If Acuity Scheduling isn't delivering the flexibility or customization your business needs, you're likely exploring alternatives that can better support your growth.
Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. Acuity Scheduling is a popular appointment booking tool designed for service-based businesses to manage calendars, accept payments, and automate client communications.
When evaluating scheduling solutions, what matters most is app success—launching quickly as an MVP and reaching the largest possible audience. That means building not just a web app, but native iOS and Android apps published to the app stores, unlocking massive distribution and powerful engagement tools like push notifications.
Why Choose an Acuity Scheduling Alternative?
While Acuity Scheduling delivers basic appointment booking functionality, it falls short in several areas that leave businesses feeling less competitive. Over the years, users have consistently raised three core issues about Acuity Scheduling:
Very Limited Design Freedom and Customization
When you sign up for Acuity Scheduling, you can create a calendar showing your availability and let clients book from there. In terms of design freedom, Acuity allows you to upload your logo and change the color scheme—but that's about it.
While this accomplishes the bare minimum of scheduling appointments, you'll need a separate design tool like Canva or Figma to customize your scheduling tool's appearance to your exact tastes. This means learning two platforms: Acuity Scheduling and your chosen design platform, adding unnecessary complexity to your workflow.
Solution: Choose an Acuity Scheduling alternative like Adalo or GoodBarber that lets you customize your own scheduling app. You'll be able to adjust elements like buttons and forms, edit your images, and configure your scheduling app's layout exactly the way you want it—all within a single platform.
No Free Version
Although Acuity Scheduling offers a 7-day free trial, it only allows you to tinker with the platform—not release a final product. Seven days isn't much time to learn a platform, especially when you're busy hustling for new clients and perfecting your craft.
Solution: Pick a scheduler like Adalo, Calendly, or Setmore that offers a free version. You'll be able to experiment with different ideas and launch tests of your scheduler before publishing your final version. When you release your scheduling app, it will be error-free and ready to go—and your clients will appreciate not being guinea pigs.
Just For Scheduling
While basic scheduling may seem sufficient, many businesses want their scheduling app to do more. For instance, adding a live chat feature enables swift communication between you and your clients directly within your app.
Instead of thumbing through personal text messages to reach you, clients can find you right from the convenience of your own app. Unfortunately, Acuity only sends reminder text messages and confirmation emails—no real-time communication features.
Solution: Pick an Acuity Scheduling alternative like Adalo that lets you add features not found on Acuity, including live chat functionality. With Adalo's AI-powered app builder, you can also create a social network from your scheduling app so your customers and staff can communicate and share updates.
The Top 5 Acuity Scheduling Alternatives
- Adalo, the best overall Acuity Scheduling alternative
- Calendly, the simplest Acuity Scheduling alternative
- Microsoft Bookings, the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for Microsoft users
- Setmore, the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for iOS users
- GoodBarber, a customizable Acuity Scheduling alternative
#1 The Best Overall Acuity Scheduling Alternative
Adalo
What is it?
Adalo is an AI-powered app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. With over 3 million apps created on the platform, Adalo's visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint."
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
Instead of purchasing premade scheduling software, why not make your own scheduling app? Adalo gives you the power to do exactly that through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The best part: You don't need any coding or technical knowledge to create your own app.
Adalo lets you tailor your scheduling app to your exact needs and tastes. Want to adjust the calendar's appearance, add a live messaging feature, or create a forum where your clients and staff can communicate? Adalo gives you the power to do it all. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from a simple description—tell it you need a scheduling app for your business, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically.
As an added bonus, Adalo lets you publish your scheduling app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and to the web—all from a single codebase. Being able to do this puts your app in front of an enormous audience, which can help market your service and attract even more clients.
Following the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul in late 2025, the platform now runs 3-4x faster with modular infrastructure that scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users. Paid plans include unlimited database records with no usage-based charges—meaning no surprise bills as your scheduling app grows.
Who is it best for?
I've recommended Adalo to freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium businesses more than any other app-building platform for a reason: It's insanely simple to use and produces slick, professional-looking apps.
No matter what your profession, you can create an eye-catching, highly professional scheduling app with Adalo. The platform processes over 20 million data requests daily with 99%+ uptime, so your clients can always book appointments reliably.
Pricing
Get started with Adalo for $36/month. This includes web and true-native mobile app building, unlimited usage, and App Store publishing with unlimited updates to your apps once published.
Final Verdict
Adalo gives you the freedom, power, and simplicity to bring any scheduling app idea to life and publish it across web, iOS, and Android from a single build. With AI-assisted features like Magic Start and Magic Add, plus no data caps on paid plans, this is why Adalo is my top overall Acuity scheduling alternative.
#2 The Simplest Acuity Scheduling Alternative
Calendly
What is it?
Calendly is an appointment scheduling software that automatically sets up meetings, shows availability times to invitees, and streamlines your team's scheduling tasks.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
When you sign up with Calendly, it connects to the calendar system you currently use, such as Google, iCloud, or Microsoft Office. You'll get immediate access to a free version that gives you unlimited one-on-one meetings.
Calendly is incredibly simple to use. Just insert your availability times, have your clients download the Calendly mobile app or access Calendly on the web, and they can book an appointment by simply pressing a couple of buttons.
Who is it best for?
If you want simple, bare-bones scheduling software that you can set up in minutes, Calendly is right for you. It's best for those who have a high volume of meetings and appointments and don't mind a lack of customization.
Pricing
Calendly starts at $12 per user/month (billed monthly). This pricing tier lets you connect any calendar and integrate with payment platforms like Stripe and PayPal to take payments in advance.
Final Verdict
Because it has a quick and easy setup, low-cost pricing, and a useful free version, Calendly is the simplest Acuity Scheduling alternative. However, if you need a fully customized scheduling app that you can publish to the app stores, you'll want to consider a more flexible solution like Adalo.
#3 The Best Acuity Scheduling Alternative for Microsoft Users
Microsoft Bookings
What is it?
Microsoft Bookings, part of the Microsoft 365 suite, is an appointment-scheduling software program that provides a web-based booking calendar fully integrated with the Microsoft Ecosystem.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
If you're already a Microsoft user, consider Microsoft Bookings. It offers the perks of being in the Microsoft Ecosystem, like enhanced security and a better user experience, and it offers more features than you'll get when you use Acuity Scheduling.
Microsoft Bookings lets you seamlessly integrate all your other Microsoft workflows into your Microsoft Booking account, such as those on Excel, Teams, and more. This helps streamline tasks and create crystal-clear communication between your team and clients.
Who is it best for?
Microsoft Bookings stands out as a great choice for all businesses that use Microsoft, from a 2-person partnership to a 5,000-strong corporation. If your team already lives in the Microsoft ecosystem, the integration benefits are substantial.
Pricing
Microsoft Bookings is free for those who already have Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard, or Premium. These pricing tiers start at $6 per user/month for Basic, $12.50 per user/month for Standard, and $22 per user/month for Premium.
Final Verdict
Because it's made for those already in the Microsoft ecosystem, Microsoft Bookings is the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for Microsoft users. Keep in mind that it doesn't offer the same level of customization or native mobile app publishing that platforms like Adalo provide.
#4 The Best Acuity Scheduling Alternative for iOS Users
Setmore
What is it?
Setmore is an all-in-one appointment scheduling software designed to provide businesses with everything they need to manage appointments and interactions with customers.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
Take note, Apple faithful: Setmore is optimized for peak performance on the iOS ecosystem. It seamlessly syncs with the MacOS calendar, allows you to sign in with your iOS account, and is integrated with Apple Pay.
Unlike Acuity Scheduling, Setmore offers a generous free version that allows up to 4 users and accepts payments, making it perfect for small teams. You can publish your Setmore-made scheduling app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store to reach current clients and advertise to new ones.
Who is it best for?
While it works quite well with iOS users, Setmore also meshes with the Android ecosystem. Because of its social media integrations, Setmore is great for small and medium-sized teams that do a lot of social media marketing.
Pricing
For $9 per user/month, you'll get unlimited appointments and your very own branding. You'll also be able to automate recurring appointments and get integrations with third-party apps like Shopify, Google Calendar, and Hubspot.
Final Verdict
With integrations to several iOS programs and a free version that allows you to take payments, Setmore is the best Acuity Scheduling alternative for iOS users. For businesses wanting more control over their app's design and functionality, Adalo offers greater customization with its AI-assisted building tools.
#5 A Customizable Acuity Scheduling Alternative
GoodBarber
What is it?
GoodBarber is a no-code native mobile app-building platform that provides tools to make a customized booking app.
What does it do better than Acuity Scheduling?
GoodBarber offers a solid 30-day free trial, which gives you ample time to learn the app-building interface and create your own customized booking app. It offers several industry-specific templates to choose from.
For instance, if you're a restaurant owner and want a scheduling app to book tables, GoodBarber has a premade template just for that. There's also a robust template option for salon owners, providing scheduling options for salon-specific services like hairstyling, manicures, massages, and more.
Who is it best for?
If you want a customizable app for your small or medium business and prefer working from industry-specific templates, GoodBarber is a solid choice. You'll have the power to craft your app to your preferences and publish it in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Pricing
Publish your GoodBarber app to the web so your clients can access it with their phone browsers for $50/month (billed monthly). If you want to publish to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you'll need to pay $90/month (billed monthly).
Final Verdict
Because it gives you the option to create a booking app for your specific industry, GoodBarber is a great customizable Acuity Scheduling option. However, at $90/month for app store publishing compared to Adalo's $36/month with more AI-powered features and no record limits, cost-conscious businesses may find better value elsewhere.
Comparison Summary
| Platform | Starting Price | Best For | App Store Publishing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adalo | $36/month | Custom scheduling apps with full control | Yes (iOS, Android, Web) |
| Calendly | $12/user/month | Simple meeting scheduling | No (uses their app) |
| Microsoft Bookings | $6/user/month (with M365) | Microsoft ecosystem users | No |
| Setmore | $9/user/month | iOS users, small teams | Yes |
| GoodBarber | $90/month (for app stores) | Industry-specific templates | Yes |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions? | Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically. With unlimited database records on paid plans and no usage-based charges, you won't face surprise bills as your scheduling app grows. |
| What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store? | Adalo's drag-and-drop interface combined with AI-assisted building makes it possible to launch apps in days rather than months. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions, and the platform handles the entire App Store submission process for both iOS and Android. |
| Can I easily create my own custom scheduling app without coding experience? | Yes, with Adalo's AI-powered app builder, you can create a fully customized scheduling app without any coding or technical knowledge. Using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can tailor your scheduling app's appearance, add features like live chat, and configure the layout to your exact specifications. |
| What are the main limitations of Acuity Scheduling? | Acuity Scheduling has three main limitations: very limited design freedom and customization (only allowing logo uploads and color scheme changes), no free version (only a 7-day trial), and functionality limited to just scheduling without additional features like live chat or social networking capabilities. |
| Which is more affordable, Adalo or Calendly? | Calendly starts at $12/user/month while Adalo starts at $36/month total. For individuals, Calendly may cost less. However, Adalo's flat rate covers unlimited users and lets you build a fully custom scheduling app you own and publish to app stores—providing more value for businesses wanting their own branded app. |
| Which is better for beginners, Adalo or GoodBarber? | Both platforms are beginner-friendly, but Adalo's AI-assisted features like Magic Start make it faster to get started. GoodBarber offers industry-specific templates, while Adalo provides more flexibility at a lower price point ($36/month vs $90/month for app store publishing). |
| Are there free scheduling alternatives to Acuity Scheduling? | Yes, several alternatives offer free versions including Calendly, which provides unlimited one-on-one meetings, and Setmore, which offers a generous free tier allowing up to 4 users and payment acceptance. These free versions let you experiment and launch tests before committing to a paid plan. |
| Can I add features like live chat to my scheduling app? | With platforms like Adalo, you can add features that aren't available in Acuity Scheduling, including live chat functionality and social networking capabilities. Magic Add lets you describe features in natural language and adds them to your app automatically. |
| How long does it take to build a scheduling app? | With Adalo's AI-assisted building tools, you can have a functional scheduling app ready in days rather than months. Magic Start generates your database structure, screens, and user flows from a simple description—what used to take days of planning happens in minutes. |
| Can I publish my scheduling app to the App Store? | Yes, Adalo, Setmore, and GoodBarber all support publishing to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Adalo handles the entire submission process and lets you publish to web, iOS, and Android from a single codebase with unlimited updates once published. |
