Scheduling & Booking · head to head
Setmore vs Acuity Scheduling
Setmore
Scheduling & Booking
Free appointment scheduling and customer management
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Setmore has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Setmore free plan limited to 4 users maximum; Acuity Scheduling starter tier limited to 1 calendar only
- They diverge on capability: Setmore covers Unlimited appointments, Acuity Scheduling covers Appointment types.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Setmore and Acuity Scheduling actually diverge.
| Attribute | Setmore | Acuity Scheduling |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $16/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2008 | 2003 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Scheduling & Booking).
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 Setmore
- Unlimited appointments
- Calendar synchronization
- Customer database
- SMS reminders
- Mobile app
- Custom branding
- Apple Calendar
Only in Acuity Scheduling
- Appointment types
- Calendar sync
- Payment processing
- Client self-scheduling
- Packages & memberships
- Timezone detection
- Squarespace
- Zoom
Both cover
- Online booking
- Email reminders
- Google Calendar
- Outlook
- Zapier
- Stripe
- SSL encryption
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Setmore
- Online appointment and booking managementnot Acuity Scheduling
- Service provider scheduling platformnot Acuity Scheduling
- Customer communication via email and SMS remindersnot Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling
- Client self-scheduling with automated time zone conversionnot Setmore
- HIPAA-compliant scheduling for healthcare practitionersnot Setmore
- Multi-location scheduling with multiple staff membersnot Setmore
- Membership, package sales, and gift certificate managementnot Setmore
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Setmore
- Free plan limited to 4 users maximum
- Free plan limited to 200 appointments per month
- Live receptionist add-on limited to US only
- Custom enterprise pricing not published
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
Setmore
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Setmore review.
Acuity Scheduling
$16/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Acuity Scheduling review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Setmore if
- You need unlimited appointments.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want calendar synchronization.
Choose Acuity Scheduling if
- You need appointment types.
- You also want calendar sync.
Questions people ask
- Is Setmore or Acuity Scheduling better?
- Neither clearly leads. Setmore starts at Free and Acuity Scheduling at $16/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Setmore or Acuity Scheduling?
- Setmore has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Setmore and $16/month for Acuity Scheduling.
- Does Setmore or Acuity Scheduling run on more platforms?
- Setmore runs on Web, iOS, Android. Acuity Scheduling runs on Web.
- Can I use Setmore for free?
- Yes. Setmore has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acuity Scheduling starts at $16/month.
- What is Setmore best used for?
- Setmore is most often used for online appointment and booking management, service provider scheduling platform, customer communication via email and sms reminders. Of those, online appointment and booking management and service provider scheduling platform are not what Acuity Scheduling is typically brought in for.
- What can Setmore do that Acuity Scheduling cannot?
- Setmore covers Unlimited appointments, Calendar synchronization, Customer database, SMS reminders. Acuity Scheduling covers Appointment types, Calendar sync, Payment processing, Client self-scheduling. Both handle Online booking, Email reminders, Google Calendar, Outlook.