Three of the best scheduling software tools to look at are Simplybook, Square Appointments and Hubspot. We reviewed five of the top scheduling software tools, taking into account their support, features, ease of use, and simplicity to use.
Best OVERALL 🥇
Easiest to use, good integrations, and highly customizable.
Best Value 💰
Easy to use, good automations, and great value for money.
Best for Professionals ✅
User friendly, great integrations, and good customer support.
Scheduling software dates back to the early days of computing, when companies first started using basic software programs to manage their schedules.
Today, our diaries are far more hectic, and scheduling software has evolved to become more sophisticated, incorporating features such as resource allocation, real-time updates, and mobile compatibility.
Scheduling software is now a critical tool for organizations (and individuals) looking to plan better, be more efficient and ultimately improve their output.
Here’s our run through of the best tools – and why we picked them out.
What Is The Best Scheduling Software?
Just to recap, our top three options are:
In this review, we’ll give you a breakdown of each product.
- Including an overview of the platform
- Pros and cons – as noted by user reviews.
- Support and pricing.
Let’s get started.
1. Simplybook
What Is Simplybook?
Simplybook is a cloud-based scheduling and appointment booking tool that helps businesses automate their scheduling processes.
It offers a range of features including online booking, automated reminders, online payments, and recurring appointments.
Simplybook also provides analytics and reporting tools that help businesses track their performance and identify areas for improvement.
So, what Are The Pros and Cons of Simplybook?
Let’s start with an overview of the product itself.
- Simplybook provides a customizable booking page that can be embedded on websites or social media.
- It offers automated reminder notifications for both staff and customers via email and SMS.
- It makes it simple to integrate custom features on the booking page, including coupons, gift cards, memberships and google reviews.
- Simplybook integrates with a range of popular platforms such as Facebook, Instsgram and WordPress. It also has an API.
- The data analytics allow users to monitor and improve the performance of their business.
- It comes with a separate mobile app for clients and admins.
- Users love how easy it is to set up and use the tool.
- They also appreciate the high levels of customization that is offered by Simplybook.
- However, some users have complained that it is expensive.
What About It’s Customer Support?
Simplybook has a large knowledge base which offers comprehensive tutorials and videos that cover every aspect of the tool. They also offer customer support through email and a chat bot. Users are generally positive about the customer support offered by Simplybook.
Is Simplybook Free?
Yes, there is a free plan with limited features.
How Much Does Simplybook Cost?
Simplybook offers four paid plans starting from $8 per month and rising to $82.50 per month. There is also a 14 day free trial available.
So, What Do Other Customer Reviews Say?
- “SimplyBook.me has been a game-changer for my business. The software is very easy to use and the customization options are great.”
- “SimplyBook.me has made scheduling appointments a breeze. The software is very flexible and customizable, and the ability to manage appointments across multiple locations has been a huge plus for my business.”
- “SimplyBook.me is the best scheduling software I’ve used. It’s very intuitive and user-friendly, and the mobile app makes it easy to manage appointments on the go.”
- “The only downside to SimplyBook.me is the cost. While the fees are reasonable compared to other similar platforms, it still can add up over time..”
Finally, Is Simplybook Worth It?
Simplybook
Scheduling Software
A highly customizable cloud-based scheduling tool with an easy to use interface and good integrations.
2. Square
What Is Square?
Square Appointments is a cloud-based appointment scheduling software designed for businesses of all sizes, from solo entrepreneurs to large enterprises.
It provides a customizable booking page that businesses can use to accept appointments from customers online or through mobile devices.
Square Appointments is suitable for a variety of industries, including beauty and wellness, healthcare, and professional services.
So, what Are The Pros and Cons of Square?
- Square is simple but effective tool that makes it simple to create booking websites or pages suitable for a range of different businesses.
- It is capable of managing scheduling across multiple locations, including recurring appointments.
- It features automated reminders for staff and customers via email and SMS.
- Square offers a wide range of integrations with popular tools such as Wix, Instagram and Quickbooks.
- It comes with a convenient mobile app that works on both Android and iOS.
- Users think that it offers good value for money.
- They also love the simple, easy to use interface and the automations.
- However, some users have complained that there is a steep learning curve.
What About It’s Customer Support?
Square has a large knowledge base with numerous helpful articles and a community forum. They also offer support through either chat or phone although there are limited office hours.
Is Square Free?
Yes, there is a limited feature free version.
How Much Does Square Cost?
There are two paid plans which cost $29 per location per month or $69 per location per month. Square also offers bespoke pricing plans for larger customers.
So, What Do Other Customer Reviews Say?
- “Square Appointments has been a game-changer for my business. The software is very user-friendly and the booking page is very customizable. The ability to accept payments online has also made the payment process very easy for my clients.”
- “Square Appointments has been a great tool for my business. The software is very affordable and the mobile app makes it easy to manage my appointments on the go.”
- “The software is very easy to use and the customization options have allowed me to tailor the booking page to my specific needs. I highly recommend Square Appointments to anyone looking for an affordable and reliable scheduling software.”
- “Square was not very easy to navigate at first. It was a struggle figuring out how to set everything up.”
Finally, Is Square Worth It?
Square Appointments
Scheduling Software
A simple, easy to use scheduling tool which is robust, offers good automations and comes at an affordable price. However, there is a learning curve with the tool.
3. Hubspot
What Is Hubspot?
Everybody has heard of Hubspot. It offers a cloud-based scheduling software that allows businesses to easily schedule meetings and appointments with their clients and colleagues.
It provides a customizable booking page that can be easily integrated with HubSpot’s CRM and other popular calendar platforms. The scheduling bit is available as a part of HubSpot’s suite of marketing, sales, and customer service software.
So, what Are The Pros and Cons of Hubspot?
- Hubspot offers one of the most popular and well known CRM platforms that includes a scheduling tool.
- The scheduling tool makes it simple to organize meetings across different teams and organizations.
- It integrates with popular tools such as Gmail and Outlook, offering easy calendar synchronisation.
- It automatically sends reminder emails to all attendees to reduce the number of no-shows.
- All meeting details are also included in the CRM , making it easy to prepare for every call.
- Users love how easy it is to use the tool.
- Users also love the integrations with Hubspot CRM and Google calendars.
- However, some users complain that it has limited features compared to other tools.
What About It’s Customer Support?
Hubspot offers a knowledge base and a user forum for all of its plans. For the paid plans, they also offer customer support through phone, email and chat bit. Several user reviews mention that Hubspot has great customer support.
Is Hubspot Free?
There is a free version, yes.
How Much Does Hubspot Cost?
In its CRM suite, the most expensive plan is listed at around $5,000 per month.
So, What Do Other Customer Reviews Say?
- “HubSpot CRM’s scheduling features are amazing! It’s effortless to schedule appointments, and the automatic reminders are fantastic.”
- “HubSpot CRM’s scheduling feature is straightforward to use, and the customization options are excellent. I appreciate that it integrates with my Google Calendar and sends automatic reminders to attendees.”
- “HubSpot CRM’s scheduling features have made my life so much easier! It’s convenient to have everything in one place, and I love the email reminders and calendar sync.”
- “HubSpot CRM’s scheduling feature works well for basic appointment scheduling, but it lacks some of the more advanced features offered by standalone scheduling software.”
Finally, Is Hubspot Worth It?
Hubspot
Scheduling Software
A simple scheduling tool that is really easy to use and integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Google. However, it is limited compared to competitors.
Those are our top three, what are the best of the rest?
4. Zoho Booking
What is Zoho Booking?
Zoho Booking is a powerful scheduling software tool that streamlines appointment management with customizable booking pages, automated reminders, integrations, and insightful analytics.
Who is Zoho Booking for?
Ideal for businesses of all sizes, Zoho Booking streamlines appointment scheduling and customer management across industries.
Main Features and Functionality of Zoho Booking
Zoho Booking offers impressive features like customizable booking pages, automated reminders, and insightful analytics.
What are Zoho Booking’s Pros and Cons?
Pros:
- Flexibility: Zoho Booking review praises the software’s adaptability across industries.
- Customization: Tailor your booking pages to match your brand.
- Automation: Send reminders and reduce no-shows.
- Time zone support: Schedule appointments globally without hassle.
- Integrations: Connect with popular tools like Zoho CRM and Google Calendar.
- Mobile app: Manage appointments on-the-go.
- Detailed analytics: Use data to optimize your business.
Cons:
- Learning curve: Some users find Zoho Booking review mention a slight learning curve.
- Limited customization: Advanced customization might require technical expertise.
- Pricing: Premium features may come at a higher cost.
What is Zoho Booking’s Customer Support Like?
Users reviews highlight the excellent customer support, available through email, chat, and phone.
Zoho Booking Pricing
Helpfully, Zoho offers two paid plans costing $6 per user per month or $9 per user per month.
They also offer a free version for small organizations but this is limited to 1 user.
5. Calendly
What is Calendly?
Calendly is a scheduling software designed for professionals and businesses that simplifies appointment booking with automated scheduling, customizable availability, time zone support, and seamless integrations with popular tools.
Who is Calendly for?
Ideal for professionals and businesses of all sizes, Calendly streamlines appointment booking and client management across various industries.
Main Features and Functionality of Calendly
Calendly boasts an array of fantastic features like automated scheduling, customizable availability, and insightful analytics.
What are Calendly’s Pros and Cons?
Pros:
- Ease of use: Calendly review praises its user-friendly interface.
- Time-saving: Automate scheduling, say goodbye to back-and-forth emails.
- Customization: Personalize your booking page to match your brand.
- Time zone support: Schedule appointments globally without a hitch.
- Integrations: Seamlessly connect with popular tools like Google Calendar and Zoom.
- Buffer times: Add extra time between appointments to avoid overbooking.
- Event types: Offer different appointment options to fit various needs.
Cons:
- Limited free version: Calendly review mentions restrictions on the free plan.
- Customization: Advanced customization may require premium plans.
- Occasional glitches: Minor technical issues have been reported.
What is Calendly’s Customer Support Like?
The customer support can be contacted through email and help center articles. Users give generally positive reviews of the customer support.
Calendly Pricing
As well as a free plan, Calendly offers paid pricing plans ranging from $8 per user per month to $16 per month.
The free version is for small teams and a custom plan is for larger teams.
What is scheduling software?
Scheduling software – put simply – is designed to facilitate the efficient management of appointments, meetings, and events for professionals and businesses.
Basically it’s designed to help people, like you and I, become more organized, which in the digital age is absolutely crucial!
By automating the booking process, these tools help reduce time-consuming administrative tasks and enhance overall productivity.
Scheduling software tools often offer features such as customizable booking pages, automated reminders, time zone support, and integrations with popular calendar and communication tools.
This technology caters to various industries, including healthcare, education, and service providers.
Overall, scheduling software is essential tool for organizations (and often individuals) aiming to optimize their scheduling processes and improve their customer experience.
Why do you need scheduling software?
Scheduling software streamlines the appointment booking process, saves time, reduces human error, and enhances the customer experience by automating administrative tasks like sending reminders and managing cancellations.
This allows users to focus on core business activities while providing a user-friendly interface for customers to book appointments or meetings, eliminating back-and-forth communication.
Scheduling software also improves overall organization and increases customer satisfaction by integrating with popular calendar and communication tools, enabling seamless coordination across teams and organizations.
How does scheduling software work?
First, users set up their availability, preferences, and any specific rules they want the system to follow.
The software then creates a personalized booking page or integrates with existing websites, allowing clients or colleagues to book appointments based on the user’s predefined availability.
Once a booking is made, the software sends out automated confirmations, reminders, and notifications to both parties, minimizing the risk of no-shows or missed appointments.
Scheduling software also syncs with popular calendar tools, ensuring all appointments are visible and up-to-date across various devices.
As changes occur, the software automatically adjusts schedules and notifies relevant parties.
Users can also manage cancellations, rescheduling, and waiting lists with ease.
Advanced scheduling software may offer additional features like team scheduling, reporting, and analytics to optimize appointment management further.
What is the Best Free Scheduling Software?
There are several free scheduling software options available, each with its unique features and benefits.
The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements.
Some popular free scheduling software options include:
- Calendly: Offers a free basic plan with limited features, including event scheduling, calendar integrations, and personalized booking pages.
- Doodle: Provides a free version that allows users to create polls for meeting scheduling, making it easy for participants to select their preferred time slots.
- Setmore: Features a free plan that includes appointment booking, automated email reminders, and integrations with popular platforms like Zoom and Google Calendar.
- SimplyBook.me: Offers a free version with basic scheduling features, including custom booking pages, notifications, and integrations with social media and messaging apps.
- Square Appointments: Provides a free plan for individual users, including appointment scheduling, reminders, and payment processing.
Remember that free plans typically have limited features and might not be suitable for larger businesses or those with complex scheduling needs.
It’s essential to evaluate each software’s offerings and limitations to determine the best fit for your organization.
Final summary: Which is the best Scheduling Software to Use?
The top three to look at are Simplybook, Square Appointments and Hubspot.
However, there were some very worthy runners up, including Zoho Booking and Calendly.
If we were pressed for a number one option to go with it’s Simplybook. A wide range of customizations, very user friendly – and it has a variety of integrations.
We hope you found this article useful – let us know which software you think is the best, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on social @thesoftwarepig.