How to compare salons on Saloonly, side by side

When you have narrowed it down to a few salons, the difference is usually in the detail: what a service really costs, how long it takes, and whether the salon is free when you are. Saloonly puts that detail on every page so you can compare without phoning round.

Start with a fair list

Search for the service you want, such as “keratin” or “beard trim”, or tap a kind of place: Unisex salon, Ladies salon, Men’s salon, Barbershop, Spa, Nails, Makeup or Skin clinic. Comparing a spa with a barbershop rarely helps; comparing three barbershops does.

Tap Use my location and salons sort nearest first, with how far away each one is. You can also sort by Lowest price or A to Z.

Compare the price of the service, not the salon

Each card shows the salon’s lowest price, “From”. That tells you roughly where a salon sits, but the useful number is the price of the thing you want. Open each salon and look at that service in its menu. Prices are in the salon’s own currency.

If a price says “from”, longer or thicker hair or extra work can cost more. It is fair to ask how much more before the work starts.

Look at the duration

Every service lists how long it takes. A forty-five-minute facial and a ninety-minute one are not the same treatment, even if they share a name. If one salon’s duration looks much shorter for the same job, it is worth asking what is included.

Look at the photos

Salons can show photos of their services, their products, their team and the salon itself. They tell you about the feel of a place as much as the work: is it calm or busy, simple or smart?

Check the team

The Team section shows who works there and what they specialise in. If a friend sent you to someone, book them by name. If not, “Anyone free” gives you the most times.

Check the hours, and “Open now”

Hours & location lists the opening hours for each day, with today highlighted, and a map with directions. Turn on Open now in the search to see only the places open at this moment.

Good to know: Some salons take bookings online and some ask you to call. Each card says which: Book, or Call to book.

Read the small print in “Good to know”

Each salon sets how close to the time you can cancel online, and some need bookings a few hours ahead. Both are on the salon’s page. If your plans are uncertain, the salon with the longer cancellation window may suit you better.

Keep a shortlist

Tap the heart on a salon to save it. Your saved salons sit under My bookings › Saved, so you can come back and compare them later.

Read next: How to choose a salon near you: seven things worth checking