LightDay vs Phorest: Transparent vs Quoted
Phorest is a well-established, capable salon platform, particularly strong for salon groups. The clearest differences with LightDay are pricing transparency — flat and published versus custom-quoted — and LightDay's compliance stack: contraindication screening and CQC packs that Phorest doesn't offer as standard.
About Phorest
Phorest is a mature salon management platform with strong POS, loyalty programmes, marketing tools and multi-location support, widely used by salon groups. Pricing is quoted rather than published and typically scales with staff numbers and add-ons. It's a solid choice for larger salon organisations; smaller businesses often find quoted, per-staff pricing harder to budget.
| Feature | LightDay | Phorest |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time contraindication engine | Included — screens every booking | Not offered |
| One-click CQC compliance pack | Included as standard | Not built in |
| Spark AI lead generation | Included free on every plan | Marketing suite included; AI diary-gap campaigns not equivalent |
| Klarna & Clearpay built in | Both included | Not built in (check current offering) |
| Flat pricing, no per-user fees | £59.99/mo salons, £69.99/mo clinics | Custom quotes; typically scales with staff count |
| Commission on bookings | Never — 0% commission | No marketplace commission |
| UK-built with UK support | Yes — founders run a UK salon & clinic | Irish-founded, serves UK market |
Feature availability based on publicly available information as of July 2026; offerings change — always confirm directly with each provider.
Pricing Compared
Phorest pricing is provided by custom quote and commonly varies with team size and selected modules. LightDay's pricing is published and flat: £59.99/month for salons, £69.99/month for clinics, everything included. Competitor details are based on publicly available information as of July 2026 and may change — always check the provider's current pricing and feature list directly.
Why Businesses Choose LightDay
Know your cost before you call
LightDay's price is on the website. No sales calls, no quotes, no per-staff multipliers.
Compliance Phorest doesn't offer
Real-time contraindication screening and one-click CQC packs — critical for anyone offering aesthetics services.
AI that fills gaps, free
Spark AI watches your diary and generates campaigns automatically, included at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Phorest cost compared to LightDay?
Phorest quotes pricing individually, typically scaling with staff numbers. LightDay publishes one flat price — £59.99/month for salons, £69.99/month for clinics — with every feature and unlimited staff included.
Does Phorest have CQC compliance tools?
Built-in CQC compliance pack generation is not a Phorest feature. LightDay includes it as standard, alongside real-time contraindication screening.
Is LightDay good for salon groups like Phorest?
LightDay supports additional locations at a flat per-location price (£40 salons / £50 clinics). Very large multi-site groups should trial both against their specific needs.
See the Difference Yourself
Run your real diary in LightDay free for 14 days — every feature included, no commitment.