The Ultimate Guide to Booking Systems for Lash Artists in 2025

Running a lash business is more than just creating beautiful sets, it’s about managing your time, clients, and payments seamlessly. That’s where booking systems come in. 

With so many platforms out there, and certain platforms putting their prices up and changing their models, it can be tricky to know which one suits your lash business best. We’ve done the research and pulled together the pros and cons of 15 booking systems used by lash artists in the UK right now.

1. Timely
2. Fresha
3. Simplybook.me
4. Setmore
5. Booksy
6. Square Appointments
7. Solo
8. Nookal
9. Phorest
10. Treatwell Connect
11. Ovatu
12. Acuity Scheduling
13. Vagaro Pro
14. Schedul
15. Goldie App

Conclusion

Timely

Timely is an all-in-one scheduling system built specifically with beauty and wellness businesses in mind. It combines appointment management, staff scheduling, and client communication tools into one platform.

Pro’s:

• Designed for salons and beauty professionals.
• Advanced features including stock, payroll, marketing, Klarna/Afterpay options.
• Excellent client communication tools (SMS, reminders, packages).

Con’s:

• No free plan... starts from ~£15 per month, per user.
• Best for those who need full salon management rather than just booking tools.

Fresha

Fresha has been a go-to platform for lash and beauty pros in the UK for years, thanks to its sleek interface and easy online booking.

Pro’s:

• Client-friendly app and booking portal.
• Easy to track appointments and sales.
• Includes 50 texts/emails per month.
• Integrated POS and inventory tools.

Con’s:

• Moving to a subscription model for full access.
• Limited options for branding/customisation.
• Extra fees for card payments, cancellations, and certain features.

Simplybook.me

This platform is super flexible, working across a range of industries (not just beauty). It’s great if you want more control over your booking page and client experience.

Pro’s:

• Free plan with unlimited appointments (up to 4 staff).
• Works with GBP and UK banks.
• Online booking page and Facebook/Instagram button integration.

Con’s:

• SMS reminders and some integrations only available on paid plans.
• Simpler interface… not as polished as Fresha or Booksy.

Setmore

A user-friendly platform designed for simplicity and efficiency, ideal for solo lash artists or small teams.

Pro’s:

• Free plan (50 bookings per month).
• Lots of customisable add-ons (deposits, promos, memberships).
• Integrates with Instagram, Google, and Facebook.

Con’s:

• Add-ons can get expensive (£8-£50/month).
• Free tier has booking limits.

Booksy

A popular option in the UK beauty industry, Booksy is designed to help stylists manage everything in one place.

Pro’s:

• Strong UK presence, especially in beauty.
• “Book Now” button for Instagram and Facebook.
• Marketplace exposure can help new clients discover you.

Con’s:

• Not free. UK pricing starts from ~£40/month + VAT.
• Marketplace exposure comes at a cost (you pay to be listed).

Square Appointments

Perfect for small businesses who want an all-in-one solution that integrates bookings with payments and even product sales.

Pro’s:

• Free plan for solo users.
• Transparent UK card fees (1.75% in-person, 1.4% + 25p online).
• Easy online booking and payments in-app.
• Option to sell products and gift cards.

Con’s:

• Paid plans (£19-£69/month) needed for multiple staff or locations.
• You’ll still pay transaction fees.

Solo

Solo is a budget-friendly booking system that’s great for lash artists looking for a flexible, low-cost option with all the basics.

Pro’s:

• Affordable plans from £15.99 (free trial for your first 30 bookings).
• All-in-one calendar with online bookings.
• Works across multiple locations.
• Consultation forms included.
• Low-cost and flexible payments (1.6% + 30p for online payments, no fees for cash or bank transfers).

Con’s:

• Best suited to solo lash artists or small teams, not full salon management.
• Limited advanced features compared to higher-priced competitors.

Nookal

Nookal is a scheduling platform with powerful features and detailed reporting, ideal if you want more control over your bookings and business data.

Pro’s:

• 14-day free trial, with plans from £25/month.
• Advanced appointment management.
• Automated reminders and notifications.
• Calendar sync with customisable scheduling rules.
• Detailed analytics and reporting to track growth.

Con’s:

• Pricing increases depending on number of users.
• More complex than some lash artists may need.

Phorest

Phorest is designed for growing salons and aesthetic clinics, making it a strong choice for lash businesses scaling to a team of 3+ staff.

Pro’s:

• Great for expanding salons with multiple staff.
• Comprehensive salon and spa management features.
• Request a tailored quote based on your needs.

Con’s:

• Pricing not fixed upfront, must request a quote.
• Better suited for larger salons rather than solo lash artists.

Treatwell Connect

A well-known name in the UK beauty industry, Treatwell Connect offers a mix of booking software and client exposure through the Treatwell marketplace.

Pro’s:

• Free to start.
• Unlimited appointment scheduling and digital calendar.
• Venue profile on Treatwell marketplace (helps new clients find you).
• Integrated with social media and Google My Business.
• Client review management.
• Unlimited email notifications and reminders.
• Customisable discounts and promotions.
• Team portfolios published on marketplace.
• 0% commission for repeat bookings.

Con’s:

• New client commission applies if the client comes via Treatwell marketplace (location-based rates).
• 2.5% fee for online prepayments.

Ovatu

Ovatu is a well-rounded system offering everything from bookings to payments, with a generous 30-day free trial.

Pro’s:

• 30-day free trial, then from £20/month.
• Online booking, POS, reminders, waitlist, and customer reviews.
• Integrations available for smooth workflow.
• Unlimited non-bookable users (great for larger teams).
• SMS costs are affordable (~£10 per month).

Con’s:

• Some advanced features locked behind integrations.
• May be more than a solo lash artist requires.
  

Acuity Scheduling

Acuity is a popular option for freelancers and small businesses, known for its sleek booking system and client-friendly features.

Pro’s:

• Customisable scheduling options.
• Client self-booking, cancellations, and rescheduling.
• Integrates with payment processors and calendars.
• Automated reminders and confirmations.
• Strong reputation among freelancers and independent beauty pros.

Con’s:

• Monthly plans required (pricing varies by features).
• Interface feels more “corporate” than beauty-focused.

Vagaro Pro

Vagaro Pro is a feature-rich platform with strong salon and spa functionality, ideal for lash artists ready to grow their business.

Pro’s:

• All-in-one solution with appointments, payroll, POS, and marketing.
• Customisable branded app options.
  
• Detailed reporting and analytics.
• Marketplace exposure to new clients.
• Affordable monthly pricing compared to high-end salon systems.

Con’s:

• Marketplace exposure can mean competing with other businesses.
• More features than solo artists may need.

Schedul

Shedul (often linked with Fresha) has been a free booking software favourite for many beauty businesses.

Pro’s:

• Free to use.
• Simple online booking tools.
• Great for small businesses wanting to avoid subscription fees.

Con’s:

• Limited features compared to paid competitors.
• May not stay completely free forever (changes to Fresha model suggest fees could increase).

Goldie App

Goldie is designed for solo professionals who need something simple, mobile-friendly, and affordable.

Pro’s:

• Easy-to-use mobile app.
• Free basic plan available.
• Online booking and appointment reminders.
• Perfect for freelancers and solo lash artists.

Con’s:

• Limited scalability for larger salons.
• Fewer advanced features (e.g., no full payroll/stock management).

So which booking system is best for lash artists?

If you’re looking for a free, simple option to get started, Square Appointments or SimplyBook.me are solid choices.

For a more polished client experience, Fresha and Booksy stand out, but be prepared for subscriptions and fees.

If you want full salon management, Timely is hard to beat, though it’s pricier.

At the end of the day, the best system depends on your business size, budget, and whether you want just bookings or an all-in-one salon solution.

 

Top Tip from LashBase: Don’t let booking fees eat into your profits. Always weigh up what’s included in the monthly subscription vs. the extras you’ll need to pay for.