Quick verdict
How these two tools differ.
Calendly is our default recommendation for most people who need scheduling software. It’s easy to set up, works with Google and Outlook, and lets clients book without email back-and-forth. The free tier is useful for one event type; paid plans add team scheduling, more meeting types, and integrations. Consultants, freelancers, and small teams use it to cut no-shows and free up admin time.
Acuity Scheduling goes further for practitioners who need more than a calendar link. Intake forms, packages (e.g. five sessions), group classes, and payment collection are built in. You can tailor the booking flow and branding without coding. The tradeoff is higher pricing and a busier interface than Calendly.
If you only need 'pick a time' and don’t care about forms or packages, Calendly is usually the better fit. If you want one place to collect client info, sell packages, and get paid at booking, Acuity is the stronger choice.
Comparison summary
Best overall for many users
Calendly
Calendly is simpler to set up and widely recognized.
Best for forms & packages
Acuity Scheduling
Acuity offers intake forms and packages built in.
Quick decision guide
Which product fits your situation.
Choose Calendly if:
- You want the fastest setup and a booking experience that feels familiar to clients.
- You’re okay with minimal customization and don’t need intake forms or packages.
- You value brand recognition and a large integration ecosystem.
Choose Acuity Scheduling if:
- You need clients to complete intake forms or questionnaires before or after booking.
- You sell packages (e.g. session bundles) or group classes and want that built into the flow.
- You want strong control over branding, emails, and the booking experience.
Ratings comparison
How we score each product.
| Category | Calendly | Acuity Scheduling |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Customization & forms | 4.0 | 4.7 |
| Pricing & value | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Integrations | 4.6 | 4.5 |
Feature comparison
Side-by-side feature check.
SupportedPartial supportNot available
| Feature | Calendly | Acuity Scheduling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 / questionnaires | Limited | Full custom forms |
| Packages & memberships | Not built-in | Packages and group classes |
| Payment at booking | Via integrations | Built-in (PayPal, Stripe) |
| Brand recognition | Widely recognized | Less known |
Pricing comparison
What to expect to pay.
Calendly offers a free plan for one event type; paid plans start around $10/month per user and add team scheduling and more event types. Acuity has no free plan; pricing typically starts around $16/month and scales with staff, locations, and features like intake forms and packages. For solo users who don’t need forms or packages, Calendly is often cheaper. For consultants and coaches who use Acuity’s full feature set, the higher price is justified.
Pros and cons
Strengths and trade-offs.
Calendly
Pros
- Simple setup and widely recognized booking experience.
- Strong calendar sync and reminder automation.
- Free tier and clear upgrade path for teams.
Cons
- Advanced customization and intake forms are lighter than Acuity.
- Team and round-robin features on paid tiers only.
Acuity Scheduling
Pros
- Intake forms and packages out of the box.
- Strong for consultants, coaches, and service businesses.
- Payments and flexibility without coding.
Cons
- Pricing is higher than some alternatives.
- Interface can feel busy for very simple use cases.
Best for
Which tool fits your situation.
Best for simple, fast scheduling
Calendly is best if you want to share a link and let clients pick a time with minimal setup and no need for forms or packages.
Best for customizable booking flows
Acuity is best if you need intake forms, packages, group classes, or payment at booking and want one tool to run the full flow.
Alternatives
Other options we review.
Strong team and round-robin scheduling at competitive pricing.
Read review →SetmoreFree tier and service-business focus for salons and solo practitioners.
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
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