Top Appointment Scheduling Software Comparison
By Sheila Morgan | Published: 2024-10-27 | Category: Appointment Scheduling Software
About Appointment Scheduling Software
Appointment scheduling software automates the process of booking appointments online. These tools help businesses manage calendars, reduce no-shows, and streamline client interactions.
Scoring Criteria
- → Ease of Use
- → Feature Set
- → Customization
- → Integrations
- → Pricing
- → Customer Support
The Best Appointment Scheduling Software
#10
Bookafy
By Bookafy
Offers robust scheduling features with a focus on integrations, customization, and support for various meeting types, including multi-staff appointments.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Sales Demos, Interviews, Customer Service, Consulting, Financial Services
Key Features
- ✓Skills-Based Routing: Route appointments to staff based on specific skills.
- ✓Multi-Staff Appointments: Book appointments requiring multiple staff members.
- ✓Customizable Booking Pages: Tailor the look and feel, add custom fields.
- ✓Wide Range of Integrations: Connects with numerous calendars, CRMs, and other business tools.
- ✓Payment Integration: Accept payments via Stripe and Authorize.net.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.4 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free Forever
Contact Vendor
- 1 user
- Unlimited appointments
- Basic integrations
- 1 Appointment Type
Limitations: Bookafy branding, Limited features, Single appointment type
Pro
$7.00 / Monthly per user
- Unlimited Appointment Types
- SMS Reminders
- Payment integration
- Group Events
- 2-way Sync
Limitations: Basic reporting
Pro+
$11.00 / Monthly per user
- Everything in Pro
- Remove Branding
- Skills Based Routing
- Custom fields
- Multi-staff appointments
Limitations: Requires higher tier for enterprise features
Enterprise
Contact Vendor
- Custom integrations
- SSO
- Dedicated support
- API access
Limitations: Contact sales
Pros
- + Strong feature set, especially on paid plans
- + Good integration capabilities
- + Supports complex scenarios like skills-based routing and multi-staff bookings
- + Competitive pricing
Cons
- - Free plan is very basic
- - Interface could be more modern
- - Learning curve for advanced features
Verdict
"A powerful and feature-rich scheduler suitable for businesses with complex scheduling needs, offering good integrations and customization at a reasonable price point."
#9
HubSpot Scheduling Tool
By HubSpot, Inc.
A free meeting scheduler integrated within the HubSpot ecosystem (CRM, Sales Hub, Marketing Hub), designed for sales and marketing teams.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web
Best For: Sales Teams, Marketing Teams, Customer Support, Businesses using HubSpot CRM
Key Features
- ✓HubSpot CRM Integration: Seamlessly syncs meetings and contact data with HubSpot CRM.
- ✓Meeting Links: Share personal or team meeting links.
- ✓Embed Options: Embed scheduling on websites and landing pages.
- ✓Group Meetings: Allow prospects to book time with multiple team members.
- ✓Round Robin Scheduling: Distribute meetings automatically among team members.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.3 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Included with free HubSpot CRM
- 1 personal meeting link
- Unlimited meetings
- Basic integrations
- Email notifications
Limitations: Limited customization, HubSpot branding, Limited team features
Sales Hub Starter
$15.00 / Monthly per user
- Multiple meeting links
- Remove HubSpot branding
- Stripe payments (US only)
- Basic automation
Limitations: More advanced features require higher Sales Hub tiers
Sales Hub Professional/Enterprise
$450.00 / Monthly (starts at 5 users)
- Advanced automation
- Team scheduling features
- Custom reporting
- Full Sales Hub capabilities
Limitations: Higher cost, part of a larger platform
Pros
- + Excellent integration with HubSpot CRM
- + Free version is quite capable for individuals
- + Good for sales and marketing workflows
- + Part of a larger ecosystem
Cons
- - Best value when already using HubSpot
- - Free/Starter plans lack advanced customization and features found in dedicated schedulers
- - Can become expensive as part of paid Sales Hub tiers
Verdict
"A top choice for businesses already invested in the HubSpot ecosystem, offering seamless integration with CRM and sales tools. The free version is a great starting point."
#8
vCita
By vCita, Inc.
A comprehensive business management and client engagement platform that includes scheduling, CRM, billing, and marketing tools.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Coaches, Consultants, Therapists, Financial Advisors, Home Services
Key Features
- ✓Online Scheduling: Flexible scheduling options with calendar sync.
- ✓Client Portal: Secure area for clients to book, pay, and share documents.
- ✓CRM: Manage client information, communication history, and tags.
- ✓Billing & Invoicing: Create estimates, invoices, and accept online payments.
- ✓Email & SMS Marketing: Run automated campaigns and send announcements.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.0 / 10.0)
Pricing
Essentials
$24.00 / Monthly
- Scheduling
- Online Payments
- Client Portal
- Basic CRM
- Invoicing
Limitations: Limited marketing features, vCita branding on some elements
Business
$49.00 / Monthly
- Everything in Essentials
- SMS Reminders
- Email Marketing Campaigns
- Staff accounts (add-on)
Limitations: Staff accounts cost extra
Platinum
$86.00 / Monthly
- Everything in Business
- More email/SMS credits
- Automated Campaigns
- Multiple staff included
Limitations: Higher price point
Pros
- + Combines scheduling with CRM, billing, and marketing
- + Excellent client portal
- + Good automation capabilities
- + Professional appearance
Cons
- - Can be overkill if only scheduling is needed
- - No free plan (only trial)
- - Staff accounts add significant cost to lower tiers
Verdict
"Ideal for service-based small businesses wanting an integrated platform to manage the entire client lifecycle, from booking to billing and marketing."
#7
Appointy
By Appointy Software Inc.
A scheduling software focused on helping businesses grow, offering features like social media integration, Google listing integration, and class scheduling.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Salons & Spas, Fitness Centers, Healthcare, Education, Consultants
Key Features
- ✓Reserve with Google: Allows booking directly from Google Search and Maps.
- ✓Social Media Booking: Integrates booking widgets with Facebook and Instagram.
- ✓Recurring Bookings: Supports setting up repeat appointments.
- ✓Resource Scheduling: Manage booking for rooms or equipment alongside staff.
- ✓Class Scheduling: Manage group classes, workshops, and attendance.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.1 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- 1 staff
- 5 services
- 100 appointments/month
- Basic features
- Website integration
Limitations: Appointment limits, Appointy branding, Limited features
Growth
$19.99 / Monthly
- 1 staff
- Unlimited appointments/services
- Google calendar sync
- Square payments
- Reminders
Limitations: Single staff member
Professional
$49.99 / Monthly
- 5 staff
- Gift certificates
- Resource scheduling
- Staff logins
Limitations: Limited staff compared to Enterprise
Enterprise
$79.99 / Monthly
- Unlimited staff
- Custom domain
- Remove branding
- Text reminders
Limitations: Highest price tier
Pros
- + Strong integration with Google Reserve and social media
- + Good features for classes and resource booking
- + Tiered pricing offers scalability
- + Clean user interface
Cons
- - Free plan is quite restrictive
- - Pricing per staff can add up
- - Some advanced features only on higher tiers
Verdict
"A solid choice for businesses wanting to leverage Google and social media for bookings, with good support for classes and resource management."
#6
Doodle
By Doodle AG
Primarily known for its polling feature to find meeting availability, Doodle also offers 1:1 scheduling and booking pages.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Group Availability Polling, Team Meetings, Simple 1:1 Scheduling, Interviews
Key Features
- ✓Group Polls: Easily find the best time for a group to meet.
- ✓Booking Page: Personalized URL for others to book time with you based on your availability.
- ✓1:1 Meetings: Schedule one-on-one meetings directly.
- ✓Calendar Integration: Connects with Google Calendar, Office 365, Outlook.
- ✓Reminders: Automatic reminders for scheduled events.
Scorecard (Overall: 7.6 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Group polls
- Limited 1:1s
- Connect 1 calendar
Limitations: Ads, Limited features, Doodle branding
Pro
$6.95 / Monthly per user
- Ad-free
- Booking Page
- Unlimited 1:1s
- Calendar sync
- Zoom/Zapier integration
Limitations: Primarily focused on polling/simple booking
Team
$8.95 / Monthly per user
- Admin console
- Roles & permissions
- Multiple users
Limitations: Fewer business features than dedicated schedulers
Enterprise
Contact Vendor
- Custom terms
- SSO
- Priority support
- Onboarding
Limitations: Contact sales
Pros
- + Excellent for finding group availability (polling)
- + Very easy to use for basic scheduling
- + Clean interface
- + Good free plan for polling
Cons
- - Booking page and 1:1 features are less robust than competitors
- - Limited customization
- - Not ideal for complex service booking (payments, intake forms etc.)
Verdict
"Strongest for its group polling capabilities. The booking page is useful for simple 1:1 scheduling but lacks the depth of dedicated business schedulers."
#5
HoneyBook
By HoneyBook Inc.
An all-in-one client management platform for creative entrepreneurs and freelancers, integrating scheduling, proposals, contracts, and payments.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Photographers, Designers, Consultants, Coaches, Event Planners, Freelancers
Key Features
- ✓Integrated Clientflow: Manages leads, proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, and scheduling in one place.
- ✓Online Payments: Accept credit card and bank transfer payments.
- ✓Automations: Automate emails, tasks, and file sending based on project stages.
- ✓Scheduling Tool: Allows clients to book sessions directly based on availability.
- ✓Templates: Provides templates for contracts, proposals, invoices, and emails.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.2 / 10.0)
Pricing
Starter
$16.00 / Monthly
- Unlimited clients & projects
- Invoices & payments
- Proposals & contracts
- Scheduling
Limitations: $10k transaction limit, Basic features
Essentials
$32.00 / Monthly
- Everything in Starter
- Up to $50k transactions
- Scheduler
- Automations
- Expense management
- Client portal
Limitations: Limited team members
Premium
$66.00 / Monthly
- Everything in Essentials
- Unlimited transactions
- Priority support
- Onboarding specialist
- Team members
Limitations: Higher price point
Pros
- + Excellent all-in-one solution for freelancers
- + Streamlines client workflow significantly
- + Professional templates and client portal
- + Strong automation capabilities
- + Good mobile apps
Cons
- - Scheduling is just one part of a larger system, maybe overkill if only scheduling is needed
- - Fewer direct calendar/app integrations compared to dedicated schedulers
- - Pricing based on overall platform features
Verdict
"Best for creative professionals and freelancers seeking a comprehensive client management system where scheduling is one component of the overall workflow."
#4
SimplyBook.me
By SimplyBook.me Ltd.
A highly versatile scheduling system known for its extensive 'Custom Features' marketplace, catering to diverse business needs globally.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Service Industries, Classes & Events, Government, Education, Healthcare (HIPAA)
Key Features
- ✓Custom Features: Enable/disable dozens of features like memberships, packages, POS, intake forms, etc.
- ✓Global Reach: Supports multiple languages and payment gateways worldwide.
- ✓HIPAA Compliance: Offers features to meet HIPAA requirements for healthcare providers.
- ✓Accept Payments: Integrates with numerous payment processors.
- ✓Marketing Tools: Includes promotions, gift cards, and loyalty system features.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.3 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- 50 bookings/month
- 1 user
- 1 Custom Feature
- Booking website
Limitations: Limited bookings, Limited custom features, SimplyBook.me branding
Basic
$8.25 / Monthly
- 100 bookings/month
- 5 users
- 3 Custom Features
- Client app
Limitations: Booking limits
Standard
$24.90 / Monthly
- 500 bookings/month
- 8 users
- 8 Custom Features
- HIPAA features
- Point of Sale
Limitations: Booking limits
Premium
$49.90 / Monthly
- 2000 bookings/month
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited Custom Features
- Branded client app
Limitations: Higher price point
Pros
- + Extremely flexible with 'Custom Features'
- + Supports a wide range of industries
- + Global payment and language support
- + HIPAA compliance options
- + Good value on higher tiers considering features
Cons
- - Interface can be overwhelming due to the number of options
- - Free plan is very limited
- - Booking-based pricing can be unpredictable
Verdict
"Highly adaptable scheduler best suited for businesses needing specific functionalities via its custom features, especially those operating globally or requiring HIPAA compliance."
#3
Setmore
By Setmore Appointments
Offers a generous free plan and focuses on connecting businesses with customers through online booking, payments, and integrations.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Desktop (Windows, macOS)
Best For: Retail, Salons, Consultants, Healthcare, Tradespeople
Key Features
- ✓Free Plan Availability: Offers a robust free tier for up to 4 users.
- ✓Square/Stripe Integration: Accept payments directly through the booking page.
- ✓Teleport Video Meetings: Built-in video conferencing for virtual appointments.
- ✓Class Booking: Supports scheduling for group classes and workshops.
- ✓Reviews Feature: Collect and display customer reviews.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.3 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Up to 4 users
- Unlimited appointments
- Email reminders
- Square payments
- Teleport video meetings
Limitations: Setmore branding, Limited integrations, No SMS reminders
Pro
$5.00 / Monthly per user
- SMS reminders
- Stripe/Square payments
- Recurring appointments
- 2-way calendar sync
- Limited customization
Limitations: Fewer features than Premium
Team
$5.00 / Monthly per user (min 2 users)
- All Pro features
- Team management features
Limitations: Designed for 2+ users
Pros
- + Excellent free plan for small teams
- + Very affordable paid plans
- + Integrated video conferencing
- + Easy setup and use
- + Good mobile apps
Cons
- - Customization options are somewhat limited
- - Fewer advanced features compared to Acuity or SimplyBook.me
- - Interface design is functional but not cutting-edge
Verdict
"A fantastic option for small businesses and teams prioritizing affordability and core scheduling features, with a standout free plan."
#2
Acuity Scheduling
By Squarespace
A robust scheduling assistant for service-based businesses, offering extensive customization and client management features.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Salons & Spas, Coaches, Therapists, Photographers, Fitness Trainers
Key Features
- ✓Customizable Booking Forms: Create detailed intake forms to gather client information.
- ✓Payment Processing: Accept payments and deposits via Stripe, Square, PayPal.
- ✓Client Management: Track client history and notes.
- ✓Packages & Gift Certificates: Offer appointment packages and sell gift certificates.
- ✓Advanced Reporting: Generate reports on appointments, revenue, and no-shows.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.5 / 10.0)
Pricing
Emerging
$16.00 / Monthly
- 1 staff/location
- Client self-scheduling
- Unlimited services/appointments
- Basic features
Limitations: No appointment packages, No gift certificates, Limited integrations
Growing
$27.00 / Monthly
- 6 staff/locations
- Text reminders
- Packages, gift certificates, memberships
- Payment processing options
Limitations: Limited HIPAA features
Powerhouse
$49.00 / Monthly
- 36 staff/locations
- Multiple time zones
- Custom API access
- HIPAA compliance features
Limitations: Higher price point
Pros
- + Highly customizable booking process
- + Powerful features for service businesses
- + Integrated payment processing
- + HIPAA compliance option
- + Good client management tools
Cons
- - No free plan available (only trial)
- - Interface can feel slightly dated compared to some competitors
- - Steeper learning curve than simpler tools
Verdict
"A powerhouse scheduler ideal for service providers needing deep customization, payment integration, and client management features."
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#1
Calendly
By Calendly LLC
A popular and user-friendly scheduling tool ideal for individuals and teams, focusing on simple meeting coordination.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Best For: Sales Teams, Consultants, Recruiters, Customer Success, Freelancers
Key Features
- ✓Calendar Sync: Syncs with Google Calendar, Office 365, Outlook, and iCloud.
- ✓Automated Reminders: Sends email and SMS reminders to reduce no-shows.
- ✓Team Scheduling: Supports round-robin, collective, and group event types.
- ✓Workflows: Automates tasks like follow-up emails and booking confirmations.
- ✓Embed Options: Embed scheduling directly onto websites.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- 1 calendar connection per user
- Unlimited one-on-one events
- Basic integrations
Limitations: Limited event types, Calendly branding
Standard
$10.00 / Monthly per user
- Multiple calendar connections
- Group events
- Customizable branding
- Workflows
Limitations: Limited integrations compared to Pro
Teams
$16.00 / Monthly per user
- Round-robin events
- Salesforce integration
- Admin features
Limitations: Advanced integrations may require Enterprise
Enterprise
Contact Vendor
- Custom terms
- SAML SSO
- Dedicated support
- Advanced security
Limitations: Contact sales for pricing
Pros
- + Extremely easy to set up and use
- + Clean interface
- + Wide range of integrations
- + Reliable calendar syncing
- + Good free plan for individuals
Cons
- - Free plan is quite limited for teams
- - Customization options could be more extensive
- - Can become expensive for large teams
Verdict
"Excellent for individuals and teams needing a straightforward, reliable scheduling solution with strong integration capabilities."
Final Thoughts
The appointment scheduling software market offers diverse solutions, from simple meeting coordinators like Calendly and Doodle to comprehensive business management platforms like HoneyBook and vCita, and highly customizable service schedulers like Acuity Scheduling and SimplyBook.me. Key differentiators include ease of use, depth of features (payments, CRM, reminders), customization options, integration capabilities, and pricing models (per user vs. tiered features). Choosing the right tool depends heavily on specific business needs, size, and existing software stack.