Softabase

Phorest vs Boulevard: Complete Comparison 2026

An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

Phorest logo

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 logo

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

AspectPhorestBoulevard
Best ForSalons struggling with client retention that need systematic win-back campaigns and loyalty programsMulti-location premium salon groups needing enterprise-grade client management and centralized analytics
Pricing ModelSubscriptionSubscription
Starting Price$99/mo$175/mo
Deploymentcloudcloud
PlatformsWEB, IOS, ANDROIDWEB, IOS, ANDROID
Rating8.0/108.2/10

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

ProductPricing ModelStarting Price
Phorestsubscription$99/mo
Boulevardsubscription$175/mo

Our Verdict

Choose Phorest if...

Salons struggling with client retention that need systematic win-back campaigns and loyalty programs

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Choose Boulevard if...

Multi-location premium salon groups needing enterprise-grade client management and centralized analytics

Learn More

Still Not Sure?

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.