Booking software
for UK nail technicians.

What is the best booking software for a nail tech?

The best booking software for a UK nail tech gives every set its real length, takes a deposit when the client books, reminds them before they come and brings regulars back for their next infill. If your clients mostly book with you directly, from Instagram, word of mouth or as regulars, look for a flat monthly price with no commission. Covered Beauty, which we make, does all of that for £9 a month if you work alone, or £19 for a team of up to five. If you want a marketplace to bring you new clients, Fresha and Booksy are built for that, and Square Appointments and SimplyBook.me have free plans for a quiet diary.

We make Covered Beauty, so we’ve also set out the alternatives and who they suit. Every figure about another provider links to its own page, with the day we checked it.

What does a nail tech need from booking software?

• The right length for every set. A full set, an infill, a removal and nail art don’t take the same time. Give each treatment its own length and price, and clients only see times that fit.
• A removal and a new set in one booking. Clients who need both shouldn’t have to book twice.
• Deposits that stop no-shows. A two-hour set left empty is two hours you can’t get back. A deposit taken at booking means the people who book turn up, or you’re not out of pocket.
• Reminders you don’t have to send. Clients forget. Automatic reminders mean you’re not texting people between appointments.
• Regulars back on time. Regular infills are the backbone of most nail diaries, so getting clients back on time matters.
• An allergy check. Acrylic and gel can cause reactions that get worse with repeated exposure, so ask before you start.
• Your work on show. Clients like to see your work before they book, so your booking page should show it.

How does Covered Beauty work for a nail tech?

Set up your treatments with the times and prices you really use: full set, infill, removal, nail art. Put your booking link in your Instagram bio and let clients book while you’re working, instead of answering messages at night.

Bookings and deposits

Clients choose a treatment and can add up to three more to the same visit, like a removal before a new set. They pick one time and pay one deposit. You set the deposit for each treatment: a fixed amount, a percentage of the price, or none. It goes straight into your own Stripe account, and Covered Beauty takes no commission on any booking.

Set a cancellation window too. Clients who pay a deposit online save their card, so if someone doesn’t turn up you can charge your no-show fee, in line with your terms.

Reminders and rebooking

Clients get a confirmation, then reminder emails three days before, the day before and two hours before. Text reminders come from 50 free texts a month, with more available if you need them. For regulars, make an appointment recurring, every two or three weeks, and each visit is booked for you two weeks ahead. On the Salon plan, smart rebooking spots who’s due back and sends them a nudge.

Forms, photos and the rest

Start from the ready-made nail services consent form, which asks about allergies to acrylic, gel and acetone and any nail or skin conditions, and make it your own. Clients sign it on their phone before they arrive. Add photos of your work to your booking page, sell gift vouchers, and let clients join a waitlist when a day is full.

Solo is £9 a month for one person. Salon is £19 a month for up to five. You get 7 days free to try it, with no card needed to start. See both plans.

What are the other options for nail techs?

These are the systems nail techs most often weigh up, with what each one publishes.

Fresha

Fresha lists nail salons among the businesses it’s made for. Its Independent plan is £14.95 a month for one person, excluding VAT, and consultation forms and patch tests are listed among its features. Its marketplace can bring you new clients, with a one-time 20% fee, minimum £4, excluding VAT, on each brand-new client it introduces. It suits a nail tech who wants that marketplace. Covered Beauty vs Fresha.

Source: Fresha UK pricing, checked 12 October 2026.

Booksy

Booksy lists nail salons among the businesses it makes software for, and has a booking app for clients. It’s £40 a month plus VAT for one person, with custom forms and no-show protection included. Standard marketplace bookings are free, and its optional Boost charges 30% once on a Boost client’s first visit, minimum £5, plus VAT. Covered Beauty vs Booksy.

Source: Booksy UK pricing, checked 12 October 2026.

Square Appointments

Square’s Free plan is £0 a month for one location and takes prepayments, which suits a nail tech already using a Square card reader. Charging no-show and cancellation fees needs its Plus plan, at £29 a month per location, and Square’s card fees apply. Covered Beauty vs Square Appointments.

Source: Square Appointments UK pricing, checked 12 October 2026.

SimplyBook.me

A general booking system with a free plan for one person and 50 bookings a month. Deposits start on its Basic plan, £12.90 a month for up to 100 bookings. It suits a quiet diary, but a busy nail tech can pass those limits quickly. Covered Beauty vs SimplyBook.me.

Source: SimplyBook.me pricing, checked 12 October 2026.

Which should you choose?

• Your clients find you on Instagram or come back every few weeks? A direct booking system with deposits and no commission, such as Covered Beauty.
• You need a stream of new clients? Fresha or Booksy, if what a new client is worth to you is more than the fee.
• You already take payments with Square? Try Square Appointments’ Free plan first.
• Only a handful of bookings a month? A free plan may be all you need for now.

For every option side by side, read the best salon booking software in the UK.