Square Appointments
Square Appointments is an all-in-one scheduling and point-of-sale software that helps service-based businesses manage online bookings, process payments, and track customer relationships from a single integrated platform.
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 | Square Appointments | TidyCal |
|---|---|---|
| Website | squareupspace.com | tidycal.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has 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 | 2009 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Austin, USA |
Overview
Square Appointments
Square Appointments is a versatile scheduling solution designed to help you run your service-based business more efficiently. Whether you are a solo practitioner or managing a large team, you can automate your calendar and let clients book their own sessions 24/7 through a custom booking website or social media integrations.
The platform goes beyond simple scheduling by integrating a full point-of-sale system directly into your workflow. You can accept payments, manage inventory, and track customer history without switching between different tools. It eliminates the headache of no-shows by allowing you to require prepayments or cancellation fees, ensuring your time remains profitable and your schedule stays full.
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
Square Appointments Features
- Online Booking Site Create a professional, custom-branded booking website where your clients can view your availability and book services anytime.
- Automated Reminders Reduce no-shows by sending automated text and email reminders to your clients before their scheduled appointments.
- Integrated Payments Process credit cards and digital wallets instantly with built-in payment processing that links directly to your appointments.
- No-Show Protection Protect your time by requiring clients to enter a credit card on file or pay a deposit upfront.
- Staff Management Manage multiple staff calendars, set individual permissions, and track performance metrics for your entire team in one place.
- Customer Directory Keep detailed profiles of your clients including their appointment history, personal preferences, and previous purchase records.
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
Square Appointments Pricing
- For a single location
- Custom booking website
- Automated SMS & email reminders
- Unlimited staff accounts
- Square POS integration
- Credit card on file for no-shows
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Reduced payment processing rates
- Multiple location management
- Automated confirmations
- Google Calendar sync
- Advanced staff management
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
Square Appointments
Pros
- Seamless integration with the broader Square ecosystem
- Extremely easy setup for non-technical business owners
- Generous free tier for solo practitioners
- Reliable mobile app for managing bookings on-the-go
Cons
- Customization options for booking sites are limited
- Customer support can be difficult to reach
- Advanced features require moving to paid tiers
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