Acuity Scheduling

4.5 (2.8k reviews)

Online appointment scheduling for businesses with payment processing and client ...

VS 2026

Doodle

4.3 (1.9k reviews)

Group scheduling tool for finding the best meeting time with multiple participan...

Acuity Scheduling vs Doodle: Which Is Better in 2026?

Comprehensive comparison of Acuity Scheduling and Doodle covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.

Quick Overview

Acuity Scheduling

  • Best for: Service businesses, Consultants
  • Starting price: Free
  • Category: scheduling
  • Founded: 2006
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Doodle

  • Best for: Group meetings, Event planning
  • Starting price: Free
  • Category: scheduling
  • Founded: 2007
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Feature Comparison

Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Acuity Scheduling and Doodle.

Feature
Acuity Scheduling
Doodle
Calendar Sync
Meeting Types
Group Scheduling
Round Robin
Website Embed
Integrations
Mobile App
Payments
Polls

Our Verdict

After extensive testing and analysis, Acuity Scheduling edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Acuity Scheduling offers better overall user satisfaction. Doodle remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize group meetings.

Winner

Acuity Scheduling

Best for Service businesses and Consultants. Payment integration.

Try Acuity Scheduling
Alternative

Doodle

Best for Group meetings and Event planning. Great for group scheduling.

Try Doodle

Pros & Cons

Acuity Scheduling Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Payment integration
  • Highly customizable
  • Great for services
  • Client management
  • Packages and memberships
Cons
  • Interface dated
  • Learning curve
  • Limited team features
  • Now owned by Squarespace

Doodle Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Great for group scheduling
  • Easy poll creation
  • No account needed to vote
  • Good free tier
  • Simple interface
Cons
  • Ads on free tier
  • Limited 1:1 features
  • Basic customization
  • Less features than competitors

Pricing Comparison

Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.

Acuity Scheduling

subscription
Starting from $20 /mo
Free tier available
Freebie Free
  • 1 calendar
  • Unlimited clients
  • Basic booking
Emerging $20 /mo
  • 1 calendar
  • Text reminders
  • Integrations
Powerhouse $61 /mo
  • 36 calendars
  • Custom API
  • Multiple locations

Doodle

freemium
Starting from Free
Free tier available
Free Free
  • Unlimited polls
  • Basic scheduling
  • Ads included
Pro $7 /mo
  • No ads
  • Calendar sync
  • Custom branding
Enterprise Free
  • SSO
  • API access
  • Dedicated support

Which Tool Is Best For You?

Choose Acuity Scheduling if you need:

  • Service businesses
  • Consultants
  • Coaches
  • Health practitioners
  • Payment integration
  • Highly customizable
Try Acuity Scheduling Free

Choose Doodle if you need:

  • Group meetings
  • Event planning
  • Casual users
  • Committee scheduling
  • Great for group scheduling
  • Easy poll creation
Try Doodle Free

Acuity Scheduling vs Doodle FAQ

What are the main differences between Acuity Scheduling and Doodle?

Acuity Scheduling focuses on service businesses with payment integration, while Doodle excels at group meetings with great for group scheduling. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.

Is Acuity Scheduling or Doodle better for small businesses?

Acuity Scheduling offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Doodle's lower starting price of $0/month.

What is the pricing difference between Acuity Scheduling and Doodle?

Acuity Scheduling starts at $20/month with a free tier available, while Doodle starts at $0/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.

Can Acuity Scheduling integrate with Doodle?

While direct integration may vary, both Acuity Scheduling and Doodle support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Acuity Scheduling integrates with Stripe, PayPal, Square, while Doodle works with Google Calendar, Outlook, Zoom.

Which tool is easier to use, Acuity Scheduling or Doodle?

Based on user reviews, Acuity Scheduling generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.5 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Acuity Scheduling is known for highly customizable.

Does Acuity Scheduling or Doodle offer better customer support?

Both Acuity Scheduling and Doodle provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Acuity Scheduling offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.

What are the pros of Acuity Scheduling compared to Doodle?

Acuity Scheduling's main advantages include: Payment integration, Highly customizable, Great for services. Compared to Doodle, it's particularly strong for service businesses.

What are the cons of Acuity Scheduling compared to Doodle?

Acuity Scheduling's potential drawbacks include: Interface dated, Learning curve. Doodle may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.

Should I switch from Acuity Scheduling to Doodle or vice versa?

Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.

Which tool is best for scheduling in 2026?

In 2026, Acuity Scheduling leads in this comparison with a 4.5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Acuity Scheduling excels for service businesses, while Doodle is ideal for group meetings.

Written by

AM
Alex Morgan Senior SaaS Analyst

Alex has spent over 8 years analyzing and comparing business software solutions. With a background in enterprise software sales and product management, he brings hands-on experience to every review. Alex specializes in CRM, marketing automation, and sales enablement tools.

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