Acuity Scheduling vs SimplyBook.me: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Acuity Scheduling is built for service-businesses, while SimplyBook.me suits service-businesses. For most users Acuity Scheduling is the stronger default, but SimplyBook.me can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. SimplyBook.me has the lower entry price.
Acuity Scheduling versus SimplyBook.me comes down to which trade-offs you can live with. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Acuity Scheduling | SimplyBook.me | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Booking | Booking |
| What it's known for | Full appointment-booking platform (now Squarespace Scheduling) with intake forms, packages, classes and payments, built for service businesses. | Feature-rich booking system for service businesses with a marketplace of custom features (POS, deposits, memberships, intake). |
| Pricing | No free plan, 7-day trial; ~$16/mo Starter, ~$27/mo Standard, ~$49/mo Premium (annual) | Free (50 bookings/mo, 1 provider); ~$13.9/mo Basic, ~$29.9/mo Standard, ~$59.9/mo Premium; Enterprise custom |
| Best audience | Service businesses, coaches and studios that need intake forms, classes, packages and payments. | Service businesses (salons, clinics, studios) needing feature depth and payment/deposit control. |
| Best for | service-businesses, appointments | service-businesses, feature-depth |
| Entry price | ~$16/mo (annual) | Free |
| Biggest strength | Deep feature set for service businesses (classes, packages, payments). | Very deep feature set via modular custom features. |
| Main caveat | No free plan, only a 7-day trial. | Free plan capped at 50 bookings/mo, 1 provider, 1 custom feature. |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
Acuity Scheduling key features
- Appointment booking with intake forms (all plans)
- Packages, gift certificates and group classes
- Multiple calendars (up to 6 Standard / 36 Premium)
- Deposits, tips and invoicing at booking
SimplyBook.me key features
- Booking system with 70+ optional custom-feature modules
- Deposits, memberships, coupons, waitlists, intake forms
- Built-in POS system
- Recurring bookings and multiple providers
Pricing tiers side by side
Acuity Scheduling plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | ~$16/mo (annual) | 1 calendar, reminders, intake forms |
| Standard | ~$27/mo (annual) | up to 6 calendars, packages, group classes |
| Premium | ~$49/mo (annual) | up to 36 calendars, multiple locations, advanced reporting |
SimplyBook.me plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 50 bookings/mo, 1 provider, 1 custom feature |
| Basic | ~$13.9/mo | 100 bookings, 3 custom features, 5 providers, POS/deposits |
| Standard | ~$29.9/mo | 500 bookings, 8 custom features, 15 providers |
| Premium | ~$59.9/mo | 2,000 bookings, unlimited custom features, 30 providers |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Acuity Scheduling wins
A full appointment-booking platform (now Squarespace Scheduling) built for service businesses, not just meeting links.
- Deep feature set for service businesses (classes, packages, payments).
- Intake forms included on every plan.
That makes it the stronger pick for service businesses, coaches and studios that need intake forms, classes, packages and payments.
Where SimplyBook.me wins
A modular booking platform where 70+ add-on features (POS, deposits, memberships) let you build exactly the system you need.
- Very deep feature set via modular custom features.
- Lower tiers include POS/deposits/tips that rivals gate higher.
That makes it the stronger pick for service businesses (salons, clinics, studios) needing feature depth and payment/deposit control.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose Acuity Scheduling if you fit its core audience — service businesses, coaches and studios that need intake forms, classes, packages and payments.
- Choose SimplyBook.me if you fit its core audience — service businesses (salons, clinics, studios) needing feature depth and payment/deposit control.
FAQ
Is Acuity Scheduling better than SimplyBook.me?
Acuity Scheduling is the stronger default for most users, but SimplyBook.me can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Acuity Scheduling and SimplyBook.me?
Acuity Scheduling is a full appointment-booking platform (now Squarespace Scheduling) built for service businesses, not just meeting links. SimplyBook.me is a modular booking platform where 70+ add-on features (POS, deposits, memberships) let you build exactly the system you need.
Which is cheaper, Acuity Scheduling or SimplyBook.me?
Entry pricing differs: Acuity Scheduling starts at ~$16/mo (annual), while SimplyBook.me offers a free tier. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Acuity Scheduling and SimplyBook.me: