Softabase

SimplyBook.me vs Acuity Scheduling: Complete Comparison 2026

An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

SimplyBook.me logo

SimplyBook.me

7.8(1,800 reviews)

Feature-packed booking platform with a website builder, POS system, and 70+ custom features for service businesses worldwide.

Acuity Scheduling logo

Acuity Scheduling

8.4(3,500 reviews)

Client scheduling platform by Squarespace with powerful intake forms, payment collection, and deep customization for service businesses.

Quick Comparison

AspectSimplyBook.meAcuity Scheduling
Best ForService businesses outside the US that need multi-language booking pagesTherapists and counselors who need HIPAA-compliant scheduling with intake forms
Pricing ModelFreemiumFree Trial
Starting PriceFree$20/mo
Deploymentcloudcloud
PlatformsWEB, IOS, ANDROIDWEB, IOS, ANDROID
Rating7.8/108.4/10

Pros & Cons

SimplyBook.me

Pros

  • Free plan allows 50 bookings/month with 5 providers — far more generous than most competitors
  • Over 70 optional custom features means you only pay for what you actually use
  • Built-in website builder creates a complete booking site, not just a widget
  • Instagram and Facebook booking integrations drive appointments directly from social media
  • Supports 15+ languages natively, which is rare in scheduling software

Cons

  • Admin interface feels cluttered and overwhelming — 70+ features means a steep learning curve
  • Mobile app works but feels like a web wrapper, not a polished native experience
  • Documentation is inconsistent: some features have great guides, others barely explained
  • Customer support can take 24-48 hours unless you pay for premium plans
  • Booking-based pricing limits can surprise you if traffic spikes — $9.90 plan caps at 100/month

Acuity Scheduling

Pros

  • Intake forms and waivers collect critical info before appointments — saves hours of admin
  • Payment processing is deeply integrated with packages, gift certificates, and subscriptions
  • Full booking page customization: your domain, branding, and layout, not theirs
  • HIPAA compliance on the Powerhouse plan makes it legitimate for healthcare providers
  • Multi-service booking lets clients book haircut + color + blowout in one flow

Cons

  • No free plan — the cheapest option is $20/month, which is steep for solopreneurs just starting
  • Interface feels dated and cluttered compared to the clean design of newer competitors
  • No native Salesforce or HubSpot integration — kills it for B2B sales teams
  • Setup takes significantly longer than Calendly due to all the configuration options
  • Squarespace ownership has meant slow feature development and minimal UX updates since 2019

Pricing Comparison

ProductPricing ModelStarting Price
SimplyBook.mefreemiumFree0
Acuity Schedulingfree trial$20/mo

Our Verdict

Choose SimplyBook.me if...

Service businesses outside the US that need multi-language booking pages

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Choose Acuity Scheduling if...

Therapists and counselors who need HIPAA-compliant scheduling with intake forms

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Still Not Sure?

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.