SimplyBook.me vs Acuity Scheduling: Which Fits Your Business?
A practical, balanced guide to choosing an appointment booking tool for a salon, tutor, trainer, consultant or other small service business.
Updated October 2026 · Editorial research, not hands-on testing
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains an affiliate link to SimplyBook.me. If you purchase through it, BookingLens may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change our comparison.
Quick verdict
Choose SimplyBook.me if…
You want to start with a free plan, offer online booking, and explore service-business features such as memberships and payment options. Check monthly booking and provider limits before upgrading.
Explore SimplyBook.me ↗Choose Acuity if…
You prefer a focused scheduling experience, need unlimited appointment volume on paid plans, or already use Squarespace. Check which plan includes your preferred reminders and packages.
Explore Acuity ↗Feature-by-feature comparison
Plan availability and product details can change. Confirm your requirements on each vendor's current website.
| Feature | SimplyBook.me | Acuity Scheduling |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, with usage limits | No permanent free plan; free trial offered |
| Booking page and embed | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment payments | Supports a broad range of payment gateways | Stripe, Square and PayPal |
| Intake forms | Available; verify plan and custom feature limits | Available |
| Packages and memberships | Available; check enabled features and plan | Available on eligible paid plans |
| Calendar integrations | Google and Outlook options | Calendar synchronization available |
| Booking volume | Monthly booking limits vary by plan | Unlimited appointments advertised on paid plans |
| Best fit | Service businesses seeking a free starting point and flexible add-ons | Businesses valuing streamlined scheduling and Squarespace integration |
How pricing works
SimplyBook.me
Offers a permanent free tier with booking and provider limits. Paid tiers increase capacity and the number of available custom features. The right plan depends on how many appointments, providers and extras you need.
Acuity Scheduling
Offers a time-limited trial rather than a permanent free tier. Paid plans vary by included calendars and features; the service advertises unlimited appointments on paid plans.
Before subscribing: Calculate your expected monthly bookings, staff calendars, SMS usage, payment fees, and any add-ons. Compare the total cost, not just the headline subscription.
Which tool works for your business?
Solo trainers and tutors
Start by testing how clients choose session lengths, pay, reschedule, and receive reminders. SimplyBook.me's free starting point may suit a low-volume business; Acuity's appointment model may appeal if volume is high.
Salons and wellness studios
Check provider calendars, services with different durations, deposits, and cancellation policies. Ask both vendors how packages, memberships and staff availability are handled on your intended plan.
Squarespace website owners
Acuity is part of the Squarespace ecosystem and may be convenient if your website is already built there. Still test the complete mobile booking journey before choosing.
Regulated services
Do not assume a plan meets privacy or healthcare requirements. Request current documentation and any required agreements directly from the vendor before processing sensitive information.
Questions to ask before deciding
- Can a customer book, pay and cancel easily from a phone?
- Which features require a paid tier or add-on?
- Are your preferred payment processors available in your country?
- Can you export customer data if you switch platforms?
- What happens when you exceed booking or calendar limits?
Frequently asked questions
Does SimplyBook.me have a free plan?
Yes, it advertises a free tier with usage limits. Confirm the current booking and provider allowances on its pricing page.
Does Acuity have a free plan?
Acuity advertises a free trial, not a permanent free tier.
Which is better for high booking volume?
Acuity advertises unlimited appointments on paid plans. SimplyBook.me plans include booking-volume allowances, so compare your projected monthly volume.
Can both tools take online payments?
Both offer payment-related features. Supported processors, regions and feature availability differ; check each vendor's current documentation.
Is this a hands-on review?
No. This is an editorial comparison based on publicly available product information and buying criteria, not independent product testing.
Sources and further reading
Vendor information reviewed in October 2026. Vendor-published comparisons can favor their own products; verify any critical detail before buying.
For a broader overview, read our 2026 appointment scheduling software guide.