Many people choose Acuity Scheduling because it offers a quick and easy way to create a scheduling system for their small business. However, many are underwhelmed by Acuity and begin to look for an alternative.
But finding an Acuity Scheduling alternative that perfectly fits your needs isn’t easy — there are just so many options. Luckily, I’ve been reviewing all types of software for over 10 years, so if you’re looking for an Acuity Scheduling alternative, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I’ll discuss my top 5 Acuity Scheduling alternatives.
Why Choose an Acuity Scheduling Alternative?
While Acuity Scheduling does allow you to implement easy scheduling software, it falls short in a few areas, making some businesses feel less competitive than their competitors. Over the years, I’ve heard the following issues about Acuity Scheduling:
Very Limited Design Freedom and Customization
When you sign up for Acuity Scheduling, you’ll be able to create a calendar that shows your availability and then let your clients schedule from there. In terms of design freedom, Acuity allows you to upload your logo and change the color scheme, but that’s about it.
While this accomplishes the bare minimum of scheduling appointments, you’ll need to use a design tool like Canva or Figma to customize your scheduling tool’s appearance to your exact tastes. Doing this will take extra time, as you’ll have to learn two platforms: Acuity Scheduling and the design platform you choose.
Solution: Get an Acuity Scheduling alternative, like Adalo or GoodBarber, that allows you to customize your very own scheduling app. You’ll be able to adjust elements like buttons and forms, edit your pictures, and configure your scheduling app’s layout just the way you want it.
No Free Version
Although Acuity Scheduling offers a 7-day free trial, it allows you to tinker with the platform only and not release a final product. Plus, you’ll only have 7 days to get to know the platform, which isn’t a whole lot of time, especially when you’re busy hustling for new clients and perfecting your craft.
Solution: Pick a scheduler, like Adalo, Calendly, or Setmore, that offers a free version. You’ll be able to experiment with different ideas and launch a few tests of your scheduler before publishing your final version. When you release your scheduling app, it will be error-free and ready to go. And your clients will appreciate not being guinea pigs.
Just For Scheduling
While this may seem like enough, many people want their scheduling app to do more. For instance, adding a live chat feature allows for swift and easy communication between you and your clients.
Instead of thumbing through personal text messages to communicate with you, they’ll be able to find you right from the convenience of your own app. Unfortunately, Acuity only sends reminder text messages and confirmation emails.
Solution: Pick an Acuity Scheduling alternative, like Adalo, that lets you add features not found on Acuity, like a live chat function, to the app you build. When you build with Adalo, you can also create a social network from your scheduling app so your customers and staff can communicate.
The Top 5 Acuity Scheduling Alternatives
- Adalo, the best overall Acuity Scheduling alternative
- Calendly, the simplest Acuity Scheduling alternative
- Microsoft Bookings, the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for Microsoft users
- Setmore, the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for iOS users
- GoodBarber, a customizable Acuity Scheduling alternative
#1 The Best Overall Acuity Scheduling Alternative
Adalo
What is it?
Adalo is a no-code native mobile app builder that lets you create your very own scheduling app.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
Instead of purchasing premade scheduling software, why not make your own scheduling app? Adalo gives you the power to do that by leveraging an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. And the best part: You don’t need to have any coding or technical knowledge to create your own app.
Adalo lets you tailor your scheduling app to your exact needs and tastes. Do you want to adjust the calendar’s appearance, add a live messaging app, or create a forum where your clients and staff can communicate and share cat memes? Adalo gives you the power to do it all.
As an added bonus, Adalo lets you publish your scheduling app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and to the web. Being able to do this will put your app in front of an enormous audience, which can help market your service and get even more clients.
Who is it best for?
I’ve recommended Adalo to freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium businesses more than any other app-building platform or software for a reason: It’s insanely simple to use and produces slick and professional-looking apps.
No matter what your profession, you can create an eye-catching, highly professional scheduling app with Adalo.
Pricing
Get started with Adalo for $36/month.
Final Verdict
Adalo gives you the freedom, power, and simplicity to bring any scheduling app idea to life and publish it in the app stores. This is why Adalo is my top overall Acuity scheduling alternative.
#2 The Simplest Acuity Scheduling Alternative
Calendly
What is it?
Calendly is an appointment scheduling software that automatically sets up meetings, shows availability times to invitees, and streamlines your team’s scheduling tasks.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
When you sign up with Calendly, it will connect to the calendar system you currently use, such as Google, iCloud, or Microsoft Office. You’ll get immediate access to a free version that gives you unlimited one-on-one meetings.
Calendly is incredibly simple to use. Just insert your availability times, have your clients download the Calendly mobile app or access Calendly on the web. They can book an appointment or meeting by simply pressing a couple of buttons.
Who is it best for?
If you want simple, bare-bones scheduling software that you can set up in minutes, Calendly is right for you. It’s best for those who have a high volume of meetings and appointments and don’t mind a lack of customization.
Pricing
Calendly starts at $12 per user/month (billed monthly). This pricing tier lets you connect any calendar and integrate with payment platforms like Stripe and PayPal to take payments in advance.
Final Verdict
Because it has a quick and easy setup, low-cost pricing, and a useful free version, Calendly is the simplest Acuity Scheduling alternative.
#3 The Best Acuity Scheduling Alternative for Microsoft Users
Microsoft Bookings
What is it?
Microsoft Bookings, part of the Microsoft 365 suite, is an appointment-scheduling software program that provides a web-based booking calendar fully integrated with the Microsoft Ecosystem.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
If you’re already a Microsoft user, consider Microsoft Bookings. It offers the perks of being in the Microsoft Ecosystem, like enhanced security and a better user experience, and it offers more features than you’ll get when you use Acuity Scheduling.
Microsoft Bookings lets you seamlessly integrate all your other Microsoft workflows into your Microsoft Booking account, such as those on Excel, Teams, and more. This will help streamline tasks and create crystal-clear communication between your team and client.
Who is it best for?
Microsoft Bookings stands out as a great choice for all businesses that use Microsoft, from a 2-person partnership to a 5,000-strong corporation.
Pricing
Microsoft Bookings will be free for those who already have Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, or Premium. These pricing tiers start at $6 per user/month for Basic, $12.50 per user/month for Standard, and $22 per user/month for Premium.
Final Verdict
Because it’s made for those who are already in the Microsoft ecosystem, Microsoft Bookings is the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for Microsoft users.
#4 The Best Acuity Scheduling Alternative for iOS Users
Setmore
What is it?
Setmore is an all-in-one appointment scheduling software designed to provide businesses with everything they need to manage appointments and interactions with customers.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
Take note, Apple faithful: Setmore is optimized for peak performance on the iOS ecosystem. It seamlessly syncs with the MacOS calendar, allows you to sign in with your iOS account, and is integrated with Apple Pay.
Unlike Acuity Scheduling, Setmore offers a generous free version that allows up to 4 users and accepts payments, making it perfect for small teams. You can publish your Setmore-made scheduling app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to reach current clients and advertise to new ones.
Who is it best for?
While it works quite well with iOS users, Setmore also meshes with the Android ecosystem. Because of its social media integrations, Setmore is great for small and medium-sized teams that do a lot of social media marketing.
Pricing
For $9 per user/month, you’ll get unlimited appointments and your very own branding. You’ll also be able to automate recurring appointments and get integrations with third-party apps like Shopify, Google Calendar, and Hubspot.
Final Verdict
With integrations to several iOS programs and a free version that allows you to take payments, Setmore is the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for iOS users.
#5 A Customizable Acuity Scheduling Alternative
GoodBarber
What is it?
GoodBarber is a no-code native mobile app-building platform that provides tools to make a customized booking app.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
GoodBarber offers a solid 30-day free trial, which gives you ample time to learn the app-building interface and create your own customized booking app. It offers several industry-specific templates to choose from.
For instance, if you’re a restaurant owner and want a scheduling app to book tables, GoodBarber has a premade template just for that. There’s also a robust template option for salon owners, providing scheduling options for salon-specific services like hairstyling, manicures, massages, and more.
Who is it best for
If you want a customizable app for your small or medium business, GoodBarber is an excellent choice. You’ll have the power to craft your app to your preferences, and you’ll also be able to publish it in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Pricing
Publish your GoodBarber app to the web so your clients can access it with their phone browsers for $50/month (billed monthly). If you want to publish to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you’ll need to pay $90/month (billed monthly)
Final Verdict
Because it gives you the option to create a booking app for your specific industry, GoodBarber is a great customizable Acuity Scheduling option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Acuity Scheduling Alternative Has the Most Customization?
Hands down, Adalo offers the most customizable option. You can use Adalo’s appointment template and reconfigure each part, like its colors, fonts, layout, images, and more, to meet your own brand. You’ll also be able to add custom features, like a live chat box, to your app.
When you build your scheduling app with Adalo, the sky’s the limit in terms of customization.
Which Acuity Scheduling Alternative Is the Cheapest?
Microsoft 365 Standard Business version is cheap, at $6 per user/month. But if you have a large staff, this could get expensive. We recommend making your own scheduling app with Adalo for only $36/month. You’ll be able to have an unlimited number of users at that price.
What Acuity Scheduling Alternative Has the Best Free Version?
Setmore has a free version that allows up to 4 users, unlimited appointments, and payments. But if you want to use a free version that accepts payments, allows for more than 4 users, and lets you customize your scheduling app to exactly how you want it to look, go with Adalo.
