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Acuity Scheduling vs Google Optimize

Acuity Scheduling logo

Acuity Scheduling

Software

Scheduling made simple

From
$16/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Optimize logo

Google Optimize

Software

A/B testing for Google Analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Optimize 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; Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • They diverge on capability: Acuity Scheduling covers Online booking, Google Optimize covers A/B testing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acuity Scheduling and Google Optimize actually diverge.

Attributes where Acuity Scheduling and Google Optimize differ
AttributeAcuity SchedulingGoogle Optimize
Starting price$16/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
Founded20031998

Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 Google Optimize

  • A/B testing
  • Google Analytics integration
  • Visual editor
  • Real-time analytics
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google's security
  • Cloud deployment

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 Google Optimize
  • HIPAA-compliant scheduling for healthcare practitionersnot Google Optimize
  • Multi-location scheduling with multiple staff membersnot Google Optimize
  • Membership, package sales, and gift certificate managementnot Google Optimize

Google Optimize

  • A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Acuity Scheduling
  • Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Acuity Scheduling
  • Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot 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

Google Optimize

  • Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
  • Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product

Pricing, plan by plan

Acuity Scheduling

$16/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Acuity Scheduling review.

Google Optimize

Free
  • FreeFree
    • A/B testing
    • Google Analytics integration
    • Visual editor

Which should you pick?

Choose Acuity Scheduling if

  • You need online booking.
  • You also want appointment types.
Acuity Scheduling review

Choose Google Optimize if

  • You need a/b testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want google analytics integration.
Google Optimize review

Questions people ask

Is Acuity Scheduling or Google Optimize better?
Neither clearly leads. Acuity Scheduling starts at $16/month and Google Optimize at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acuity Scheduling or Google Optimize?
Google Optimize has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $16/month for Acuity Scheduling and Free for Google Optimize.
Does Acuity Scheduling or Google Optimize run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Google Optimize for free?
Yes. Google Optimize 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 Google Optimize is typically brought in for.
What can Acuity Scheduling do that Google Optimize cannot?
Acuity Scheduling covers Online booking, Appointment types, Calendar sync, Payment processing. Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics.
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Related pages

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