- Free option
- Yes. No end date
- Paid entry
- See current pricing
- Best for
- Businesses managing appointments, classes, rooms, equipment, and multiple locations
- What you pay for
- Per user, with plan limits for resources, locations, classes, and advanced features
- Key difference
- Rooms, equipment, classes
7 Best Setmore Alternatives for Appointment Scheduling in 2026
Scheduling appointments should be simple for you and your clients. If you're exploring alternatives to Setmore, let’s explore the best options for efficient appointment scheduling. Picktime makes it easy to manage appointments and bookings in one place.
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Why people look
Why People Look for Setmore Alternatives
Setmore is a free appointment scheduling tool for small businesses that mainly manage staff appointments and services. The Setmore free plan supports up to four users and includes unlimited appointments, a customizable booking page, email confirmations and reminders, online payments, and mobile apps. Customers can book appointments online, while team members can manage their schedules and customer details from one place.
However, Setmore's limitations become more noticeable when a business needs greater control over its scheduling workflow. The free plan doesn't include two-way calendar syncing, SMS reminders, and recurring appointments, which are available with Pro. That can mean more manual calendar management, fewer reminder options, or additional costs as your business grows. That’s why it’s worth checking Setmore reviews and comparing Setmore alternatives in 2026 to find online scheduling software that better fits the way your business works.
At a glance
Setmore Alternatives: Free Plans, Pricing, and Best Fits
| Tool | Free option | Paid entry | Best for | What you pay for | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setmore | Yes. Up to 4 users with unlimited appointments | $5/user/month annually for Pro | Small service teams that mainly schedule appointments and classes | Per user on Pro | None |
| Square Appointments | Yes. $0/month per location | $49/location/month for Plus | Businesses already using Square for payments and point of sale | Per location, plus payment-processing fees | Payments in the free tier |
| Calendly | Yes. 1 event type and 1 calendar connection | $10/seat/month annually for Standard | Consultants, sales teams, and businesses mainly scheduling meetings | Per seat | Routing and integrations |
| Acuity Scheduling | No ongoing free plan. 7-day free trial | $16/month annually for Starter | Businesses with detailed appointment rules, forms, packages, and memberships | Per plan, with calendar limits | Per-service rules |
| SimplyBook.me | Yes. 50 bookings/month, 1 provider, 1 Custom Feature | $11.90/month annually for Basic | Businesses that want configurable booking features | Plan based on booking volume, provider limits, and Custom Features | Switchable features |
| Zoho Bookings | Free plan available for individual use | Basic tier | Businesses already working inside the Zoho ecosystem | Plan-based pricing, with limits varying by tier | Two-way sync |
Every price above was taken from each vendor’s own pricing page on September 1, 2026. Picktime’s free booking pricing lives on our own pricing page, so if we reprice, one update keeps the information current.
The alternatives
What each one gives you that Setmore does not
01
Picktime
Picktime stands out as a Setmore alternative for businesses that need more than basic appointment scheduling. Its free booking system lets you manage appointments, group classes, rooms, equipment, and multiple locations in one place. Unlike Setmore, Picktime offers dedicated resource scheduling, which lets businesses coordinate staff availability with the rooms or equipment needed for each service. Picktime’s Free plan lets you manage unlimited appointments, up to three team members, three resources, two locations, and two classes, all in one place.
What Makes Picktime a Better Setmore Alternative?
- Picktime's scheduling software helps you manage individual appointments, group classes, and resource bookings in one system, without switching between separate scheduling tools.
- Schedule rooms and equipment alongside team members, so customers can book services when both the required staff member and resource are available.
- Set class capacity limits, manage availability, and customize booking rules to match how your business operates.
- Add team members, resources, locations, and classes as your scheduling needs expand.
- Add Picktime's AI Receptionist on a paid plan to answer customer calls, handle common questions, and help book appointments, even outside business hours.
What to know before you move
- Some payment options and advanced scheduling features are available on paid plans.
- The Free plan supports one-way calendar sync, while two-way sync requires an upgrade.
- Free plan
- Yes, a plan, not a trial
- Paid from
- See pricingPlans add team members, locations, two-way sync and SMS
- Best fit
- Businesses that want appointments, classes, team schedules, resources, customers, and multiple locations managed together.
- Checked
- 1 September 2026
02
Setmore (the one you have)
Setmore appointment scheduling software gives small teams a generous free plan with four users, unlimited appointments, payments, classes, reminders, and useful integrations. Its Pro plan adds more scheduling controls, making it worth comparing Setmore features before you decide to switch.
Where the Setmore appointment scheduling app Works Well
- Free for up to 4 users, with payments, a branded booking page, and email reminders.
- The free plan gives each team member a schedule and login without requiring an immediate subscription.
- Pro costs $5 per user per month annually and adds more advanced scheduling features.
- Free users get iOS and Android apps plus Wix, Weebly, and WordPress integrations.
- Customers can book one-on-one services or group classes, with profiles, notes, history, and team calendars.
Why Businesses Look Beyond Setmore
- Two-way calendar sync is Pro, so the free plan does not automatically block bookings around private calendar events.
- SMS reminders, multiple reminders, deposits, custom service availability, and branding removal all require Pro.
- Setmore supports group classes, but its scheduling model does not cover bookable rooms, equipment, or other shared resources.
- If your business depends on resources tied to appointments, compare how each alternative handles those booking dependencies.
- Free plan
- Yes, up to 4 users
- Paid from
- $5 per user / monthPro, billed annually ($12 monthly)
- Best fit
- Small appointment-based teams that want up to four users on a free plan and do not need the Pro-only controls yet.
- Checked
- 1 September 2026
03
Square Appointments
Square Appointments pairs scheduling with Square’s payment ecosystem. Its free tier has no monthly subscription, while businesses pay processing fees on transactions. Plus, it costs $49 per location monthly. If deposits are the feature you need, Square lets you take payments without a scheduling subscription.
Where Square Appointments is strong
- Free for one location, with staff calendars included.
- Payments stay central to the scheduling experience instead of sitting behind a paid tier.
- Services, appointments, checkout, and customer payment activity stay in one Square ecosystem.
- Already using Square POS? Your scheduling and payment workflows can stay under one roof.
Why Businesses Look Beyond Square Appointments
- Paid plans charge per location, so businesses with multiple locations should calculate the total cost.
- The free plan has no monthly subscription, but payment processing fees still apply when customers pay.
- Square combines scheduling and payments, so switching also means choosing its payment ecosystem.
- If rooms, equipment, attendance, or resource-based bookings matter, compare those workflows before switching.
- Free plan
- Yes, a Free plan for a single location
- Paid from
- Plus, then PremiumPriced per location; no figure rendered on the pricing page when checked
- Best fit
- Businesses that want their appointment calendar and Square payment stack closely connected, with a free scheduling subscription available at entry level.
- Checked
- 1 September 2026
04
Calendly
Calendly is built mainly for meetings rather than service businesses with facilities or equipment. Its free plan includes one event type and one calendar connection. Standard costs $10 per seat monthly when billed annually, making it a different kind of alternative.
Why Businesses Choose Calendly
- A familiar booking flow that many meeting invitees already know how to use.
- Routing forms, buffers, and other meeting controls go well beyond basic scheduling.
- A large integration library connects Calendly with tools across sales, productivity, and communication.
- Consultants, recruiters, sales teams, and interviewers can manage meeting bookings from one place.
Why Businesses Look Beyond Calendly
- The free plan limits you to one event type and one calendar connection.
- Standard costs $10 per seat monthly when billed annually, compared with Setmore Pro at $5 per user.
- Calendly focuses on meetings rather than rooms, classes, attendance, or physical resources.
- Businesses with more complex service operations may need a scheduler built around those workflows.
- Free plan
- Yes, one event type, one calendar connection
- Paid from
- $10 per seat / monthStandard, billed annually
- Best fit
- Individuals and teams whose main scheduling job is arranging meetings and who want a simple free meeting scheduler to start.
- Checked
- 1 September 2026
05
Acuity Scheduling
Acuity fits businesses that need detailed appointment controls. There is no ongoing free plan, only a seven-day trial. Starter costs $16 annually. Its flexible booking rules, intake forms, and packages make it useful for businesses with more detailed scheduling needs.
When Acuity Scheduling Model Fits
- Set availability by service, giving different appointments their own scheduling rules.
- Build intake forms, packages, memberships, subscriptions, and gift certificates into the booking experience.
- Take payments and deposits through Stripe, Square, PayPal, or Venmo.
- Connect booking with a Squarespace website so your site and scheduling experience can work together.
Why Businesses Look Beyond Acuity Scheduling
- No ongoing free plan. The seven-day trial ends before billing begins.
- Starter includes one calendar at $16 monthly when billed annually. Standard has six at $27, while Premium has 36 at $49.
- Acuity handles the appointment, but it does not natively carry the client into proposals, contracts, milestones, or project deliverables afterward.
- Acuity is a paid-first option for businesses that need detailed scheduling controls, forms, packages, or memberships.
- Acuity gives you less freedom to build booking pages around custom layouts, marketing content, and promotional elements.
- Free plan
- No, a 7-day trial, no card needed
- Paid from
- $16 / monthStarter, billed annually ($20 monthly); one calendar
- Best fit
- Service businesses with detailed appointment rules, client forms, deposits, packages, memberships, or gift certificates.
- Checked
- 1 September 2026
06
SimplyBook.me
SimplyBook.me is worth considering when you need a specific feature, such as memberships, coupons, or intake forms. Its Custom Features let you switch capabilities on as needed, while pricing depends on bookings and providers. The free plan includes 50 bookings, one provider, and one Custom Feature.
What SimplyBook.me Does Well
- A real free plan with 50 bookings per month and one Custom Feature.
- A broad catalog of optional Custom Features for workflows like memberships, intake forms, and approvals.
- Pricing based on bookings and providers rather than simply charging by team size.
- Basic adds payments, deposits, tips, sales tools, and room for more providers.
Why Businesses Look Beyond SimplyBook.me
- Custom Features add flexibility, but businesses may need several paid add-ons to build the workflow they want.
- Each plan has a monthly booking limit, so businesses with more appointments may need a higher plan.
- The platform offers many configuration options, but setting everything up can take more time than simpler schedulers.
- Teams that need advanced routing or collaboration may find SimplyBook.me less suited to those workflows.
- Free plan
- Yes, 50 bookings a month and one premium feature
- Paid from
- €13.90 / monthBasic: 100 bookings a month, 3 premium features
- Best fit
- Businesses that want configurable booking features, a free entry point, and are comfortable with booking-volume and feature limits.
- Checked
- 1 September 2026
07
Zoho Bookings
Zoho Bookings is worth comparing if your team already uses Zoho CRM, Zoho Calendar, or other Zoho tools. Its calendar integrations can check external availability and sync bookings with Zoho, Google, and Outlook calendars, with connection limits varying by plan.
When Zoho Bookings Makes Sense
- Offer two-way calendar sync with Zoho, Google, and Microsoft 365.
- Users get notification emails and reminders.
- Connected calendars can block unavailable times before customers book.
- Zoho Bookings fits naturally with Zoho CRM and other Zoho tools.
Why Businesses Look Beyond Zoho Bookings
- The free plan supports one user, compared with Setmore’s four-user free plan.
- Zoho does not publish Basic or Premium prices on its own pricing page. We could not read a figure
- Businesses outside the Zoho ecosystem may find the setup heavier than a standalone scheduling tool.
- Some advanced workflows, including approvals, recurring bookings, and resource scheduling, may require more manual setup.
- Free plan
- Yes, one user, with two-way calendar sync
- Paid from
- Basic, then PremiumNo figure published on the pricing page when checked
- Best fit
- Businesses that already use Zoho products, value a free individual plan, and want booking activity connected to the same ecosystem.
- Checked
- 1 September 2026
Picktime against the field
Picktime vs. Setmore vs. Acuity Scheduling: What Can Each Scheduling Software Handle?
| Workflow | Picktime | Setmore | Acuity Scheduling |
|---|---|---|---|
| A bookable resource clients can pick | Yes | No | Not client-facing |
| One room used across classes and appointments | Yes | No | No |
| A waitlist for classes | Yes | No | Appointments only |
| Track who attended | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Separate hours for each location | Yes | No | No |
| Pricing based on the plan, not seats | Yes | No | No |
We reviewed each provider’s official pricing and feature pages on September 1, 2026, with sources included for reference. “Not listed” means the feature could not be confirmed, while Picktime’s details were checked against its official pricing page.
Choosing
Looking Beyond Setmore? Find What Works Better for You
If You Need Rooms or Equipment
Start by comparing Picktime’s free scheduling software. It lets you create rooms and equipment as resources, assign them to relevant services, and give them their own schedules. A booking only becomes available when both the required team member and resource are free.
If You Need Deposits and Card Payments
Square Appointments has a free plan for one location, with payments built into the product rather than locked behind a Pro tier. You get scheduling, payments, the card reader, and the register from the same Square system.
If You Only Need a Pro Feature
Before moving everything to another platform, compare the cost of Setmore booking app Pro. At $5 per user per month when billed annually, Pro adds two-way calendar sync, recurring appointments, SMS reminders, deposits, custom service availability, and the option to remove Setmore branding. Switching platforms also takes time. If your staff and customers already use your Setmore Booking Page, staying put may be worth considering when you only need one or two Pro features.
Questions
Setmore alternatives: common questions
Is Picktime a free alternative to Setmore?
Yes, Picktime is a free Setmore alternative for businesses that want to manage appointments without a monthly subscription. Picktime offers an online Booking Page, unlimited appointments, and scheduling for classes, rooms, and equipment. You can also manage multiple locations, making it a practical choice for businesses with different booking needs.
What does Picktime’s free plan include compared with Setmore?
Picktime's Free plan includes three team members, unlimited appointments, two classes, three resources, and two locations. Setmore's Free plan supports up to four users, unlimited appointments, group classes, and email reminders. Picktime offers additional flexibility for businesses that schedule rooms or equipment alongside appointments. For the latest plan features and limits, see Picktime pricing.
Can I sync my calendar with Picktime or Setmore?
Yes, both Picktime and Setmore support calendar syncing. Picktime offers one-way calendar sync with Google, Outlook, iCloud, and Exchange on its free plan. Starter and Pro include two-way sync to help prevent scheduling conflicts by blocking busy times. Setmore also supports one-way calendar sync, while Pro adds two-way sync with Google and Office 365.
Can I schedule rooms and equipment with Picktime instead of Setmore?
Yes, Picktime lets you schedule rooms and equipment as bookable resources. You can manage their availability, connect resources to specific services, and let customers reserve available time slots through your Booking Page. This helps businesses manage shared spaces and equipment while reducing overlapping bookings.
Can I manage classes and group bookings with Picktime instead of Setmore?
Yes, Picktime supports class bookings for group sessions, including fitness classes, workshops, and training sessions. You can create classes, set capacity limits, and let customers reserve available seats online. Setmore also supports group classes, while Picktime lets you manage class bookings alongside rooms, equipment, and multiple locations.
Verdict
Why Picktime is the best Setmore alternative for businesses
Picktime stands out as a Setmore alternative for businesses that need more than basic appointment scheduling. Its free plan supports three team members, two locations, three bookable resources, two classes, and unlimited appointments. Whether you're managing salon appointments, fitness classes, meeting rooms, or equipment rentals, Picktime lets you handle these bookings from one scheduling platform without a monthly subscription.
As your business grows, Picktime offers more ways to manage your schedule. You can set individual staff availability, accept online payments, manage multiple locations, and let customers book through your website. Paid plans add features such as recurring appointments, automated reminders, calendar sync, and class waitlists. Picktime also offers an AI receptionist that can answer calls and help customers book appointments, subject to availability and setup.
Setmore remains a practical choice for straightforward appointment scheduling, especially for businesses that need basic online bookings and video meeting integrations. But if your business also schedules classes, rooms, equipment, and multiple team members, Picktime’s scheduling software offers a broader range of booking workflows to consider. With an ongoing free plan and room to expand as your scheduling needs change, Picktime is a strong Setmore alternative for businesses looking for flexibility and value.