Are you currently using Acuity for scheduling appointments and meetings?
Acuity is a cloud-based scheduling platform that’s one of the most popular solutions available. It provides you with a central hub to manage client bookings, payments, cancellations, and more.
Though it has name recognition, you might find Acuity’s higher-tier plans too costly, it lacks integral integrations, or there could be a plethora of other reasons why you’d want to use something different.
So if you’ve been looking for something other than Acuity to use, you’ve come to the right article. Read on to learn more about the best Acuity scheduling alternatives to try in 2024!
What to Look for in an Acuity Scheduling Alternative?
If Acuity isn’t quite what you need or this is your first time looking for a scheduling software, you might wonder what’s the best way to evaluate them. Of course, it depends on your unique business goals and needs, but here are a few things all great scheduling solutions share:
Ease of Use
First and foremost, you and your team need to be able to use the software relatively easily. Look for tools that don’t have a steep learning curve and can be used by everyone in your business. It shouldn’t disrupt your current operations.
The best way to find out if something is intuitive or a headache is to simply try it out yourself. Try to find tools that offer a free trial so you can get hands-on experience with it before deciding if it’s a good fit.
Affordability
Try to find a scheduling solution that doesn’t break the bank. Thankfully, you can get pretty robust tools at an affordable price. Make sure you compare features because some may lock them into more expensive plans, while others don’t.
Of course, if a particular tool has the feature you absolutely need or want, don’t let the price stop your business from reaching its maximum potential. But the last thing you want to do is spend too much on a program that gives too little.
Scalability
You plan for your business to grow, right? Choose a scheduling tool that will scale with your business by making it easy to add on more clients, appointment slots, locations, etc.
You want a software solution that will last for years so you don’t have to migrate to something new when you’ve already grown and need to expand.
Security
When dealing with customers' info and to protect your own business, make sure the scheduling provider has robust security and compliance procedures. The last thing you want is a data breach that was out of your control. It can damage your business reputation and even subject you to legal ramifications and lawsuits.
They should advertise their security features somewhere on their web page. If not, be sure to reach out and ask how they intend to protect you and your clients.
Features
What features does the tool have? Can you set up automatic messaging? What about a streamlined payment processing system? Does it have a built-in, reliable POS? What are the integrations available?
Of course, the most important feature you want to check out is the scheduling system. Can clients book appointments online? Are there automatic reminders to help avoid no-shows? What about seamless cancellations from the platforms?
The features are likely where you’ll spend most of your time when researching and trying out solutions. Remember, it’s alright to spend a bit more to get the features you really need for your business to succeed.
Good Reviews
Social proof is a great way to validate if the scheduling solution is good enough. You can check many places with a quick Google search, but G2 and Capterra are the best for looking at software.
When going through the reviews, look at common issues people bring up. Are there enough reviews? Are people happy with the software? Do others in your industry use it?
That way, you’ll know if the product actually delivers and not waste time on subpar software.
Customer Support
How is the customer support for the provider? Will they be there if something goes wrong to help you troubleshoot? This isn’t a one-and-done purchase. Your scheduling system will be the lifeblood of your business and your provider will be a long-term partner. Make sure they have your back.
Top 10 Best Acuity Scheduling Alternatives in 2024
Now, we’re at the juicy part. Here are some of the best Acuity scheduling alternatives available for you to use in 2024:
- GlossGenius
- Square Appointments
- Booksy
- Vagaro
- Fresha
- Salonist
- Mangomint
- Zenoti
- Phorest
- Zolmi
Alright, let’s take a deeper look at each one.
1. GlossGenius
- Pricing: Free 14-day trial (no credit card required), then $24 per month
GlossGenius is a flexible scheduling solution that has many of the core features we mentioned above. You can easily manage your bookings, seamlessly process payments, and streamline other areas of your day-to-day operations. That way, you’re free to focus on what you do best – running an awesome business.
Notable Features of GlossGenius
Here are some popular features of GlossGenius:
- Simplified appointment booking and management.
- Free, beautiful, and custom website provided.
- Easy-to-understand pricing system with no hidden fees.
- Robust marketing tools to help drive your business growth and success.
- Simple and secure payment processing with features such as accepting contactless and chip payments.
- Advanced analytics to know if you're hitting your goals.
GlossGenius Reviews
- G2: 5/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 star rating (read reviews)
2. Square Appointments
- Pricing: Free plan available (with transaction fees), then $29 per month
As the founder of systems like Cash App, Square is mostly known as a payment processor. But they also offer scheduling management tools as well. They’re used by businesses across industries like restaurants, retail stores, clinics, salons, and much more.
From customer management to scheduling and time tracking, Square offers tons of features to supercharge your business.
Notable Features of Square
Here are a few popular features of Square:
- Easily make sales either on social media, via a website, or through POS.
- Simplifies building brand loyalty with features like loyalty programs, customer messaging, and marketing tools.
- Use the free customer management software that comes with it to manage customers more effectively.
- Offers many third-party integrations.
Square Reviews
Here are what Square users have to say about the platform on third-party review sites:
- G2: 4.3/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 star rating (read reviews)
3. Booksy
- Pricing: 14-day free trial, then starts at $29.99/month (+ $20 for extra staff members)
Booksy is designed to cater to the beauty industry. But you can take full advantage of their scheduling software regardless of your business. It offers an all-in-one solution for booking appointments, processing payments, and more – making it a strong Acuity alternative.
Notable Features of Booksy
Here are a few popular features of Booksy:
- Robust calendar and appointment-setting tools
- Extra management features such as staff management, client management, and more.
- Intuitive payment processing system with protections against no-shows and cancellations.
- Templates that can be used for social media and email marketing.
Booksy Reviews
Here are what Booksy users have to say about the platform on third-party review sites:
- G2: 4.7/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 star rating (read reviews)
4. Vagaro
- Pricing: 30-day free trial, then starts at $30 per month
Vagaro is a scheduling solution that’s used by many businesses including gyms, spas, and more. It offers many useful features such as payment processing, online appointment scheduling, automatic reminders, and much more. At its price point, it makes Vagaro one of the best Acuity alternatives in 2024.
Notable Features of Vagaro
Here are some of Vagaro’s popular features:
- Easy online booking with automated reminders.
- Flexible customer tracking system and loyalty rewards.
- Accept secure payments online or in-person using contactless or chips.
- Offers inventory and shipping management options.
Vagaro Reviews
Here are what Vagaro users have to say about the platform on third-party review sites:
- G2: 4.5/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 star rating (read reviews)
5. Fresha
- Pricing: Starts at $0, then there are add-ons for advanced features like payment processing
Fresha is one of the few solutions on this list that doesn’t require a subscription. It’s a simple but powerful option that can help you manage various aspects of your business. Oh, and it’s free, making it one of the most affordable options on this list.
Notable Features of Fresha
Here are some of Fresha’s popular features:
- An intuitive, sleek UI that works on desktop, mobile, and tablets.
- A smooth payment processing system with robust features such as card-on-file capabilities.
- POS system with barcode scanner and receipt printer.
- Inventory management and online store functionality.
- Reporting and analytic tools to help you make more data-driven decisions.
Fresha Reviews
Here are what Fresha users have to say about the platform:
- G2: 4.2/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 star rating (read reviews)
6. Salonist
- Pricing: 14-day free trial, then starts at $25 per month (+ $10 per employee)
If you’re looking for an Acuity scheduling alternative in 2024, Salonist is a good choice. From payroll to invoicing, it can help you in many areas of your daily operations. And many of the features are geared towards helping you enhance the customer experience such as simplified booking, payment processing, and client management.
Notable Features of Salonist
Here are some of Salonist’s popular features:
- Clients can easily book appointments only from anywhere at any time.
- Advanced POS system and store setup options.
- Robust inventory management solution so you never worry about running out of stock.
- Comprehensive analytics so you can check your business health and uncover opportunities.
- Marketing automation tools such as email tracking and management.
- Easily create loyalty programs to keep customers happy.
Salonist Reviews
Here are what Salonist users have to say about the platform:
- G2: 5/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 star rating (read reviews)
7. Mangomint
- Pricing: 30-day free trial, then starts at $165 per month
As one of the highest-reviewed entries on this list, Mangomint is an all-in-one solution with a plethora of features you’ll love, including client management tools, online booking, and much more. However, you can expect it to come at a premium!
Notable Features of Mangomint
Here are some of Mangomint’s popular features:
- Advanced automations that will streamline your workload and lower the chances of human-prone mistakes.
- A simple, responsive, and fast interactive so you spend more time on your business instead of learning how it works.
- Available on multiple devices.
- Features like payment processing, client scheduling and management, check-ins, and more to help you and your team be more productive.
Mangomint Reviews
Here are what Mangomint users have to say about the platform on third-party review sites:
- G2: 4.9/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 5/5 star rating (read reviews)
8. Zenoti
- Pricing: Must contact them to get a quote
What’s awesome about Zenoti is that it’s an all-in-one, fully integrated solution with over 21 features designed to help businesses drive growth and revenue. You can have a holistic view of your brand from a single dashboard, and it can help you create more dynamic customer experiences.
Notable Features of the Zenoti
Here are some of Zenoti’s popular features:
- Easy appointment booking and scheduling so clients can do it when it’s convenient.
- Supercharge your front desk with self check-in, an AI-powered chat, and more.
- Simplified transaction management, payment processing, and dispute resolution.
- Zenoti University to help your team be more productive and efficient.
- Advanced analytics to identify market trends, spot opportunities, and check business health.
Zenoti Reviews
Here are what Zenoti users have to say about the platform:
- G2: 4.3/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 star rating (read reviews)
9. Phorest
- Pricing: Need to request a quote to see pricing options
Phorest is a salon management platform that’s an amazing alternative to Acuity for scheduling. It offers many advanced features that make it a favorite in the industry.
Notable Features of Phorest
Here are some of Phorest’s popular features:
- Robust booking system that makes it a breeze for clients to make appointments.
- Built-in marketing tools so you can easily reach customers and grow your business.
- Detailed sales and client retention reports so you can get insights on what’s working and what’s not.
- Inventory management system where you can easily track stock levels.
Phorest Reviews
Here are what Phorest users have to say about the platform on third-party review sites:
- G2: 4.4/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5 star rating (read reviews)
10. Zolmi
- Pricing: Free plan with limited features, then starts at $20 per month
Zolmi is a free but powerful salon management platform that offers many features such as appointment scheduling and POS. Many users love it because of its simple interface, affordability, and customer support. So if you’re looking for an Acuity alternative in 2024, then give Zolmi a shot.
Notable Features of Zolmi
Here are some of Zolmi’s popular features:
- Easy-to-use website builder.
- Smart reminders with no-show and cancellation protection.
- Clients can easily book appointments online or from the app.
- Business reporting for drawing insights and data-driven decision-making.
Zolmi Reviews
Here are what Zolmi users have to say about the platform:
- Software Advice: 4.7/5 star rating (read reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 star rating (read reviews)
GlossGenius: The Top Acuity Scheduling Alternative to Try in 2024
After comparing all the scheduling solutions mentioned above, we have a clear winner: GlossGenius!
You get everything you could ask for in a single platform. You can schedule appointments. You can process payments easily. And marketing your business is a breeze. There are automated thank-yous, booking reminders, automatic confirmations, and so much.
And the best part? You get it all at an affordable price. GlossGenius has proudly partnered with thousands of businesses to help drive success and growth. Companies that work with us see their rebooking rates hit 90% and generate an extra $1,500 in bookings.
Of course, feel free to check out any of the other entries on the list. You might just find the perfect fit for your business!
