01
Travel time
Look for mobile-service settings, padding between appointments or a reliable way to block travel gaps before another client can book.
How we judged
What mobile hairstylists actually need.
A normal salon diary is not enough. The useful test is whether the software protects travel time, captures the right client details and keeps the cost sensible.
02
Address details
Your booking form should collect the full address, postcode and practical notes such as parking, access and stairs.
03
Deposits and reminders
Colour, bridal and long appointments put more time at risk. Deposits, cancellation rules and reminders matter when a no-show also wastes a journey.
04
Cost after you get busy
Check the subscription, payment fees, marketplace commission and any charge for adding staff before comparing headline prices.
The shortlist
Five options for a mobile hair business.
Setora is our pick for mobile hairstylists who already attract their own clients and want direct bookings at a predictable price. The other tools suit different priorities.
The strongest fit for mobile hairstylists who bring their own clients and want a professional booking journey without marketplace commission.
Cost model
£39/month per location, before VAT where applicable · no Setora commission · no per-staff fee.
Best for
Independent hair professionals who want one Booking Page, deposits, included email reminders, client records and blocked time around travel.
Watch for
Setora works best when your existing client conversation covers the visit address and you plan each journey yourself. It offers blocked time, not automatic routing, postcode travel charges or service-radius rules.
Provider source
02Option
Booksy
Mobile-service controlsWorth comparing when explicit mobile-service controls and marketplace discovery matter more than a flat direct-booking model.
Cost model
UK subscription last verified at £40/month plus VAT, with £5/month plus VAT for each additional user. Optional Boost charges commission on qualifying first visits.
Best for
Mobile hairstylists who want Booksy's mobile-service tools, appointment buffers and marketplace discovery in one system.
Watch for
Confirm the current UK price and exactly how client addresses, travel areas and fees work for your setup before switching on online booking.
Provider source
03Option
Square Appointments
Phone paymentsStrong when booking and taking contactless payments on the same phone matter more than specialist travel controls.
Cost model
A free solo subscription is available. Paid plans and Square card-processing fees apply when you need more features or take payments.
Best for
Solo mobile hairstylists who want a booking site, client records and Tap to Pay without separate card hardware.
Watch for
Square supports blocked personal time, but its published UK Appointments pages do not present route planning as a core feature. Add travel gaps deliberately.
Provider source
04Option
Goldie
Simple solo diaryA straightforward mobile-first diary with a useful free starting point for a new solo business.
Cost model
Free Starter plan for up to 20 appointments per month. Paid plans add unlimited appointments, automated reminders and broader business tools.
Best for
Solo hairstylists who want a quick booking page, client notes, deposits and app access without a complex salon setup.
Watch for
The public feature list is strong on appointments but not on dedicated travel zones or routing. Check whether manual gaps are enough for your patch.
Provider source
05Option
Fresha
Marketplace discoveryA broad beauty platform with a large marketplace, direct booking links and a business app.
Cost model
£14.95/month for one bookable professional or £9.95/month per bookable team member, excluding VAT. Marketplace new clients carry a one-time 20% fee with a £4 minimum.
Best for
Mobile hairstylists who actively want marketplace discovery and are comfortable with its attribution and fee model.
Watch for
Marketplace commission, payment fees and messaging charges can sit alongside the subscription. Confirm how mobile service areas are handled before committing.
Provider source
What you actually pay
Price and travel handling.
Compare the charging model first, then check how each tool protects time between appointments. The right choice should fit the way you already find clients and plan your day.
ToolHow you are chargedTravel handling
Setora£39/month per location, before VAT where applicable; SMS credits and card processing separateBlocked time
BooksySubscription, additional-user fees, optional Boost and payment processingMobile-service tools
Square AppointmentsFree solo subscription available; paid plans and payment processing separateBlocked time
GoldieFree Starter limit, then paid solo and team plansCheck setup
FreshaSolo or per-team-member subscription, marketplace commission and optional chargesCheck service areas
A note on this comparison: Published 26 August 2026. Setora publishes this guide and sells one of the products in it. Provider features were checked on the same date. Booksy UK pricing was last verified on 8 May 2026. Prices and plan features can change, so confirm the current terms before subscribing.
Keep reading
Related guides.
Salon software
Setora for hair professionals
See direct online booking, deposits, reminders, client records and the flat monthly price.
See productBuyer guideBest salon software in the UK
Compare five wider salon platforms on pricing, commission, client ownership and fit.
Read guidePaymentsDeposits and online payments
See how Setora protects longer appointments with deposits and Booking Protection.
See featureRemindersAppointment reminder software
Compare included email reminders with separately bought SMS credits.
See featureQuestions
Mobile hair booking, in plain English.
Straight answers on travel gaps, client addresses, deposits and choosing a system that fits work on the road.
What is the best booking software for mobile hairstylists in the UK?
Setora is our pick for mobile hairstylists who already attract their own clients. It combines a direct Booking Page, deposits, included email reminders, client records and blocked time for £39/month per location, before VAT where applicable, with no Setora commission or per-staff fees. Booksy is worth comparing if you need explicit mobile-service controls, Square Appointments if phone payments lead the decision, Goldie for a simple starter diary or Fresha for marketplace discovery.
What should booking software for a mobile hairdresser include?
At minimum, look for online booking, protected travel time, a way to collect the client's full address and access notes, deposits, cancellation rules, automated reminders, client notes and a booking link you can share on Instagram and Google. If you take payment at the appointment, check whether Tap to Pay works on your phone and what each transaction costs.
How should I add travel time between mobile hair appointments?
Use a dedicated padding or buffer setting where the platform offers one. Otherwise, make the service duration long enough to protect the journey or block time after each appointment before the next slot becomes bookable. Test the public booking page with two nearby appointments before sharing the link. A calendar that looks free while you are still driving is not free.
Is Setora suitable for mobile hairstylists?
Yes. Setora is a strong fit for independent UK mobile hairstylists who get bookings directly and want a professional Booking Page, deposits, included email reminders, client records and blocked time for £39/month per location, before VAT where applicable. It takes no Setora commission and adds no per-staff fee.
Should a mobile hairstylist take a deposit?
It is worth considering for colour, bridal and other long appointments because a late cancellation can waste both the appointment and the journey. Set a clear deposit and cancellation policy, show it before the client confirms and explain whether the deposit is refundable or moved when an appointment is rescheduled.
What client details should a mobile hairstylist collect when someone books?
Collect the full visit address and postcode, a phone number, parking or permit information and access instructions. Setora's published client records cover name, phone, email, consent, booking history and visit statistics. They do not currently include consultation notes, formulas, allergy records, patch-test records, photos or attachments, so confirm how you will collect and store anything else your services require.