Phorest is a long-established UK salon system, and for many larger salons it is a good fit. The reasons salons look elsewhere are usually about terms rather than features: a price you only get by quote, and a one-year contract that renews itself unless you give two months' notice. Here are five UK alternatives with published prices, and where each one wins.
Superscripts link to the sources at the foot of the page.
| Price | Contract and new-client fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Phorest (for reference) | Quote only; no free trial1 | Contract: One year, renewing automatically unless you give two months' notice; leaving early means paying the rest of the year2 New clients: No marketplace |
| Fresha | £14.95 a month on your own; £9.95 a month per bookable team member on Team3 | Contract: None; cancel any time3 New clients: 20% one-time commission on new marketplace clients, minimum £43 |
| Timely | From £4, £7 or £9 a week by plan, adjusting with the bookings you take; unlimited team members4 | Contract: None; 14 days' notice4 New clients: No new client fees4 |
| SalonIQ | From £47 a month for a solo stylist; setup fee from £175 plus VAT5 | Contract: Not stated on its pricing page5 New clients: No marketplace |
| Booksy | £40 a month plus £5 a month per extra team member, plus VAT6 | Contract: None; cancel any time6 New clients: Only with Boost on: 30% of a new client's first visit, minimum £56 |
| Daviana | £80 a month including VAT for the diary and till; first month free | Contract: None; cancel any month New clients: None. No marketplace and no commission on bookings |
Start with your Phorest renewal date: you need to give written notice at least two months before it. Then add up a year on Phorest (your quoted monthly price, card fees and paid texts) and set it against a year on each alternative with your own team size and takings. Ask each supplier to look at a real export of your client data before you sign. Our 12 questions to ask before switching salon software covers the rest.
The two things to check are price and contract. Phorest prices by quote rather than publishing a figure, and its UK terms are a one-year contract that renews automatically unless you give two months' notice before the anniversary. If you want a published price or a monthly contract, the alternatives here offer both.
Phorest's UK terms say that if you terminate before the end of the contracted period you owe the subscription fees for the rest of it. Check your renewal date and give written notice at least two months before it if you plan to move.
SalonIQ is the closest like-for-like: UK salon software with marketing tools and no marketplace. Daviana is also a no-marketplace system, with colour costing and an AI receptionist on the same record. Fresha and Booksy are cheaper to start but are built around a consumer marketplace.
Usually, but it depends on what you can export. Ask any new supplier to look at a real export before you sign, including client notes and colour formulas, which are the easiest data to lose. The Daviana team moves your clients and prices across for you.
For many larger salons, yes. It has a long track record across many sites and a large support team. The case for moving is strongest if the contract or a quoted price no longer suits you.
Thirty minutes, your services and your numbers. We will tell you if staying on Phorest makes more sense.
Book a demoPhorest, Fresha, Timely, SalonIQ, Booksy and Vish are trademarks of their owners. We are not affiliated with any of them. Prices and terms change, so check with each company before deciding.