Acuity Scheduling vs Square Appointments: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Acuity Scheduling wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Meeting Scheduling pick. Google Calendar is our free Meeting Scheduling pick. Pick Square Appointments if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Acuity Scheduling
Appointment scheduling by Squarespace
Best for you if:
- • You want payment integration
Square Appointments
Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Square Appointments | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $16/mo Emerging | Free Free plan |
Category | Meeting Scheduling Form Builders | Meeting Scheduling Payment Processing |
Rating | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.8 · G2 4.6 6,173 reviews | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.5 262 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Acuity Scheduling or Square Appointments?
Choose Acuity Scheduling if
- You want payment integration
- You want client portal
Choose Square Appointments if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want booking software
- You want square integration
In-Depth Analysis
Acuity Scheduling
Appointment scheduling by Squarespace
Acuity's pricing is fair, offering a good range of features across its tiers.
Strengths
- Pro: Payment integration
- Pro: Client portal
- Pro: Customizable
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier
- Con: Complex setup
Key features
Square Appointments
Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.
Square Appointments offers a generous Free tier for single-location businesses, making it highly accessible.
Strengths
- Pro: Booking software
- Pro: Square integration
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Square ecosystem
- Con: Per-staff pricing
- Con: Better alternatives exist
- Con: Feature gaps
- Con: Support varies
Key features
Pricing: Acuity Scheduling vs Square Appointments
| Plan | Acuity Scheduling | Square Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $16 Emerging | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $27 Growing | $29/month/location monthly Plus |
| Tier 3 | $49 Powerhouse | $69/month/location monthly Premium |
| Tier 4 | Free Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Acuity Scheduling pricing and Square Appointments pricing.
Key Takeaways
Acuity Scheduling
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.5/5
- Larger review base (6,173 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Square Appointments
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Acuity Scheduling wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Meeting Scheduling pick. Google Calendar is our free Meeting Scheduling pick. Square Appointments has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acuity Scheduling or Square Appointments better in 2026?
Acuity Scheduling wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Meeting Scheduling pick. Google Calendar is our free Meeting Scheduling pick. Pick Acuity Scheduling for meeting scheduling workflows (main strength: payment integration). Pick Square Appointments for meeting scheduling workflows (main strength: booking software).
What are Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments used for?
Acuity Scheduling: Appointment scheduling by Squarespace. Square Appointments: Manage appointments, staff, and services with free online booking and scheduling software.
What does Acuity Scheduling cost vs Square Appointments?
Acuity Scheduling's paid plans start at $16/mo (Emerging). Square Appointments's paid plans start at Free (Plus).
What's the main difference between Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments?
Acuity Scheduling's main strength: payment integration. Square Appointments's main strength: booking software.