Calendly vs Acuity Scheduling: Complete Comparison (2026)

Calendly vs Acuity: which one actually manages the work after the call ends?

Both tools eliminate scheduling back-and-forth beautifully. Share a link, clients pick a time, and the calendar invite goes out automatically... but once the meeting happens, the workflow stops. There's no project created, no tasks assigned, no hours tracked, and no invoice generated from that conversation.

Calendly focuses on fast, frictionless booking for virtual meetings. It connects to Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams in seconds, and most people set up their first booking page within 10 minutes. But scheduling is all it does, so you'll need separate tools for proposals, project management, time tracking, and invoicing once the actual work begins.

Acuity Scheduling goes deeper into service-based booking with intake forms, payment collection through Stripe or PayPal, and HIPAA compliance for healthcare. It handles appointments that need deposits or prepayment. But like Calendly, it stops at the booking, so you're still managing deliverables, hours, and client billing in other apps.

Plutio includes built-in scheduling plus everything that typically requires 3-4 additional tools: proposals, contracts, project boards, task-level time tracking, and automated invoicing. If you need booking and business operations in one place... check out Plutio and skip the comparison.

Last updated January 2026

Quick comparison (TLDR)

Calendly handles virtual meeting scheduling with minimal friction. Share a link, clients pick a slot, and calendar invites go out automatically. The free plan covers basic scheduling, and paid plans add team features and integrations. But Calendly focuses exclusively on getting meetings booked, so proposals, project work, and invoicing happen in separate tools.

Acuity Scheduling handles appointment booking for service businesses that need intake forms and payment collection. Clients can prepay or leave deposits when they book. It integrates with Squarespace and offers HIPAA compliance for healthcare providers. But setup takes longer than Calendly, there's no free plan, and like Calendly, it stops at the booking stage.

Key differences at a glance

Getting started: Calendly has a free plan and 10-minute setup. Acuity requires a paid subscription ($16-49/month) and more configuration time for intake forms and payment settings.
Meeting focus: Calendly works best for virtual meetings (Zoom, Meet, Teams). Acuity works best for in-person appointments and services that need deposits or prepayment.
Payment handling: Calendly has basic Stripe/PayPal integration for collecting payments. Acuity has deeper payment features including packages, memberships, and gift certificates.
Customization: Calendly offers simple branding options. Acuity allows custom CSS and intake forms, though branding removal requires the highest tier ($49/month).
After the booking: Neither tool tracks project work, logs billable hours, or generates invoices. Both require external tools for everything that happens after the meeting.
Team features: Calendly Teams ($16/user/month) includes round-robin and pooled availability. Acuity charges per calendar, so teams pay more as headcount grows.

The verdict? Choose Calendly if you need fast, free virtual meeting scheduling without complexity. Choose Acuity if you run a service business that needs intake forms, deposits, or HIPAA compliance. If you need scheduling plus project management, time tracking, and invoicing in one app, Plutio covers the full workflow for $19/month.

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Scheduling, proposals, contracts, project boards, time tracking, and invoicing. All in one platform for $19/month.

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Getting started and ease of use

A client needs to book time with you. How quickly can you get a booking link in their hands? Some tools are ready in minutes, others require hours of configuration.

Calendly

Ready in under 10 minutes with a simple interface. Calendly's setup is fast: connect your calendar, set your availability, and share your booking link. Most features are discoverable without reading documentation. The free plan includes one event type and basic scheduling, which covers simple use cases. Team scheduling on paid plans adds round-robin distribution and pooled availability for shared calendars.

10-minute setup for basic scheduling
Clean, minimal interface
Free plan for individuals
Mobile app for on-the-go booking
Limited customization options
Advanced features locked to paid plans

Acuity

More setup time for deeper appointment features. Acuity Scheduling requires more upfront configuration. Setting up intake forms, payment collection, and availability rules takes hours rather than minutes. The interface has more options, which means more decisions during setup. Service businesses appreciate the depth, but solo consultants looking for quick scheduling often find it heavier than needed.

Detailed intake form builder
Adjustable availability rules
Multiple appointment types
No free plan (starts at $16/month)
Steeper learning curve
Interface feels dated compared to Calendly

Scheduling and booking features

A potential client wants to book a discovery call. What happens between clicking your link and the meeting landing on your calendar?

Calendly

Optimized for virtual meetings with video conferencing integrations. Calendly automatically generates Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams links when bookings come in. Clients see your availability, pick a slot, and get a calendar invite with the meeting link attached. Buffer times between meetings prevent back-to-back exhaustion. Automated reminders reduce no-shows. The experience is smooth for quick calls and demos.

Auto-generates video meeting links
Buffer times between appointments
Automated email reminders
Timezone detection for global clients
Limited intake form options
Basic payment collection only

Acuity

Built for service appointments that need more information upfront. Acuity's booking flow collects client information before the appointment through custom intake forms. Massage therapists can ask about medical conditions, consultants can gather project details, and therapists can have clients complete assessments. The forms feed into the appointment record, so you arrive prepared instead of spending meeting time on discovery.

Custom intake forms with conditional logic
Pre-appointment questionnaires
Recurring appointment scheduling
Package and membership booking
Video conferencing requires third-party setup
More complex booking flow

Payment collection

The booking is confirmed. Do you need a deposit, full prepayment, or do you invoice after the work is done? How does money actually flow?

Calendly

Basic payment collection for simple use cases. Calendly integrates with Stripe and PayPal to collect payments when clients book. Fixed prices work well, but there's no support for deposits, payment plans, or subscription billing. If you need to invoice after a meeting instead of collecting upfront, you're using a separate invoicing tool. Payment tracking stays in Stripe or PayPal, not inside Calendly.

Stripe and PayPal integration
Fixed-price collection at booking
Automatic payment confirmation
No deposits or partial payments
No post-meeting invoicing
No recurring subscription billing

Acuity

Deeper payment features for service businesses. Acuity handles deposits, packages, memberships, and gift certificates. A photographer can require a 50% deposit at booking with the balance due on the shoot day. A yoga studio can sell 10-class packs. A spa can sell gift certificates for friends to book services. Payment flexibility is one of Acuity's strongest areas, though post-meeting invoicing still requires external tools.

Deposits and partial payments
Package and membership sales
Gift certificate creation
Coupons and discount codes
No post-appointment invoicing
No automatic recurring billing for retainers

Project management after the meeting

The discovery call ended. Now there's a 6-week project to deliver. Where does that work get tracked?

Calendly

No project management at all. Calendly's job ends when the meeting gets booked. There are no task lists, no project boards, no deliverable tracking. When the call finishes and work needs to happen, everything moves to a separate tool like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com. Meeting notes, action items, and deadlines live somewhere else. (For comparison, platforms like Plutio include Kanban boards where projects automatically spawn from signed proposals.)

No task management
No project boards
No deliverable tracking
No client-visible project status

Acuity

Same limitation: booking only, no project management. Acuity tracks appointments, not projects. Once the session ends, there's no way to assign tasks, track deliverables, or manage multi-week engagements. Consultants, coaches, and agencies using Acuity still need Monday.com, ClickUp, or Notion running alongside to handle the actual work. The appointment record shows what was booked, but says nothing about what got delivered.

No task management
No Kanban or timeline views
No subtasks or dependencies
No project templates

Time tracking and billing

The work is billable by the hour. How do you capture time and turn it into revenue?

Calendly

No time tracking whatsoever. Calendly schedules meetings but doesn't track time spent on them or the work that follows. If you bill hourly for consulting, coaching, or creative work, you need Toggl, Clockify, or Harvest running separately. Then you manually transfer those hours into FreshBooks or Wave to create invoices. The meeting duration in Calendly is just calendar information, it doesn't connect to billing.

No time tracking
No billable hour capture
No timesheet reports
No invoice generation from time

Acuity

Same gap: no time tracking or hour-to-invoice connection. Acuity tracks appointment duration but not billable time. A one-hour coaching session can collect payment upfront, but if the session runs over or requires follow-up work, that extra time isn't captured. Consultants billing by the hour still need external time trackers. Platforms like Plutio connect time tracking directly to tasks so logged hours flow automatically into invoices.

No time tracking for billable work
No hour logging beyond appointments
No time-to-invoice automation
No profitability reporting

Client portal and communication

The project is underway. Where does your client go to check status, download deliverables, or send feedback?

Calendly

No client portal, only a booking page. Clients interact with Calendly once: when picking a meeting time. There's no place for them to log in, see project status, access files, or review invoices. Communication happens through email or a separate tool. If clients want to reschedule, they use the link in their confirmation email. There's no unified space for the ongoing relationship.

No client login or portal
No file sharing
No message history
No project visibility for clients

Acuity

Client accounts exist but are limited to bookings. Acuity lets clients create accounts to manage their own appointments, view history, and purchase packages. This is more than Calendly offers. But the portal is appointment-focused, there's no project status, no shared task lists, no document collaboration. Clients can rebook and buy more sessions, but they can't see what's being worked on between sessions.

Client account for appointment history
Package and membership balance tracking
No project status visibility
No file sharing or document portal
No task or deliverable visibility

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Calendly and Acuity handle booking. Plutio handles the entire workflow: booking, project delivery, time tracking, and invoicing on your own domain.

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Calendly vs Acuity pricing breakdown

Scheduling software costs range from free to $50 per month depending on features, but the real expense often hides in the supplementary tools needed for everything scheduling apps don't do.

Calendly Pricing (2026)

Free: $0/month forever. Limited to one event type and one calendar connection. Basic booking works, but no branding removal, no integrations, and no team features.
Standard: $10/month per user (annual) or $12/month (monthly). Unlimited event types, multiple calendar connections, custom branding, and integrations with Zoom, Stripe, and HubSpot.
Teams: $16/month per user (annual) or $20/month (monthly). Adds round-robin scheduling, pooled availability, and team analytics. Required when multiple people share booking responsibilities.
Enterprise: Custom pricing starting around $15,000/year. Includes SSO, SCIM provisioning, and dedicated account management.

Acuity Scheduling Pricing (2026)

Emerging: $16/month (annual) or $20/month (monthly). Unlimited appointments, one calendar, payment processing, and automated reminders. Acuity branding visible on booking pages.
Growing: $27/month (annual) or $32/month (monthly). Adds multiple calendars, SMS reminders, and the ability to remove Acuity branding from booking confirmations (but not completely from pages).
Powerhouse: $49/month (annual) or $61/month (monthly). Full white-labeling, HIPAA compliance, custom CSS, and up to 36 calendars. Required for healthcare providers or brand-conscious businesses.

The real cost: supplementary tools

Neither Calendly nor Acuity handles what happens after scheduling. Most users add:

Project management: Asana, Monday, or ClickUp ($0-20/month)
Time tracking: Toggl or Harvest ($0-12/month per user)
Invoicing: FreshBooks or Wave ($0-25/month)
Proposals and contracts: PandaDoc or HelloSign ($19-35/month)

A typical four-tool stack costs $50-100/month before counting the 2-4 hours weekly spent copying data between apps. Consolidated platforms like Plutio start at $19/month for solo users with scheduling, projects, time tracking, and invoicing included.

The verdict: Calendly's free plan works for basic individual scheduling. Acuity's Emerging plan suits service businesses needing payments and forms. But both require supplementary tools that often cost more than the scheduling software itself.

Which tool is better for your business type?

The choice between Calendly and Acuity depends less on features and more on what you're scheduling: quick virtual meetings or in-person service appointments that need deposits and intake information.

Consultants and coaches (virtual meetings)

Calendly dominates this use case. Discovery calls, coaching sessions, and Zoom meetings book quickly with a shared link. The free plan often covers solo consultants completely. Acuity's additional features (intake forms, deposits) add complexity that virtual-meeting-focused professionals rarely need. However, neither tracks the 2-10 hours of work that happens between calls.

Healthcare and wellness providers

Acuity wins clearly here. HIPAA compliance on the Powerhouse plan ($49/month) is required for therapists, counselors, and medical professionals. Custom intake forms gather medical history before appointments. Telehealth providers still need Zoom or Doxy.me separately, but at least the booking and intake happen in one place.

Salons, spas, and personal services

Acuity's package and membership features work well for recurring service businesses. A massage therapist can sell 10-session packs. A nail salon can offer monthly membership discounts. Gift certificates let clients buy services for others. Calendly lacks these commerce features entirely.

Sales teams and demos

Calendly Teams handles round-robin distribution and lead routing that sales organizations need. When a prospect books a demo, Calendly can assign it to the next available rep or route based on territory. Acuity's team features are calendar-focused rather than lead-focused, making Calendly the stronger choice for sales-driven scheduling.

Agencies and multi-person services

Both tools struggle here. Acuity charges per calendar, so a 10-person agency pays for 10 calendars even if sharing availability. Calendly Teams works better but still lacks project management, so the booked meeting needs to flow into a separate PM tool. Agencies managing client projects and team workloads often need platforms built for multi-person client work.

What both tools are missing

Calendly and Acuity both solve the scheduling problem well, but they're built as single-purpose tools. The gaps become obvious once meetings turn into actual work.

No proposals or contracts

Neither tool handles the documentation that typically precedes scheduled work. A discovery call reveals project scope, but the proposal gets created in PandaDoc or Google Docs. The contract gets signed in HelloSign or DocuSign. Then the project meeting gets scheduled in Calendly or Acuity. Three tools before work even begins. Platforms with built-in proposal and contract automation create projects automatically when documents get signed.

No project management or task tracking

The meeting ends with action items. Those items live in Asana, Trello, or a shared document, not in the scheduling tool. If the client asks "what's the status?" there's no single place to point them. They get forwarded to whichever project tool you're using, assuming they have access. Scheduling tools track appointments, not deliverables.

No time tracking or profitability analysis

Hourly consultants, coaches, and creatives need to capture billable time. Neither Calendly nor Acuity tracks time. The meeting duration is just calendar information, it doesn't connect to billing. A one-hour coaching session might require 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of follow-up, but that 45 minutes never gets captured unless you're running Toggl or Harvest alongside.

No invoicing or automatic billing

Acuity collects payment at booking, but invoicing after work completion requires FreshBooks, Wave, or sending manual invoices. Retainer clients paying monthly can't be automatically charged. Subscriptions require Stripe subscriptions managed outside the booking tool. Time spent on a project can't flow directly into an invoice, that export-import dance happens manually each billing cycle.

No white-labeled client portal

Calendly has no client portal at all. Acuity's client accounts show appointment history but not project work. Neither offers a branded space where clients log in to see everything: scheduled meetings, project progress, files, and invoices. Platforms like Plutio provide white-labeled portals on custom domains where clients see the full picture.

What users do when neither tool is enough

When scheduling covers only the first step of client work, two paths emerge: build a multi-tool stack and accept the overhead, or consolidate into a platform that handles the full lifecycle.

The typical workaround stack

Most professionals using Calendly or Acuity assemble something like this:

Calendly or Acuity for booking ($0-50/month)
PandaDoc or HelloSign for proposals and contracts ($19-35/month)
Asana, Monday, or Trello for project management ($0-20/month)
Toggl or Harvest for time tracking ($0-12/month per user)
FreshBooks or Wave for invoicing ($0-25/month)
Google Drive or Dropbox for file sharing ($0-15/month)

That's five to six subscriptions totaling $50-150 per month, five to six logins, and constant data transfer between each tool.

The hidden cost: workflow friction

The subscription cost is visible. The time cost isn't. When a proposal gets signed in PandaDoc, someone manually creates a project in Asana. When work gets done, hours logged in Toggl get exported and imported into FreshBooks. When the client asks for status, you check three apps before responding. Each handoff takes 5-10 minutes. Across 20 clients per year, that's 30+ hours annually spent on workflow mechanics that software should handle automatically.

The consolidation alternative

All-in-one platforms exist that replace this stack with a single system. Client inquiries become proposals, signed proposals create projects automatically, time tracks at the task level and flows into invoices, and clients access a portal on your domain. The trade-off is learning a new system versus maintaining your existing multi-tool setup.

What consolidation looks like in practice

If you're curious: Plutio is one platform that covers scheduling, proposals, contracts, projects, time tracking, and invoicing. A meeting booked through Plutio's scheduler can become a proposal, then a project, then tracked hours, then an invoice, all in one system. The comparison table below shows exactly where Plutio fills the gaps that Calendly and Acuity leave open.

Final verdict: Calendly vs Acuity

Calendly and Acuity both solve scheduling well, but for different use cases. The deeper question is whether scheduling alone is enough for your workflow.

Choose Calendly if:

Virtual meetings (Zoom, Meet, Teams) are your primary scheduling need, and you want instant video conferencing links generated automatically
Quick setup matters, Calendly works within 10 minutes, while Acuity takes longer to configure
Budget is tight, the free plan covers basic individual scheduling without payment
Sales or demos drive your business, Calendly's round-robin and routing features handle lead distribution
Simple is better, fewer features means fewer decisions during setup

But know that: Calendly does one thing. Everything after the meeting, projects, hours, invoices, lives somewhere else. The tool stack grows quickly.

Choose Acuity if:

In-person services need deposits, prepayment, or package sales before appointments happen
Intake forms matter, you need client information collected before showing up
HIPAA compliance is required for healthcare or therapy practice
Squarespace integration ties scheduling directly into your website builder
Gift certificates or memberships are part of your business model

But know that: No free plan means paying from day one. The interface has more complexity than Calendly. And like Calendly, everything after the booking requires additional tools.

Consider consolidating to a unified platform if:

Scheduling is just the first step in a workflow that includes proposals, projects, hours, and invoices
Manual data transfer between 3-5 apps is eating hours every week
Clients should see a branded portal where they book, check status, and pay invoices
Time tracking needs to connect directly to tasks and flow into billing
The total cost of your tool stack exceeds what a single platform would cost

But know that: Consolidating means migrating data and learning a new system. Most users complete the transition in a focused weekend. The ongoing time savings typically recover that investment within a month.

The bottom line: Calendly wins for fast, free virtual meeting scheduling. Acuity wins for service businesses needing payments and intake forms. Both stop at booking. If your work continues after the calendar invite, the comparison table below shows how consolidated platforms like Plutio stack up against both.

Research & Sources

This comparison is based on hands-on testing, official documentation review, and analysis of user feedback across major review platforms. All data was verified in January 2026.

Research methodology

Each tool was evaluated through active trial accounts, official feature documentation, and analysis of 500+ user reviews across G2, Capterra, and Reddit. The focus was on common pain points that appeared in 3-star and below reviews, where users share honest limitations rather than promotional praise.

Platform ratings (January 2026)

Calendly: 4.7/5 on G2 (2,500+ reviews), praised for ease of use and video conferencing integration, criticized for limited free plan features and lack of advanced customization
Acuity Scheduling: 4.7/5 on G2 (400+ reviews), praised for payment handling and intake forms, criticized for learning curve and post-Squarespace acquisition support quality
Plutio: 4.6/5 on G2 (200+ reviews), praised for all-in-one coverage and white-labeling

Common user complaints (from 1-3 star reviews)

Calendly users frequently mention: "Calendar sync problems," "Confirmation emails not reaching invitees," "Limited customization on free plan," "No way to manage work after meetings"

Acuity users frequently mention: "Takes weeks to set up properly," "Buggy after Squarespace updates," "Support quality declined," "Interface feels dated"

Pricing sources (verified January 2026)

Calendly: Official pricing page
Acuity Scheduling: Official pricing page
Plutio: Official pricing page

Feature verification

Calendly G2 reviews (2,500+ reviews)
Acuity Scheduling G2 reviews (400+ reviews)
Calendly Features
Acuity Features

If you find any inaccuracies or outdated information, please let us know so we can investigate and update.

Calendly vs Acuity vs Plutio: full feature comparison

See how all three tools compare on scheduling, project management, time tracking, and invoicing

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Starting price	$19/month (Solo plan)	$12/month (Standard, $10/month annual)	$20/month (Emerging, $16/month annual)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	Free plan with basic scheduling	No free plan (7-day trial)
Trial period	14-day free trial	Free trial available	7-day free trial
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Projects are not supported	Projects are not supported
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	Projects are not supported	Projects are not supported
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Task boards are not supported	Task boards are not supported
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	Project boards are not supported	Project boards are not supported
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	Project boards are not supported	Project boards are not supported
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	Project stages and milestones are not supported	Project stages and milestones are not supported
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Not supported	Limited to payment collection only
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Projects are not supported	Projects are not supported
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Kanban boards are not supported	Kanban boards are not supported
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	Task tables are not supported	Task tables are not supported
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	Task lists are not supported	Task lists are not supported
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	The calendar shows meetings only, not projects or tasks	The calendar shows appointments only, not projects or tasks
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	Gantt charts are not supported	Gantt charts are not supported
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	Tasks and subtasks are not supported	Tasks and subtasks are not supported
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	Not supported	Not supported
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	Task comments are not supported	Task comments are not supported
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	Tasks are not supported	Tasks are not supported
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Task prioritization is not supported	Task prioritization is not supported
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	Task labeling is not supported	Color labels apply to appointments, not tasks
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Multiple assignees are not supported	Multiple assignees are not supported
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	Task templates are not supported	Task templates are not supported
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	Task-level permissions are not supported	Task-level permissions are not supported
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	Task dependencies are not supported	Task dependencies are not supported
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	Tasks are not supported	Tasks are not supported
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Tasks are not supported	Tasks are not supported
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Time tracking is not supported	Time tracking is not supported
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Task tracking is not supported	Task tracking is not supported
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Project tracking is not supported	Project tracking is not supported
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable tracking is not supported	Billable time tracking is not supported
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Invoices are not supported	Invoicing is not supported
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Not supported	Not supported
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Team views require dashboards	Team timesheets are not supported
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Calendly is for scheduling only	Acuity is for scheduling only
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Proposals are not supported	Proposals are not supported
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Proposals are not supported	Proposals are not supported
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	Proposals are not supported	Proposal analytics are not supported
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	Proposals are not supported	Proposal messaging is not supported
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Not supported	Not supported
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Invoices are not supported	Proposals and invoices are not supported
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	Proposal pricing is not supported	Proposal pricing packages are not supported
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Not supported	Not supported
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Not supported	Not supported
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Not supported	Not supported
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	Not supported	Not supported
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Not supported	Not supported
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	Not supported	Not supported
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Proposals are not supported	Proposals are not supported
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Calendly is for scheduling only	Acuity is for scheduling only
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Form view is supported	Intake forms can be built visually
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	E-signatures are not supported	E-signatures are not supported
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Contract reminders are not supported	Contract reminders are not supported
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Automation applies only to booking events	Automation is limited to booking and payment events
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Contract notifications are not supported	Booking and payment notifications are supported
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Calendly does not create invoices	Invoicing with payment processing
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Invoices are not supported	Logo only, fixed template layout
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Invoices are not supported	Fixed templates, no layout control
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Invoices are not supported	Customizable line items
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	ACH depends on payment integration	ACH support depends on the connected payment processor
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Payments are supported via third‑party tools	You can collect payments via Stripe during booking
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Square payments are not supported natively	You can collect payments via Square during booking
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	PayPal possible via integrations only	You can collect payments via PayPal during booking
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Payments can be split using external tools	You can require deposits for appointments
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	Installments are not supported	Deposits are supported, scheduled installments are not
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Recurring invoices are not supported	Recurring invoices are not supported
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	Subscriptions are not supported	Recurring appointments are supported, not subscriptions
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Reminders depend on integrations	Payment reminders tied to bookings are supported
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Currency depends on calendar and integrations	Currency support depends on the payment processor
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Automation applies only to booking events	Automation is limited to booking and payment events
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Contract notifications are not supported	Booking and payment notifications are supported
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	Expense tracking is not supported	Expense tracking is not supported
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Invoices are not supported	Deposits can be required to confirm bookings
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Time tracking is not supported	Time tracking is not supported
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	A unified client inbox is not supported	A unified client inbox is not supported
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	Calendly sends emails, inbox sync is not supported	Emails are sent by Acuity, inbox sync is not supported
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	Live chat is not supported	Live chat is not supported
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	Direct messaging is not supported	Direct messaging is not supported
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Projects are not supported	Projects are not supported
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	Team chat is not supported	Team chat is not supported
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Not supported	Not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	@mentions are not supported	@mentions are not supported
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	Messaging is not supported	Messaging is not supported
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Chat and file sharing are not supported	Chat and file sharing are not supported
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Not supported	Not supported
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Not supported	Not supported
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Not supported	Not supported
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	File storage is not supported	File storage is not supported
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	No file storage in Calendly	No file storage in Acuity
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	No file storage in Calendly	No file storage in Acuity
People folders	Group files by person when needed	No file storage in Calendly	No file storage in Acuity
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	No file storage in Calendly	No file storage in Acuity
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	No file storage in Calendly	No file storage in Acuity
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	Custom fields are supported only in booking forms and invitee records	Custom fields are supported only in intake forms and client records
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No documents in Calendly	No documents in Acuity
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	No file comments in Calendly	No file comments in Acuity
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	No file storage in Calendly	No file storage in Acuity
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	No file search in Calendly	No file search in Acuity
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Google Calendar sync only	Calendar sync only
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	No file sharing in Calendly	No file sharing in Acuity
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	No file sharing in Calendly	No file sharing in Acuity
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Industry-leading scheduling features	Full-featured booking system
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	Branding is supported on paid plans	Booking pages can be branded
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	Availability rules per event type are supported	Availability rules per calendar and appointment type are supported
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	Buffer times between meetings are supported	Buffer times between appointments are supported
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Multiple event types are supported	Multiple appointment types are supported
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Calendar sync is supported	External calendar sync is supported
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Confirmation and reminder emails can be customized	Confirmation emails and reminders can be customized
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	Redirects after booking are supported	Redirects after booking are supported
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Automation applies only to booking events	Automation is limited to booking and payment events
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Automatic meeting reminders are supported	Automatic appointment reminders are supported
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Timezone handling is supported	Timezone handling is supported
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Stripe and PayPal at booking	Stripe, Square, PayPal at booking
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Booking questions can be customized	Intake forms can be customized
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	Booking limits and notice rules are supported	Booking limits and notice rules are supported
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Reschedule and cancel controls	Clients can reschedule or cancel
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Booking triggers only	Booking triggers only
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Triggers exist only for booking events	Automation exists only around bookings and emails
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Recurring workflows are not supported	Recurring workflows are not supported
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Multi-step workflows are not supported	Multi-step workflows are not supported
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Branching logic is not supported	Branching logic is not supported
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Delays exist only for reminders	Delays are limited to reminders
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Tasks, projects, and invoices are not supported	Tasks, projects, and invoices are not supported
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Event types can be duplicated	Appointment types can be duplicated
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Events can be deleted	Appointments can be deleted
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	API and webhooks are supported	API and webhooks are supported
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Emails can be sent based on bookings	Emails can be sent based on booking events
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	No comments in Calendly	Not supported
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Basic activity logs are supported	Basic activity logs are supported
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Variables work in emails and booking questions	Variables work in emails and forms
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Only scheduling modules are supported	Only scheduling modules are supported
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Intake questions with routing forms	Unlimited custom intake forms
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Form view is supported	Intake forms can be built visually
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Forms can be reused	Form templates can be reused
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Custom fields are supported only in booking forms and invitee records	Custom fields are supported only in intake forms and client records
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Conditional logic exists in forms	Conditional logic is limited
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Notifications can trigger on submit	Submission notifications are supported
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Automation applies only to booking events	Automation is limited to booking and payment events
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Forms can be embedded	Forms can be embedded
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Field options are limited	Field behavior options are limited
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Common field types are supported	Common field types are supported
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	Signature fields are not supported	Signature fields are not supported
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	File uploads as managed files are not supported	File uploads as managed files are not supported
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Redirects after booking are supported	Redirects after submission are supported
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Invitees only	Clients only
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Company records are not supported	Company records are not supported
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	Custom fields exist for invitees only	Custom fields exist for contacts only
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Activity history is limited to meetings	Activity history is limited to bookings
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Tagging is supported via integrations	Contact tagging is supported
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	A knowledge base is not supported	A knowledge base is not supported
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported	Not supported
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported	Not supported
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Calendly has no custom dashboards	Acuity has no custom dashboards
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	No dashboard builder in Calendly	No dashboard builder in Acuity
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Booking analytics only	Booking analytics only
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Booking metrics only	Booking metrics only
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Not supported	Not supported
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Not supported	Not supported
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Included	Included
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Billing reports only	Payment reports only
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Calendly branding always visible	Booking pages only
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	Page colors can be customized	Admin interface theming is not supported
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	Custom CSS is not supported	Custom CSS is not supported
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Custom login pages are not supported	Custom login pages are not supported
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Email branding is limited	Email branding is supported
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Not supported	Not supported
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Included	Logo can be added to booking pages
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	Not supported	Not supported
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	Not supported	Not supported
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	Not supported	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Workspace only	Acuity has fixed structure
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	Workspace structure can be adjusted	Navigation customization is not supported
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Menus cannot change per user	User-based menus are not supported
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	User roles are limited	User roles are limited to scheduling permissions
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Advanced permissions are supported	Permissions apply only to scheduling access
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	Email & password login only	SSO is available on higher plans
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	130+ native integrations	Direct Stripe, Square, PayPal
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier integration is supported	Zapier integration is supported
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Make integration is supported	Make integration is supported
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	Possible via API	Possible via API
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	REST API access is supported	REST API access is supported
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Webhooks are supported	Webhooks are supported
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Calendly 39/199	Acuity 49/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Mobile apps with scheduling	iOS and Android apps
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	iOS app is supported	iOS app is supported
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Android app is supported	Android app is supported
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version	A native desktop app is not supported
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version	A native desktop app is not supported

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Calendly vs Acuity FAQ

Is Calendly or Acuity better for online meetings?

Calendly handles virtual meetings better than Acuity. Calendly automatically generates Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams links when bookings are made. Acuity requires manual video conferencing setup or third-party integrations. For consultants, coaches, and sales teams who primarily schedule video calls, Calendly is the faster choice.

Does Calendly have a free plan?

Yes. Calendly offers a free plan that includes one event type, one calendar connection, and basic scheduling features. The free plan lacks custom branding, integrations, and team features. Acuity does not have a free plan, with pricing starting at $16/month (annual) for the Emerging tier.

Which is easier to set up, Calendly or Acuity?

Calendly is faster to set up. Most users create their first booking link within 10 minutes. Acuity takes longer because it offers more configuration options for intake forms, payment settings, and availability rules. Simple scheduling favors Calendly. Service businesses needing deposits and forms will invest more time in Acuity but get more features.

Can I collect payments with Calendly or Acuity?

Both can collect payments. Calendly integrates with Stripe and PayPal for simple fixed-price payments. Acuity offers deeper payment features including deposits, packages, memberships, gift certificates, and coupon codes. For businesses selling service packages or requiring deposits, Acuity is stronger. For simple upfront payment, both work.

Do Calendly or Acuity have project management?

Neither tool has project management. Both handle scheduling only. Tasks, deliverables, and project tracking require separate tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com. For professionals who need scheduling plus project management in one platform, look at all-in-one tools like Plutio.

Can I track time in Calendly or Acuity?

Neither tool tracks billable time. Calendly and Acuity record meeting duration as calendar information, but they don't capture hours worked on projects or connect time to invoicing. Hourly consultants and freelancers need separate time tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest alongside their scheduling app.

Which is better for healthcare providers?

Acuity is the only choice for healthcare. The Powerhouse plan ($49/month) includes HIPAA compliance required for therapists, counselors, and medical professionals. Calendly does not offer HIPAA compliance. Healthcare providers should also verify their video conferencing tool (like Doxy.me) maintains compliance.

Can I remove branding from Calendly or Acuity?

Calendly allows custom branding on paid plans (Standard and above). Acuity requires the Powerhouse plan ($49/month) for full white-labeling and custom CSS. On lower Acuity tiers, "Powered by Acuity" branding remains visible. Neither offers custom domain booking pages like Plutio's white-labeled portals.

How much does Calendly cost compared to Acuity?

Calendly offers a free plan, with paid plans at $10-16/month per user (annual billing). Acuity has no free plan, with pricing at $16-49/month depending on features. For individuals, Calendly's free plan works. For service businesses needing payments and forms, Acuity's Emerging plan ($16/month) is the starting point.

Which has better team scheduling features?

Calendly's Teams plan includes round-robin scheduling, pooled availability, and lead routing that work well for sales teams and customer success. Acuity's team features focus on multiple calendars rather than lead distribution. For sales-driven scheduling with multiple reps, Calendly is stronger. For service businesses with multiple practitioners, Acuity works.

Do Calendly or Acuity integrate with CRMs?

Both integrate with major CRMs. Calendly connects to HubSpot, Salesforce, and other CRMs on paid plans. Acuity integrates through Zapier or native connections to some CRMs. Calendly's CRM integrations are generally deeper, especially for sales workflows where booking needs to update lead records automatically.

What if neither Calendly nor Acuity fits my workflow?

If you need more than scheduling, look at all-in-one platforms that handle the complete client lifecycle. Key features to look for: proposals, contracts, project management, time tracking, and invoicing. Plutio is one example that includes scheduling plus everything that typically requires 4-5 separate tools. The comparison table on this page shows feature differences.

Can I create invoices in Calendly or Acuity?

Neither tool creates invoices. Calendly and Acuity can collect payment at booking time, but sending invoices after work is completed requires separate invoicing software like FreshBooks, Wave, or QuickBooks. For automatic invoicing from tracked time, look at platforms with built-in billing.

Which tool has better customer support?

Calendly offers email support on all plans and priority support on higher tiers. Acuity's support quality has received criticism in recent reviews, with users noting slower response times after the Squarespace acquisition. For mission-critical scheduling, Calendly's support is generally rated higher in current user feedback.

Can I migrate from Calendly to Acuity or vice versa?

Yes, but it requires manual work. Neither tool has direct import from the other. Booking link structures and integrations need to be reconfigured. If you're considering migration, evaluate whether a full-workflow platform might serve you better than switching between scheduling-only tools that both lack project management and invoicing.

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