Acuity Scheduling vs Calendly: Which Appointment Scheduling Software Is Right For You?
In the case of appointment scheduling software, Acuity Scheduling and Calendry are two of the best options to assist professionals, teams, and businesses in handling bookings easily. These tools remove emailing back and forth, automate confirmations, and sync appointments across calendar systems to ensure the process of client scheduling is faster and more effective.
With great customization capability, client intake forms, and integrated payments, Acuity Scheduling, which is owned by Squarespace, is best suited to service-oriented companies that require a great deal of control over the scheduling process.
Being design-oriented, with seamless integrations into such tools as Google Workspace, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, Calendly is a good solution for professionals who care about a simple setup and team management.
This guide will include a more in-depth discussion of Acuity Scheduling and Calendly, their main features, pricing, usability, integrations, and which platform best fits your needs for appointment management.
Key Differences Between Acuity Scheduling and Calendly
- Customization and Branding: Acuity is more customizable, has client forms and branded scheduling pages, whereas Calendry is simple and easy to use.
- Payment and Client Management: Calendly does not handle payment collection and client record management, which Acuity has built-in features.
- Target Users and Use Case: Acuity would be more suited to service providers, such as a salon or a therapist, whereas Calendry would be more suited to a professional, team, or corporate meeting.
Acuity Scheduling and Calendly Comparison Table
| Feature |
Acuity Scheduling |
Calendly |
| Ease of Use |
Advanced options make setup slightly more time-consuming. |
Simple, clean interface with minimal setup required. |
| Integrations |
Connects with Stripe, PayPal, Zoom, and marketing tools. |
Works with Zoom, Outlook, Google, and other platforms. |
| Payment Processing |
Built-in payment collection through multiple payment gateways. |
Payment available only on selected premium plans. |
| Self-Scheduling |
Clients easily self-book and edit appointments online. |
Invitees choose suitable time slots through shared links. |
| Reminders |
Sends automated email and SMS reminders to clients. |
Sends automatic email notifications before scheduled meetings. |
| Automatic Time Zone Conversion |
Detects client time zones and adjusts appointment times. |
Automatically converts time zones for meeting participants. |
| HIPAA Compliance |
Offers HIPAA compliance for healthcare and wellness businesses. |
Lacks HIPAA compliance, not suitable for sensitive data. |
| Reporting |
Provides detailed reports on bookings and client data. |
Displays simple analytics on scheduled meetings. |
| Ideal For |
Best for service providers needing advanced booking management features. |
Ideal for teams scheduling meetings quickly with minimal setup. |
| Support |
Offers live chat, email help, and detailed support articles. |
Provides email support, chatbot guidance, and an active community forum. |
| Pricing |
Paid plans only, starting at USD 20 per month. |
Free basic plan and paid plan starting at USD 12 per month. |
Detailed Feature Comparison of Acuity Scheduling and Calendly
Appointment Types and Booking Flexibility
Acuity Scheduling enables businesses to develop various types of appointments of varying lengths, services, and staff allocation. Clients are able to attend time slots, make special requests, and reschedule with ease. Calendly offers even simpler event types and timeframes as it specializes in quick booking of a meeting without the ability to customize the services in detail.
Client Intake and Forms
Acuity provides customizable intake forms, which allow businesses to obtain information about their clients, their preferences, and agreements before appointments. It can be applicable to service-oriented companies such as wellness, coaching, or salons. Calendry has simple question functionality but no powerful form construction, so it is only appropriate when simple scheduling and no in-depth data collection about clients is required.
Automated Reminders and Notifications
Acuity automatically reminds customers via email and SMS, minimizing no-shows and updating customers. Reminder content and timing can be personalized by the users. In most of the plans, Calendly also includes email reminders, though it does not offer SMS notifications, and its primary use is to confirm a meeting and issue a calendar event invitation.
Calendar Management and Time Zone Handling
Acuity enables employees to work with multiple calendars, and it automatically adjusts to the time zones of the customers. Thus, scheduling is done correctly. Calendly also automatically converts time zones and allows a number of calendar integrations, but it is aimed at simplicity over the complex staff scheduling arrangements.
HIPAA Compliance
Acuity assists healthcare and wellness providers with HIPAA compliance, ensuring sensitive client information remains secure. Calendly is not HIPAA-compliant, which is why it is not the right tool to work with confidential medical or client information. This is a very important distinction to companies in regulated markets.
When to Choose Acuity Scheduling or Calendly?
| Use Case / Scenario |
Acuity Scheduling |
Calendly |
| Managing complex appointment workflows |
Supports buffer times, recurring sessions, and multiple client management |
Focuses on quick one-on-one meetings without complex scheduling |
| Advanced client activity insights |
Offers detailed reporting on appointments and client trends |
Provides only basic analytics for meeting history |
| Handling packages, subscriptions, or gift cards |
Built-in support for client packages and prepaid services |
Does not offer a built-in package or subscription management |
| Team meeting distribution |
Suitable for assigning specific staff, but with less emphasis on round-robin |
Supports round-robin scheduling to evenly distribute meetings among team members |
| Streamlined online booking links |
Customizable branded booking pages for clients |
Quick link-based booking for invitees without sharing calendars |
| Automated follow-ups |
Sends detailed automated reminders via email and SMS |
Sends simple automated email reminders only |
Final Verdict: Acuity Scheduling or Calendly
The decision between Acuity Scheduling and Calendry is based on your needs in terms of scheduling.
Acuity Scheduling is a more powerful option in case your business needs complex client management, appointment processes, recurrent sessions, or payment operations. Calendly is ideal in the case of individuals or teams that need an easy, quick, and convenient solution to conduct virtual meetings.
Both systems are good appointment booking software, but it remains a choice between complexity and simplicity, and business-specific features and a smooth meeting coordination process. Get a free consultation and demo on the best solution to your scheduling needs by contacting our software team or the Techjockey Team.