Square handles payments. OpenChair runs your salon.
Square Appointments is a great way to start. But as your team grows and clients expect more, you need commission tracking, AI gap-filling, and marketing automation — things Square doesn't have.
Our Take
Square Appointments is the right choice when you're starting out — it's free, the hardware is great, and the payment experience is unmatched. The gap shows when you hire staff, want SMS marketing, need consultation forms with logic, or want to fill your empty slots automatically. If you're growing past one person, OpenChair's team tools, AI scheduling, and marketing automation are worth the switch.
Feature Comparison
The Honest Truth about Square Appointments
They are a solid platform, but here is where they fall short for modern growth-focused venues.
- Basic salon features — no AI gap-filling, no commission depth
- Marketing requires a separate Square Marketing add-on
- No Processing Gaps for parallel scheduling during colour work
- Best payment hardware in the business (Register, Terminal, Stand)
- Free to start — genuinely zero cost for 1-person operations
- Deep Square ecosystem (Payroll, Loans, Checking)
Make the Switch
Same Free Start. Grown-Up Tools When You Need Them.
Get 60 days of OpenChair Pro when you switch from Square Appointments. Commission tracking, AI scheduling, and marketing automation — all the things Square doesn't have.
Claim OfferLimited time offer for verified Square Appointments customers.
Making the Switch from Square Appointments
Switching software feels daunting — but it doesn't have to be. Here's exactly how the transition works.
Export your clients from Square
Square lets you export client data from your Dashboard > Customers section. Download your client list with contact details and appointment history.
Set up your services and team
OpenChair's onboarding wizard imports your services automatically. Add your staff members, configure commission splits per service and product, and set role-based permissions — this is where OpenChair pulls ahead of Square.
Connect your payments
OpenChair uses Stripe for integrated payments — card-present and online. On Pro, your processing rate is 1.8% + 30¢ vs Square's 2.6% + 10¢ in-person. The savings add up quickly on higher-value services.
Update your booking link
Replace your Square Appointments link on your website, Instagram bio, and Google Business Profile. Your clients get the same seamless booking experience — with your branding, on your domain.