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Software · head to head

Acuity Scheduling vs Cron Calendar

Acuity Scheduling logo

Acuity Scheduling

Software

Scheduling made simple

From
$16/month
Rated
-
Cron Calendar logo

Cron Calendar

Software

The next-generation calendar for professionals

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Cron Calendar has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Acuity Scheduling starter tier limited to 1 calendar only; Cron Calendar no longer sold as Cron. Notion acquired it and renamed it Notion Calendar, and cron.com now carries that banner
  • They diverge on capability: Acuity Scheduling covers Online booking, Cron Calendar covers Keyboard shortcuts.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acuity Scheduling and Cron Calendar actually diverge.

Attributes where Acuity Scheduling and Cron Calendar differ
AttributeAcuity SchedulingCron Calendar
Starting price$16/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebMacos, Windows, Ios, Android, Web
Founded20032016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Acuity Scheduling

  • Online booking
  • Appointment types
  • Calendar sync
  • Payment processing
  • Email reminders
  • Client self-scheduling
  • Packages & memberships
  • Timezone detection

Only in Cron Calendar

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Multi-timezone
  • Scheduling links
  • Team availability
  • Menu bar access
  • Notion
  • Google Meet
  • Macos support

Both cover

  • Zoom
  • Google Calendar

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Acuity Scheduling

  • Client self-scheduling with automated time zone conversionnot Cron Calendar
  • HIPAA-compliant scheduling for healthcare practitionersnot Cron Calendar
  • Multi-location scheduling with multiple staff membersnot Cron Calendar
  • Membership, package sales, and gift certificate managementnot Cron Calendar

Cron Calendar

  • Keyboard-driven calendar for people living in their schedulenot Acuity Scheduling
  • Managing several Google calendars in one viewnot Acuity Scheduling
  • Scheduling links for meeting availabilitynot Acuity Scheduling
  • Joining video calls from the menu barnot Acuity Scheduling

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Acuity Scheduling

  • Starter tier limited to 1 calendar only
  • SMS/text reminders, memberships, and gift certificates require Standard or Premium tier
  • HIPAA compliance (BAA signature) exclusive to Premium tier at $49/month
  • Custom API and CSS access, and Acuity branding removal require Premium tier

Cron Calendar

  • No longer sold as Cron. Notion acquired it and renamed it Notion Calendar, and cron.com now carries that banner
  • Tied to the Notion account system rather than standing alone

Pricing, plan by plan

Acuity Scheduling

$16/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Acuity Scheduling review.

Cron Calendar

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Calendar sync
    • Scheduling links
    • Keyboard shortcuts

Which should you pick?

Choose Acuity Scheduling if

  • You need online booking.
  • You also want appointment types.

Choose Cron Calendar if

  • You need keyboard shortcuts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Macos, Windows, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want multi-timezone.

Questions people ask

Is Acuity Scheduling or Cron Calendar better?
Neither clearly leads. Acuity Scheduling starts at $16/month and Cron Calendar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acuity Scheduling or Cron Calendar?
Cron Calendar has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $16/month for Acuity Scheduling and Free for Cron Calendar.
Does Acuity Scheduling or Cron Calendar run on more platforms?
Acuity Scheduling runs on Web. Cron Calendar runs on Macos, Windows, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Cron Calendar for free?
Yes. Cron Calendar has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acuity Scheduling starts at $16/month.
What is Acuity Scheduling best used for?
Acuity Scheduling is most often used for client self-scheduling with automated time zone conversion, hipaa-compliant scheduling for healthcare practitioners, multi-location scheduling with multiple staff members, membership, package sales, and gift certificate management. Of those, client self-scheduling with automated time zone conversion and hipaa-compliant scheduling for healthcare practitioners are not what Cron Calendar is typically brought in for.
What can Acuity Scheduling do that Cron Calendar cannot?
Acuity Scheduling covers Online booking, Appointment types, Calendar sync, Payment processing. Cron Calendar covers Keyboard shortcuts, Multi-timezone, Scheduling links, Team availability. Both handle Zoom, Google Calendar.

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