Calendly vs Setmore vs Acuity: The 2025 Winner Picked for You

Feeling overwhelmed by a constant flood of emails just to find a time that works for everyone? You are not alone. This frustrating back-and-forth is exactly why scheduling apps were invented, and today we will break down three of the most popular options in a detailed Calendly vs Setmore vs Acuity comparison.

This guide is designed to do more than just list features. We will walk you through a clear analysis of each platform’s strengths, pricing, and ideal user. Our goal is to move you from confusion to clarity, helping you crown a winner for your specific business needs. By the end, you will know exactly which tool will save you the most time and stress.

If you’re exploring more options for small business scheduling tools, you might also want to check out this helpful guide on the best scheduling software for small businesses — it offers a broader look at tools beyond these three, so you can make an even smarter decision for your workflow

The 60-Second Summary: Which Scheduling App Wins?

Before we dive deep, let’s get a quick answer. Your choice between Calendly, Setmore, and Acuity ultimately depends on your budget and business model. Here’s the fastest way to decide.

Choose Calendly for its best-in-class user experience, powerful integrations, and a very robust free plan. It’s the market leader for a reason Statista reports that Calendly holds approximately 25% of the scheduling apps market share, making it the most dominant platform in the industry.

Choose Acuity Scheduling if you run a client-based business like coaching or consulting. Its built-in payment processing and detailed intake forms are worth the investment.

Choose Setmore for the best value. It packs a stunning number of features—including class bookings—into its completely free and very affordable paid plans.

To make things even clearer, here’s a high-level overview:

Detailed Comparison: Breaking Down The Key Factors

Now, let’s get into the specifics. We’ll compare Calendly, Setmore, and Acuity across the most important categories for users.

Pricing and Plans: Where’s the Best Value?

Understanding the cost is crucial in the Calendly vs Setmore vs Acuity debate.

Calendly’s Pricing: Calendly offers a powerful free plan for individuals. Its paid plans start at $10 per seat/month (billed annually) and unlock multiple event types, advanced analytics, and more.

Setmore’s Pricing: Setmore is the undisputed value champion. Its free plan is incredibly generous, supporting up to 4 staff members. Its paid “Pro” plan starts at just $5 per user/month, adding features like video meetings and custom branding.

Acuity’s Pricing: Acuity is the premium option. It doesn’t have a free plan, only a 7-day free trial. Its paid plans start at $16 per month, but they include critical features like client intake forms and payment processing that others charge extra for.

The Verdict: For pure affordability, Setmore wins. For a great free experience, Calendly is excellent. For a premium, all-inclusive package, Acuity justifies its price.

Feature Face-Off: Which Tool Does More?

All three apps handle the basics of scheduling. However, their advanced features tell a different story.

Integrations: Calendly takes the lead with deep integrations into major CRM, video conferencing, and productivity tools like Salesforce, Zoom, and HubSpot. Both Setmore and Acuity cover the basics (Google Calendar, Zoom, Stripe/PayPal) well.

Client Management: This is Acuity’s specialty. It offers incredibly detailed intake forms, the ability to sell packages and memberships, and built-in payment processing. Calendly and Setmore require higher-tier plans or add-ons for similar functionality.

Unique Features: Setmore stands out by supporting class bookings on its free plan, a huge win for fitness instructors or teachers. Calendly offers features like Routing Forms to intelligently direct leads.

Ease of Use: Which is the Simplest to Set Up?

A tool is only good if people actually use it.

Calendly is famous for its slick, intuitive, and user-friendly interface. Getting your first meeting link live takes mere minutes.

Setmore is also very straightforward, though its interface can feel a bit more cluttered due to the sheer number of features available on its free plan.

Acuity is powerful, but that power comes with a steeper learning curve and a more complex setup process to unlock its full potential.

The Final Verdict: Picked by Business Type

So, who wins the battle of Calendly vs Setmore vs Acuity? The answer: it depends on who you are.

With the appointment scheduling software market expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.10% from 2024 to 2031, choosing the right platform now becomes even more critical for business success.

For Solopreneurs and Freelancers on a Budget

Winner: Setmore or Calendly’s Free Plan.

This is a tie. If you need absolute $0 cost and features like class booking, Setmore is your choice. If you prefer a smoother, more polished experience and only need 1-on-1 meetings, Calendly’s free plan is perfect.

For Coaches, Consultants, and Service Businesses

Winner: Acuity Scheduling.

While it’s the most expensive, Acuity is purpose-built for you. Its client intake forms, payment processing, and ability to sell packages are seamless and professional, justifying the investment completely.

For Small Teams and Offices (Salons, Clinics)

Winner: Setmore.

Setmore’s ability to support multiple staff members on its free plan is a game-changer. Its affordable premium upgrades make it the best scheduling app for small business teams watching their budget.

For Sales and Large Enterprises

Winner: Calendly.

Calendly’s advanced integrations with CRMs like Salesforce, along with its enterprise-grade security and admin controls, make it the only logical choice for large sales teams and corporations.

Conclusion: Time to Make Your Choice

The Calendly vs Setmore vs Acuity debate doesn’t have a single winner, but it does have a right answer for you.

Pick Setmore for unmatched value and team features.

Choose Calendly for a premium experience and deep integrations.

Choose Acuity for a powerful, all-in-one client management system.

The best way to decide is to try them. All three offer free access, so you can test them in your real workflow without risk. Stop scheduling manually and let the right tool do the work for you.