Modern Salon Software Built for Where the Industry Is Going

Why Salon Owners Are Switching From Shortcuts

Simple Salon is a Shortcuts alternative that focuses on modern, actively developed salon software rather than a legacy feature set. It pairs online bookings and POS with automated SMS and email marketing, memberships, loyalty and reporting, all on one flat monthly subscription with no lock-in contracts. Shortcuts Software is one of the longer-established names in salon management, with over 30 years in the market and a presence in 48 countries. Its Aire product serves solo operators and small teams, while Fusion targets enterprise salons on a quote-only basis. Salon owners looking for a Shortcuts alternative typically point to a lack of product innovation: no AI features, limited marketing automation, and a recent changelog that has focused almost entirely on minor UI changes rather than meaningful new capabilities.

The Real Cost: Shortcuts vs Simple Salon

Your data is yours, always

Some providers make it hard to leave, locking your client list and history behind a paywall, charging you to export your own data, or tying you into long contracts and other strange rules. We don’t play those games. With Simple Salon your clients, bookings and reports are always yours: export everything anytime, at no cost, with no lock-in. If you ever move on, you take it all with you.

Zero AI Features, the Only Major Platform with None

As of April 2026, Shortcuts has no AI or machine learning features listed anywhere on its website, blog, or changelog. No blog posts, press releases, or product updates mention AI. Every other major salon software platform, including Fresha (Nova AI, AI Receptionist, AI Distribution), Timely (Textie Bestie), and Kitomba (REACH.ai integration), has at least begun integrating AI tooling. Simple Salon has AI features on its active roadmap. For salon owners evaluating platforms for the next three to five years, the innovation trajectory matters.

40+ Reports vs Basic Analytics

Simple Salon includes over 40 reports covering KPI dashboards, staff performance benchmarking, product sales, client retention, appointment analysis, and more. Shortcuts Aire’s reporting is described as basic, and deeper analytics through Fusion require a quote-only enterprise engagement. Simple Salon’s reporting depth is included in the standard Pro and Max plans, no upgrade or sales call required.

Your data is yours, always

Some providers make it hard to leave, locking your client list and history behind a paywall, charging you to export your own data, or tying you into long contracts and other strange rules. We don’t play those games. With Simple Salon your clients, bookings and reports are always yours: export everything anytime, at no cost, with no lock-in. If you ever move on, you take it all with you.

Smart Send Marketing Automation: Set Up Once, Run Continuously

Simple Salon’s Smart Send feature automates client communication: appointment reminders, re-engagement campaigns for lapsed clients, birthday messages, and more. Shortcuts’ marketing automation capabilities are limited in the Aire tier, and there is no evidence of significant marketing automation development in recent releases. For salon owners who rely on consistent client communication to drive retention, this gap in capability is a practical consideration.

Enterprise Features Without a Hidden Price Tag

Shortcuts’ multi-location and advanced features are gated to the Fusion plan, which has no public pricing. Getting a cost estimate requires a direct sales engagement. Simple Salon’s multi-location capability, the Dome feature, is available on published plans, and the Max plan at $41/operator/mo covers the full feature set with transparent pricing. There are no hidden tiers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready for Salon Software That’s Still Being Built?

Simple Salon’s full feature set, including 40+ reports, Smart Send marketing, memberships, and multi-location management, is available to trial free today.