text clients yourself; Separalo does not automate SMS or WhatsApp.