Kitomba vs Phorest:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kitomba had more branded searches than Phorest among salon booking software in Australia. Kitomba had about 3,600 branded searches, while Phorest had 1,600. Kitomba made up 9.6% of all salon booking software searches we track, and Phorest accounted for 4.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about salon booking software, Phorest appeared in three of the five answers and Kitomba in two. Kitomba and Phorest were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Kitomba, about 2 searches for every 1 for Phorest
Who does AI mention more?
Phorest, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Kitomba in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top salon booking software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Phorest was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Kitomba was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Kitomba and Phorest were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Fresha1st
Square Appointments2nd
Timely3rd
Simple Salon4th- Phorest5th
- Kitomba6th
Vagaro7th
Shortcuts–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Fresha4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Square Appointments4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Phorest3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Timely3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Kitomba2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Simple Salon2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Vagaro1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Shortcuts0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about salon booking software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best salon booking software in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which booking app is best for a small hair salon?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What software should a beauty salon use for bookings and payments?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“salon software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hair salon software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 23, 2026.
Is Kitomba or Phorest more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kitomba and Phorest by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight salon booking software we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Kitomba, Phorest. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fresha | Kitomba | Simple Salon | Square Appointments | Phorest | Vagaro | Shortcuts | Timely |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 68.8% | 11.2% | 7.4% | 6.1% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 0.08% |
| Nov 2025 | 69.8% | 11.3% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.3% | 0.05% |
| Dec 2025 | 74.3% | 9.9% | 5.2% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 2.7% | 1% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 68.9% | 9.2% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 3.3% | 4.8% | 1.5% | 0.03% |
| Feb 2026 | 70.7% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 2.6% | 1.3% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 66.9% | 13.3% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 3.9% | 2.5% | 1.5% | 0.05% |
| Apr 2026 | 70.9% | 9.4% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 1.4% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 69.1% | 9.2% | 7.4% | 6.1% | 4.1% | 2.5% | 1.5% | 0.13% |
| Jun 2026 | 71.5% | 9.5% | 6.3% | 5% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 0.98% | 0.11% |
| Jul 2026 | 72.5% | 9.6% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 72.4% | 9.6% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 72.3% | 9.6% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 0.03% |
How has the Kitomba and Phorest comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kitomba was ahead of Phorest in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kitomba’s share of searches among salon booking software in Australia moved from 11.2% to 9.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 3.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Phorest’s share of searches among salon booking software in Australia moved from 2.5% to 4.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 1.6K.
How did search popularity change for Australia salon booking software in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kitomba’s and Phorest’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among salon booking software
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