Acuity Scheduling vs Setmore: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Acuity Scheduling is built for service-businesses, while Setmore suits small-business. For most users Acuity Scheduling is the stronger default, but Setmore can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Setmore has the lower entry price.
Acuity Scheduling and Setmore look similar on the surface; the differences show up in practice. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Acuity Scheduling | Setmore | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Booking | Booking |
| What it's known for | Full appointment-booking platform (now Squarespace Scheduling) with intake forms, packages, classes and payments, built for service businesses. | Free-forever appointment booking with a generous free tier (up to 4 users, 200 appts/mo) and inexpensive Pro upgrade for SMS and video. |
| Pricing | No free plan, 7-day trial; ~$16/mo Starter, ~$27/mo Standard, ~$49/mo Premium (annual) | Free (up to 4 users, 200 appts/mo); ~$5/user/mo Pro (annual, ~$12 monthly); Team & Enterprise custom |
| Best audience | Service businesses, coaches and studios that need intake forms, classes, packages and payments. | Small service businesses and solo providers wanting a capable free booking tool with a cheap upgrade. |
| Best for | service-businesses, appointments | small-business, free-tier |
| Entry price | ~$16/mo (annual) | Free |
| Biggest strength | Deep feature set for service businesses (classes, packages, payments). | Unusually generous free plan (4 users, 200 appts/mo, payments included). |
| Main caveat | No free plan, only a 7-day trial. | SMS reminders and video appointments require Pro. |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
Acuity Scheduling key features
- Appointment booking with intake forms (all plans)
- Packages, gift certificates and group classes
- Multiple calendars (up to 6 Standard / 36 Premium)
- Deposits, tips and invoicing at booking
Setmore key features
- Free-forever plan for up to 4 users, 200 appointments/mo
- Branded booking page and email confirmations/reminders
- SMS reminders and recurring appointments (Pro)
- One-click video meeting links (Pro)
Pricing tiers side by side
Acuity Scheduling plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | ~$16/mo (annual) | 1 calendar, reminders, intake forms |
| Standard | ~$27/mo (annual) | up to 6 calendars, packages, group classes |
| Premium | ~$49/mo (annual) | up to 36 calendars, multiple locations, advanced reporting |
Setmore plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | up to 4 users, 200 appts/mo, payments, email reminders |
| Pro | ~$5/user/mo (annual), ~$12 monthly | unlimited appts, SMS, video, 2-way sync, no branding |
| Team/Enterprise | custom | larger teams |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Acuity Scheduling wins
A full appointment-booking platform (now Squarespace Scheduling) built for service businesses, not just meeting links.
- Deep feature set for service businesses (classes, packages, payments).
- Intake forms included on every plan.
That makes it the stronger pick for service businesses, coaches and studios that need intake forms, classes, packages and payments.
Where Setmore wins
A free-forever booking tool that supports up to 4 users and payments out of the box.
- Unusually generous free plan (4 users, 200 appts/mo, payments included).
- Inexpensive Pro tier (~$5/user/mo annual).
That makes it the stronger pick for small service businesses and solo providers wanting a capable free booking tool with a cheap upgrade.
Verdict: choose by fit
There is no single winner; it depends on where you sit.
- Choose Acuity Scheduling if you fit its core audience — service businesses, coaches and studios that need intake forms, classes, packages and payments.
- Choose Setmore if you fit its core audience — small service businesses and solo providers wanting a capable free booking tool with a cheap upgrade.
FAQ
Is Acuity Scheduling better than Setmore?
Acuity Scheduling is the stronger default for most users, but Setmore can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Acuity Scheduling and Setmore?
Acuity Scheduling is a full appointment-booking platform (now Squarespace Scheduling) built for service businesses, not just meeting links. Setmore is a free-forever booking tool that supports up to 4 users and payments out of the box.
Which is cheaper, Acuity Scheduling or Setmore?
Entry pricing differs: Acuity Scheduling starts at ~$16/mo (annual), while Setmore offers a free tier. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Acuity Scheduling and Setmore: