Here are some of the best booking systems for beauty businesses in the UK, each catering to different needs and preferences:

1. Fresha

• Features: Offers free appointment scheduling with no monthly subscription fee, unlimited bookings, and integrated inventory management. Pay-as-you-use features include automated marketing and SMS/email reminders.
• Pros: Cost-effective and globally used, ideal for attracting new clients.
• Considerations: Limited design customisation for booking pages.

• Features: Custom branding and marketing Tools, client management, automation and integration, affordable, excellent customer support, automated reminders, point of sale integration, reporting and analytics
• Pros: Flexible pricing, easy to use and free trail available.
• Considerations: SMS limits, advanced tools harder to master.

• Features: Known for loyalty programs, staff management, stock tracking, and marketing tools like direct messaging. Great for building customer relationships and retaining clients.
• Pros: Trusted reputation, specialised in salon management for nearly two decades.
• Considerations: Pricing is not readily transparent; you’ll need to request details.

• Features: All-in-one solution for bookings, client management, payments, and analytics. Includes tools to manage your portfolio and business visibility online.
• Pros: Easy-to-use interface with options to sell services and retail products.
• Considerations: Some users report limited customisability.

• Features: Customisable platform for appointment booking, marketing, and payment processing. Includes a website builder and tools for automated reminders.
• Pros: Scalable for businesses of all sizes with no revenue cuts on bookings.
• Considerations: Slightly higher starting cost compared to some competitors.

• Features: A leading platform in the UK for salons and spas, providing client bookings directly from the Treatwell marketplace alongside standard booking features.
• Pros: Excellent for attracting new clients through its large user base.
• Considerations: Heavily reliant on Treatwell's ecosystem, which may not suit businesses looking for independent customisation.

Recommendations:

• Small or Solo Businesses: Ovatu, Fresha or Booksy are budget-friendly and user-friendly options.
• Mid-Sized to Larger Salons: Phorest and Vagaro offer more robust tools for staff and inventory management.
• Market Visibility: Treatwell excels in connecting you to new customers through its marketplace.

Each system offers free trials, so you can test which fits your business best!

Hope this helps :-)