Searching for the best appointment scheduler in 2024? You've come to the right place. This guide explores the top scheduling tools in 2024, and examines their key features, pricing, and pros and cons. So, let's dive into the world of online appointment planning, and hopefully this article will help you make the best choice for you or your company.
Top 10 scheduling apps:
1. Zeeg: best appointment scheduling tool overall
Zeeg is a newer scheduling software that brings a fresh approach to appointment management. The recent market entrant offers lots of features at competitive prices. What sets this scheduling platform apart is its focus on privacy, with GDPR compliance and data security as core aspects of its architecture. But besides that, there's a ton of other things that you can get with Zeeg:
A complete free plan, and wallet-friendly pricing.
Zeeg kicks things off with a handy free plan that includes two scheduling pages – perfect for getting your feet wet. Need more bells and whistles? The paid plans won't break the bank, with prices that keep up with (or beat) other scheduling tools. It's made for solo users, small businesses and large enterprises.
Smoother communication, more leads.
One of Zeeg's motos is "no more endless email chains". The tool automates your communication, cutting down on back-and-forth messages, while boosting leads and customer loyalty. It's all about making your scheduling easier and freeing up your valuable time.
Always-on, automated scheduling system.
Zeeg works around the clock, so you don't have to. Your clients can book appointments anytime, day or night, and the platform takes care of confirmations and reminders on its own thanks to its automated approach. This means you'll never miss a booking opportunity, even when you're off the clock. And the round-robin feature ensures that your contacts get te right person.
Pros and cons:
✅ Packed with features, covers all your scheduling bases
✅ Good pricing plans, with a solid free option
✅ Automation that actually makes your life easier
✅ Secure and GDPR-compliant
✅ You can take payments with PayPal and Stripe
✅ Customizable link-in-bio
✅ Numerous integration possibilities, including Google Calendar, Google Meet, Outlook Calendar, Teams, Zoom, , and more
❌ As a relatively new scheduling tool, Zeeg is still building its reputation in the market
❌ No chrome extension and no app for now
❌ Focused on scheduling, but right now not complemented on CRM
Zeeg's Pricing:
- Starter: free, with unlimited meetings, and you get a digital business card
- Professional: €9/month if billed monthly, €7 if billed annually
- Business: Starts at €16/month if billed monthly, €12 if billed annually
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Want to try before you buy? All paid plans come with a 14-day test drive. And if you're happy with the basics, the free plan is yours to keep, no strings attached.
2. Acuity: Best for branding
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Acuity Scheduling, part of Squarespace since 2019, is a scheduling app that specializes in creating tailored booking experiences. While Acuity suits various industries, it's particularly popular in the spa and salon sector. This appointment scheduling software is designed for small businesses with 1-36 team members, offering a wide range of features without overwhelming users. With Acuity, you can manage unlimited services and appointments, integrate with essential tools like Stripe, Zoom, and QuickBooks, and customize your booking process to fit your brand.
Pros and cons
✅ User-friendly interface suitable for tech novices
✅ Extensive customization options for booking processes
✅ "Look busy" feature to manage appointment visibility
✅ Great integration capabilities with popular business tools
✅ Variety of client communication templates
❌ No free plan available (only a 7-day free trial)
❌ Numerous features may require time to master
❌ Mobile app functionality is more limited compared to the web version
Pricing
Acuity offers a 7-day free trial, but it doesn't have a free plan.
- Emerging: $14/month (billed annually) or $16/month (billed monthly)
- Growing: $23/month (billed annually) or $26/month (billed monthly)
- Powerhouse: $45/month (billed annually) or $50/month (billed monthly)
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Acuity's pricing page
3. Setmore: Best for businesses with multiple staff members
Setmore is a comprehensive scheduling app that's particularly effective in managing appointments for small businesses with multiple staff members. It offers a feature-rich free plan for up to four users, making it an attractive option for startups and growing businesses. The app's key feature is its integrated video meeting tool, ideal for businesses balancing in-person and virtual appointments. Setmore's user-friendly interface, coupled with calendar syncing and customer management features, streamlines the booking process. While the free plan is generous, the Pro plan at $5 per user unlocks a wealth of advanced features, catering to businesses needing more sophisticated scheduling capabilities. Setmore's mobile app ensures on-the-go scheduling, adding flexibility for busy professionals.
Pros and cons
✅ Generous free plan for up to 4 staff members
✅ Built-in video conferencing tool
✅ User-friendly interface with calendar syncing
✅ Customer management features
❌ Limited customization options on the free plan
❌ 200 appointments limit on the free plan
❌ Pro plan limited to two users
Pricing
- Free: up to 4 users, limited to200 appointments
- Pro (limited to 1-2 users): $12/user/month when paying monthly, or $5/user/month in annual plan
- Team (unlimited users): $9/user/month when paying monthly, or $5/user/month in annual plan
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Setmore's pricing page
4. Calendly: Best for streamlined, no-frills scheduling
Calendly is widely recognized in the scheduling app world for its straightforward and efficient tool. It's effective at eliminating the back-and-forth typically associated with finding meeting times, and has a simple and user-friendly interface. However, the free plan restricts users to one calendar connection per person, and, like on other apps, some other sought-after features are locked behind paid tiers. Despite these constraints, and even though there's lots of alternatives to Calendly, its clean design and easy integration with popular calendar services have made it a favorite among individuals and businesses.
Pros and cons
✅ Clean, intuitive interface
✅ Customizable booking rules and availability
✅ Nice free plan with essential features
✅ Simplifies scheduling communications effectively
✅ Allows survey creation for gathering pre-meeting information
❌ No built-in payment processing on the free plan
❌ Connects only 1 calendar per person on the free plan
❌ Advanced team scheduling features require higher-tier plans
❌ Doesn't have a recurring bookings option
❌ No longer integrates with iCloud since August 2024
Pricing
- Free
- Standard: $12/user/month (billed monthly), $10/user/month (billed annually)
- Teams: $/user/month (billed m)$1ser/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: from $15,000/year
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Calendly's pricing page
5. Square Appointments: Best for integrated payment processing
Square Appointments is a scheduling solution that integrates with Square's broader ecosystem of tools. This makes it particularly attractive for businesses already using Square for payment processing or point-of-sale needs. The platform offers a great package that combines appointment scheduling with payment processing, inventory management, invoicing, and customer relationship tools. Square Appointments stands out with its free plan for individuals, which includes unlimited appointments and integrated payment processing. However, it's worth noting that while the platform offers extensive features, it may take time for new users to become proficient. The software excels in its ability to handle both in-person and online bookings, making it suitable for various business types.
Pros and cons
✅ Integrated payment processing
✅ Customer management features
✅ Free plan available for individuals
✅ In-person and online appointment booking
✅ Unlimited calendars on all plans
❌ Most suitable for businesses already using other Square tools
❌ Extensive features may require time to master
❌ Some users report occasional glitches
❌ Payment processing fees still add up even on free plan
❌ No Google Calendar sync on the free plan
❌ $29 minimum price for the Plus plan may be steep for businesses needing just one additional seat
Pricing
- Free: unlimited calendars (there would be fees for payment processing)
- Plus: $29/month per location
- Premium: $69/month per location
There's a free trial period for 30 days. After those 30 days, you can decide to keep a paid subscription, or to go free.
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Square pricing page
6. SimplyBook.me: Best for custom features
SimplyBook.me can be a great solution for businesses that need a tailored scheduling solution. It offers a mix-and-match approach to features, letting you pick what works for your needs. For medical practices in the US, the top two plans come with HIPAA compliance, which is a big plus (though the basic and free plans don't have it). The platform impresses with its custom forms and marketing tools - you can even chat with clients via WhatsApp or run targeted campaigns. But it's not all perfect: the free plan is pretty bare-bones, and some folks find all the options a bit much to handle. That said, if you're after a scheduling tool you can really make your own, SimplyBook.me is worth a look. But be ready to spend some time to figure out what you really need, and try to avoid getting features that you actually won't use.
Pros and cons
✅ Highly customizable booking website
✅ Wide range of industry-specific features
✅ Built-in marketing tools (e.g., WhatsApp communication, custom campaigns)
✅ HIPAA compliance on higher-tier plans
❌ Free plan limited to 1 user, 1 feature, and 50 monthly bookings
❌ Too complex for users needing basic functionalities
❌ HIPAA compliance not available on free and basic plans
Pricing
- Free: €0/month (up to 50 bookings)
- Basic: €9.90/month when paid monthly; €8.25/month when paid annually
- Standard: €29.90/month when paid monthly; €24.90/month when paid annually
- Premium: €59.90/month when paid monthly; €48.90/month when paid annually
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Simplybook pricing page
7. Doodle: Best for group polls
Doodle is a scheduling tool known for its polls to find the best meeting times within teams. It's also one of the best booking softwares for small businesses looking for an easy way to manage appointments. While Doodle's specialty lies in its polling feature, allowing multiple participants to vote on preferred meeting times, it also offers traditional 1:1 scheduling. The interface is straightforward, but the customization options for polls can feel somewhat limited. Also worth noting that Doodle's free plan comes with restrictions like having ads, just one Booking Page, and only one 1:1 meeting type, which might push some users towards paid options. Nonetheless, the basic version includes unlimited group meetings.
Pros and cons
✅ Intuitive interface
✅ Great for group scheduling and polls
✅ No account required for other participants
✅ Customizable poll options
✅ Group meeting polls available on all plans
✅ Book on behalf feature (for assistants or team leaders)
❌ Limited features for individual appointment scheduling
❌ Free version includes ads and allows just one 1:1 per month
❌ Lacks some advanced features of full-fledged scheduling apps, like customizable forms
Pricing
Currently Doodle doesn't offer a trial period for the paid plans on their website. If you want to try it for, you probably have to go for their basic version, which might feel somewhat limited, depending on your needs.
- Free: Just one 1:1, with ads
- Pro: €14.95/user/month if billed monthly, €6.95 if billed yearly
- Team: €19.95/user/month if billed monthly, €8.95 if billed yearly
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Doodle pricing page
8. Appointy: Best for scheduling automation
Appointy is a solid scheduling platform that handles multiple resources well. It's a good fit for businesses that need to juggle staff, rooms, or equipment for appointments. The tool comes packed with features like inbuilt CRM, marketing tools, and in-depth analytics. If you're big on integrations, Appointy might be your go-to, as it works well with over 1000 apps through Zapier. This keeps your workflow smooth and organized. The platform also offers some useful marketing perks, like Google listing integration. But heads up - the free plan is pretty basic, limited to one person and 100 appointments per month. If you need more, you'll have to opt for a paid plan.
Pros and cons
✅ Flexible resource management
✅ Customer management features
✅ Marketing tools including social media integration and Google listing
✅ Detailed reporting and analytics
❌ Free plan limited to one person with 100 appointments per month
❌ Mobile app lacks some features and user-friendliness compared to web version
❌ Might take time to become proficient with the tool
Pricing
- Free: just for one person
- Growth: $29.99/month if paid monthly, $19.99/month if paid annually
- Professional: $59.99/month if paid monthly, $49.99/month if paid annually
- Enterprise: $99.99/month if paid monthly, $79.99/month if paid annually
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Appointy pricing page
9. Zoho Bookings: best for analytics on customers
Zoho Bookings, part of the company's ecossystem, whose offers include appointment scheduling and customer management features. Its customizable booking page maintains brand identity while organizing appointment, and the built-in video conferencing tool is a great add-on for online meetings without third-party apps. But it's its focus on customer interactions that makes Zoho stand out. It doubles as a customer support tool, providing analytics on sentiment and trends, and helping businesses to build stronger client relationships. The platform's integration with other Zoho products offers a holistic solution for managing appointments, resources, and customer relationships. It's a particularly valuable tool for businesses that already use Zoho for other purposes.
Pros and cons
✅ Seamless integration with other Zoho apps
✅ Customizable booking page
✅ Built-in video conferencing
✅ Detailed analytics and reporting on customers
✅ Multiple staff and resource management
❌ Can be complex if you just need simple scheduling
❌ Most beneficial when used with other Zoho products
❌ Its CRM integration seems limited
Pricing
- Free: for just 1 user
- Basic: €8/user/month (billed monthly), €6/user/month (billed annually)
- Premium: €12/user/month (billed monthly), €9/user/month (billed annually)
(limited features)
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Zoho pricing page
10. Motion: Best for AI scheduling
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Motion is an AI scheduling tool that optimizes your calendar based on your preferences. It offers intelligent time management features and automated scheduling assistance. An example? Let’s say that you prefer morning meetings - Motion will display your available times accordingly. Also, the app provides automatic task scheduling based on your priority level and your ETA. And, if a conflict arises, it will give you rescheduling suggestions. All in all, it’s a great option if you want to maximize productivity and, of course, you like to work with AI.
Pros and cons
✅ Intelligent AI assistant that learns your scheduling preferences
✅ Great help for project management
✅ Has AI rescheduling suggestions
❌ There’s no free plan available, and pricing might seem expensive when compared to other tools
❌ Some users may find the AI suggestions too assertive
❌ A bit too many customization options for those looking for a simple scheduling tool
Pricing
- Individual: $34 per month if paid monthly, $19 if paid annually
- Business Standard: $20/month/user if billed monthly, $12/month/user if billed annually
- Business Pro (20+ users): Custom pricing
Prices were last checked on 26/09/2024 and are subject to change.
Source: Motion’s pricing page
Appointment schedulers FAQ
What are scheduling apps and how do they work?
Scheduling apps are digital tools that simplify the process of booking appointments. They work by allowing businesses to set their availability and services, which clients can then view and book online. The software typically syncs with calendars, sends automated reminders, and manages cancellations or rescheduling. It eliminates the need for back-and-forth communication, saving time for both businesses and clients.
How does automated scheduling work?
Automated scheduling uses software to manage the booking process without human intervention. It allows clients to view available time slots, select a suitable appointment, and book it instantly. The system then updates the business's calendar, sends confirmation emails, and can even process payments. It also handles tasks like sending reminders, managing cancellations, and rescheduling, all without manual input from the business.
What are the differences between a paid scheduling app and a free booking software?
Paid scheduling apps typically offer more features than their free counterparts. These often include unlimited bookings, multiple user accounts, advanced customization options, and integration with other business tools. Free versions usually have limitations on bookings, users, or features. Paid versions also tend to offer better customer support and may remove branding from the booking page. However, free versions can be sufficient for individuals or small businesses with basic needs.
Should I get a scheduling app? (explain why, in what cases)
You should consider a scheduling app if you regularly book appointments with clients or manage a team's schedule. It's particularly useful for service-based businesses, freelancers, or anyone who finds scheduling takes up too much time. If you're dealing with no-shows, spending hours on email chains to find meeting times, or struggling to manage your availability across different platforms, a scheduling app can significantly streamline your workflow and improve client experience.
Whether you're a freelancer, founder, small-business owner, or part of a large enterprise, consider Zeeg. You'll simplify your scheduling process, integrate with your favorite tools, and increase your leads, ultimately saving time and improving efficiency in your business operations.