Acuity Scheduling vs. Square Appointments: Which is better?

Is there a best way to set your appointment availability in different time zones? Learn how in this Acuity Scheduling vs. Square Appointments comparison.

Schedulers are crucial in booking appointments. Most tools offer a round-robin to match a booking with the right staff member.

However, only a few are all-rounded to meet the demands of modern appointment scheduling.

That’s why we researched two schedulers that claim to be comprehensive for booking meetings.

Now, what makes each one unique?

Let’s find out in this Acuity Scheduling vs. Square Appointments comparison.

Acuity Scheduling vs Square Appointments: At a Glance

Criteria	Acuity Scheduling	Square Appointments	Winner
SMB Guide’s Rating	9.3/10	8.7/10	Acuity Scheduling
Appointment Workflow Automation	✅	✅	Acuity Scheduling
Customization Options	✅	✅	Acuity Scheduling
Calendar Management Features	✅	✅	Acuity Scheduling
Automated Reminders and Notifications	✅	✅	Acuity Scheduling
Client Management & Communication	✅	✅	Acuity Scheduling
Automatic Rules	✅	✅	Square Appointments
In-Meeting Tools	✅	✅	Square Appointments
Meeting Templates	✅	✅	Acuity Scheduling
UX and UI	Clean and modern	High user-friendliness	Tie
Integrations & API Capabilities	200+ integrations	37+ integrations	Acuity Scheduling
Supported Platforms	✅	✅	Tie
Customer Support	Email and support tickets	Support tickets	Square Appointments
Pricing	Free – $69/mo	$20/mo – $61/mo	Square Appointments
Scalability	✅	✅	Tie

Acuity Scheduling: Key Features, Pros, Cons, & Pricing

Acuity Scheduling is a booking platform that helps businesses organize client data and manage staff availability.

The software is a Squarespace product, offering features like schedule management, booking page customization, and more. 

Acuity scheduling integrates with payment processors and CRMs, helping businesses schedule resources from multiple locations.

It also automates processes like lead routing and self-scheduling.

Pros & Cons

Pricing

Acuity Scheduling structures its pricing model transparently, offering 3 plans. Businesses can choose between monthly or annual subscriptions, with the annual saving you 20%.

Unlike Square appointments, Acuity scheduling lacks a free plan, but customers can access a week-long trial period to test the software. Here are the plans:

• Emerging: $20 monthly
• Growing: $34 monthly
• Powerhouse: $61 monthly

Square Appointments: Key Features, Pros, Cons, & Pricing

Square Appointments is a meeting scheduler mainly targeting ecommerce, consulting, and banking industries.

The software offers features that help manage client relations and appointment scheduling through POS, reminders, and more. One thing to note is that this software works only with the Square ecosystem.

Pros & Cons

Pricing

Square Appointment’s pricing model is straightforward, offering 3 plans. The entry package is free, making it ideal for budget-conscious startups.

The other two plans rise with tiers offering more functionality than the free package. One thing to note is that businesses get a month-long trial period to test the software.

Here are the plans:

• Free: $0
• Plus: $29 per month per location
• Premium: $69 per month per location

Appointment Workflow Automation

Acuity Scheduling provides a skill-based appointment routing feature that’s more advanced for seamless auto-assignment of meetings.

It is a feature that matches a staff member to an appointment based on their location or expertise.

The software also supports the creation of recurring appointments for customers who require ongoing services.

Now, users can choose to offer their customers a self-service scheduling option. Not only that, you can customize your appointment page with custom links and branding.

Sending follow-up messages post-appointment is also possible in Acuity Scheduling. Admins can send an email requesting a client testimonial or a satisfaction survey.

The best part is that this software integrates with CRMs like AWeber and Mailchimp.

Square Appointments also offers an auto-assignment of meetings to suitable team members based on availability and expertise.

However, unlike Acuity Scheduling, Square Appointments lacks skill-based routing.

Now, you can create recurring meetings on the platform for customers who need ongoing support. The software also supports self-scheduling, similar to Acuity Scheduling.

Not only that, businesses can tweak their booking page to their liking.

Square Appointments can also send automated follow-up messages post-meeting, requesting a review or a survey.

One thing to note, though, is that this software lacks a native CRM. However, you can use Zapier to connect a CRM of choice.

✅ Winner: Acuity Scheduling

Customization Options

Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments allow the creation of various meeting types with variables like price or duration.

Users can also assign their team members, resources, and location to every meeting type.

However, Acuity Scheduling provides advanced customization options that Square Appointments lacks.

You can create events with various people and even set recurring meetings with a custom frequency. 

Businesses can also offer add-ons to their packages for services rendered. Lastly, customers can pick a favorite staff and even let them schedule multiple services in one meeting.

In setting buffer times and availability, both softwares allow admins to set them as needed. However, Acuity Scheduling goes an extra step to give businesses flexibility and control, unlike Square Appointments.

You can set limits to the meetings in a day and even create waiver and intake forms for clients to complete.

Businesses can also offer discounts for services rendered and accept payments through online gateways.

Customizing the scheduling page is available on both platforms, where an admin can choose a template and add the brand logo.

You can also embed a scheduling widget in your social networks or website. However, unlike Square Appointments, Acuity Scheduling offers more customization extras.

Businesses can use a custom domain for their scheduling page. Not only that, connect Facebook Pixel and Google Analytics for analysis.

You can also create several scheduling pages for a service or location.

✅ Winner: Acuity Scheduling

Calendar Management Features

Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments allow creating and managing multiple calendars for each location and staff.

The software also allows for the assignment of services to the team members.

However, Unlike Square Appointments, Acuity Scheduling offers an advanced team schedule management feature.

It lets users create events like round-robin and offer memberships to their customers.

With time zone conversion, both software support adjustment of the timing of appointments from any location.

You can set a time zone and allow customers to pick a suitable slot. The software also allows sending automated reminders within the right time zone.

However, unlike Square Appointments, Acuity Scheduling adds some extra features. For example, the software detects a customer’s IP and adjusts the time zone automatically.

Now, canceling and rescheduling appointments on both software is seamless. You can use the calendar to reschedule or cancel a meeting.

Businesses can also create cancellation policies like a rescheduling limit. The softwares also sends alerts to both parties whenever a change happens.

However, Square Appointments offers a better rescheduling and cancellation feature than Acuity Scheduling.

It allows users to reschedule or cancel appointments on the mobile app. Not only that, it integrates with the Square POS for refund processing.

With integration, both softwares connect to Outlook, Google, and iCloud calendars. One thing to note is that Acuity Scheduling offers an extensive integration stack.

✅ Winner: Acuity Scheduling

Automated Reminders and Notifications

Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments allow users to send reminders and follow-up emails to customers globally.

Clients also have the convenience of canceling or confirming appointments via email or SMS.

However, Acuity Scheduling has an edge because it allows message timing and frequency customization.

Now, both software allow receiving new bookings or cancelations by SMS or email for admin notifications.

You can also create various notification settings for each location or staff member. However, the Square Appointments mobile app notifications make it stand out.

Customizing the reminder message on both softwares is also possible. You have the flexibility to infuse a personal touch into the content and tailor it to match your brand’s identity and preferences.

Not only that, an admin can insert variables like a service name or an appointment date.

However, unlike Square Appointments, Acuity Scheduling allows admins to create varied messages for different services.

With automation templates, both softwares offer templates to create a reminder message. You can create one from scratch or choose from the library.

One thing to note is that Acuity Scheduling has a more extensive library of templates.

✅ Winner: Acuity Scheduling

Client Management and Communication

Acuity Scheduling offers flexibility in setting reminder frequency and timing. You can send the reminders in 30 minutes, 1 hour, 12 hours, or 1 week.

On the other hand, Square Appointments has a rigid reminder interval, only offering two options: 24 or 48 hours before an appointment.

With admin notifications, Square Appointments has an edge over Acuity Scheduling, which allows more channels for sending reminders.

They include phone, email, SMS, or push notifications. Acuity Scheduling only allows SMS and email as the only channels for sending notifications.

With customizing reminder messages, Acuity Scheduling allows admins to use HTML to customize the content and media.

On the other hand, Square Appointments only allows text editing.

✅ Winner: Acuity Scheduling

Automatic Rules

Acuity Scheduling offers more flexibility in setting auto-cancellation policies than Square Appointments.

You can create policies that fit various customers and services. Businesses can also set actions, like issuing a refund or updating calendars.

On the other hand, Square Appointments only allows users to set a single global policy on all meetings. You can set actions like charging a fee for cancellation.

With time zone adjustments, Square Appointments has an edge over Acuity Scheduling. It detects a location and it automatically displays it on the calendar.

Acuity Scheduling also allows admins to adjust appointment time zones. However, it’s done manually through a drop-down menu.

With working hours, Square Appointments offers more flexibility, where you can set different times for staff and services.

Not only that, businesses can sync the hours with their calendar and create buffers between appointments.

To set working hours in Acuity Scheduling, you need to create separate calendars for each schedule. Plus, Outlook and Google Calendar are the only calendars admins can sync with.

✅ Winner: Square Appointments

In-Meeting Tools

Acuity Scheduling, unlike Square Appointments, lacks native meeting minutes. However, you can integrate a third-party tool like Evernote for note-taking to improve the in-meeting experience.

One thing to note is that integrating such applications requires technical skills, and some charge a fee.

Square Appointments offers a meeting minutes feature, unlike Acuity Scheduling. The streamlined feature allows users to save and record voice notes during meetings.

Not only that, but you can also share the minutes with customers through email.

✅ Winner: Square Appointments

Meeting Templates

Acuity Scheduling provides extensive options for customizing meeting templates. You can add various meeting types, each with a category, description, and more.

You can manage templates conveniently through the appointment types panel within the software. From there, it’s easy to edit, remove or duplicate.

Square Appointments also allow admins to create and customize the templates. However, the options are fewer compared to Acuity Scheduling.

Nonetheless, you can add various services like price and meeting duration.

✅ Winner: Acuity Scheduling

User Experience and User Interface

Acuity Scheduling interface is clean and modern, allowing users to view the calendars easily. The platform is easy to navigate, and customization options are extensive.

You can modify your booking pages and reminder messages to match your branding.

The platform is also multilingual and supports various time zones and currencies. Not only that, the software is responsive to mobile devices.

Square Appointments also offer a modern interface that connects to the Square ecosystems.

The platform is also easy to navigate, with a drag-and-drop editor to organize appointments.

The software is also responsive to mobile devices.

✅ Winner: Tie

Integrations & API Capabilities

Acuity Scheduling integrates with 200+ systems, including payment processors and CRMs like MailChimp.

Not only that, the platforms connect with Zapier to integrate HR platforms like BambooHR. The software also has an API that you can use to update or retrieve customer data.

Square Appointments also integrate with HR tools but rely on the Square ecosystem. For example, you can use Square Payroll to manage staff salaries.

The platform also has an API, but has limitations compared to the Acuity Scheduling API. It only focuses on payment compliance.

✅ Winner: Acuity Scheduling

Supported Platforms

Acuity Scheduling is a web-based platform that you can access through a Windows, macOS, and Linux browser.

Like Square Appointments, Acuity Scheduling offers a mobile application that is compatible with Android and iOS.

It simplifies accessing appointment pipelines while you’re on the move, providing easy mobile accessibility.

Square Appointments is also a web-based platform accessible through a browser on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

Like Acuity Scheduling, Square Appointments offers a mobile application that is compatible with Android and iOS.

It makes it easy for admins to access the appointment pipelines on the go.

✅ Winner: Tie

Customer Support

Acuity Scheduling also offers two channels for contacting customer support: email and ticket. The response times are long and can take up to 24 hours.

Acuity Scheduling also has a resource center with a blog. The articles in the blog are in-depth, covering various topics like marketing and the inner workings of the platform.

Square Appointments offers only two channels for reaching customer support: email and live chat. The response times for live chat are instant, while email can take up to 6 hours.

The platform also has a customer education resource as a help center. The guides’ content in the help center is in-depth, covering the platform’s inner workings and how the ecosystem integrates.

✅ Winner: Square Appointments

Pricing

The pricing models of Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments are similar, offering 3 packages. However, each software has some distinctions.

Acuity Scheduling offers tiered plans similar to Square Appointments but lacks a free plan. The entry plan costs $20 monthly, and the topmost package costs $61.

Like Square Appointments, Acuity Scheduling offers a trial period, but it’s a week long.

Square Appointments also offers tiered plans, with the entry package being free. The paid plans start at $29 per user, and the topmost package costs $69.

Like Acuity Scheduling, Square Appointments offers a trial period, but it’s a month-long for software testing.

✅ Winner: Square Appointments

Scalability

Acuity Scheduling also offers scalable plans that rise with tiers. The packages have advanced features that fit different types of users, mainly growing and large teams.

Square Appointments offers scalable packages that rise with tiers. The plans suit budget-conscious businesses and can also cater to small to large enterprises looking for advanced automation.

✅ Winner: Tie

Standout Features of Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a versatile software, making it one of the best scheduler today. However, here are 2 features that make it unique.

Intake forms

It is a feature that allows admins to create and customize their clients’ intake forms. Admins can use the forms to collect essential information from their target customers.

Calendar syncing

It is a feature that supports syncing several calendars like iCloud, Outlook, and Google. Users can use it to sync their availability, reminders, and bookings across devices and platforms.

Standout Features of Square Appointments

Besides relying on the Square ecosystem for its products, Square Appointments still offers a decent scheduler.

However, here are 2 features that make it unique.

Free plan

It is a package that suits budget-conscious businesses looking for a scheduler to streamline their appointment booking.

The plan packs a payment processor, unlimited appointments, and CRM.

Square ecosystem

It is the parent system, and Square Appointments is part of the ecosystem as a product that serves SMEs.

You can sync the software with other Square products like payroll, team management, and more.

Acuity Scheduling vs. Square Appointments: SMB Guide’s Verdict

Our Acuity Scheduling vs Square Appointments comparison shows that both softwares are versatile enough to help streamline appointment scheduling.

The platforms share similarities in their meeting templates and automated reminders. Not only that, they are web-based platforms accessible through a browser.

However, each software has its uniqueness. For example, Acuity Scheduling offers intake forms for lead generation, giving it an edge.

That’s why, after comparing all factors, Acuity Scheduling is the winner of this comparison, and here is why:

Acuity Scheduling provides users with intake forms that can be utilized for lead generation purposes.

The platform also has multiple-location support. It allows admins to set their availability and pricing of services in clients’ neighborhoods.

The software also allows multiple calendars syncing, helping display client availability. Combining all these factors and features is why Acuity Scheduling wins this duel.

Square Appointments is a decent alternative, offering a free plan that caters to budget-conscious businesses.

It has access to the Square ecosystem, providing dozens of products, including payroll and team management. However, the lack of an open API and reliance on the Square ecosystem are reasons it loses to Acuity Scheduling.

Choose Acuity Scheduling If:

You are a mid to large enterprise looking to create and manage intake forms and streamline appointment workflows.

Choose Square Appointments If:

You need an affordable scheduler to route meetings and an ecosystem with products like a payment gateway.