Quick Overview
- 1#1: Calendly - Automates one-click scheduling of consultations with calendar integrations and automated reminders.
- 2#2: Acuity Scheduling - Comprehensive appointment booking platform with client intake forms, payments, and custom scheduling rules for consultations.
- 3#3: Zoom - High-quality video conferencing software optimized for secure virtual consultations and screen sharing.
- 4#4: Setmore - Free and premium appointment scheduler with booking pages, reminders, and payment processing for professional consultations.
- 5#5: SimplyBook.me - Feature-rich booking system with customizable widgets, SMS notifications, and service-specific consultation management.
- 6#6: HubSpot - All-in-one CRM platform with meeting scheduling, deal tracking, and client management for consultation workflows.
- 7#7: Zoho Bookings - Integrated appointment booking tool within Zoho suite for team consultations, staff scheduling, and CRM syncing.
- 8#8: Book Like A Boss - Modern booking platform with embedded calendars, video integration, and sales funnels tailored for service consultations.
- 9#9: Doodle - Group polling and scheduling tool ideal for coordinating availability across multiple participants for consultations.
- 10#10: Microsoft Bookings - Cloud-based scheduling app integrated with Microsoft 365 for business consultations, calendars, and Teams meetings.
We ranked tools based on functionality (including integration, automation, and user needs support), usability, and value, ensuring the list features platforms that cater to varied consultation workflows while maintaining strong performance.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top consultation software tools, including Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, Zoom, Setmore, SimplyBook.me, and more, to simplify choosing the best fit. Readers will discover key features, usability, and scalability to streamline appointments and consultations effectively.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calendly Automates one-click scheduling of consultations with calendar integrations and automated reminders. | other | 9.7/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Acuity Scheduling Comprehensive appointment booking platform with client intake forms, payments, and custom scheduling rules for consultations. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Zoom High-quality video conferencing software optimized for secure virtual consultations and screen sharing. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Setmore Free and premium appointment scheduler with booking pages, reminders, and payment processing for professional consultations. | other | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 5 | SimplyBook.me Feature-rich booking system with customizable widgets, SMS notifications, and service-specific consultation management. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | HubSpot All-in-one CRM platform with meeting scheduling, deal tracking, and client management for consultation workflows. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Zoho Bookings Integrated appointment booking tool within Zoho suite for team consultations, staff scheduling, and CRM syncing. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | Book Like A Boss Modern booking platform with embedded calendars, video integration, and sales funnels tailored for service consultations. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Doodle Group polling and scheduling tool ideal for coordinating availability across multiple participants for consultations. | other | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | Microsoft Bookings Cloud-based scheduling app integrated with Microsoft 365 for business consultations, calendars, and Teams meetings. | enterprise | 7.7/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
Automates one-click scheduling of consultations with calendar integrations and automated reminders.
Comprehensive appointment booking platform with client intake forms, payments, and custom scheduling rules for consultations.
High-quality video conferencing software optimized for secure virtual consultations and screen sharing.
Free and premium appointment scheduler with booking pages, reminders, and payment processing for professional consultations.
Feature-rich booking system with customizable widgets, SMS notifications, and service-specific consultation management.
All-in-one CRM platform with meeting scheduling, deal tracking, and client management for consultation workflows.
Integrated appointment booking tool within Zoho suite for team consultations, staff scheduling, and CRM syncing.
Modern booking platform with embedded calendars, video integration, and sales funnels tailored for service consultations.
Group polling and scheduling tool ideal for coordinating availability across multiple participants for consultations.
Cloud-based scheduling app integrated with Microsoft 365 for business consultations, calendars, and Teams meetings.
Calendly
otherAutomates one-click scheduling of consultations with calendar integrations and automated reminders.
Intelligent Workflows that automate multi-step processes like reminders, video link generation, and data collection post-booking
Calendly is a premier scheduling platform designed to streamline consultation bookings by generating shareable links that sync with users' calendars to show real-time availability. It eliminates email back-and-forth by allowing clients to self-schedule while respecting work hours, time zones, and buffer times. Advanced features like workflows automate reminders, follow-ups, and integrations with tools like Zoom, Stripe, and CRMs, making it a comprehensive solution for consultation management.
Pros
- Seamless calendar integrations prevent double-bookings and handle time zones effortlessly
- Powerful workflows automate reminders, payments, and CRM syncing for efficient consultations
- Intuitive interface with customizable event types and routing forms for professional branding
Cons
- Advanced team features and unlimited workflows require higher-tier plans
- Free plan lacks premium integrations and customization options
- Pricing scales up quickly for large teams or enterprise needs
Best For
Solo professionals, consultants, and sales teams seeking effortless, automated scheduling for client consultations.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Standard at $10/user/month, Teams at $16/user/month, Enterprise custom (billed annually).
Acuity Scheduling
otherComprehensive appointment booking platform with client intake forms, payments, and custom scheduling rules for consultations.
Advanced customizable client intake forms that collect detailed pre-appointment data directly within the booking process
Acuity Scheduling is a comprehensive online appointment scheduling platform that enables businesses to create customizable booking pages for consultations, classes, and services. It automates reminders via email and SMS, integrates with payment processors like Stripe and Square, and supports client intake forms to gather essential information pre-appointment. Ideal for service professionals, it syncs with Google and Outlook calendars while offering features like group scheduling and HIPAA-compliant options for healthcare users.
Pros
- Highly customizable booking pages and intake forms
- Seamless calendar integrations and automated reminders
- Built-in payment processing with multiple gateways
Cons
- Higher-tier plans needed for advanced features like SMS
- Occasional complexity in setup for intricate workflows
- Customer support can be slower for non-enterprise users
Best For
Small to medium-sized service-based businesses and consultants seeking flexible, professional online scheduling with strong customization.
Pricing
Plans start at $16/month (Emerging, billed annually) up to $49/month (Powerhouse), with a 7-day free trial; custom Infinity plan available.
Zoom
otherHigh-quality video conferencing software optimized for secure virtual consultations and screen sharing.
Waiting Room, allowing hosts to approve entrants one-by-one for controlled, professional consultation starts.
Zoom is a premier video conferencing platform that facilitates seamless virtual meetings, consultations, and webinars with high-definition video and audio capabilities. It offers essential tools for consultation software like screen sharing, recording, chat, breakout rooms, and waiting rooms to manage participant entry professionally. Ideal for remote consultations in business, healthcare, and education, Zoom supports up to 1,000 participants in paid plans and integrates with calendars and CRMs.
Pros
- Superior video and audio quality even on moderate connections
- Intuitive one-click join and user-friendly interface
- Extensive integrations with tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams
Cons
- History of security vulnerabilities requiring user vigilance
- 40-minute limit on free group meetings
- Higher-tier plans needed for advanced consultation features like custom branding
Best For
Businesses and professionals needing reliable, scalable video consultations for clients, teams, or patients.
Pricing
Free basic plan; Pro at $14.99/user/month (annual), Business at $21.99/user/month, Enterprise custom pricing.
Setmore
otherFree and premium appointment scheduler with booking pages, reminders, and payment processing for professional consultations.
Free customizable booking website that embeds easily on any site and supports 24/7 self-scheduling for clients
Setmore is a versatile online appointment scheduling platform designed for service-based businesses, allowing users to create customizable booking pages, manage multiple calendars, and automate client reminders via email or SMS. It supports virtual consultations through seamless integrations with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, making it suitable for consultants, coaches, and therapists. The software also handles payments, staff scheduling, and client notifications to streamline the entire consultation workflow.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited appointments and basic features
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app support
- Strong integrations for calendars, payments (Stripe/PayPal), and video conferencing
Cons
- Advanced reporting and analytics limited to premium plans
- Customization of booking forms somewhat restricted on free tier
- No built-in video hosting; relies on third-party integrations
Best For
Solo practitioners and small teams seeking an affordable, user-friendly scheduling tool for managing consultation bookings without complexity.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro plan at $5/user/month (billed annually), Premium at $12/user/month, and Elite at $23/user/month for advanced features.
SimplyBook.me
otherFeature-rich booking system with customizable widgets, SMS notifications, and service-specific consultation management.
Over 100 customizable features like intake forms, waivers, and group bookings via the admin panel
SimplyBook.me is a flexible online booking platform designed for scheduling appointments, consultations, classes, and services across various industries. It provides customizable booking widgets, calendar management, automated reminders via email and SMS, and seamless integrations with video tools like Zoom for virtual consultations. Businesses can handle payments, client intake forms, and staff scheduling, making it suitable for service-based consultation providers.
Pros
- Highly customizable booking pages and forms
- Strong integrations with Zoom, payments, and calendars
- Free plan available for basic use with unlimited bookings up to 50/month
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Some key features locked behind higher-tier plans
- Interface can feel cluttered for simple consultation needs
Best For
Small to medium-sized consultation businesses needing versatile scheduling with video and payment integrations.
Pricing
Free plan (50 bookings/month); paid plans from $9.90/month (Basic, unlimited bookings) up to $59.90/month (Premium) plus add-ons.
HubSpot
enterpriseAll-in-one CRM platform with meeting scheduling, deal tracking, and client management for consultation workflows.
CRM-powered Meetings tool that auto-logs consultation details, enriches contact records, and triggers personalized follow-up workflows
HubSpot is a comprehensive CRM platform with marketing, sales, and service hubs designed for inbound strategies. As a consultation software solution, it excels in lead capture via forms and landing pages, seamless meeting scheduling integrated with calendars, and pipeline management to track consultation progress. It also offers automation for follow-ups, live chat for initial consultations, and reporting to analyze consultation effectiveness.
Pros
- Free CRM core with unlimited users and basic consultation tools
- Seamless integration of meeting scheduling with CRM pipelines and automation
- Robust analytics and AI-powered insights for consultation optimization
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full feature utilization beyond basic scheduling
- Advanced consultation automation requires paid hubs, increasing costs
- Overkill for simple one-off consultation needs without CRM requirements
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms needing scalable consultation management integrated with full inbound sales and CRM workflows.
Pricing
Free CRM; Starter plans from $20/user/month, Professional from $890/month, Enterprise from $3,600/month (billed annually).
Zoho Bookings
enterpriseIntegrated appointment booking tool within Zoho suite for team consultations, staff scheduling, and CRM syncing.
Seamless integration across the Zoho One ecosystem for unified CRM, invoicing, and booking management.
Zoho Bookings is a versatile online appointment scheduling platform tailored for service-based businesses, enabling users to create customizable booking pages for consultations, manage staff availability, and automate reminders via email or SMS. It integrates seamlessly with calendars like Google and Outlook, supports payment gateways, and offers video meeting links for virtual consultations. As part of the Zoho ecosystem, it excels in connecting with CRM, invoicing, and other tools for streamlined workflows.
Pros
- Highly affordable with a generous free plan for up to 50 bookings/month
- Deep integrations with Zoho suite and third-party tools like Zoom and Stripe
- Customizable booking forms and multi-channel booking options
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered and dated compared to modern competitors
- Advanced features like custom domains require premium plans
- Steeper learning curve for users new to the Zoho ecosystem
Best For
Small to medium-sized consultancies and service providers already using Zoho tools who need cost-effective, scalable scheduling.
Pricing
Free plan for 1 staff (50 bookings/month); Standard at $6/staff/month, Premium at $9/staff/month (billed annually).
Book Like A Boss
otherModern booking platform with embedded calendars, video integration, and sales funnels tailored for service consultations.
Exceptionally customizable booking pages that create a premium, branded experience rivaling custom websites
Book Like A Boss is a versatile online scheduling platform designed for professionals to create stunning, customizable booking pages for consultations, appointments, and services. It supports seamless calendar integrations with Google, Outlook, and others, along with payment processing via Stripe and PayPal for paid bookings. Additional features include automated email/SMS reminders, group events, team scheduling, and website embedding, making it ideal for streamlining consultation workflows.
Pros
- Highly customizable and visually appealing booking pages
- Built-in payment processing and group booking support
- Strong automation for reminders and follow-ups
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to competitors
- Fewer third-party integrations than top alternatives like Calendly
- Higher-tier plans required for team and enterprise features
Best For
Freelancers, coaches, and small service-based businesses seeking professional, branded scheduling for consultations without technical expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $12/month (Basic, billed annually) with 14-day free trial; higher plans at $29/month (Premium) and $59/month (Power) for advanced features.
Doodle
otherGroup polling and scheduling tool ideal for coordinating availability across multiple participants for consultations.
Group Polls that instantly identify the best meeting times from multiple participants
Doodle is a straightforward scheduling platform best known for its poll feature, which allows users to quickly gather group availability for meetings or consultations. For consultation software, it provides customizable booking pages where clients can self-schedule one-on-one appointments synced to your calendar. It includes reminders, time zone detection, and mobile support, but lacks deeper tools like payments or CRM integration. Overall, it's ideal for simple, ad-hoc scheduling rather than complex professional workflows.
Pros
- Intuitive poll system for group scheduling
- Generous free plan with core features
- Seamless integration with Google, Outlook, and other calendars
Cons
- No built-in payment processing or invoicing
- Limited customization and branding options
- Lacks video conferencing or advanced client management tools
Best For
Freelancers and small teams needing quick, no-frills appointment booking and group polling for consultations.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Pro from $6.95/user/month; Team from $10.95/user/month (billed annually).
Microsoft Bookings
enterpriseCloud-based scheduling app integrated with Microsoft 365 for business consultations, calendars, and Teams meetings.
Native integration with Microsoft Teams for one-click virtual consultation links directly from booking confirmations
Microsoft Bookings is a scheduling application within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, accessible via outlook.office.com, designed to help businesses create customizable booking pages for appointments and consultations. It integrates seamlessly with Outlook calendars and Microsoft Teams for managing availability, sending automated email/SMS reminders, and hosting virtual meetings. Users can set up services, assign staff, collect payments via Stripe, and gather client information through questionnaires.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 tools like Outlook and Teams
- Cost-effective as it's included in many business subscriptions
- Customizable booking pages with questionnaires and payment options
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to dedicated tools
- Requires a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription to access full features
- Customization options are less flexible than specialized scheduling software
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses already using Microsoft 365 that need straightforward appointment scheduling for consultations.
Pricing
Included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard ($12.50/user/month) and Premium ($22/user/month) plans; not available in Basic tier.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top 10 consultation software tools, Calendly emerges as the clear winner, excelling with one-click scheduling and robust integrations. Acuity Scheduling stands out as a strong alternative, offering comprehensive intake forms and payments, while Zoom leads in virtual consultation quality with its secure video and screen sharing. Each tool caters to different needs, but Calendly’s simplicity and effectiveness make it the top choice for streamlined consultations.
Don’t miss out on seamless consultation management—try Calendly today to automate scheduling, reduce no-shows, and focus on what matters most: connecting with clients.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison