Setmore vs Square Appointments: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Setmore is built for small-business, while Square Appointments suits retail-pos. For most users Square Appointments is the stronger default, but Setmore can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Setmore and Square Appointments look similar on the surface; the differences show up in practice. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Setmore | Square Appointments | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Booking | Booking |
| What it's known for | Free-forever appointment booking with a generous free tier (up to 4 users, 200 appts/mo) and inexpensive Pro upgrade for SMS and video. | Booking tied to Square's POS and payments ecosystem: free single-user plan, integrated checkout, no-show protection for in-person businesses. |
| Pricing | Free (up to 4 users, 200 appts/mo); ~$5/user/mo Pro (annual, ~$12 monthly); Team & Enterprise custom | Free (1 location); ~$49/mo per location Plus, ~$149/mo per location Premium; + processing fees (2.5%+15c in-person) |
| Best audience | Small service businesses and solo providers wanting a capable free booking tool with a cheap upgrade. | In-person retail and service businesses already using or considering Square for payments. |
| Best for | small-business, free-tier | retail-pos, payments |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Unusually generous free plan (4 users, 200 appts/mo, payments included). | Free plan for a single user with integrated checkout. |
| Main caveat | SMS reminders and video appointments require Pro. | Free plan supports only 1 user and lacks no-show protection. |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
Setmore key features
- Free-forever plan for up to 4 users, 200 appointments/mo
- Branded booking page and email confirmations/reminders
- SMS reminders and recurring appointments (Pro)
- One-click video meeting links (Pro)
Square Appointments key features
- Booking tied to Square POS and payments
- Free single-user plan
- Card-on-file and no-show/cancellation fees (paid)
- Online booking site and embeddable widget
Pricing tiers side by side
Setmore plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | up to 4 users, 200 appts/mo, payments, email reminders |
| Pro | ~$5/user/mo (annual), ~$12 monthly | unlimited appts, SMS, video, 2-way sync, no branding |
| Team/Enterprise | custom | larger teams |
Square Appointments plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 location/user, online booking, payments (processing fees apply) |
| Plus | ~$49/mo per location | no-show protection, waitlists, multiple staff |
| Premium | ~$149/mo per location | advanced features for larger operations |
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 Setmore wins
A free-forever booking tool that supports up to 4 users and payments out of the box.
- Unusually generous free plan (4 users, 200 appts/mo, payments included).
- Inexpensive Pro tier (~$5/user/mo annual).
That makes it the stronger pick for small service businesses and solo providers wanting a capable free booking tool with a cheap upgrade.
Where Square Appointments wins
Scheduling built into the Square POS/payments ecosystem, with a free single-user plan and integrated checkout.
- Free plan for a single user with integrated checkout.
- Tight integration with Square payments and hardware.
That makes it the stronger pick for in-person retail and service businesses already using or considering Square for payments.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Setmore if you fit its core audience — small service businesses and solo providers wanting a capable free booking tool with a cheap upgrade.
- Choose Square Appointments if you fit its core audience — in-person retail and service businesses already using or considering Square for payments.
FAQ
Is Setmore better than Square Appointments?
Square Appointments is the stronger default for most users, but Setmore can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Setmore and Square Appointments?
Setmore is a free-forever booking tool that supports up to 4 users and payments out of the box. Square Appointments is scheduling built into the Square POS/payments ecosystem, with a free single-user plan and integrated checkout.
Which is cheaper, Setmore or Square Appointments?
Both Setmore and Square Appointments offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Setmore and Square Appointments: