Salon Stack Guide
Head to head

Boulevard vs Vagaro: Premium Client Experience or Low-Cost All-in-One?

How the two differ on price, pricing model and fit, and which kind of salon each is for.

By Martin DominguezUpdated September 26, 2026How we score

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. Details.

#ToolOur scoreStarts atLink
01Boulevard$143/mo (up to 5 providers)See pricing
02Vagaro$23.99/mo intro rate + $10 per extra calendarSee pricing

Boulevard and Vagaro sit at opposite ends of the salon software market. Comparing them is mostly about deciding what kind of salon you run.

Price

  • Vagaro: $23.99 a month intro rate for a single location (first six months), plus $10 per extra bookable calendar, charged for up to seven calendars.
  • Boulevard: $143 a month on Essentials for up to five providers, $234 per location on Premier (regular $293) with unlimited providers, and $328 on Prestige.

A four-provider salon pays roughly $54 a month on Vagaro during the intro period ($23.99 + 3 × $10) versus $143 on Boulevard Essentials.

Fit

Choose Vagaro if price matters most, you want a 30-day trial with no card, and you would like exposure on a consumer booking marketplace.

Choose Boulevard if you run an upscale salon or spa, you want unlimited providers per location, and included texts and email blasts matter to you. Expect a sales demo before you can try it, and budget for add-ons such as Forms ($65+/month) or QuickBooks sync ($45/month).

Boulevard

Best for: Upscale salons and spas that sell on client experience

The most premium client experience and marketing, priced for upscale salons and spas rather than small teams.

Booking & client experience25% of score5.0

Self-booking, client profiles and an AI receptionist for calls

Real monthly cost25% of score2.5

From $143/mo (up to 5 providers); Premier $234/mo per location; card rates not published

No-show protection10% of score4.5

Deposit and cancellation management

Team, commissions & payroll15% of score4.5

Staff scheduling and commission tracking; unlimited providers from Premier

Marketing & retention10% of score5.0

Marketing automation, memberships, loyalty and texting; texts and email blasts included

Trial, switching & support15% of score3.0

Sales demo before trying; Forms and QuickBooks are paid add-ons

Pricing

  • Essentials: $143/mo, up to 5 providers
  • Premier: $234/mo per location (regular $293), unlimited providers
  • Prestige: $328/mo per location (regular $410)
  • Annual billing saves 10%

How it's priced

Essentials capped at 5 providers; Premier and Prestige per location

Trial

Demo required

Strengths

  • Unlimited professionals from Premier
  • Texts, email blasts and storage included
  • Strong fit for multi-provider spas

Watch out for

  • Most expensive option here
  • Forms ($65+/mo) and QuickBooks ($45/mo) are add-ons
  • Sales demo before you can try it
Choose it ifyou run a high-end salon or spa that sells on experience
Skip it ifyou are a solo stylist or a price-sensitive small salon
Prices from Boulevard's pricing page, checked September 26, 2026.Try Boulevard

Vagaro

Best for: Small salons that want a low base price and a consumer marketplace

The most features for the base price, with a marketplace that can bring new clients, but check card rates and the post-intro price.

Booking & client experience25% of score4.5

24/7 self-booking, a consumer marketplace and a branded client app

Real monthly cost25% of score4.0

$23.99/mo intro rate plus $10 per extra calendar (max 7 charged); card rates not on the pricing page

No-show protection10% of score4.5

Deposits, cancellation policies and no-show fees

Team, commissions & payroll15% of score4.5

Payroll and commission tracking built in

Marketing & retention10% of score4.0

Email and text marketing, memberships and packages

Trial, switching & support15% of score4.0

30-day trial without a card; intro price ends after 6 months

Pricing

  • Single location: $23.99/mo intro rate for 6 months
  • $10 per additional bookable calendar, up to 7 charged; more staff at no extra cost
  • Multiple locations: $30/mo per location

How it's priced

Base fee per location plus $10 per bookable calendar (max 7 charged)

Trial

30 days, no card

Strengths

  • Low starting price
  • Staff over 7 calendars add no cost
  • 30-day trial without a card

Watch out for

  • Intro rate ends after 6 months
  • Hardware and premium services priced separately
Choose it ifyou run a small team and want payroll, marketing and a marketplace in one place
Skip it ifyou want fully transparent card rates before you sign up
Prices from Vagaro's pricing page, checked September 27, 2026.Try Vagaro