Calendly vs Acuity Scheduling for small businesses (2026)
Last updated October 18, 2026 · Prices and features change, so check the linked sources before you buy.
| Calendly | Acuity Scheduling | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | Free plan: one event type, one calendar connection [1] | No free plan; 7-day trial, no card [3] |
| Entry price | Standard $10/seat/mo billed yearly ($12 monthly) [2] | Starter $16/mo yearly ($20 monthly), 1 calendar [3] |
| Next tier | Teams $16/seat/mo yearly ($20 monthly) adds round-robin and routing [2] | Standard $27/mo ($34): up to 6 calendars, text reminders, packages, memberships, gift certificates [3] |
| How you pay | Per seat (each host). Invitees never need a seat [1] | Per account, by number of calendars (1, 6 or 36) [3] |
| Payments | Stripe and PayPal from Standard [1] | Stripe, Square, PayPal and Venmo on all plans [3] |
| Reminders | Automated reminders and follow-ups from Standard [2] | Email on all plans; SMS from Standard [3] |
| AI | Optional Notetaker and Callie (an email scheduling assistant) add-on for Standard and Teams [1] | Lists an AI Booking Assistant in its plan comparison [3] |
| Health data | No BAA listed on the pricing page | Premium $55/mo ($69 monthly) lets you sign a BAA for HIPAA [3] |
Choose Calendly if…
- You mostly book calls and meetings: sales calls, consultations, showings, interviews.
- You’re solo and one meeting type is enough. The free plan is genuinely usable.
- You need round-robin across a sales team (Teams plan).
Choose Acuity if…
- Clients book services: a massage, a lesson, a session. You need intake forms, packages or gift certificates.
- Several staff take bookings but only a few people manage the account. Six calendars on Standard ($27) usually costs less than six Calendly seats ($60).
- You’re a health or wellness practice that needs a BAA (Premium only).
Adoptly earns no commission from any tool on this page (as of October 18, 2026). Prices are US list prices from each vendor’s site on the date above unless we label them otherwise.
FAQ
Is Calendly or Acuity cheaper?
For one person, Calendly is cheaper: it has a free plan, and Standard is $10 a month billed yearly. Acuity starts at $16 a month. For a team, Acuity can be cheaper because it charges by calendar: Standard is $27 a month for up to 6 calendars, while 6 Calendly Standard seats cost $60 a month billed yearly.
Does Calendly have a free plan?
Yes. Calendly Free includes one event type and one calendar connection, with unlimited one-on-one meetings.
Is Acuity Scheduling HIPAA compliant?
Acuity lets Premium plan customers ($55 a month billed yearly) sign a Business Associate Agreement for HIPAA. Lower plans don’t include it.
Can clients pay when they book?
Yes, on both. Calendly connects Stripe and PayPal from the Standard plan. Acuity supports Stripe, Square, PayPal and Venmo on all plans.
Sources
- Calendly pricing (checked Oct 18, 2026)
- Calendly Help: Choose the right Calendly plan for your team (updated Sep 1, 2026)
- Acuity Scheduling pricing (checked Oct 18, 2026)