- Setmore alternatives for appointment scheduling in one table
- Ten appointment scheduling tools to put beside Setmore
- Choosing appointment scheduling software when you leave Setmore
- Which scheduling tool type fits a freelancer, a clinic or a studio?
- Questions to settle before you move your Setmore bookings
- Switching scheduling tools without confusing your customers
- Customer information and consent in online scheduling
- Why a smaller scheduling tool may suit your business
- A short test before you pick a scheduling tool
- Frequently asked questions
A good Setmore alternative should sync with your calendar, offer a clear booking page and send reminders, and let you export your customer list whenever you like. Check payments, team features and support. This page lists ten options in no particular order, then covers how to choose and how to move.
Setmore is an appointment scheduling tool that lets customers book online, with a free plan for small teams and options for reminders, payments and a booking page. If you're reviewing your options, maybe because you want a different look, a different set of integrations or a different way of handling teams, there's a lot to compare.
This is a list of ten Setmore alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some are household names and others are smaller, newer or more specialised. I've drawn each description from the tool's own website, so check current details there. If you'd like some background first, my guide to finding online scheduling software explains the main choices.
Setmore alternatives for appointment scheduling in one table
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a plan you can keep using with no time limit. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. No means the site states neither. Details change, so check before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acuity Scheduling | Online booking software | Classes and appointments with payments | Trial only |
| Appointlet | Team scheduling | Booking pages for client-facing teams | Yes |
| Cal.com | Open scheduling platform | Flexible, developer-friendly scheduling | Yes |
| Calendly | Meeting scheduling | Sharing availability for meetings and calls | Yes |
| Koalendar | Appointment scheduling | Simple booking pages for freelancers | Yes |
| Picktime | Appointment scheduling | Appointments and classes for small teams | Yes |
| SavvyCal | Scheduling links | Overlaying calendars to find a time | No |
| SimplyBook.me | Booking system | Booking with many add-on features | Yes |
| TidyCal | Calendar booking | Unlimited booking types for solo users | Yes |
| Zoho Bookings | Appointment scheduling | Booking for businesses already on Zoho | Yes |
Ten appointment scheduling tools to put beside Setmore
Acuity Scheduling
Best for: Service businesses who want booking pages that can take intake forms and payments before the appointment.
Appointlet
Best for: Client-facing teams and consultants who want booking pages, round-robin options and a free plan to start.
Cal.com
Best for: Freelancers and technical teams who want an open scheduling platform with a free plan for individuals.
Calendly
Best for: Anyone who wants a well-known way to share availability and let people pick a time.
Koalendar
Best for: Freelancers and solo professionals who want clean booking pages and a free plan with no time limit.
Picktime
Best for: Small teams in beauty, wellness and fitness who want appointment booking with a free plan.
SavvyCal
Best for: People who want guests to see their own calendar next to yours when choosing a time.
SimplyBook.me
Best for: Service businesses who want a configurable booking system with a forever-free starting plan.
TidyCal
Best for: Solo owners who want simple booking types and a free plan, with a lifetime option also available.
Zoho Bookings
Best for: Businesses already using other Zoho apps who want appointment scheduling that connects to them.
Choosing appointment scheduling software when you leave Setmore
Scheduling tools look alike on the surface, so decide what you can't live without before you compare. Here are the areas that tend to matter most.
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- Calendar sync. Check it connects to the calendar you already use and blocks busy time automatically.
- Booking page. Look at how it appears on a phone and whether you can match your brand.
- Reminders. Confirm email and text reminders are available and how they're set up.
- Payments. If you take deposits or full payment up front, check which providers are supported.
- Video meetings. See whether links for your usual meeting tool are added automatically.
- Team features. Look for shared availability, round-robin booking and separate calendars.
- Intake questions. Make sure you can ask clients what you need to know before they arrive.
Which scheduling tool type fits a freelancer, a clinic or a studio?
- Freelancers and consultants usually want a quick booking link and a calendar that blocks busy time.
- Coaches and trainers often need packages, classes and payments taken in advance.
- Clinics and therapy practices tend to need intake forms, reminders and careful handling of client data.
- Beauty and wellness studios may want staff diaries, services and card payments in one place.
- Sales and service teams often need shared availability and routing between colleagues.
If you run a studio or a larger team, my roundup of employee scheduling software looks at the staff side of the diary.
Questions to settle before you move your Setmore bookings
- Which of my current services, durations and buffer times do I need to rebuild?
- Where do my customers currently find my booking link, and how many places must I update?
- Can I export my customer list and past appointments to keep for my own records?
- How does the new tool handle time zones, if some of my clients are abroad?
- What happens to existing bookings during the switch?
- Who do I contact if a customer can't book?
Switching scheduling tools without confusing your customers
A switch goes smoothly when you keep it boring. Set up the new tool beside the old one, then move in small steps.
- List every place your old booking link appears, from your website to your email signature.
- Recreate your services and working hours in the new tool and connect your calendar.
- Send a test booking from a second email address and check the confirmation.
- Honour any existing bookings in the old tool until they pass.
- Swap the links one by one, starting with your website.
- Close the old booking page once nothing new is arriving there.
Customer information and consent in online scheduling
These tools collect names, email addresses and sometimes notes, so it pays to know what you're storing. In the UK that generally means holding only what you need, keeping it secure and getting a clear opt-in before marketing. Other countries have their own rules. This isn't legal advice, so check what applies to your situation. My piece on appointment scheduling software with a built-in website is useful if you also need a simple site.
Why a smaller scheduling tool may suit your business
Smaller tools often concentrate on a few jobs and do them cleanly. You may get a quicker answer from the people who built it, and fewer settings to wade through.
Check when it was last updated, read the help pages and make sure you can export your data at any time. Try it with a few real bookings before you move everything across.
Do you make an appointment scheduling or booking tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
A short test before you pick a scheduling tool
Choose two options and build your most common appointment in each. Book it from a phone, change the time and cancel it, and see how clear every message looks to your customer. Keep the tool that feels clearest to use.
Frequently asked questions
What is appointment scheduling software?
It's software that lets customers pick an available time with you online, then sends confirmations and reminders. Many tools sync with your calendar and take payments or intake answers too.
Why would someone look for a Setmore alternative?
Reasons vary, and they aren't always about the product itself. It might be the integrations, team set-up, branding options or how support works. Start by listing what matters most.
Can I move my customers and bookings across?
Contact lists can usually be exported and imported. Existing bookings often need to be honoured in the old tool or re-created, so plan the changeover.
Do I need consent to email customers?
In many countries you do. In the UK you generally need a lawful reason and an easy opt-out. This isn't legal advice, so check the rules that apply to you.
Is a free plan enough to start with?
It can be for a solo business. Read the limits on users, bookings and features, and check the things you need are included before you rely on one.


