Free software for a beauty salon: is it worth it for 3 clients a day?

You really don't need complicated software for 3 clients a day. For now, just use an encrypted online calendar and a simple spreadsheet row for each client. Zero cost and you keep 100% control of your data.

I started with a similar free tool, and once I hit 80 clients, they suddenly announced: 'the free plan is discontinued, pay 45 Euro/month or your account will be deleted.' I had to pay for a month just to rescue my client list.

Since you operate in France, storing customer contact details requires strict compliance with RGPD regulations. Many foreign free apps don't guarantee EU-based servers in their terms of service, so be careful.

free ones don't include sms reminders anyway. a no-show client costs you 30-40 euro a day that single missed booking already pays for the 20 euro software fee.

Do your clients want to book online, or do they mostly call you? If it's just for your own tracking, manually typing everything into third-party software might just add unnecessary administrative overhead.

A friend of mine who runs a hair salon in Strasbourg lost all time slots for 14 Saturday appointments because the free software suffered a server crash. Complete chaos at the shop since she had no idea who was coming when.

i get that every penny counts early on but your client notes are your most valuable asset and if you forget which client is allergic to which dye the fallout is tough to fix.

We got stuck at the same point for a while. If scope grows, either time or budget must grow. There is no third option.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

Let me share what happened to me; it might be useful. When making a decision, first look at what data you have on hand.

I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

Quick summary for newcomers: When making decisions, write down the worst-case scenario too, not just the best.

Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.

I have no experience with free beauty salon software, so I'm asking. If acceptance criteria aren't written, when the work is done is open to debate.

Just leaving this note, it might be useful.

I'd appreciate it if you shared the outcome.

i feel the same way and if you get three different answers on a topic, the question was asked wrong.

this is my opinion, I'm not claiming it's absolutte truth.

There's a trap here, let me mention it. Access credentials should be opened in the company's name, not personal accounts.

Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late. I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

If I understood correctly you're saying: Taking notes for two weeks yields better results than a six-month estimate.

If you have questions, write them; I'll answer as best I can.

I have a question don't want to go off-topic though. The biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say.

If scope grows, either time or budget must grow. There is no third option. That's all sorry if I went on too long.

Three different views emerged, they all complement each other. Ask who prepared the quote and who will actually do the work.

Just leaving this note it might be useful.

i don't think this advice fits everyone. when you try to change everything at once nothing settles.

hope this helps.