Quick verdict
How these two tools differ.
Acuity gives you the most control over the booking flow: custom forms, packages, group classes, and payment at booking. It’s a strong fit for coaches, consultants, and service providers who want clients to complete intake or pay upfront. The tradeoff is cost—no free plan and pricing that starts higher than Setmore.
Setmore targets salons, spas, clinics, and solo professionals. You get online booking, calendar sync, reminders, and optional payments. The free tier is genuinely useful for one person; paid plans add staff and more features without a big jump in price.
If you need forms and packages and will use them, Acuity is worth the extra cost. If you mainly need 'pick a time' with optional payments and reminders, Setmore is the better value.
Comparison summary
Best for forms & packages
Acuity Scheduling
Acuity offers intake forms and packages built in.
Best for free start & value
Setmore
Setmore has a free tier and lower-cost paid plans.
Quick decision guide
Which product fits your situation.
Choose Acuity Scheduling if:
- You need clients to complete intake forms or questionnaires.
- You sell packages (e.g. session bundles) or group classes.
- You want strong control over branding and the booking flow.
Choose Setmore if:
- You want to minimize cost and are okay with less customization.
- You run a salon, clinic, or similar service business with one or a few staff.
- You need recurring appointments and basic payments, not heavy forms.
Ratings comparison
How we score each product.
| Category | Acuity Scheduling | Setmore |
|---|---|---|
| Customization & forms | 4.7 | 4.0 |
| Pricing & value | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Ease of use | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Service-business fit | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Feature comparison
Side-by-side feature check.
SupportedPartial supportNot available
| Feature | Acuity Scheduling | Setmore |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar sync | Google, Outlook, Apple | Google, Outlook, Apple |
| Booking link / embed | Shareable link and embed | Shareable link and embed |
| Reminders & notifications | Email and optional SMS | Email and optional SMS |
| Team / multi-staff | Team plans | Multi-staff support |
| Intake forms | Full custom forms | Limited |
| Packages & classes | Packages and group classes | Classes and recurring |
| Free tier | No free plan | Free for solo use |
| Recurring appointments | Supported | Supported |
Pricing comparison
What to expect to pay.
Acuity has no free plan; pricing typically starts around $16/month and scales with staff and features. Setmore has a free plan for solo use; paid plans start around $9/month. For comparable staff counts, Setmore is usually cheaper. Acuity justifies its price when you use intake forms, packages, and payment flows; otherwise Setmore is the better value.
Pros and cons
Strengths and trade-offs.
Acuity Scheduling
Pros
- Intake forms and packages built in.
- Strong for consultants and coaches.
- Highly customizable flow.
Cons
- No free plan; higher entry cost.
- Can feel busy for simple use cases.
Setmore
Pros
- Free tier for solo use.
- Recurring appointments and staff scheduling.
- Good value for service businesses.
Cons
- Less flexible than Acuity for complex flows.
- Reporting and integrations adequate but not extensive.
Best for
Which tool fits your situation.
Best for forms & packages
Acuity is best if you need intake forms, packages, or group classes and want one tool to run the full booking and pre-session workflow.
Best for value & simplicity
Setmore is best if you want to start free or low-cost and need straightforward booking for salons, clinics, or solo practitioners.
Alternatives
Other options we review.
Simpler setup and wider recognition.
Read review →SimplyBook.meMore customization at a lower price than Acuity.
Read review →More comparisons
Read full reviews
Dive deeper into each product.
For detailed ratings, features, and pros and cons, see our standalone reviews:
Best scheduling software guides
Find the right fit by use case or trade.
FAQs
Quick answers.