Software · head to head
Cloudbeds vs Acuity Scheduling
Cloudbeds
Software
Cloud-based hospitality management platform unifying PMS, channel management, and booking engine
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Cloudbeds pricing requires custom quote; no published pricing tiers visible, making budgeting and comparison difficult; Acuity Scheduling starter tier limited to 1 calendar only
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Cloudbeds and Acuity Scheduling actually diverge.
| Attribute | Cloudbeds | Acuity Scheduling |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $16/month |
| Pricing model | quote | subscription |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, API | Web |
| Founded | Unknown | 2003 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Cloudbeds
Nothing recorded that Acuity Scheduling does not also cover.
Only in Acuity Scheduling
- Online booking
- Appointment types
- Calendar sync
- Payment processing
- Email reminders
- Client self-scheduling
- Packages & memberships
- Timezone detection
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Cloudbeds
- Independent hotels and boutique hospitality businesses automating PMS and distributionnot Acuity Scheduling
- Vacation rental hosts (Airbnb, VRBO) consolidating multi-channel bookings and messagingnot Acuity Scheduling
- Hostels and backpacker accommodations using commission-free booking engine to reduce dependency on OTAsnot Acuity Scheduling
- Small-chain hospitality operators managing multiple properties from one interfacenot Acuity Scheduling
- Properties seeking revenue management and dynamic pricing without enterprise-level PMS costsnot Acuity Scheduling
- Hospitality businesses using AI-driven guest messaging and support automationnot Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling
- Client self-scheduling with automated time zone conversionnot Cloudbeds
- HIPAA-compliant scheduling for healthcare practitionersnot Cloudbeds
- Multi-location scheduling with multiple staff membersnot Cloudbeds
- Membership, package sales, and gift certificate managementnot Cloudbeds
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Cloudbeds
- Pricing requires custom quote; no published pricing tiers visible, making budgeting and comparison difficult
- Per-property pricing model means costs scale rapidly for multi-property management; portfolio growth increases operational expenses
- Revenue Intelligence (AI pricing) locked behind premium tier; base offering lacks dynamic pricing automation
- Limited offline functionality; properties with poor connectivity face operational challenges
- Chatbot and messaging automation require configuration; setup complexity increases for non-technical operators
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Cloudbeds
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Cloudbeds review.
Acuity Scheduling
$16/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Acuity Scheduling review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Acuity Scheduling if
- You need online booking.
- You also want appointment types.
Questions people ask
- Is Cloudbeds or Acuity Scheduling better?
- Neither clearly leads. Cloudbeds starts at On request and Acuity Scheduling at $16/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Cloudbeds or Acuity Scheduling?
- Cloudbeds starts at On request and Acuity Scheduling at $16/month.
- Does Cloudbeds or Acuity Scheduling run on more platforms?
- Cloudbeds runs on Web, iOS, Android, API. Acuity Scheduling runs on Web.
- What is Cloudbeds best used for?
- Cloudbeds is most often used for independent hotels and boutique hospitality businesses automating pms and distribution, vacation rental hosts (airbnb, vrbo) consolidating multi-channel bookings and messaging, hostels and backpacker accommodations using commission-free booking engine to reduce dependency on otas, small-chain hospitality operators managing multiple properties from one interface. Of those, independent hotels and boutique hospitality businesses automating pms and distribution and vacation rental hosts (airbnb, vrbo) consolidating multi-channel bookings and messaging are not what Acuity Scheduling is typically brought in for.
- What can Cloudbeds do that Acuity Scheduling cannot?
- Acuity Scheduling covers Online booking, Appointment types, Calendar sync, Payment processing.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Cloudbeds: Does Cloudbeds have a commission-free booking engine?
Yes. Cloudbeds provides a commission-free booking engine allowing guests to reserve directly on the property website without OTA transaction fees. This reduces distribution costs compared to Booking.com and Airbnb.
SourceCloudbeds: What channels does Cloudbeds distribute to?
Cloudbeds distributes to 450+ booking channels including Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, and regional OTAs, all managed from one interface.
SourceCloudbeds: Does Cloudbeds provide revenue management?
Yes. Revenue Intelligence uses AI-powered demand forecasting (95% accuracy) to recommend dynamic pricing, maximising revenue per available room (RevPAR).
Source