Quick Overview
- 1#1: Calendly - Automates appointment scheduling by allowing users to book meetings directly into your calendar without email exchanges.
- 2#2: Acuity Scheduling - Provides online appointment booking with client management, payments, and reminders for service-based businesses.
- 3#3: YouCanBook.me - Offers simple online booking pages that sync seamlessly with Google Calendar and Outlook for individuals and teams.
- 4#4: SimplyBook.me - Delivers customizable online booking with features like payments, SMS reminders, and membership management.
- 5#5: Setmore - Free online appointment scheduler with booking pages, staff scheduling, and integrations for small businesses.
- 6#6: Doodle - Simplifies group scheduling and polls to find the best meeting times without back-and-forth emails.
- 7#7: Microsoft Bookings - Integrated appointment scheduling within Microsoft 365 for staff availability and customer self-booking.
- 8#8: Zoho Bookings - Online scheduling tool with calendar sync, notifications, and team coordination for service providers.
- 9#9: Appointlet - Creates team booking pages with round-robin scheduling and Zoom integration for easy appointments.
- 10#10: Picktime - Free scheduling software for appointments, classes, and resources with unlimited bookings on basic plan.
Tools were selected based on intuitive design, robust functionality (including calendar sync, reminders, and integration support), and overall value, prioritizing simplicity without sacrificing performance to meet diverse user requirements.
Comparison Table
Simple scheduling software streamlines appointment bookings, client communication, and time management for diverse users. This comparison table evaluates top tools like Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, YouCanBook.me, SimplyBook.me, Setmore, and more, highlighting features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help readers select the best fit.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calendly Automates appointment scheduling by allowing users to book meetings directly into your calendar without email exchanges. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Acuity Scheduling Provides online appointment booking with client management, payments, and reminders for service-based businesses. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | YouCanBook.me Offers simple online booking pages that sync seamlessly with Google Calendar and Outlook for individuals and teams. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | SimplyBook.me Delivers customizable online booking with features like payments, SMS reminders, and membership management. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Setmore Free online appointment scheduler with booking pages, staff scheduling, and integrations for small businesses. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 6 | Doodle Simplifies group scheduling and polls to find the best meeting times without back-and-forth emails. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 7 | Microsoft Bookings Integrated appointment scheduling within Microsoft 365 for staff availability and customer self-booking. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Zoho Bookings Online scheduling tool with calendar sync, notifications, and team coordination for service providers. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | Appointlet Creates team booking pages with round-robin scheduling and Zoom integration for easy appointments. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | Picktime Free scheduling software for appointments, classes, and resources with unlimited bookings on basic plan. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
Automates appointment scheduling by allowing users to book meetings directly into your calendar without email exchanges.
Provides online appointment booking with client management, payments, and reminders for service-based businesses.
Offers simple online booking pages that sync seamlessly with Google Calendar and Outlook for individuals and teams.
Delivers customizable online booking with features like payments, SMS reminders, and membership management.
Free online appointment scheduler with booking pages, staff scheduling, and integrations for small businesses.
Simplifies group scheduling and polls to find the best meeting times without back-and-forth emails.
Integrated appointment scheduling within Microsoft 365 for staff availability and customer self-booking.
Online scheduling tool with calendar sync, notifications, and team coordination for service providers.
Creates team booking pages with round-robin scheduling and Zoom integration for easy appointments.
Free scheduling software for appointments, classes, and resources with unlimited bookings on basic plan.
Calendly
specializedAutomates appointment scheduling by allowing users to book meetings directly into your calendar without email exchanges.
Real-time availability detection across multiple calendars with conflict-free booking links
Calendly is a leading scheduling platform that simplifies meeting coordination by allowing users to create shareable booking links based on their real-time calendar availability. It eliminates email back-and-forth by integrating with Google, Outlook, and other calendars, while offering customizable event types, automated reminders, and one-click rescheduling. Ideal for professionals, teams, and businesses, it supports individual, round-robin, and collective scheduling to streamline workflows efficiently.
Pros
- Seamless integrations with major calendars and tools like Zoom and Salesforce
- Intuitive setup with customizable event pages and automated workflows
- Robust free tier that covers basic individual scheduling needs
Cons
- Advanced team features require paid plans
- Limited reporting and analytics in lower tiers
- Customization options can feel restrictive for highly branded experiences
Best For
Freelancers, sales professionals, and small teams seeking effortless, no-fuss scheduling without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Essentials at $10/user/mo, Professional at $16/user/mo, Teams at $20/user/mo (billed annually).
Acuity Scheduling
specializedProvides online appointment booking with client management, payments, and reminders for service-based businesses.
Advanced customization of booking pages and forms, including branded themes and conditional logic for intake questions
Acuity Scheduling is a user-friendly online appointment booking platform that enables businesses to create customizable scheduling pages for clients to book directly. It syncs with popular calendars like Google and Outlook to avoid double-bookings, offers automated email/SMS reminders, and supports payments via Stripe or Square. Ideal for service providers, it includes features like intake forms, recurring appointments, and group scheduling without overwhelming complexity.
Pros
- Highly customizable booking pages that embed seamlessly on websites
- Seamless integrations with calendars, Zoom, Stripe, and payment processors
- Robust automation for reminders, confirmations, and client management
Cons
- No free plan, only a 7-day trial
- Advanced reporting and unlimited staff limited to higher tiers
- Pricing scales quickly for high-volume users
Best For
Small businesses, coaches, and solopreneurs seeking a polished, client self-service scheduling tool with strong customization.
Pricing
Starts at $16/mo (Emerging, 1 calendar), $27/mo (Growing), $49/mo (Powerhouse); 7-day free trial, billed annually for discounts.
YouCanBook.me
specializedOffers simple online booking pages that sync seamlessly with Google Calendar and Outlook for individuals and teams.
Real-time calendar syncing that automatically blocks double-bookings and respects your existing events
YouCanBook.me is a user-friendly online scheduling tool that integrates seamlessly with popular calendars like Google, Outlook, and Apple Calendar to create shareable booking pages. It allows clients to self-schedule appointments in real-time based on your availability, eliminating endless email chains. Additional features include customizable forms, automated email/SMS reminders, payment integrations, and basic team scheduling for simple coordination.
Pros
- Intuitive setup with one-click calendar sync
- Highly customizable booking pages and branding
- Reliable automated reminders via email and SMS
Cons
- Free plan has significant limitations like no custom domains
- Lacks built-in video conferencing links
- Team features require higher-tier plans and can get pricey
Best For
Solopreneurs, freelancers, and small service-based businesses needing quick, no-fuss appointment booking.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; paid plans start at $12/user/month (Weekly Unlimited), up to $45/user/month (Teams Pro) billed annually.
SimplyBook.me
specializedDelivers customizable online booking with features like payments, SMS reminders, and membership management.
Customizable intake forms and widgets for tailored client data collection during booking
SimplyBook.me is a flexible online booking platform that enables businesses to schedule appointments, classes, events, and rentals through customizable booking websites. It supports features like calendar synchronization, automated SMS/email reminders, payment processing, and client management tools. Ideal for service-based industries, it offers scalability from free basic use to advanced customizations via add-ons.
Pros
- Extensive customization options for booking pages and forms
- Integrations with calendars, payments, and social media
- Free plan with core scheduling functionality
Cons
- Advanced features locked behind paid add-ons
- Steep learning curve for complex setups
- Free plan limited to 50 bookings per month
Best For
Small to medium service businesses like salons, tutors, and consultants needing versatile online appointment booking.
Pricing
Free (50 bookings/month); paid plans from $9.90/month (Basic) to $59.90/month (Premium), plus add-ons from $4.90/month.
Setmore
specializedFree online appointment scheduler with booking pages, staff scheduling, and integrations for small businesses.
Embeddable booking widgets for seamless website integration
Setmore is a user-friendly online appointment scheduling software that enables businesses to create customizable booking pages for clients to self-schedule. It supports calendar syncing with Google and Outlook, automated reminders via email and SMS, and basic payment integrations. Ideal for simple scheduling needs, it offers a free plan for solo users and scalable options for teams, focusing on streamlining daily appointments without overwhelming complexity.
Pros
- Generous free plan for basic use
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Seamless integrations with popular calendars
Cons
- Free plan capped at 4 appointments per day
- Advanced features like payments require paid plans
- No native video conferencing integration
Best For
Solo professionals or small service-based businesses needing straightforward online booking without complex setup.
Pricing
Free plan (limited to 4 appointments/day); Pro at $5/user/month (annual billing); Premium at $12/user/month (annual billing).
Doodle
specializedSimplifies group scheduling and polls to find the best meeting times without back-and-forth emails.
Advanced group polling that tallies votes and suggests optimal times automatically
Doodle is a user-friendly scheduling tool focused on group coordination through simple polls, allowing users to propose multiple time slots and let participants vote on their availability. It automatically identifies the best meeting times based on responses, eliminating endless email threads. Ideal for casual or one-off group scheduling, it integrates with popular calendars like Google and Outlook for seamless adoption.
Pros
- Intuitive poll creation and sharing for quick group consensus
- Strong free tier with unlimited polls and basic integrations
- Mobile-friendly interface accessible without accounts for participants
Cons
- Limited advanced automation and direct booking in free plan
- Dated interface compared to modern competitors
- Team features require paid upgrades
Best For
Small teams or individuals coordinating occasional group meetings without needing full calendar booking systems.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Pro at $6.95/user/month; Team plans from $8.95/user/month.
Microsoft Bookings
enterpriseIntegrated appointment scheduling within Microsoft 365 for staff availability and customer self-booking.
Deep native integration with Microsoft Teams for automatic virtual meeting links in every booking
Microsoft Bookings is a straightforward online appointment scheduling tool integrated within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, allowing businesses to create shareable booking pages for customers to self-schedule services based on real-time staff availability. It syncs seamlessly with Outlook calendars to prevent double-bookings and supports virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams. The platform automates confirmations, reminders via email or SMS, and rescheduling, making it suitable for service-oriented businesses seeking simple automation.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Outlook and Teams calendars
- Customizable booking pages with service and staff options
- Automated reminders and notifications via email/SMS
Cons
- Full features require a Microsoft 365 subscription
- Limited advanced customization compared to standalone tools
- Basic reporting and analytics capabilities
Best For
Small to medium businesses already using Microsoft 365 who need reliable, ecosystem-integrated scheduling without complex setup.
Pricing
Included in Microsoft 365 Business plans starting at $6/user/month (Business Basic); no standalone free tier for full features.
Zoho Bookings
enterpriseOnline scheduling tool with calendar sync, notifications, and team coordination for service providers.
Seamless native integration with the full Zoho suite for automated workflows and data syncing
Zoho Bookings is an online appointment scheduling software that enables businesses to create customizable booking pages for clients to self-schedule services. It supports team calendars, automated reminders, payment integrations, and syncs with Google, Outlook, and video tools like Zoom. As part of the Zoho ecosystem, it offers robust automation for workflows, making it ideal for service-oriented teams seeking simplicity without complexity.
Pros
- Affordable free plan for solo users with unlimited bookings
- Deep integration with Zoho apps like CRM and Mail
- Customizable forms, buffers, and multi-staff scheduling
Cons
- Interface can feel dated and overwhelming for beginners
- Advanced features like custom branding require paid plans
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to premium competitors
Best For
Small service businesses already using Zoho tools or needing budget-friendly team scheduling.
Pricing
Free for 1 staff member; Standard at $6/staff/month, Premium at $12/staff/month (billed annually).
Appointlet
specializedCreates team booking pages with round-robin scheduling and Zoom integration for easy appointments.
Advanced customization of booking forms to collect detailed client information upfront
Appointlet is a straightforward online scheduling tool designed for individuals and small teams to create customizable booking pages for appointments, meetings, and consultations. It syncs with popular calendars like Google and Outlook to show real-time availability, eliminating email back-and-forth. The platform supports automated email reminders, custom intake forms, and basic team scheduling features.
Pros
- Intuitive setup with minimal learning curve
- Seamless calendar integrations for real-time availability
- Customizable booking pages and client intake forms
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting
- Team features locked behind higher pricing tiers
- No built-in video conferencing or webinar support
Best For
Freelancers and small service-based businesses needing simple, reliable appointment booking without complex workflows.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; paid plans start at $10/user/month (billed annually) for Pro features.
Picktime
otherFree scheduling software for appointments, classes, and resources with unlimited bookings on basic plan.
Versatile multi-type booking system for appointments, classes, events, and resources in one simple platform
Picktime is a user-friendly online scheduling software tailored for small businesses, enabling easy appointment booking, staff scheduling, and resource management like rooms or equipment. It features a customizable booking website, automated email/SMS reminders, and integrated payments without requiring coding skills. Clients can self-schedule 24/7, making it ideal for service providers seeking simplicity over complexity.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited bookings and staff
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface and quick setup
- Supports multiple booking types (appointments, classes, rooms) and mobile apps
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- Some integrations and custom branding require paid plans
- Customization options are basic compared to premium tools
Best For
Small service-based businesses like consultants, tutors, salons, or repair shops needing affordable, no-frills scheduling.
Pricing
Free forever plan; Starter at $4/user/month, Grow at $6/user/month (billed annually).
Conclusion
Calendly leads as the top scheduling tool, excelling in seamless automation and direct calendar integration. Acuity Scheduling and YouCanBook.me follow closely, offering strong alternatives—Acuity for client management and payments, YouCanBook.me for effortless sync with popular calendars. Together, these tools highlight that simple scheduling can be tailored to diverse needs.
Don’t miss out on streamlining your schedule—try Calendly today and discover how easy efficient time management can be.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison