Article Note: This article “9 Best Appointment Booking / Scheduling Software in the Market” was first published on February 19, 2020. We last updated this article with fresh information on January 21, 2023.
Running a business is a tough job. One needs to make productive strategies to make an impression in the competitive market. And, the competition is surely accelerating more in the near future. With the advent of technology, every business is trying hard to stay ahead of its competitors. The astonishing part is that no sector has remained untouched. Therefore, to go with the flow, it becomes essential to make plans to schedule everything orderly.
The main thing that businesses majorly find tough to handle is managing appointments. Before, the appointments were handled on the phone and recorded in any of the appointment books. Then, it improved with an electronic calendar from Microsoft Outlook and Google. But all these methods require more manpower and also are more time-consuming. This results in an increase in operational costs.
The need for appointment booking and scheduling software
Booking or scheduling appointments is a critical part of businesses of any size.
Scheduling appointments is not an easy task it seems to be. When there is a considerable amount of appointments in a day, then handling becomes a time-consuming and tedious task. In addition, when you are not able to manage the appointments appropriately, then there are more chances that it can result in some flaws. It will lead to customer dissatisfaction, which is not a good sign for your business’s health.
If it is about service-based businesses then there is a need to streamline the scheduling process for the constant flow of the business.
Everyone is aware of the management software that has made a striking impression for managing everything effortlessly. The software keeps the tendency of acknowledging the issues effectively because of the outdated scheduling methods. It gives the flexibility to customers to book appointments online on their own even after business hours. People are smarter now; they prefer to use the approach that eliminates the frustration caused because of the delay in response to emails and busy phone lines.
Hence, it is concluded that the market for appointment scheduling market is increasing which raises the requirement for appointment-based businesses to stay ambitious and reach their profit goals. Thus, the appointment scheduling software market is growing and has become a necessity for appointment-based businesses wanting to stay competitive and achieve their sales goals.
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What are appointment booking and scheduling software?
Appointment Scheduling Software is best for streamlining, automating, and boosting the complete booking process. The different sectors such as Salons, Consulting, health centers, educational institutes, law, consulting firms, etc. depend mainly on appointments for customer satisfaction. It is used as a convenience for the customer and the staff as well.
The fundamental role of appointment booking software is to control the scheduling tasks. Businesses can use this software for updating tasks, lining up meetings, and boosting productivity. The best features that make it more desirable are that it entertains online booking, analytics and reporting, multiple booking, POS, and most importantly, it can be used for every business size.
Leading appointment booking and scheduling software
There is a plethora of software in the market, and it becomes tough to decide which one to use for the business. Don’t worry! We are here to give you the best appointment booking software for your convenience. So, let’s get started without any further delay!!
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1. HubSpot
HubSpot is a cloud-based CRM software. It aids businesses of all sizes to track, nourish and examine significant business measures. It is best for any B2C and B2B businesses in several elements. Retail, construction, real estate, accounting, etc. are some of them.
It gives many solutions for attracting visitors, converting them into customers, securing more deals, and eventually entertaining more customers. HubSpot has many content creations and blogging tools practicing, with which you can generate the content of the customer’s choice. It makes them choose your content without any reason.
It has SalesHub, Marketing Hub, powerful CRM, and a service hub that is offered to the companies required to grow swiftly.
HubSpot features overview:
- HubSpot Marketing Synchronization.
- Customize views.
- Deal and Task Board.
- Email Integration.
- Drag and Drop Communicator.
- Phone Integration.
- Enrichment.
- Social Media.
- Company Database.
- Website Integration.
- Email Connections.
- Website Visitors.
- CRM Details.
- Templates, Tracking, and Scheduling.
- Sidekick Integration.
2. AppointEze
As the leading Appointment Scheduling Software, AppointEze handles different enterprises and agencies. It offers end-to-end solutions for web apps. It is an all-inclusive lead and appointment management software for all business sizes (small, medium, and large). You can take the follow-up and manage the leads among several stages. All you have to show your availability and the services you want to give, AppointEze will do the rest for you. From payments to appointments, it has covered you appropriately. Give it a try, it’s worth the time and effort.
AppointEze features overview:
- Online Payment.
- Online Booking.
- Appointment Scheduling.
- Mobile Access.
- Online payments.
- Appointment Reminders.
- Recurring Appointments.
- Calendar Sync.
- Website integration.
- Track Leads.
- Multi-Location.
3. Salonist
Salonist is a cloud-based Salon software available for you to manage every aspect of your Salon. It lets you automate the Salon and Spa center tasks effectively. The businesses can handle employee information such as employee schedules, attendance, employee training, etc.
This Salon management software caters to customers with reminders and alerts for membership renewals, pending payments, anniversaries, and birthday wishes.
The customers can create the bills, make the payments, and offers information related to Salon offers, discounts, packages, etc. This is available economically with per-month and per-year pricing options. The customer can ask a query anytime; customer support is available 24X7.
Salonist features overview:
- Appointment management.
- Point of Sale.
- Analytics and Reporting.
- Customer management.
- Employee management.
- Prepaid and Credit.
- Inventory management.
- Reward and loyalty programs.
- Customized mobile app.
- Item/product management.
- User/Role management.
- Location/Branch management.
4. Acuity Scheduling
For managing the appointment adequately, Acuity Scheduling software is considered the best appointment scheduling software. It offers the requirements to small and mid-size businesses and even for those who are working individually. Known as a user-friendly and easy-to-use software, it assures the booking with real-time availability.
Handling software from multiple locations is also possible. It permits customers to book appointments easily anytime and from anywhere. This is powerful scheduling software that provides a free version to everyone. Additionally, it has premium plans with advanced features that customers can buy according to their budget. However, those who find acuity plans non-economical can get access to the free plans.
Acuity features overview:
- Appointment Reminders.
- Automated Scheduling.
- Calendar Sync.
- customer Database.
- Group Scheduling.
- Mobile Access.
- Multi-Location.
- Online Booking.
- Online Payments.
- Recurring Appointments.
- Room Booking Management.
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5. 10to8
As an all-in-one appointment and booking scheduling software, 10to8 is trusted by more than thousands of businesses all over. We know that handling several customers in a busy schedule is a complicated job, but if 10to8 scheduling software is there, then there is no need to fret. It eradicates phone calls and secures control of every booking of yours.
The smart email and SMS options inform you about upcoming appointments that can intelligently enhance customer experience and communication. Undoubtedly, it can reduce no-shows by 90%. 10to8 has two-way calendar sync with the famous calendar app to abolish the business of double booking. Additionally, it has multi-language support to customize the dashboard as per your requirements.
10to8 features overview:
- Case Management.
- Asset Management.
- Expense Management.
- Examination Management.
- Employee Self-Service Management.
- Fee Management.
- Hostel Management.
- Document Management.
- Attendance management.
- Email Marketing / SMS Marketing.
- HR & Payroll.
- Payroll Management.
- Expense Tracking.
- Home Delivery & Due bill.
- Inventory Management.
6. Calendly
You can streamline or automate every single business operation of yours with cloud-based appointment-based software. It attains an error-free manual use of phone tags and emails. Calendly has a free app that amalgamates Outlook, office 365, and Google calendar.
Apart from maintaining the corporate schedule, this app is considered a customer-facing tool to enhance profits and for improving the customer experience. It links the calendar to Calendly and describes the meeting duration and permits you to share that link with those who are visiting. The best part is that it does not show that information to the students, customers, or colleagues.
Calendly features overview:
- Appointment Scheduling.
- Alerts/Notifications.
- Group Scheduling.
- Real-time Scheduling.
- API + webhooks.
- Calendar integrations.
- Automated Scheduling.
- Resource Scheduling.
- Time zone detection.
7. SuperSaaS
SuperSaaS is adaptable, inexpensive scheduling software for managing the schedule as per your requirement. This solution does not let you waste your productive time mailing and making calls. It is a one-stop software for your scheduling needs that presents you with exceptional customizability and flexibility.
If you have SuperSaaS, then you can customize the layout according to your preferences and requirements. It also authorizes you to white-label the interface to eradicate the reference of the SuperSaaS.
Besides, this software gives you outstanding marketing and sales tools. Practicing this, you can bring new customers to your door and allow them to review. This manner is very helpful for future improvements.
SuperSaaS features overview:
- Layout and color customization.
- Customer management.
- Create your own pricing rules based on certain conditions.
- Share your schedule for easy bookings.
- Automatic SMS/email notifications.
- Calendar Management & Embedding Option (Unlimited Schedules).
- Automatic 2-Way Calendar sync with Google.
- Accept electronic payments.
- Multiple User Accounts.
- Supports 31 languages, 200 currencies, and all-time zones.
- Reporting options.
- Automate customer Booking.
- Customizable Questionnaire for your users.
- Reporting & statistics for your schedule.
- Real-Time Availability.
- Control the capacity for each class/session.
- Track & analyze all customer activity on your schedule.
8. Fresha
This appointment booking software is instinctive for your spa and salon. Fresha (formerly Shedul) is an integration of powerful features that aid in payment scheduling management, POS, online appointment booking, and many more.
It has robust booking software that is flexible and easy to implement which fits perfectly with your business needs. Fresha has activity dashboards that permit users to track their daily activities, like, notifications, actions, and booking dates.
Massage centers, Hair salons, gyms, health clinics, beauty spas and salons, personal trainers, and more are some of the businesses that experience its powerful features.
Fresha features overview:
- Membership Management.
- Appointment Management.
- Room Management.
- Employee Management.
- Salon Management.
- Waiting List.
- Online Booking.
- customer Management.
- Gift Card Management.
9. Trafft
Your in-person and online customer appointments can be automated by Trafft. Additionally, Trafft can manage your staff calendars, notify clients and employees, and take payments.
Trafft is the perfect booking system for any company that depends significantly on client and customer bookings, including fitness facilities, consulting firms, and beauty salons, to mention a few.
On a single platform and dashboard, appointments may be scheduled and managed for one or more locations. Trafft connects with MailChimp, SendFox, Zoom, Google Meet, and Google Calendar.
Trafft features overview:
- Automated appointment booking and payment processing.
- Appointment reminders for all participants.
- User-friendly and intuitive online management software.
- Highly secured data that works in compliance with GDPR.
- Flexible and customizable to fit your brand.
- Responsive / Mobile-friendly design.
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Wrapping up
From the study, it is revealed that the global market for service-based businesses will boost by 10% in the coming two years. Obviously, it necessitates more attention to managing the appointments, and for that, you require scheduling software.
In addition to that, choosing an ideal software is an intricate job. This demands you need to check your business needs. Hence, full utilization and adoption of the best online appointment scheduling software will reduce your schedule errors and will give a boost to your business.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose the one for you!!
Hopefully, you enjoyed this article. If there is any other online software that we have not mentioned please let us know in the below comment box. Share your queries and suggestions!! Thank you for reading!! All the best!!
We have written this article in association with Yi Ling Chen. She is associated with AppointEze, an appointment booking software for all types of industries. She assists business owners on how to grow their businesses through fully featured software.
Web Developer & SEO Specialist with 15+ years of experience in Open Source Web Development specialized in Joomla & WordPress development. He is also the moderator of this blog "RS Web Solutions".