Phorest vs Boulevard: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Phorest
8.0(3,200 reviews)
Salon software focused on client retention with built-in marketing, reputation management, and loyalty programs from $99/month.
Boulevard
8.2(1,400 reviews)
Enterprise-grade salon and spa platform built for premium multi-location businesses with advanced client management and analytics.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Phorest | Boulevard |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Salons struggling with client retention that need systematic win-back campaigns and loyalty programs | Multi-location premium salon groups needing enterprise-grade client management and centralized analytics |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $99/mo | $175/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
Pros & Cons
Phorest
Pros
- Best-in-class client retention tools — automated win-back campaigns and loyalty programs that measurably reduce client churn
- Targeted marketing based on actual client behavior (visit frequency, spending, services) beats generic email blasts
- Strong reputation management that monitors reviews and systematically generates positive feedback from happy clients
- Particularly strong in European markets with native GDPR compliance, multi-currency, and local payment processing
- Retention analytics identify at-risk clients before they leave so you can proactively reach out
Cons
- Core booking and POS features are solid but not best-in-class — the platform shines in marketing, not operations
- Interface design is functional but not as polished or fast as Mangomint or as intuitive as Fresha
- Weaker presence in the US market compared to European markets where Phorest is more established
- Retention tools require ongoing attention — set-and-forget doesn't work, you need to monitor and adjust campaigns
- Starting price of $99/month doesn't include the best features — you really need the $199+ Grow plan for full value
Boulevard
Pros
- Deepest client management in the salon software category — detailed profiles rival luxury retail CRM systems
- Multi-location management handles complexity of 10-100+ locations with centralized reporting and standardized menus
- Advanced analytics provide data-driven insights into client spending, retention, and staff performance across locations
- Professional brand experience that matches what high-end salons want their technology to reflect
- Custom fields and flexible data structure adapt to unique business processes that rigid templates cannot
Cons
- Expensive at $175-410/month per location — only justified for salons with average tickets of $150+ per visit
- Complex setup and longer staff training compared to simpler platforms like Mangomint or Fresha
- Overpowered for small salons with 2-3 stylists — most features go unused at that scale
- Interface is professional but not as intuitive as Mangomint — more clicks required for common tasks
- No consumer marketplace for client discovery — requires your own marketing efforts for new client acquisition
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Phorest | subscription | $99/mo |
| Boulevard | subscription | $175/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Phorest if...
Salons struggling with client retention that need systematic win-back campaigns and loyalty programs
Choose Boulevard if...
Multi-location premium salon groups needing enterprise-grade client management and centralized analytics
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.