5 Best Loyalty Apps for Nail Salons

If you run a nail salon, you understand that your business thrives on relationships. The clients who book their next appointment before they've even left the chair, who request the same technician every time, who bring friends for group manicure sessions—these are the people who keep your chairs full and your business growing.

But in a beauty industry where new salons seem to open every month, client loyalty doesn't happen by accident. You need to give people a reason to return to you rather than trying the new place down the road.

That's where a loyalty app comes in.

A well-designed loyalty program rewards clients for their repeat visits, keeps your salon top-of-mind between appointments, and creates a sense of belonging that casual discounting can't match. But with dozens of options available, finding the right platform for your nail salon can feel overwhelming.

This guide breaks down the five best loyalty apps for nail salons, examining what each does well, where they fall short, and which type of business they suit best. Whether you're a solo nail technician building your client base or managing a multi-chair salon, you'll find practical guidance to help you choose.

Why Nail Salons Need a Loyalty Program

Before comparing specific apps, let's be clear about why loyalty matters so much in the nail industry.

Nail services are inherently repeat-based. Unlike a one-off purchase, manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements need regular maintenance. A gel manicure lasts two to three weeks; acrylics need fills every few weeks. Your clients will be booking these services again—the only question is whether they book with you or someone else.

Competition is fierce. Most areas have multiple nail salons within a short distance. Without something that creates preference, clients default to convenience or price. A loyalty program gives them a reason to stay with you even when alternatives exist.

The personal connection matters. Nail services involve extended one-on-one time with clients. They chat with their technician, share their lives, develop genuine relationships. A loyalty program reinforces that bond, signalling that you value them as more than just another appointment slot.

Rebooking gaps are dangerous. If a client doesn't book their next appointment before leaving, the likelihood of them returning drops significantly. A loyalty program creates ongoing engagement—reminders, rewards, progress toward their next free service—that keeps you in their mind.

What to Look for in a Nail Salon Loyalty App

Not every loyalty platform works equally well for beauty businesses. Here's what matters most for nail salons:

Simplicity for Clients and Staff

Your technicians are focused on creating beautiful nails, not troubleshooting software. Look for apps with quick, simple check-in processes—ideally a scan or tap that takes seconds between clients. If adding stamps becomes a chore, it won't happen consistently.

Clients, meanwhile, shouldn't need to navigate complicated apps or remember login details. The best systems let people join quickly and access their loyalty status effortlessly.

Wallet Integration

Apps that integrate with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet significantly outperform those that require a separate download. When a client's loyalty card sits in their phone wallet—visible every time they check their bank balance or boarding pass—engagement stays high. A standalone app often gets forgotten or deleted to free up storage.

Appointment-Friendly Rewards

Nail services have specific booking patterns. Look for flexibility in how rewards are structured—points per visit, stamps per service type, or spend-based earning. The ability to create rewards around your actual services (a free gel upgrade, a complimentary nail art add-on, a discount on a full set) makes your program more relevant than generic discounts.

Push Notifications and Reminders

The ability to message clients directly is invaluable for salons. Reminder notifications ("You're due for a fill soon!"), promotional messages ("Try our new autumn colours—book this week and earn double stamps"), and reward alerts keep clients engaged and booking.

Reasonable Pricing

Nail salons operate on tight margins. Look for straightforward monthly pricing without hidden fees, per-transaction charges, or costs that increase as your client base grows.

The 5 Best Loyalty Apps for Nail Salons

1. Perkstar

Best for: Nail salons wanting a professional digital loyalty program with wallet integration and minimal complexity

Pricing: From £15/month (14-day free trial, no credit card required)

Perkstar brings the classic salon loyalty concept—complete a certain number of visits and earn a free service—into a modern digital experience that works seamlessly with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.

What makes Perkstar particularly well-suited for nail salons is the combination of simplicity and flexibility. Setup takes minutes, and clients can save their loyalty card to their phone wallet without downloading a separate app. For salons where clients already have their phones out (checking Pinterest for nail inspiration, responding to messages), this integration feels natural.

The platform offers eight different card types—stamps, points, membership passes, multipasses, discount cards, coupons, cashback, and gift cards—so you can structure your programme around how your salon actually works. Most nail salons start with a straightforward stamp card ("Your 10th manicure is free") and add complexity as they learn what their clients respond to.

Standout features:

• Apple Wallet and Google Wallet integration (no separate app for clients to download)

• Unlimited push notifications included at all pricing levels

• Automated birthday rewards to make clients feel celebrated

• Google Review rewards to build your online reputation

• Geo-fenced notifications for location-based messaging

• Personal account manager and optional hands-free setup

Potential drawbacks:

• Newer platform with less brand recognition than long-established competitors

• Advanced behavioural segmentation features require higher-tier plans

The bottom line: Perkstar delivers a polished, professional loyalty experience that doesn't complicate your salon's workflow. The wallet integration is a genuine differentiator—clients actually keep their cards accessible rather than forgetting about a buried app. For most nail salons, this is the strongest combination of ease and capability.

2. Flex Rewards

Best for: Salons wanting highly customisable stamp thresholds

Pricing: Custom pricing (contact for quote)

Flex Rewards offers extensive configuration options for stamp-based loyalty. You can set anywhere from 1 to 50 stamps before a reward is earned, based on either visit count or minimum spend. This flexibility lets you create different reward paths for different services if desired.

The platform includes a browser-based Merchant Companion App for managing members from any device. Features like referral bonuses, welcome packages, and mid-tier rewards add engagement opportunities along the client journey.

Standout features:

• Highly configurable stamp thresholds (1-50 stamps)

• Visit-based or spend-based stamp allocation

• Welcome rewards for new sign-ups

• Browser-based management accessible on any device

Potential drawbacks:

• Initial setup requires significant time investment to configure properly

• Customers need to download a dedicated app (no wallet integration)

• Better suited for salons with time to customise extensively upfront

The bottom line: If you want granular control over your loyalty programme's mechanics and have the time to configure it properly, Flex Rewards provides that flexibility. It's less suited for salons wanting to launch quickly with minimal setup.

3. Yollty

Best for: Salons looking for a straightforward stamp-card experience

Pricing: Custom pricing (contact for quote)

Yollty takes the familiar stamp card concept and digitises it with a clean, intuitive interface. The platform has earned a 4.7 rating on the Apple App Store, suggesting that clients generally find it easy to use.

Setup is relatively quick—salons can create a branded loyalty programme within a few taps. The system emphasises the personal connection between technicians and clients, which aligns well with how nail services naturally work.

Standout features:

• Intuitive interface for both salons and clients

• Quick setup process

• Solid app store ratings indicating reliable user experience

Potential drawbacks:

• Integration with existing systems can be challenging

• Requires clients to download a dedicated app

• May require additional steps to connect with other business tools

The bottom line: Yollty offers a clean, easy-to-understand loyalty experience. The integration challenges and app-download requirement are worth considering, but if simplicity is your priority and your clients are comfortable with apps, it's a solid option.

4. Rewardle

Best for: Salons wanting combined loyalty and mobile ordering features

Pricing: Contact for quote

Rewardle positions itself as a digital loyalty and customer engagement platform for local businesses, including beauty salons. Beyond loyalty programmes, it offers mobile ordering and engagement tools that could help salons promote new services or seasonal specials.

The eco-conscious angle—moving away from paper punch cards—may resonate with clients who value sustainability. Built-in engagement tools allow you to send targeted offers, which could work well for highlighting new nail art techniques or promoting quieter appointment slots.

Standout features:

• Digital approach that eliminates paper waste

• Engagement tools for sending promotional offers

• Mobile ordering capabilities

Potential drawbacks:

• App store ratings are concerning (2.2 on Apple App Store, 3.3 on Google Play)

• Reviews mention crashes and connectivity issues

• Technical problems could frustrate clients during their experience

The bottom line: Rewardle has interesting features, but the low ratings and reported technical issues are significant concerns. A loyalty app that crashes when clients try to check their rewards creates a negative experience that outweighs any benefits. Consider carefully whether the reliability issues have been addressed before choosing this platform.

5. Fivestars

Best for: Larger salons wanting detailed customer analytics

Pricing: Premium pricing (contact for quote)

Fivestars combines loyalty programmes with data analytics and targeted marketing. The platform provides insights into customer behaviour, helping salons understand booking patterns, service preferences, and engagement trends.

The customisable loyalty structure lets you create reward systems tailored to your services. Marketing tools enable direct client communication, though this functionality is becoming standard across most platforms.

Standout features:

• Detailed customer behaviour analytics

• Customisable loyalty programme structures

• Marketing and direct engagement tools

• Insights that can inform business decisions

Potential drawbacks:

• Higher pricing that may strain smaller salon budgets

• Technical issues reported in app reviews (3.9 on Google Play, 4.1 on Apple App Store)

• Troubleshooting technical problems takes time away from clients

The bottom line: Fivestars offers robust analytics for salons serious about data-driven decisions. However, the premium pricing and reported technical issues make it better suited for larger salons with budget flexibility and tolerance for occasional glitches.

How to Choose the Right Loyalty App for Your Nail Salon

With these options compared, here's how to narrow down your choice:

Consider your client volume and business size. A solo technician with a growing client base has different needs than a multi-chair salon. Simpler platforms like Perkstar work well for both, while enterprise-focused options like Fivestars may offer more than smaller salons need (at a price point to match).

Think about client experience. Will your clients download a dedicated app, or would they prefer their loyalty card to live in their existing phone wallet? Wallet-based solutions typically see higher ongoing engagement because they remove the friction of app management.

Evaluate your available setup time. Some platforms require significant configuration; others are ready within minutes. Be realistic about how much time you can dedicate to setup versus client appointments.

Check pricing transparency. Platforms with clear monthly pricing are easier to budget for than those requiring sales calls for quotes. Also watch for per-transaction fees or member-count charges that increase as your programme succeeds.

Match features to your goals. If Google Reviews are crucial for attracting new clients, look for built-in review rewards. If you want to send reminders when clients are nearby, geo-fencing matters. List your priorities before comparing.

Getting Started with Your Nail Salon Loyalty Programme

Once you've chosen a platform, these steps will help you launch successfully:

Design Around Your Services

Create rewards that make sense for nail services. A free gel manicure after nine visits works because it's specific and desirable. A free nail art add-on at the halfway point keeps clients engaged. Think about what your clients genuinely value.

Train Your Team

Every technician should know how to help clients join the programme, add stamps after services, and handle reward redemptions. The more confident your team, the higher your sign-up rate.

Promote at Every Touchpoint

Reception desk signage, mentions during services, follow-up messages—every client interaction is an opportunity to enrol someone or remind them of their progress. Make the programme visible and easy to join.

Use Notifications Wisely

Push notifications work beautifully for salons. Reminders that a client is due for their next appointment, birthday rewards, double-stamp promotions during quiet periods—these messages drive bookings. Just don't overdo it; respect your clients' attention.

Track and Refine

Watch your programme's performance: sign-up rates, visit frequency, reward redemptions. If something isn't working, adjust. The best loyalty programmes evolve based on what clients actually respond to.

Ready to Build Client Loyalty at Your Nail Salon?

The right loyalty app turns occasional clients into devoted regulars who wouldn't dream of going elsewhere. It keeps your salon in their mind between appointments, gives them a reason to rebook before they leave, and creates a sense of belonging that transcends any single service.

If you're ready to launch a digital loyalty programme designed for simplicity, client engagement, and real results, give Perkstar a try. The 14-day free trial lets you test everything—no credit card required—so you can see how it works for your salon before committing.

Start your free trial at Perkstar →

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of loyalty reward works best for nail salons?

Service-based rewards typically outperform percentage discounts for nail salons. A free gel manicure after ten visits, a complimentary nail art upgrade, or a free paraffin treatment creates specific, desirable goals that clients work toward. These rewards also have higher perceived value than equivalent cash discounts, making clients feel genuinely rewarded rather than just getting a deal.

How many stamps or visits should be required before earning a reward?

For nail salons, 8-10 visits is typically the sweet spot. This is achievable within a few months for regular clients (those getting manicures every 2-3 weeks), long enough to build loyalty but short enough to feel motivating. Consider adding a smaller interim reward at the halfway point to maintain engagement throughout the journey.

Should my nail salon loyalty programme include different rewards for different services?

You can, but starting simple is usually better. A single stamp card for all services keeps things easy to understand and manage. As your programme matures, you might add specific rewards—perhaps extra stamps for trying a new service, or different tracks for manicure-only versus full-service clients. But complexity can confuse clients and burden staff, so add it gradually based on genuine need.

How do I get clients to actually use a digital loyalty card?

Three factors drive usage: easy sign-up (under a minute, ideally just a QR scan), wallet integration (so the card is visible alongside their payment cards), and consistent staff engagement (mentioning the programme during every service). The biggest drop-off comes from clients who sign up but never save the card to their wallet—ensure your team helps with this step.

Can I use a loyalty app to reduce appointment no-shows?

Indirectly, yes. Push notifications can send appointment reminders, and some salons create incentive structures where consistent attendance earns bonus rewards (while no-shows might delay progress). The ongoing relationship a loyalty programme creates also increases commitment—clients are less likely to skip an appointment when they're invested in reaching their next reward.

What's better for a nail salon: stamps per visit or points per pound spent?

For most nail salons, stamps per visit work better because they're simpler to understand. Clients know exactly where they stand ("I need three more visits for my free manicure") without calculating point values. Points-per-pound systems suit businesses with highly variable transaction sizes, but nail services tend to fall within a predictable price range, making stamps the cleaner choice.