Zenoti vs. Boulevard: Which is the Better Salon and Spa Software?

Zenoti vs. Boulevard is quite an interesting comparison – a battle of “old vs. new” in the salon and spa software world.

And, considering the rising popularity of Boulevard in the US and the massive worldwide reach of Zenoti, you’re not the only one weighing these two software options against each other.

Zenoti, originally founded as ManageMySpa in 2010, has become wildly popular and one of the more prominent names in the salon software world, raising hundreds of millions in funding, employing over 650 staff members, and powering more than 25,000 businesses.

Boulevard, founded in 2016, is a much smaller company and a fresher face in the salon and spa software world and has grown rapidly, now serving over 2,000 business customers.

Zenoti vs. Boulevard: The Basics

To quickly sum up “Zenoti vs. Boulevard” in just a few words, I would describe it as a battle between “Utility vs. Polish.”

Zenoti is a solid pick for salon and spa owners who want highly detailed reporting and in-depth reputation management tools, and don’t mind a bit of a stiff and dated interface. Zenoti’s features build on the blueprint established by businesses like Booker and Mindbody, and expand the customizability and capability of those features with control over even the most minute details.

Boulevard, on the other hand, offers a level of sophistication and modern convenience through a clean UI design that speaks to its positioning as a luxury brand. Their robust feature set is tailored to high-end salons, spas, med spas, barbershops, and other wellness businesses that want a premium experience for their clients and themselves.

Let’s take a closer look at these two platforms.

Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn in this post:

• An overview of each system
• A comparison of the differences that separate them
• A feature-by-feature comparison
• Pricing differences
• Ratings & reviews from their users.

Zenoti vs Boulevard

Let's kick off with an overview of the two platforms we're diving into today.

Zenoti

Boulevard

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.

3.6

4.3

Average price

Note

Assumes you run a business with a mid-size team and have activated the more common add-ons. What you will pay will be lower or higher than this. See the separate section about pricing for full details.

$350 per month

$425 per month

Who is it for

Business owners who want a highly-detail-oriented piece of salon and spa software that offers deep data insights and great reporting and who need in-depth reputation management tools to build their brand online.

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

3.5

4.5

Customer Service

4.0

5.0

Countries

Available in nearly 50 countries worldwide

U.S.

Key features

• Integrated email marketing suite
• Two-way client messaging (via paid add-on feature: ezConnect)
• Reputation management suite (via paid add-on feature: ezRepute)
• Employee performance tracking (via paid add-on feature: ezPulse)

• 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: Zenoti vs. Boulevard

Let’s take a closer look at what each system has to offer in comparison to the other.

How Do They Compare? Strengths and Weaknesses

What stands out with Zenoti are its robust reputation management features.

The ability to monitor and manage reviews across over 200 platforms is really impressive, and for those who care about their brand and want to be in control of the conversation about it online, that toolset can be a great asset.

Boulevard stands with its easy-to-use interface, excellent online booking, Precision Scheduling technology that helps fill the best gaps on the calendar first, and its well-designed and easily searchable online help center.

Both Zenoti and Boulevard have impressive reporting features that allow you to take advantage of all the data you gather from your customers to give you better insight into your business. This information and its associated tools in the software can be utilized for business growth and better targeting via your marketing efforts.

Likewise, both options have integrated payment solutions, email marketing suites, two-way messaging features, and mobile apps.

On the flip side, there are definitely cons to both platforms.

Zenoti is plagued by a high cost of entry and no free trial. Additionally, the mobile app has a low to mixed rating on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Boulevard has similarly mixed app ratings, with many users reporting a buggy experience. Likewise, enabling services for staff members is tedious and scheduling employees is a bit unintuitive and limiting.

Let’s Talk Features: Zenoti vs. Boulevard

These software options are very evenly matched.

Both Boulevard and Zenoti have impressive marketing suites, great reporting capabilities, two-way messaging SMS messaging, and all the basics – calendar and appointment booking, online booking, POS and integrated payments, etc.

The major edge I can give to Zenoti is their ezRepute feature, which allows business owners to track and manage their reviews and ratings across over 200 sites.

Zenoti vs Boulevard

Boulevard and Zenoti offer many features. Let's go through what these features are and where they differ.

	Zenoti	Boulevard
Online Booking	Zenoti	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?	Note Not by default. Available through Zenoti Go add-on.
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?	Note Not by default. Available through Zenoti Go add-on.
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?	Note Available through ezConnect premium add-on for an additional fee
Two way SMS communication	Note Available through ezConnect premium add-on for an additional fee
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?	Note Can upload files to forms, but not client profiles
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

A plus for both Boulevard and Zenoti is the ability to integrate with other platforms.

Here, Boulevard offers the most upside for commonly used integrations, while Zenoti offers the most customizability.

The major edge Boulevard has is its larger library of direct integrations with apps like Shopify, Facebook and Instagram Book Now, and a couple handfuls of other commonly used apps. Zenoti only has a very small bundle of direct integrations, relying on their open API for any others.

Zenoti vs Boulevard

These platforms both offer third-party integrations.

	Zenoti	Boulevard
Custom integrations Note Does the platform allow you to create new integrations to support your business-specific needs?		Note On Enterprise plan only.
Native integrations Note Built-in integrations that you can activate as needed	Quickbooks Xero Smartkart Wisely Gantner Gympass	Green Circle Okta SSO Shopify Facebook & Instagram Book Now Zapier Quickbooks Online Reserve with Google

Pricing: Zenoti vs. Boulevard

Boulevard offers the lowest entry price, but at that price point, you will be missing out on many of their best features.

Unfortunately, Zenoti doesn’t offer transparency in their fee structure. They claim not to provide traditional monthly plan pricing. However, on our demo call, we were shown a presentation with a “custom pricing” structure based on our salon’s needs, listing three “recommended package options.”

These options all had a higher price point than Boulevard’s two lowest-tier plans.

If price is important to you, Boulevard is the true winner here, but keep in mind that with either software you will likely want to opt for their mid-tier or higher options in order to take advantage of their best features.

For other salon and spa software suggestions, read our top salon and spa software list.

Zenoti vs Boulevard Pricing

Boulevard is more attractively priced than Zenoti.

	Zenoti	Boulevard
Average Price	$350 per month	$425 per month
Trial Options	No free trial	Must request trial via a demo call
Minimum contract length	12 months	12 months
Plans Zenoti doesn’t offer transparent pricing information on their website. These are the “recommended packages” they offered us as a potential salon client: “Recommended Option #1” – $350 (per month, per location) “Salon Core Package” ezConnect (two-way SMS feature) 7500 marketing emails 1000 marketing texts “Recommended Option #2” – $450 (per month, per location) Everything in Option #1, plus “Marketing Plus Package” Custom-branded client-facing mobile app ezRepute (review management feature) “Recommended Option #3” – $500 (per month, per location) Option #1, plus Smartbot (AI powered chatbot feature) Essentials: entry-level plan – $175 per month Premier: most popular plan – $325 per month Prestige: upper-tier plan – $455 per month Enterprise: custom plan for chains and franchises – pricing is custom
Plans	Zenoti doesn’t offer transparent pricing information on their website. These are the “recommended packages” they offered us as a potential salon client: “Recommended Option #1” – $350 (per month, per location) “Salon Core Package” ezConnect (two-way SMS feature) 7500 marketing emails 1000 marketing texts “Recommended Option #2” – $450 (per month, per location) Everything in Option #1, plus “Marketing Plus Package” Custom-branded client-facing mobile app ezRepute (review management feature) “Recommended Option #3” – $500 (per month, per location) Option #1, plus Smartbot (AI powered chatbot feature)	Essentials: entry-level plan – $175 per month Premier: most popular plan – $325 per month Prestige: upper-tier plan – $455 per month Enterprise: custom plan for chains and franchises – pricing is custom
Add-ons ezConnect – In-App Two-Way Text Messaging: $29 – $169 per month per location ezRepute – Reputation Management Suite: $189 per month per location Smart Bot (Web / IVR): $150 – $400 per month per location ezPulse – Employee Performance Tracking Suite: $49 per month per location Credits (Email & SMS Marketing Campaigns): $180 – $1500 Forms and Charts – $55 per month per location Contact Center – Starting at $25 per month per location QuickBooks Integration – $45 per 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	ezConnect – In-App Two-Way Text Messaging: $29 – $169 per month per location ezRepute – Reputation Management Suite: $189 per month per location Smart Bot (Web / IVR): $150 – $400 per month per location ezPulse – Employee Performance Tracking Suite: $49 per month per location Credits (Email & SMS Marketing Campaigns): $180 – $1500	Forms and Charts – $55 per month per location Contact Center – Starting at $25 per month per location QuickBooks Integration – $45 per 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 Credit card processing rates through Zenoti Payments: Card Present All cards except Amex: 2.45% + 10c Amex:  2.95% + 10c Card Not Present All cards except Amex: 2.95% + 10c Amex:  3.25% + $0.10 With “Offset” Feature 3% charged to client, business charged 1%. Without “Offset” Feature In-person transactions: 2.6% + 10¢ Virtual transactions: 3.5% + 10¢
Credit card fees	Credit card processing rates through Zenoti Payments: Card Present All cards except Amex: 2.45% + 10c Amex:  2.95% + 10c Card Not Present All cards except Amex: 2.95% + 10c Amex:  3.25% + $0.10	With “Offset” Feature 3% charged to client, business charged 1%. Without “Offset” Feature In-person transactions: 2.6% + 10¢ Virtual transactions: 3.5% + 10¢

What Do Users Think of These Platforms?

You’ve read what I think. Now, let’s look at what users have to say.

Zenoti vs Boulevard

Let's compare scores for these systems on the major user review sites.

	Zenoti	Boulevard
	4.4	4.6
	4.2	4.1
	2.6	3.5
	1.4	2.1

What Alternatives Should You Consider?

Both of these software suites offer many features and great reporting and marketing capabilities, but are they the best fit for your business? Check out some of our top salon and spa software alternatives.

Mangomint is the highest-rated software for salons and spas. If you have a team and want an easy-to-use software that handles the little stuff for you, Mangomint is a win-win.

Vagaro is ideal for busy salons that need a feature-rich app and a client marketplace at a very affordable rate.

Mangomint vs Boulevard

A quick comparison of the two Vagaro and Zenoti alternatives.

Mangomint

Boulevard

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

4.3

Average price

Note

Assumes you run a business with a mid-size team and have activated the more common add-ons. What you will pay will be lower or higher than this. See the separate section about pricing for full details.

$245 per month

$425 per 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.

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

5

4.5

Customer Service

5

5.0

Countries

U.S. and 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

• Easy-to-use interface
• Excellent online booking
• Integrated email marketing suite
• Highly detailed custom reports [on Premiere and above]

Conclusion

I hope you found this comparison of Boulevard and Zenoti helpful in your search for the perfect salon software.

For more alternatives, please read my list of the best salon and spa software in 2024.

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