Phorest Reviews

“Bait and Switch

Pros

Roster functions effectively for scheduling appointments.

Cons

The reports are too numerous and overly complicated, definitely not intuitive. It seems like they don't understand what's required for back-office reporting in a salon. When I download payroll to CSV, the information is useless, disorganized, and reads top to bottom instead of left to right, which is standard for most systems. There are differences in functionality between the desktop and web applications, so I'm constantly toggling between the two to get the information I need. Most importantly, the sales team didn't fully disclose that I'd be locked into a 1-year contract with automatic renewal unless I provide at least 2 months' notice in writing to cancel. Most systems don't have contracts. Be cautious of the SMS texts and what's included versus extra. Features that are standard in other systems cost extra with Phorest. I've had to reach out multiple times to get a function added that should've been available from the start. Every time I try to use the help function, the instructions don't match the functionality we have in our system.

“Unlock Your Salon's Potential with Phorest's Comprehensive Management Platform

Pros

Phorest offers a comprehensive set of features tailored specifically for salon businesses. Its intuitive interface simplifies appointment scheduling, client management, and staff organization. The software's robust marketing tools, including automated SMS and email campaigns, help attract new clients and retain existing ones. Phorest's integrated point-of-sale system streamlines inventory management and transactions. Salon owners can gain valuable insights into their operations and make data-driven decisions thanks to detailed reporting and analytics. The Phorest mobile app enhances the overall customer experience by providing convenience and flexibility to both salon staff and clients.

Cons

The price of Phorest is a drawback because it can be too costly for smaller or independent salons. I found the learning curve high initially, and it was challenging to get familiar with all the functions and customization options. Although Phorest offers a wide range of capabilities, some unique needs or specialty salon operations may require further customization or integration with specialized software. Also, occasional technical issues or downtime can negatively impact salon operations and inconvenience clients.

“Terrible customer service

Pros

I have very bad experience with phorest. They never return my phone calls.

Cons

I was supposed to get a free trial, but now they're charging me. The software looks outdated, like it's from 1980, and it's neither compatible nor does it do what they claimed. I had to cancel my card because they said I'm in a contract, which wasn't how it was sold to me. Try Vagaro Pro; it's much better and more professional.

“Facilitates online booking and avoids time on the phone

Pros

Clients can schedule appointments at their convenience without waiting in line, even outside office hours.

Cons

It's less effective when I want to select multiple services in one appointment it still works but is a bit more confusing.

“Man kann jeden vor warnen

Pros

Nichts.... I'm very disappointed! Tried it for 2 months... still don't have all my data... very poor service.

Cons

Very poor service, very expensive, and I can only warn everyone against it.

“User Friendly

Pros

I use Phorest to book appointments at my salon. It is very easy to navigate. I can effortlessly select the service type, choose the stylist, and pick the date and time. It lists the available days and times, which I prefer over a calendar view. I receive email confirmations when I book appointments and email reminders as the date approaches. I also get text message reminders and a survey after my appointment. The system keeps a record of my previous appointments with details like date, time, and stylist, and I have the option to rebook the same type and stylist with a single click.

Cons

I can't set up reminders for my appointments.

“Ehhhh

Pros

It's fantastic if you have multiple locations. The software is continuously updated and works across multiple platforms.

Cons

The marketing is inferior, sharing reviews is difficult, and modifying existing prices and services is challenging.

“no longer a costomer

Pros

The reports were excellent, showing retention, new clients, and sales.

Cons

It's hard to train, and online booking was messy for clients and always felt off.

“Very Happy

Pros

I run a small salon by myself, so I use Phorest to the extent that I need. It is incredibly simple to navigate and offers numerous features tailored to your business. Everything needed to grow and support your business is accessible with a few clicks. The ease of personalizing settings and marketing tools within Phorest stands out to me.

Cons

I really like this software and its features.

“Ok System with horrible customer service and no follow up

Pros

The POS system is efficient. Product setup is straightforward.

Cons

The worst customer care I've dealt with in a very long time. The online store is subpar, the marketing looks horrible, and the system and app don't work well together. It's way too expensive for the service you receive.

“Very basic, would not recommend for large operations

Pros

It is simple for staff to use and visually appealing.

Cons

The reporting is quite limited, I can't store credit card details, there can only be one confirmation email, and it can't be resent.

“Unprofessional Company with hidden charges and poor data management

Pros

The appointment diary is simple and visual but basic. The online reputation manager helps manage reviews, but after seeing other systems, I find it basic and only available in their most expensive package.

Cons

The company has hidden charges they deduct at source, making them invisible and unauditable. They consistently overcharge, applying higher charges to bills than the original contract, and insist on payment by direct debit, making it hard to detect these issues. They manipulate my data without knowledge or consent, for instance, opting many of my clients out of marketing without my knowledge. I discovered this by accident, and it turned out to be an issue in their software, which they initially denied but eventually admitted. I don't know if they corrected the fault just in my account or if other customers are still affected but unaware. A few years ago, they made a major change to how their online booking system worked without informing clients, causing all our online bookings to go down. It took weeks for them to admit the mistake was theirs, costing me thousands in website redesign to overcome their change. This reflects poor change management and a lack of understanding of how customers use their software.

“Phorest Experience

Pros

The most crucial aspect of Phorest is its easy accessibility to everything you need. You pay a premium for convenience, which is why it's so successful.

Cons

The cost of Phorest is very high, but as I mentioned, you pay for convenience. Another thing I disliked was that customer service never aimed to fix a situation, just to make an issue right. Many issues occur, and eventually, preventive actions would be more preferred than accommodations.

“Only good as a diary- old fashioned software

Pros

The diary features provided are excellent, offering a robust and intuitive way to manage appointments, and the staff rostering capabilities are also impressive, making it easier to organize and schedule employee shifts efficiently.

Cons

Useless for marketing, their upgraded' marketing suite is frustrating and not at all intuitive. It takes hours to produce a simple newsletter, making it not worth using. If I want to save a draft to revisit later, good luck finding it. Customer service doesn't really want you to call, so I've been cut off again. They do respond to support tickets, but only on another day, making it all slow. If you're a busy salon, it's not the best.

“We Don't love it anymore

Pros

I appreciate the simplicity of use, the dependable support, and the innovative ideas for future enhancements.

Cons

It's not keeping up with the times; features we thought would have progressed by now are still lacking, especially emails. The support is nothing like it used to be.

“Phorest is the best option on the market

Pros

Easy implementation and support for multiple locations. Regular updates improve the software continuously. It meets all our booking and POS needs and includes an excellent built-in rewards system with customizable features. The comprehensive reports make it easy to track business performance and individual employee progress, allowing management to set and monitor goals. The online booking system works seamlessly with Phorest's app and integrates with our business website and Facebook page. The pricing is reasonable.

Cons

I wish the reviews could be listed directly as a Facebook review instead of something we have to post ourselves on our business page wall. I also hope to see a better system for employee categories soon. If I want to change the price of one service an employee does, I have to create a new category specifically for them, and there's no way to copy and paste the old category. It turns a 1-second change into a 15-20 minute ordeal.

“Poor customer care

Pros

The software excels in client management, fostering strong client connections, and providing robust email marketing capabilities.

Cons

US customer support is awful! Absolutely terrible. When they were in Ireland, it was amazing. I can't wait to leave as I've tried to communicate with their teams for months, but nothing has improved. The software doesn't have YouTube tutorials to help problem-solve, and many features are not easy to find or use. When a client is a no-show and I collect the deposit, it goes to billing instead of my bank account. That's just ridiculous.

“Good soft ware

Pros

I organized my appointments, centralized my information, stock, staff, etc.

Cons

It has not improved my no-shows, it's expensive, and it can be complicated at times. I love the gift card system, but again, it's expensive. I can't upload enough photos per treatment, still no consents available, and recently there have been a lot of service disruptions.

“The best receptionist ive ever had

Pros

The online booking option is very helpful as we include it in our automated email response. The ability to fully charge no-shows is also an excellent deterrent.

Cons

It crashes every once in a while, usually for no more than 60 minutes, and probably only a handful of times a year. They are very quick to address any problems.

“Own a saloon, or beauty spa, you should try this

Pros

What I like the most is that Phorest Salon Software is a one-stop shop for hair salons, beauty salons, and spas.

Cons

It's a great software for salons, by far the one I like the most. The pricing can feel a bit expensive for some people.