Acuity Scheduling vs Square Appointments: Which is Better in 2026?

A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose between Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments.

A
Acuity Scheduling

Starting at $16/mo

8.5

Customizable appointment scheduling software by Squarespace for service-based businesses.

Pros

  • + Highly customizable forms
  • + HIPAA-compliant option
  • + Strong payment features
  • + Great for service businesses

Cons

  • - No free tier
  • - Interface feels dated
  • - Limited marketing tools
S
Square Appointments

Starting at $0/mo

8.3

Free appointment scheduling software with built-in payment processing by Square.

Pros

  • + Free for solo users
  • + Seamless Square payments
  • + Easy setup
  • + Great mobile app

Cons

  • - Tied to Square ecosystem
  • - Limited customization
  • - Basic reporting on free tier

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAcuity SchedulingSquare Appointments
Customization
9/10
6/10
Payment Processing
7/10
10/10
Intake Forms
10/10
4/10
HIPAA Compliance
9/10
0/10
Free Tier
0/10
9/10
POS Integration
3/10
10/10
Ease of Use
7/10
8/10
Client Management
8/10
9/10

Pricing Comparison

Acuity Scheduling Pricing

Emerging$16/mo
Growing$27/mo
Powerhouse$49/mo

Square Appointments Pricing

Free$0/mo
Plus$29/mo
Premium$69/mo

Our Verdict

Acuity Scheduling offers deeper customization with intake forms, HIPAA compliance, and subscription scheduling, while Square Appointments wins on integrated payment processing and a free tier for solopreneurs. Choose Acuity for health and wellness businesses needing intake forms and compliance; choose Square Appointments for retail and beauty businesses that want scheduling tied to their POS system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Acuity Scheduling or Square Appointments better?
Acuity Scheduling offers deeper customization with intake forms, HIPAA compliance, and subscription scheduling, while Square Appointments wins on integrated payment processing and a free tier for solopreneurs. Choose Acuity for health and wellness businesses needing intake forms and compliance; choose Square Appointments for retail and beauty businesses that want scheduling tied to their POS system.
Which is cheaper, Acuity Scheduling or Square Appointments?
Acuity Scheduling starts at $16/mo while Square Appointments starts at $0/mo. However, pricing depends on your team size and required features, so compare the tiers carefully.
Can I migrate from Acuity Scheduling to Square Appointments?
Yes, both tools support data import/export. Most users can migrate their data in a few hours. Some tools also offer migration assistance for larger accounts.
Which has better customer support?
Both Acuity Scheduling and Square Appointments offer email and chat support. Higher-tier plans from both vendors include priority or phone support. Check the specific plan details for your needs.