Acuity Scheduling vs Setmore
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Acuity Scheduling, now a Squarespace company, is an online appointment booking and business management platform used by service-based businesses to let clients self-book appointments, pay online, and receive automated reminders. It offers a branded booking page, calendar sync, intake forms, and class scheduling for industries such as beauty, wellness, fitness, education, and business services.
Setmore is online appointment scheduling software that gives businesses a branded booking page with real-time availability, automated email and SMS reminders, and online payment collection. It serves service-based businesses like salons, medical practices, legal firms, and fitness trainers with calendar sync, video meeting integration, and both mobile and desktop apps.
- Deep calendar and payment processor integrations (Stripe, Square, PayPal, QuickBooks)
- HIPAA compliance available on higher-tier plans for healthcare businesses
- Mature product backed by Squarespace with a large existing user base
- Flexible for both solo practitioners and multi-location, multi-staff teams
- Generous free tier (4 users, 200 appointments) unlike many competitors
- Low per-user price on the paid Pro plan compared to rivals
- Broad platform coverage including native desktop apps
- Built-in SMS reminders without needing a separate add-on
- Custom branding removal requires the top Premium tier
- Pricing rises quickly per calendar as a business scales staff
- Interface and settings can feel dense for first-time users setting up complex scheduling rules
- Free plan caps monthly appointments, which small but busy businesses can outgrow quickly
- Advanced automation and reporting features are less deep than higher-priced competitors
- Live Receptionist add-on and premium integrations cost extra
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Acuity Scheduling
View all →Scheduling, billing, and client management software for class- and appointment-based businesses.
Business management software for tutoring agencies covering scheduling, billing, and payroll.
Alternatives to Setmore
View all →Online appointment scheduling that lets clients book, pay, and reschedule 24/7.
The appointment scheduling tool formerly known as 10to8, now part of Sign In App.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSetmore offers a generous free tier and built‑in SMS reminders, while Acuity provides deeper integrations, HIPAA compliance, and an API but requires a paid subscription.
Key differences
- •Free tier vs. paid‑only model
- •Built‑in SMS reminders in Setmore vs. Acuity’s email/text reminders
- •API availability only in Acuity
- •HIPAA‑compliant plan available only with Acuity
- •Depth of calendar and payment integrations (Acuity includes QuickBooks, Apple Calendar, Zapier)
Pricing & value
Setmore’s free plan supports 4 staff and 200 appointments; Acuity has no free tier.
Ease of use / learning curve
Setmore’s simpler feature set and native desktop apps make onboarding quicker than Acuity’s denser interface.
Features & depth
Acuity offers class scheduling, custom intake forms, HIPAA tier, and more payment/calendar options.
Integrations & ecosystem
Acuity includes Apple Calendar, QuickBooks, Zapier and an API; Setmore lacks an API and fewer integrations.
Collaboration
Setmore allows 4 staff on the free plan; Acuity’s cost rises per calendar, limiting early team use.
Scalability
Acuity’s API and extensive integrations support larger, multi‑location operations; Setmore caps appointments on free tier.
Security & privacy
Acuity offers a HIPAA‑compliant tier for healthcare; Setmore provides no such compliance claim.
Choose Acuity Scheduling if…
Service firms or health‑care providers that need advanced integrations, API access, and HIPAA compliance, and can pay for it.
Choose Setmore if…
Small businesses or startups needing a free, easy‑to‑use scheduler with built‑in SMS reminders.
Common questions
Can I start using the tool for free?
Yes, Setmore offers a free plan (4 users, 200 appointments). Acuity requires a paid subscription.
Do either of these tools provide an API for custom integrations?
Only Acuity lists an API; Setmore does not offer one.
Which platform supports HIPAA‑compliant scheduling?
Acuity offers a HIPAA‑compliant plan tier; Setmore does not mention HIPAA compliance.