Calendly vs Acuity vs Cal.com: Best Scheduling Software Compared (2026)
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Calendly vs Acuity vs Cal.com: Best Scheduling Software Compared
If you run a small business, freelancing operation, or service-based side hustle, you’ve probably felt the pain of back-and-forth emails just to book a 30-minute call. Scheduling software fixes that. But with three big names—Calendly, Acuity Scheduling, and the open-source Cal.com—how do you pick?
I’ve spent the last month putting all three through their paces: booking meetings, testing integrations, poking at customization options, and even stress-testing their free tiers. Here’s the honest breakdown—no fluff, just what works (and what doesn’t) for real small business workflows.
What We’re Comparing
| Feature | Calendly | Acuity Scheduling | Cal.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (free tier) | Free (basic) | Free (limited) | Free (open source) |
| Paid plans start at | $10/month (Essentials) | $16/month (Emerging) | $12/month (Growth) |
| Max event types (free) | 1 | 1 | Unlimited |
| Calendar integrations | Google, Outlook, iCloud, Office 365 | Google, Outlook, iCal, Exchange | Google, Outlook, CalDAV, iCloud |
| Embeddable booking page | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom domain | No (only on Teams) | Yes (on paid plans) | Yes (self-host or paid) |
| Group/round-robin | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) |
| Payment collection | Stripe, PayPal (paid) | Stripe, PayPal, Square (paid) | Stripe, PayPal (paid) |
| SMS reminders | No (only via Zapier) | Yes (paid) | No (via third-party) |
| HIPAA compliance | No | Yes (paid) | No (self-host possible) |
| Open source | No | No | Yes (AGPLv3) |
Detailed Feature Breakdown
Calendly: The Easiest Onboarding
Calendly is the market leader for a reason. When you sign up, you connect your calendar, set your availability, and you’re live in under five minutes. The interface is clean and modern. I like that you can create multiple event types (one-on-one, group, collective) and set buffer times between meetings.
What stands out:
- Workflows – Automate follow-ups, reminders, and even Salesforce lead creation (on higher plans).
- Routing – Round-robin, collective, and “first available” are all handled well.
- Integrations – Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, plus Zapier for everything else.
What’s frustrating:
- The free plan is very limited: one event type, no custom branding, no payment collection.
- Customization is shallow. You can’t deeply tweak the booking page layout without upgrading to a $16/month plan.
- SMS reminders? Only if you pay extra for Zapier or a third-party service.
Best for: Solo professionals who want the simplest setup and don’t need heavy customization.
Acuity Scheduling: The Customization King
Acuity (now part of Squarespace) has been around forever. It’s built for service businesses—consultants, coaches, therapists, salons—who need more than just a “pick a time” page.
What stands out:
- Intake forms – Collect client info, waivers, questionnaires before they book. You can even require forms to be filled before confirming.
- Class scheduling – Perfect for group sessions, workshops, or recurring appointments.
- Payment collection – Stripe, PayPal, and Square. You can require payment at booking or invoice later.
- Time zone auto-detection – Works well for clients across the globe.
What’s frustrating:
- The interface feels cluttered compared to Calendly. Too many tabs and options can overwhelm new users.
- The free plan is incredibly barebones: only one calendar connection, no custom domain, and Acuity branding everywhere.
- No native video conferencing integration—you have to manually add a link each time.
Best for: Service businesses that need detailed intake forms, class scheduling, and payment at booking.
Cal.com: The Open-Source Alternative
Cal.com is the new kid on the block, but it’s already gained a loyal following—especially among developers and privacy-conscious users. It’s fully open source, which means you can self-host it on your own server (or use their cloud plans).
What stands out:
- Unlimited event types on free plan – Yes, you read that right. Even the free cloud plan gives you unlimited event types.
- Self-hosting – If you have a server, you can run your own scheduling tool with zero recurring cost. Full control over data.
- Modern UI – Clean, fast, and responsive. It feels like a premium product.
- Open source community – Regular updates, lots of integrations contributed by users.
What’s frustrating:
- Setup complexity – Self-hosting requires technical knowledge. Even the cloud version has a steeper learning curve than Calendly.
- Fewer native integrations – No direct Salesforce, Hubspot, or Mailchimp connectors (though Zapier works).
- Mobile app is weak – The iOS/Android apps are functional but buggy. Not ideal for on-the-go management.
- Customer support – Community-based unless you’re on a paid plan. Response times can be slow.
Best for: Tech-savvy users, developers, and anyone who wants to avoid vendor lock-in or monthly fees.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Calendly
Pros:
- Easiest setup of the three.
- Workflow automations are powerful.
- Strong integrations with video conferencing and CRM.
Cons:
- Free plan is extremely limited.
- Customization is locked behind higher tiers.
- No SMS reminders without Zapier.
Acuity Scheduling
Pros:
- Best intake forms and class scheduling.
- Payment collection at booking works smoothly.
- Custom domain on paid plans.
Cons:
- Interface feels outdated and cluttered.
- Free plan is almost unusable for business.
- No native video meeting integration.
Cal.com
Pros:
- Unlimited event types on free plan.
- Open source – full data control.
- Clean, modern interface.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve.
- Fewer native integrations.
- Mobile apps need work.
Pricing Breakdown (2026)
| Plan | Calendly | Acuity | Cal.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 1 event type, basic calendar | 1 calendar, basic features | Unlimited event types, cloud (with limited branding) |
| Starter | $10/mo (Essentials) – 2 calendars, workflows | $16/mo (Emerging) – 2 calendars, forms, payments | $12/mo (Growth) – unlimited events, workflows, team features |
| Professional | $16/mo – team scheduling, round-robin | $30/mo (Growing) – 5 calendars, classes, SMS | $24/mo (Enterprise) – SSO, priority support |
| Team/Enterprise | Custom – Salesforce, HubSpot | Custom – HIPAA, dedicated support | Custom – self-hosted license |
All prices are monthly when billed annually. Calendly and Acuity also offer monthly billing at higher rates.
Which One Should You Choose? (Verdict)
There’s no single “best” tool—it depends on your workflow.
Pick Calendly if: You want the easiest, most polished experience. You’re a solo consultant, freelancer, or small team that needs simple scheduling with minimal fuss. The free plan works for testing, but you’ll likely want the $16/month plan for real business use.
Pick Acuity if: You run a service business (coach, therapist, salon, class-based) and need intake forms, payment at booking, and class scheduling. The extra complexity is worth it for the customization.
Pick Cal.com if: You value open source, want unlimited event types without paying, or need to self-host for compliance. If you’re technical and don’t mind a bit of setup, Cal.com offers the best long-term value.
My personal pick? For most small business owners, I recommend Calendly. It’s the least painful to set up, and the workflow automations save real time. But if you’re on a tight budget and have some tech skills, Cal.com is an incredible deal.
FAQ
Can I use Calendly for free forever?
Yes, but you’re limited to one event type and basic calendar sync. You’ll see Calendly branding, and you can’t collect payments or use workflows.
Does Acuity Scheduling offer HIPAA compliance?
Yes. Acuity’s paid plans (Growing and above) are HIPAA compliant when you sign a Business Associate Agreement. Calendly and Cal.com do not offer HIPAA compliance natively (though Cal.com self-hosted can be configured).
Is Cal.com really free?
The open-source version is completely free if you self-host. The cloud version has a free plan with unlimited event types but limited branding options. Paid plans add features like team scheduling and SMS reminders.
Which tool is best for group bookings?
Acuity is the strongest for class scheduling (multiple attendees at fixed times). Calendly does round-robin and collective meetings well. Cal.com offers group events but with fewer customization options.
Can I embed a scheduling page on my website?
All three allow embedding via iframe or link. Calendly and Cal.com have clean embed options. Acuity’s embeds work fine but look older.
Do these tools integrate with Zoom/Google Meet?
Calendly and Cal.com natively generate Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams links. Acuity requires you to manually add a link (or use Zapier).
What about SMS reminders?
Only Acuity offers native SMS reminders (on paid plans). Calendly and Cal.com can do SMS via Zapier or third-party services.
Can I migrate from one tool to another?
Exporting data (appointments, contacts) is possible via CSV from each tool. But you’ll need to recreate event types and forms manually. Cal.com has a migration tool for Calendly users.
Bottom line: Don’t overthink it. Start with Calendly’s free trial, see if it covers your needs. If you need more control, try Acuity. If you want to save money and have some technical chops, go with Cal.com. Your scheduling pain will disappear either way.
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