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.
Vagaro
Vagaro is an all-in-one business management platform designed to help service-based businesses handle online booking, point of sale, and automated marketing to streamline daily operations and grow their client base.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Acuity Scheduling | Vagaro |
|---|---|---|
| Website | acuityscheduling.com | vagaro.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $20/month | $30/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 7 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2006 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | New York, USA | Dublin, 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.
Vagaro
Vagaro is a comprehensive platform built to handle the daily chaos of running a service-based business. Whether you manage a single chair or a multi-location spa, you can automate your entire workflow from the moment a client books an appointment to the final checkout. You get a customizable booking page that lives on your website or social media, allowing clients to schedule 24/7 without you ever picking up the phone.
Beyond simple scheduling, you can manage your staff rosters, track inventory in real-time, and process payments securely through integrated hardware. The platform also includes built-in marketing tools like email and SMS campaigns to help you re-engage lost customers and fill empty slots in your calendar. It is designed to be your central command center, reducing administrative tasks so you can focus on your craft.
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.
Vagaro Features
- 24/7 Online Booking. Let your clients book appointments anytime through your website, Yelp, or social media profiles without manual intervention.
- Integrated POS. Process credit card payments and contactless transactions quickly using dedicated hardware that syncs directly with your sales reports.
- Automated Marketing. Send automated text and email reminders to reduce no-shows and create targeted campaigns to boost your seasonal sales.
- Inventory Management. Track your product levels automatically as you sell items and receive alerts when it is time to restock.
- Customer Tracking. Store detailed client profiles including past services, formula notes, and before-and-after photos to provide personalized experiences.
- Staff Management. Set individual schedules for your team, manage payroll, and track performance commissions within a single dashboard.
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
Vagaro Pricing
- Calendar and Appt. Scheduling
- Online Booking
- Customer Database (CRM)
- Email Marketing Tools
- Reporting and Dashboards
- Mobile App Access
- Everything in 1 Professional, plus:
- Separate logins for two staff
- Individual staff schedules
- Split commission tracking
- Multi-staff reporting
- Shared resource management
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
Vagaro
Pros
- Extremely affordable entry price for solo practitioners
- Highly functional mobile app for managing business on-the-go
- Robust marketplace that helps new clients discover your business
- Easy setup process for importing existing client lists
Cons
- Add-on features like forms and drive-in check-in cost extra
- Customer support response times can be slow during peak hours
- Interface can feel cluttered due to the high number of features