Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling is a flexible online appointment booking software that automates your calendar management, client intake forms, and payment collection to streamline your entire scheduling workflow.
TidyCal
TidyCal is a simple scheduling software that helps you manage your calendar, book meetings, and accept payments through a clean interface without the high monthly subscription costs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Acuity Scheduling | TidyCal |
|---|---|---|
| Website | acuityscheduling.com | tidycal.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $20/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 7 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2006 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | New York, USA | Austin, USA |
Overview
Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling acts as a 24/7 personal assistant for your business, allowing clients to view your real-time availability and book their own appointments. You can move beyond back-and-forth emails by sharing a customized booking page where clients select services, complete intake forms, and pay deposits upfront. The platform automatically handles time zone conversions and sends branded confirmations to ensure everyone stays on the same page.
You can manage multiple staff calendars, offer group classes, and set up recurring appointments with ease. It helps you reduce no-shows through automated text and email reminders while keeping your data organized in a centralized dashboard. Whether you are a solo consultant or manage a large clinic, the software scales to fit your specific booking requirements and administrative needs.
TidyCal
TidyCal is a lightweight scheduling solution designed to strip away the complexity of booking meetings. You can connect your Google, Apple, or Microsoft calendars to sync your availability instantly and prevent double-bookings. The platform allows you to create various booking types, from quick 15-minute coffee chats to paid consulting sessions, all accessible through a personalized booking link you can share with clients or embed on your website.
You can manage your entire schedule from a single dashboard and set custom buffer times between appointments to stay organized. It solves the constant back-and-forth of email scheduling by letting your guests pick times that work for both of you. Whether you are a freelancer booking clients or a recruiter scheduling interviews, you get a streamlined experience that focuses on getting meetings on the books quickly.
Overview
Acuity Scheduling Features
- Self-Service Booking Give your clients the freedom to book, cancel, or reschedule their own appointments based on your real-time availability.
- Custom Intake Forms Gather critical client information during the booking process so you are fully prepared before every meeting starts.
- Automated Reminders Reduce costly no-shows by sending automated, branded email and text notifications to your clients before their scheduled time.
- Payment Integration Collect full payments or deposits via Stripe, Square, or PayPal at the exact moment a client books with you.
- Time Zone Syncing Eliminate scheduling confusion for international clients with automatic time zone detection and conversion for every booking.
- Calendar Coordination Sync your schedule with Google Calendar, iCloud, and Outlook to prevent double-bookings across your personal and professional life.
TidyCal Features
- Calendar Integration. Connect your Google, Office 365, and Apple calendars to sync your real-time availability and avoid any scheduling conflicts.
- Paid Bookings. Integrate with Stripe or PayPal to accept payments from clients the moment they book a session with you.
- Custom Booking Types. Create multiple meeting lengths and styles, such as free consultations or paid workshops, to fit your specific business needs.
- Website Embedding. Add your booking calendar directly onto your website so visitors can schedule time without ever leaving your page.
- Automated Reminders. Reduce no-shows by sending automated confirmation and reminder emails to your participants before the meeting starts.
- Time Zone Detection. Automatically display your availability in your guest's local time zone to eliminate confusion for international meetings.
Pricing Comparison
Acuity Scheduling Pricing
- 1 staff member/location
- Client self-scheduling
- Unlimited appointments
- Automatic confirmations & reminders
- Payment processing integrations
- Vaulting credit cards for later
- Everything in Emerging, plus:
- Up to 6 staff members/locations
- SMS/Text message reminders
- Packages, gift certificates, & subscriptions
- Appointment memberships
- Group classes and workshops
TidyCal Pricing
- 1 Calendar connection
- Unlimited booking types
- Standard booking pages
- Basic integrations
- TidyCal branding
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Up to 10 calendar connections
- Paid booking support
- Reduced transaction fees
- Directory listing
- No TidyCal branding
Pros & Cons
Acuity Scheduling
Pros
- Highly customizable booking pages match your brand
- Excellent automated time zone management for global clients
- Reliable syncing with major third-party calendars
- Intuitive interface for both admins and clients
- Robust mobile app for managing bookings on-the-go
Cons
- Initial setup can be time-consuming for complex schedules
- SMS reminders are not available on the entry-level plan
- Limited design flexibility without knowledge of custom CSS
TidyCal
Pros
- One-time payment model eliminates monthly subscription fatigue
- Very simple and clean user interface
- Fast setup process takes only a few minutes
- Reliable synchronization with multiple major calendar providers
Cons
- Fewer advanced customization options than premium competitors
- Limited native integrations with niche CRM tools
- Basic email customization for automated notifications