# Square Appointments vs. Boulevard: Which Salon Software is Better in 2025? **URL:** https://thesalonbusiness.com/square-appointments-vs-boulevard/ **Date:** 2025-03-04 **Author:** Kayle Yanez **Categories:** Technology & Software **Tags:** hide mt --- When choosing salon software for your beauty or spa business, Square Appointments and Boulevard stand out as leading options – though they serve distinctly different needs and business models. Navigating the maze of salon software options can be overwhelming, with each platform promising to revolutionize your business operations. However, the stark differences between Square Appointments and Boulevard make this particular choice less about features and more about aligning with your salon’s identity and growth strategy. Square Appointments has built a reputation for reliability and accessibility in the beauty and wellness industry. This comprehensive, cloud-based scheduling solution appeals to a wide range of businesses – from independent stylists working solo to established salons with growing teams. Its versatility makes it a practical choice across the spectrum of salon sizes. **Square** **Appointments**‘ appeal is further sweetened by a no-cost entry plan for individuals and solopreneurs, making it a go-to for those just starting or maintaining a lean business model. This genuinely free solo plan offers more functionality than most competitors’ paid tiers, creating an attractive entry point for independent stylists who need professional scheduling without the monthly commitment. In contrast, **Boulevard **(or blvd, as they style it) targets the high-end market segment. Since its inception, Boulevard has carved out a niche among upscale salons and spas looking for more than just functionality: a software experience that aligns with the luxury of their services. Boulevard’s design-forward approach and tailored feature set mirror the expectations of an industry that prides itself on providing premium client experiences, but do they deliver? In this comparison of Square Appointments vs. Boulevard, we will explore how these two solutions stack up against each other and break down all the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn in this post: - [An overview of each system](#system-overview) - [A comparison of the differences that separate them](#software-differences) - [A feature-by-feature comparison](#feature-comparison) - [Pricing differences](#pricing) - [Ratings & reviews from their users](#user-reviews-anc) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/tsb-square-vs-boulevard-review--1024x1024.jpg) ## Square Appointments vs Boulevard Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Square-logo@2x.jpg) **Square Appointments** [Learn more..](/square-appointments-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Boulevard-logo@2x.jpg) **Boulevard** [Learn more..](/boulevard-software-review/) **Overall score** Note The overall score considers ease of use, customer service, features, user ratings, and cost. Scores are determined solely by our editorial team. 4.0 4.3 **Starting price** Note Starting price reflects the lowest base plan offered by the platform. Actual costs will vary depending on team size, features, add-ons and payment processing volume. See the pricing section below for more details. Free for individuals $49/month for teams per location $176/month **Who is it for** For solopreneurs or small teams in any type of local service business (salon, spa, fitness, repair, cleaning, and professional services) who want access to Square's broad range of products. Established beauty and wellness businesses with several service providers who want flexible reporting options and need an all-in-one marketing suite baked right into the software **Ease of use** 4 4.5 **Customer Service** 3 5.0 **Countries** U.S., Canada, UK., Australia, Japan U.S. **Key features** - Large amount of native integrations with other apps - Comprehensive, easy-to-use, marketing tools - Best looking POS hardware on the market - Free, sophisticated, website builder and online store - Easy-to-use interface - Excellent online booking - Integrated email marketing suite - Highly detailed custom reports [on **Premiere **and above] ## A Double-Click on Each System Let’s cover the basics of these systems and the pros and cons of each in this Square Appointments vs. Boulevard guide. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Square-logo@2x.jpg) Square Appointments At a Glance Overall score 4.0 [Read detailed review](/square-appointments-review/) [Visit website](https://squareup.com/us/en/appointments) [Compare with top alternatives](/square-appointments-alternatives/) Square Appointments is a cloud-based appointment scheduling software for salons, spas and really any other local service businesses. It integrates with the full suite of local business solutions from Square which makes it one of the most complete business management solutions on the market. At the same time, it is free for individuals and has therefore quickly become one of the most popular platforms for one-person businesses like beauty booth renters and individual professionals. Pros and Cons - Free for individuals - Well-designed, easy to use, interface - Integration with the full suite of Square applications for endless possibilities - Robust core business management (inventory, reports, and client data) - Limited flexibility when designing online booking page, booking widget, e-mails and other aspects that you may want to adapt - It gets a bit expensive for the growing team that expands with more locations ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Boulevard-logo@2x.jpg) Boulevard At a Glance Overall score 4.3 [Read detailed review](/boulevard-software-review/) [Request a demo](https://www.joinblvd.com/) [Compare with top alternatives](/boulevard-alternatives/) Boulevard is an up-and-coming cloud-based beauty and wellness software that offers a strong toolset of core features like appointment booking and POS, as well as advanced marketing features and two-way messaging. It natively integrates with over a dozen apps, including Quickbooks, Instagram, Shopify, and more. It is quite a pricey option, however, coming in at a starting price of $175 for the lowest-tier plan, which we (and Boulevard themselves) don’t recommend as it lacks some of Boulevard’s best reporting, marketing, and inventory features. Boulevard offers a free trial, but they require a 12-month minimum contract to sign up, so make sure you are 100% sure about your choice before signing up. Pros and Cons - Client data that you can actually use to boost client retention and sales - Can integrate with a large number of third party applications - Precision Scheduling_™_ tech to fill the best gaps on the calendar first - Well designed & easily-searchable help center - High price-point across all plans - Essentials plan lacks many of the best features Boulevard offers - Boulevard Professional mobile app is buggy & has low ratings on iOS & Android - Marketing suite can’t differentiate between bookings from emails vs other factors (you may end up paying more) ## Key Strengths and Limitations for Salon Owners Square Appointments and Boulevard have distinct brand identities that shape their features. Square Appointments offers a user-friendly experience with essential tools for managing inventory, reports, and client information. It’s an ideal choice for small businesses or individuals due to its free plan for single users and its compatibility across various devices, including a free app. [Square Appointments](/square-appointments-review/) also has a broad set of connected tools and features through the Square ecosystem, making it very versatile. However, this modular approach can feel fragmented, requiring navigation across multiple apps to access different functionalities. While you get basic client profiles and inventory tracking included, more advanced tools like marketing automation or detailed reporting come with extra monthly fees. But, when it comes to customization and design options, Square Appointments falls a bit short, in my opinion. The limited customization options for online booking and the absence of robust two-way client communication may feel restrictive for salon owners looking to create a highly personalized client experience. [Boulevard](https://thesalonbusiness.com/boulevard-software-review/), on the other hand, focuses more on simplicity through an elegant, app-based platform intentionally designed for high-end salons and spas. Features are straightforward to use without a harsh learning curve, but the level of customization available in the menu system and via reports is impressive if you choose to go deeper. Boulevard’s client management tools allow you to tag and analyze your clientele to gain valuable business insights about visit frequency, shopping habits, and social media engagement – perfect for salons looking to leverage detailed client data for growth strategies. ## Square Appointments vs Boulevard Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Square-logo@2x.jpg) Square Appointments [Learn more..](/square-appointments-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Boulevard-logo@2x.jpg) Boulevard [Learn more..](/boulevard-software-review/) Ease of use 4 4 Design 4 4 Customer service 3 5 Pricing 4 3 Calendar and appointment management 4 4 Online booking 3 5 Point of sale and check out 5 4 Client data 5 5 Client communication 4 5 Inventory management 5 4 Team Management 5 3 Payroll 5 3 Marketing support 4 4 3rd party integrations 5 4 Mobile and tablet apps 5 3 ## Square and Boulevard Feature Analysis When it comes to must-have functionality like appointment scheduling, payments, SMS messaging, and calendars, both platforms deliver. The main advantages Boulevard touts are its patented Precision Scheduling technology for optimized online booking and its Front Desk View that accompanies the calendar screen, making seeing all your appointments at a glance super convenient. This Front Desk view gives you a clear picture of who’s waiting, who’s being served, and who’s checked out – a comprehensive overview that streamlines daily operations. Boulevard also offers a powerful integrated marketing suite that enables you to create targeted audiences based on your client data and quickly craft custom marketing emails specifically tailored to them. Square Appointments offers better inventory management and greater flexibility to integrate with the Square platform. Its sleek, modern payment hardware creates a professional impression – a small but important detail for enhancing client experience. Square’s recent addition, Square Go, is a free marketplace app that helps salons attract new clients through verified ratings, allows clients to search by service and location, and makes rebooking quick and simple. For growing salons, Square’s scalability is appealing – you can start with the basics and add features like team management, payroll, and loyalty programs only as your business needs evolve. ## Feature Comparison Boulevard offers more features than Square Appointments. Square has fantastic ecommerce and sales features. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Square-logo@2x.jpg) Square Appointments [Learn more..](/square-appointments-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Boulevard-logo@2x.jpg) Boulevard [Learn more..](/boulevard-software-review/) Online Booking **Square Appointments** **Boulevard** Website booking widget Note Can you integrate the entire online booking experience directly into your website? Branding control Note Can you customize the look and feel of the booking experience to fit your brand? No-show protection Note Can you store credit card details and charge deposits to reinforce your cancellation policy? Service customization Note Can clients adapt their service when they book, and can this change the price and duration of the booked appointment? Free from account creation Note Can clients book without having first to create an account with the software? Integrated gift cards Note Can you sell digital gift cards as part of the booking process? Calendar and Appointment Management Customize notification messages Note Can you change the text sent to your clients as part of appointment reminders and other messages? Customize notification timings Note Can you change when reminders and other messages go out to your clients? Note Full customization not available. Options are limited to: 2 Days Before, 1 Day Before, and Same Day. Client waitlist management Rooms and resource scheduling Note Can you manage equipment, rooms, and other resources required to complete a service? Repeat appointments Note Can you schedule clients for recurring appointments? Time block Note Can you block out time on your calendar? Processing time Note Can you allow for double booking of service providers by accepting appointments during service processing time? Duration and price by staff Note Can you adapt the price and time needed for a service based on who is performing the service? Automated check-in Note Can clients check in to their appointments themselves? Point of Sale/ Check out Tablet compatible Note Can you run the POS on any tablet or do you need special hardware? Dedicated POS hardware Note Does the system provider offer hardware to improve the check out expereince? Self check out Note Can clients check out from their appointment themselves? Route payments to renters Note If you have booth renters in your business, can you route payments directly to them? Cards on file Note Can you store credit card details and charge the customer later? Integrated payments Note Does the software offer a first-party payment processing solution? Client Data & Communication SMS Notification Email Notificition Dedicated business SMS number Note Do you get a business phone number that your messages and notifications are send from? Two way SMS communication Note Clients can confirm appointments by replying to SMS Forms Note Can you create intake forms, store SOAP notes, and have clients sign your forms? Client notes Note Can you store notes about clients on their profile? Client files and images Note Can you store files and image on in the client’s profile? Inventory and Product Types Inventory tracking Note Will the system keep track of stock levels, notify you when it’s time to re-order? Purchase orders Note Can the system create automatic purchase orders for you? Note Not available on Essentials plan. Retail Memberships Packages Gift cards Team Support & Payroll Fully integrated payroll Note Can you run payroll and cut paychecks directly through the software? 3rd party payroll integration Note Does the software allow you integrate and share data with a 3rd party payroll solution (e.g. Gusto, ADP, Paychex, etc)? Payroll reports Commission support Note Can you track and report on commission for service, retail, and other product types? Multi-location support Note Does the system have specific support for businesses with multiple locations Booth renter support Note Can the system help with rent collection, payments, and other booth renter management tasks. Marketing Support Email marketing SMS marketing Website builder Client marketplace Note Does it offer a platform where potential clients can browse businesses using the software? Add-on offers Note Can you promote service add-ons/upsells as part of the online booking flow? Cloud & Mobile App Access Full-featured mobile app Note Can you access all software features in the mobile app? Web browser iPad iPhone Android ## Integrating with Other Platforms for Additional Features Both competitors have great support for integrations. Square Appointments shines when it comes to expanding capabilities by integrating with other apps. It offers easy connections to both Square’s suite of business products as well as various third-party platforms. This makes it straightforward to add on specific features as your salon grows. When it comes to out-of-the-box integrations, Boulevard offers a ton of value for commonly used apps like Shopify, Facebook, Instagram, and more. This allows for convenient synchronization without any custom development work. ## Integrations These platforms both offer third-party integrations. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Square-logo@2x.jpg) Square Appointments [Learn more..](/square-appointments-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Boulevard-logo@2x.jpg) Boulevard [Learn more..](/boulevard-software-review/) Custom integrations Note Does the platform allow you to create new integrations to support your business-specific needs? Native integrations Note Built-in integrations that you can activate as needed The Square App Marketplace offer a lot of integrations. Some popular examples are: - Quickbooks - Jotform - Wix - WooCommerce Note - On Enterprise plan only - Green Circle - Okta SSO - Shopify - Facebook and Instagram Book Now - Zapier - Quickbooks Online - Reserve with Google ## Pricing Square Appointments appeals to independent professionals and small businesses with its free plan for individuals, making it an accessible choice for those just starting out. Boulevard has the higher entry pricing of the two options. However, just like many other major competitors, their basic plan also omits many of their best features. Ultimately, you will need to spring for a mid-tier or premium plan to get the most value for your money. If low cost is important to you, then you will be better off with Square or another low-cost alternative on my[top salon and spa software list](/best-salon-software/). ## Square Appointments vs Boulevard Pricing Square is more attractively priced than Boulevard. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Square-logo@2x.jpg) Square Appointments [Learn more..](/square-appointments-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Boulevard-logo@2x.jpg) Boulevard [Learn more..](/boulevard-software-review/) Starting price Free for individuals $49/month for teams per location $176/month Trial Options Free base tier plan 30-day free trial for Plus and Premium plans Must request trial via a demo call Minimum contract length Cancel any time 12 months Plans - Free: $0/month (only very essential features) - Plus: $49/month per location (adds client notifications and cancellation policies) - Premium: $149/month per location (includes more sophisticated features like resource management). - Unlimited calendars on all plans - Essentials: $176/month - Premier: most popular plan – $325/month - Prestige: upper-tier plan – $455/month - Enterprise: custom plan for chains and franchises; pricing is custom Plans - Free: $0/month (only very essential features) - Plus: $49/month per location (adds client notifications and cancellation policies) - Premium: $149/month per location (includes more sophisticated features like resource management). - Unlimited calendars on all plans - Essentials: $176/month - Premier: most popular plan – $325/month - Prestige: upper-tier plan – $455/month - Enterprise: custom plan for chains and franchises; pricing is custom Add-ons - Email Marketing: $15/month - SMS Marketing: $10/month - Square Loyalty: $45/month - Square Payroll: $35 + $6/month per user - Forms and Charts: $55/month per location - Contact Center: Starting at $25/month per location - QuickBooks Integration: $45/month per location - Automated Email Campaigns: $2 per completed appointment - One-Time Blast Emails: Specific # included with each plan, $0.01 per email thereafter Add-ons - Email Marketing: $15/month - SMS Marketing: $10/month - Square Loyalty: $45/month - Square Payroll: $35 + $6/month per user - Forms and Charts: $55/month per location - Contact Center: Starting at $25/month per location - QuickBooks Integration: $45/month per location - Automated Email Campaigns: $2 per completed appointment - One-Time Blast Emails: Specific # included with each plan, $0.01 per email thereafter Credit card fees - In-person payments: 2.5% + $0.10 - Online payments: 2.9% + $0.30 - Manual payments: 3.5% + $0.15 With Offset Feature - 3% charged to client, business charged 1% Without Offset Feature - In-person payments: 2.6% + $0.10 - Online payments: 3.5% + $0.10 Credit card fees - In-person payments: 2.5% + $0.10 - Online payments: 2.9% + $0.30 - Manual payments: 3.5% + $0.15 With Offset Feature - 3% charged to client, business charged 1% Without Offset Feature - In-person payments: 2.6% + $0.10 - Online payments: 3.5% + $0.10 ## What Do Users Think of These Platforms? You’ve heard my thoughts on [Square Appointments](/square-appointments-review/) and [Boulevard](https://thesalonbusiness.com/boulevard-software-review/). For a more comprehensive view of the true app experience, here’s a summary of user ratings for these two platforms on popular review sites. ## User Reviews Compared Let's compare scores for these systems on the major user review sites. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Square-logo@2x.jpg) Square Appointments [Learn more..](/square-appointments-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Boulevard-logo@2x.jpg) Boulevard [Learn more..](/boulevard-software-review/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/captera.png) [4.5](https://www.capterra.com/p/170263/Square-Appointments/) [4.6](https://www.capterra.com/p/180087/Boulevard/) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/g2.png) [4.5](https://www.g2.com/products/square-payments/reviews?source=search) [4.4](https://www.g2.com/products/boulevard-labs-inc-boulevard/reviews?source=search) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/app.png) 4.8 4.7 ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/themes/the-salon-business/images/google-play.png) 4.8 3.4 ## What Alternatives Should You Consider? Square Appointments and Boulevard are both good choices for a range of businesses. If you’re still unsure if either is the right fit for you, check out these great alternatives: [Mangomint](https://www.mangomint.com/?utm_source=thesalonbusiness&utm_content=square-vs-boulevard) is the highest-rated software for salons and spas. If you have a team and you want the best customer service in the industry, I highly recommend you give them a try. [GlossGenius](/glossgenius-review/) is my recommended alternative to Square for independent professionals on a tight budget. ## Mangomint vs GlossGenius A quick comparison of the two Square and Boulevard alternatives. ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/Mangomint-logo@2x.jpg) **Mangomint** [Learn more..](https://mangomint.com) ![](https://thesalonbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/GlossGenius-logo@2x.jpg) **GlossGenius** [Learn more..](/glossgenius-review/) **Overall score** Note The overall score considers ease of use, customer service, features, user ratings, and cost. Scores are determined solely by our editorial team. 4.9 4.4 **Starting price** Note Starting price reflects the lowest base plan offered by the platform. Actual costs will vary depending on team size, features, add-ons and payment processing volume. See the pricing section below for more details. $165/month $28/month **Who is it for** The highest-rated software for salons & spas. Designed for businesses with a team who want the best design experience, smart automations, and the flexibility to integrate with other systems. For independent professionals who want to start accepting payments and get appointment scheduling, a website and marketing up fast without compromising on the experience of their brand **Ease of use** 5 5 **Customer Service** 5 3 **Countries** U.S, Canada U.S. **Key features** - Modern, intuitive, and easy to use - Smart automations that help cut down on time spent managing business operations - Open data ownership and no contracts (you’re not locked into anything) - Can integrate with any other platform who allows for integrations - Highest-rated customer service on the market - Premium beauty-inspired interface design - Professional-looking website in just a few clicks - Integrated payment and card reader with customizable design - Affordable, transparent, flat fee pricing ## Conclusion I hope this comparison of Square Appointments and Boulevard has helped you in your quest for the right salon and spa software. For more top-tier software alternatives, don’t miss my [list of the best salon and spa software right now](https://thesalonbusiness.com/best-salon-software/).