Softwr

Software · head to head

Google Analytics vs Square Appointments

Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

Software

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Square Appointments logo

Square Appointments

Software

Free scheduling for beauty businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; Square Appointments the free plan is aimed at solo professionals; booking across multiple staff requires the paid Plus plan
  • They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Square Appointments covers Online booking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Analytics and Square Appointments actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Analytics and Square Appointments differ
AttributeGoogle AnalyticsSquare Appointments
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19982009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Google Analytics

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Acquisition tracking
  • Behavior flow
  • Conversion tracking
  • Custom reports
  • Mobile analytics
  • E-commerce tracking

Only in Square Appointments

  • Online booking
  • Client management
  • Point of sale
  • Payment processing
  • Automated reminders
  • Instagram booking
  • Google booking
  • Mobile app

What people use each for

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

Google Analytics

  • Website and web application analyticsnot Square Appointments
  • Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot Square Appointments
  • Traffic source and conversion trackingnot Square Appointments

Square Appointments

  • Online appointment booking for salons, barbers and personal servicesnot Google Analytics
  • Taking card payments and deposits at the time of bookingnot Google Analytics
  • Managing staff calendars, waitlists and no-show policiesnot Google Analytics

Where each one falls short

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

Google Analytics

  • Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
  • Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
  • Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features

Square Appointments

  • The free plan is aimed at solo professionals; booking across multiple staff requires the paid Plus plan
  • Cancellation policies, no-show fees and waitlists require the Plus plan
  • Resource management, service cost tracking and the future bookings report require the Premium plan
  • Custom processing rates are reserved for Square Pro, which is aimed at businesses processing over $250,000 a year
  • Card processing fees are charged on top of the plan fee on every tier including the free one

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.

Square Appointments

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited appointments
    • Online booking
    • Client management
  • Plus$29/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Multiple staff calendars
    • No-show protection
  • Premium$69/month
    • Everything in Plus
    • Multi-location
    • Staff management

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Analytics if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want audience insights.
Google Analytics review

Choose Square Appointments if

  • You need online booking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want client management.
Square Appointments review

Questions people ask

Is Google Analytics or Square Appointments better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics starts at Free and Square Appointments at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Analytics or Square Appointments?
Google Analytics starts at Free and Square Appointments at Free.
Does Google Analytics or Square Appointments run on more platforms?
Google Analytics runs on Web. Square Appointments runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Analytics best used for?
Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what Square Appointments is typically brought in for.
What can Google Analytics do that Square Appointments cannot?
Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. Square Appointments covers Online booking, Client management, Point of sale, Payment processing.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Google Analytics

More on Square Appointments

Keep looking

Other head to heads