Acuity Scheduling vs Calendly

Acuity Scheduling

• ✓Highly customizable booking forms with conditional logic
• ✓Built-in payment processing through Stripe, Square, and PayPal
• ✓Supports packages, memberships, subscriptions, and gift certificates
• ✓Advanced availability rules including buffer times and daily limits
• ✓Embeddable scheduling widget for any website

Calendly

• ✓Extremely intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
• ✓Robust integrations with CRMs, video conferencing, and payment tools
• ✓Team scheduling features like round-robin and collective availability
• ✓Automated reminders and follow-up workflows reduce no-shows
• ✓Free tier is generous enough for solo professionals

Acuity Scheduling

• !Interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
• !No free plan available — starts at a monthly fee
• !Reporting and analytics are basic compared to industry-specific tools
• !Mobile app has limited functionality versus the web version

Calendly

• !Advanced features like routing forms require expensive plans
• !Limited customization of the booking page design
• !No built-in video conferencing — relies on third-party integrations
• !Can feel impersonal for client-facing service businesses

Acuity Scheduling

• →Coaching businesses selling session packages and collecting intake info
• →Photography studios managing bookings across multiple photographers
• →Tutoring services with complex recurring appointment schedules

Calendly

• →Sales teams automating discovery call scheduling with prospects
• →Consultants sharing booking links to simplify client meetings
• →Recruiters coordinating interview panels with multiple stakeholders

Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling, now part of Squarespace, provides a highly customizable booking experience with intake forms, payment collection, and package management. It excels at letting clients self-book appointments while respecting complex availability rules and buffer times. The platform supports multiple staff calendars, location management, and timezone auto-detection.

Calendly

Calendly eliminates the back-and-forth of scheduling by letting invitees pick from available time slots that sync with your calendar. It supports round-robin assignments, team scheduling pages, and automated workflows that trigger before and after meetings. Deep integrations with Zoom, Google Meet, Salesforce, and HubSpot make it a staple for sales teams and professionals.