When you run a service business, you know the daily challenges. Between clients, your team, and the actual work, you do not want to worry about endless phone calls and messy spreadsheets for appointments. The reality is that your clients want convenience. In fact, over 40% of reservations happen outside regular business hours. This is where the best online booking systems in uk 2026 become a game-changer.
These platforms do more than let people schedule time with you; they are powerful business tools. A quality system centralizes your payments, sends automated reminders to reduce no-shows, helps you manage your staff, and supports your marketing efforts. It gives your clients the freedom to make a reservation 24/7 from any device, while you get more time to focus on what you do best: the growth of your business.
Here are the top 15 systems to help you streamline your operations and deliver a seamless experience for your clients.
Top Online Booking Systems at a Glance
| System Name | Best For | Key Features | Pricing |
| Booksy Biz | All-in-one solution for salons of any size | 24/7 reservations, payments, staff & inventory management, marketing tools, no-show protection | From £40/month |
| GlossGenius | Independent stylists and small salons | Elegant design, integrated payments, marketing tools, custom websites | From £18/month |
| Mangomint | High-end and multi-location salons | Team payroll, express reservations, workflow automations, advanced reports | From £122/month |
| Goldie | Solo stylists and new professionals | Simple reservations, calendar sync, automated reminders, payments | Free plan available; paid from £15/month |
| Acuity Scheduling | Ease of use and flexible schedules | Multi-staff support, intake forms, coupons, “Look busy” feature | From £12/month |
| SimplyBook.me | International businesses | Omnichannel reservations (social media, Google), loyalty programs, 100+ languages | Free plan available; paid from £6/month |
| SalonTarget | Regional salon chains that expand | Advanced management, multi-location support, analytics, marketing suite | Custom, starts ~£44/month |
| Fresha | Budget-conscious salons | Free basic plan, marketplace for new clients, integrated POS, inventory management | Free plan available; transaction fees apply |
| Zenoti | Multi-location and enterprise salons | AI-driven staff optimization, analytics, branded mobile apps, loyalty programs | Custom, typically £52+/month |
| Treatwell | Beauty & wellness businesses | Online marketplace, booking tools, client visibility | Varies; marketplace fees may apply |
| Phorest Salon Software | Salons seeking loyalty & marketing tools | Reservation management, marketing campaigns, client retention tools | Custom pricing |
| Ovatu | Flexible appointment management | Staff scheduling, automated reminders, client management | Free plan available; paid plans from £7/month |
| Square Appointments | Mobile reservations with built-in POS | Integrated payments, staff & resource management, client database | Free for single location; paid from £21/month |
| Slick | Commission-free UK salons | Appointments, staff & inventory management, integrated payments, SMS reminders | Custom pricing |
| Setmore | Customizable & free-friendly | Unlimited appointments on free plan, website & social media integration, payment integrations | Free plan available; paid from £4/month |
1. Booksy Biz
This all-in-one online booking system uk puts everything you need in one place. You can manage appointments, payments, staff, and marketing campaigns from a single dashboard. Your clients get 24/7 access to make a reservation on desktop or mobile, while you can set cancellation policies and require deposits to protect your business against no-shows and lost revenue. You can also use its marketing tools, track inventory, and generate reports to see how your business performs.
Rating: 4.6/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/booksy/
2. GlossGenius
GlossGenius combines an elegant design with powerful features for independent beauty professionals. Use this polished platform to manage your reservations, accept payments, track inventory, and handle payroll. It provides you with a customizable site that includes a portfolio gallery to reflect your unique brand. The system works well if you are a solo stylist or run a small salon and want professional tools without complexity.
Rating: 4.8/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glossgenius
3. Mangomint
Mangomint is built for salons that require premium features. This system provides you with advanced tools for team payroll, workflow automation, and detailed reports. Use its express checkout for a smooth client experience and securely manage all your client data. It is an ideal choice if you run a high-end or multi-location salon and need support for complex operations.
Rating: 4.8/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mangomint
4. Goldie
Goldie focuses on simplicity and affordability, which makes it a perfect choice for solo stylists and small salons. You can set up your online reservation page, sync your calendar, manage payments, and send automated reminders to clients without technical expertise. This straightforward approach helps you reduce no-shows and keeps your daily operations smooth and simple.
Rating: 4.6/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heygoldie/
5. Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling offers a flexible, budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes. It gives you fine-grained control over your reservation process, even if you are not tech-savvy. You can let your clients book recurring appointments, fill out intake forms, and pay in advance for services. A unique feature is an option called “Look busy,” which hides some available times so you never seem desperate for appointments.
Rating: 4.7/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acuity-scheduling/
6. SimplyBook.me
This system gives you flexibility with omnichannel reservations, which lets clients book through your website, social media, or Google. It is an excellent choice for international businesses, with support for over 100 languages and more than 35 payment gateways. Use its marketing tools, create loyalty programs, and sell coupons to encourage repeat business.
Rating: 4.6/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplybook.me/
7. SalonTarget
SalonTarget provides powerful administrative tools designed for regional chains that expand. Its straightforward interface makes it easy for you to oversee multiple locations, track business performance with detailed analytics, and engage clients with marketing automation. Since the system is mobile-first, you can manage your operations from anywhere.
Rating: 4.6/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salontarget/
8. Fresha
Fresha provides a cost-effective solution with a free basic plan that includes solid functionality. You can manage online reservations, payments, client profiles, and marketing from one platform. The system also features an integrated point-of-sale (POS) and lists your business on the Fresha marketplace to help you attract new clients.
Rating: 4.8/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/heyfresha/
9. Zenoti
Zenoti is an enterprise-level solution built for larger salons, spas, or chains that need advanced management tools. Use it to handle schedules, payments, analytics, and multi-location operations all from one system. It offers features like AI-driven staff optimization, branded mobile apps, and detailed reports to keep your business consistent and efficient across several locations.
Rating: 4.6/5
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenoti/
10. Treatwell
Treatwell operates as an online marketplace for beauty and wellness services. It provides you with beauty-specific reservation tools that connect your business with a large network of potential clients. Use this platform to increase your visibility and fill your appointment book through its dedicated marketplace.
Rating: 4.2
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treatwell-com/
11. Phorest Salon Software
Phorest Salon Software offers features tailored specifically for salons. The platform helps you manage your reservations, run targeted marketing campaigns, and handle your day-to-day operations. Use its salon-specific tools to build client loyalty and streamline your business management tasks.
Rating: 4.7
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phorest/
12. Ovatu
Ovatu is a versatile system that helps you manage your appointments, reminders, and staff. The software sends automated reminders to your clients to reduce the number of no-shows. It gives you the tools to organize your team’s schedules and manage your client reservations efficiently.
Rating: 4.7
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ovatu/
13. Square Appointments
Square Appointments offers a complete business management solution in one app, with particularly strong built-in point-of-sale (POS) functionality. It combines integrated payments with a user-friendly reservation system that prioritizes aesthetics. You can also manage your staff schedules and client database, which makes it ideal for businesses with a physical location.
Rating: 4.8
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/
14. Slick
Slick offers a commission-free UK salon booking system with powerful and easy-to-use features. The platform lets salons manage appointments, staff schedules, and product inventory all in one place. It provides integrated payments, unlimited free SMS client reminders, marketing tools, comprehensive client records, and robust reporting, supported by 7-day UK-based customer service. Salons can also benefit from seamless accounting, payroll, and website integration, all without contracts or setup fees.
Rating: 4.7
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/products/gettingslick-slick/
15. Setmore
Setmore is highly customizable and offers a generous free plan that includes unlimited appointments for up to four users. The platform provides a professional reservation page that you can integrate with your website or social media channels like Facebook and Instagram. Use it to send automated email confirmations and reminders, and integrate with payment processors like Square and Stripe on paid plans.
Rating: 4.7
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/setmore-appointments/
Summary
The choice of the right online reservation system is a critical step for the smooth operation and success of your business. A successful service business in 2026 depends on tools that simplify appointments, client management, and marketing while they keep no-shows low. The best system for you will depend on your specific needs, a solo operator will have different requirements than a multi-location chain.
For a complete, all-in-one solution that scales with your business, Booksy Biz stands out as the top choice. It gives you everything you need in one platform, from reservations and payments to marketing and staff management. For those who just start out, Goldie offers simplicity and affordability, while Fresha is a great budget-friendly option with a marketplace to attract new clients. Ultimately, you should use free trials to get a feel for a platform before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is an online reservation system and why do I need one?
An online reservation system is a business tool that allows your clients to book, reschedule, and cancel appointments through a web interface. You need one because it saves you administrative time, reduces no-shows with automated reminders, and allows clients to make a reservation 24/7, which is when over 40% of them happen.
2. What key features should I look for in a system?
The best apps offer flexibility for your reservation process, two-way calendar sync, and an integrated payment process. You should also look for a professional and streamlined presentation for your clients and the ability to integrate with other tools you use, like Mailchimp or Zoom. All-in-one functionality that includes a point of sale (POS), client profiles, and detailed reports can also transform your operations.
3. Can these systems help my business grow?
Absolutely. These platforms help fill empty appointment slots, send automated reminders to reduce no-shows, and run marketing campaigns to reach your clients. Some systems, like Fresha, have a built-in marketplace that can increase your visibility and bring in new customers.
4. Are free systems any good?
If you just start out, free platforms like Goldie, SimplyBook.me, or Fresha can be a great option. YouCanBookMe is also known for its generous free plan. However, free plans may not offer the advanced automation, marketing tools, or scalability that paid platforms like Booksy Biz provide if your goal is business growth.
5. Can clients make a reservation from their phones or social media?
Yes, every platform reviewed here supports online and mobile reservations, and many allow you to take them directly from social media. You can add “Book Now” buttons or widgets to your website, Instagram, or Facebook page, which makes it incredibly easy for clients to schedule an appointment from any device.
