Salonist or MeetScarlet: a branded app for your salon.
For a salon that wants its branded app published under its own Apple and Google developer accounts, or that also books tanning beds, classes or courts, MeetScarlet is the better pick; the Salonist pages we read don't say whose account holds its app. Salonist costs less for a branded app, $179 a month on Expert with unlimited staff and no setup fee, against MeetScarlet's $349 plus $999 setup on monthly billing (free on yearly). We make MeetScarlet; every Salonist fact here comes from Salonist's own pages.
Which should you pick?
Who wrote this: the team that makes MeetScarlet. We compare from each vendor's own public pages, read on November 1, 2026, not from a hands-on test of the rival. Where a vendor does not publish something, we say so rather than guess.
Pick MeetScarlet if you want the app published under your own Apple and Google developer accounts, with the app in every plan and deposits set per service. MeetScarlet also books tanning beds, classes and courts in the same app as your services, and our team builds and submits the app and imports your client list as part of setup, free on yearly billing.
Salonist may suit you if you want a branded app for less, with unlimited staff, a point of sale and retail in one system.
Why salons pick MeetScarlet over Salonist
- Your app is published under your own Apple and Google developer accounts; the Salonist pages we read don't say whose account holds its app
- The app is in every plan; Salonist includes it on Expert and sells it as an add-on on its other plans, with no add-on price on the pages we read
- Tanning beds, classes and courts book in the same app as your services
Side by side
| Salonist | MeetScarlet | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59, $109 or $179 a month, billed monthly; the branded app is on Expert ($179) | $349 a month, or $499 on MeetScarlet Pro |
| Branded app | Included on Expert; an add-on on other plans (add-on price not shown on the pages we read) | In every plan |
| Whose developer account | Under your salon's name in both stores; whose account is not stated on the pages we read | Your own Apple and Google accounts ($99 a year to Apple, $25 once to Google) |
| Staff | Unlimited on every plan | 5 staff logins, or 20 on MeetScarlet Pro |
| Setup | No setup fee; most salons ready within a few days of sending brand details, then Apple and Google review | $999 on monthly billing, free on yearly; about 4 to 6 weeks for the store apps, most of it Apple's enrollment. Your web app's link is ready during setup, and members can book there as soon as you choose your MeetScarlet plan. They keep the same account when the store apps launch. |
| Point of sale and retail | Every paid plan | None |
| Marketplace | A Salonist marketplace listing; see its pricing page for how the marketplace is charged | None |
From salonist.io/pricing and salonist.io/features/salon-booking-app, read November 1, 2026; prices from a US address, in US dollars.
Where Salonist may fit better
- A branded app at a lower monthly price, with unlimited staff and no setup fee
- A point of sale, retail products and inventory in the same system
- Loyalty points, SMS and email campaigns, and waitlist management, listed on its pricing page
- A marketplace listing that can bring new clients
Questions to ask on a Salonist demo
Salonist's public pages leave these open, so ask before you sign:
- Is the branded app published under my own Apple and Google developer accounts, or yours?
- Can clients pay a deposit when they book, and can I set it per service?
- If I move down from Expert, what happens to my branded app?
- If you leave, can you export your client list, and what comes with it?
Ask us the same questions about MeetScarlet; our prices are on the homepage.
Moving to MeetScarlet
We import your client list from a spreadsheet or CSV export, then set up your services, stylists, prices and deposits as part of setup. About 4 to 6 weeks for the store apps, most of it Apple's enrollment. Your web app's link is ready during setup, and members can book there as soon as you choose your MeetScarlet plan. They keep the same account when the store apps launch.
Questions
Straight answers. Anything else, ask us on a demo.
How much is Salonist's branded app? #
Salonist's pricing page lists the branded app as included on Expert, USD 179 a month billed monthly, and available as an add-on on other plans, with no add-on price shown, read November 1, 2026.
Is Salonist cheaper than MeetScarlet? #
For a branded app, yes: Expert is $179 a month with unlimited staff and no setup fee, while MeetScarlet starts at $349 a month plus $999 setup on monthly billing. MeetScarlet's price includes our team building and publishing the app under your own developer accounts.
Does MeetScarlet have a point of sale? #
No. MeetScarlet takes bookings, deposits, memberships and gift cards in your app, but has no point of sale or retail module. Salonist has one on every paid plan.
Is this comparison independent? #
No. We make MeetScarlet, and we recommend it to salons that want their branded app under their own Apple and Google accounts. Every Salonist fact comes from Salonist's own pages, dated, and we say where Salonist may fit better.
Keep reading
- Best salon booking apps (2026)Ten salon booking platforms compared on price, an app with your salon's name, color time and deposits, with MeetScarlet as our pick for salons with regulars.
- Hair and beauty salonsYour salon's own booking app: book by stylist, deposits, intake questions, rebook prompts and salon memberships. Built and published for you.
- Branded app look, tabs and web addressSet your MeetScarlet app light or dark, change its color, heading font and tabs, and see it on a live phone preview. Most changes reach clients with no store update.