Any business could eventually benefit from using an online booking system. The fact is, nowadays, there are more and more tools that you can use to book appointments online. Whether you book your services, call your electricians or other tradesman, or book tickets for concert tours, companies make use of them to make better profits. Apps for booking appointments are available free of charge on different channels like Google Play Store, Apple App Store and also on websites like Booking.com. Though the app could be used to find a permanent job or company to work for, it can be greatly beneficial to start working for temporary services that provide training schemes or life-skills coaching to young people.
- A scheduling app can go a long way in helping you stay organized and managing all of your commitments.
- Calendars with multiple viewing options, to-do lists, reminders and alerts, can help you keep track of all of your responsibilities.
- Some free scheduling apps include Google Calendar, Cozi and Outlook.
Connecteamhttps://player.vimeo.com/video/525062400?dnt=1&app_id=122963&h=3ec0e97337
With Connecteam’s all-in-one employee scheduling app, you can easily save time and money on schedule planning and oversight. In fact, Connecteam offers the most intuitive and easy-to-use schedule board that saves time and effort on planning and dispatching schedules.
With Connecteam’s robust scheduling app, you can reduce labor costs, improve employee satisfaction, and avoid the chaos of ensuring a shift is covered. There’s even an in-app chat feature with a company directory so employees can easily reach anyone with just a click of a button if there are any scheduling issues or confusion.
For whom?
Connecteam is ideal for setting shift schedules for frontline workers, small businesses, and large enterprises.
Key Features:
Automated scheduling
Automated notifications and reminders
In app-chat
Employee directory
Drag & drop
Customizable templates
Recurring shifts
Quick reference availability
Access via desktop or mobile device
Attach images, videos, files, notes, maps and shift-tasks
Overtime notifications
Real-time feedback
PROS & CONS
Affordable pricing
Requires little-to-no training to start using
Easily manage the schedule of multiple sites & departments
All-in-one solution for employee management and scheduling
Quick response and helpful customer support
No integrations. Connecteam is an all-in-one solution for scheduling and employee management and requires no integrations for smooth usage.
Pricing:
Premium plans start at just $39/month for the first 50 users.
Free trial: 14-day free trial
Free-for-life plan: Yes
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14-day free trial, no credit card required.Start Your Free TrialmHelpDesk
mHelpDesk is very similar to Google Calendar and Outlook, but was designed especially for those in the field service business. A few core features of this employee scheduling app include: quickly see everyone’s availability, easily schedule field technicians, automated assignment notifications, view job, and customer details, and eliminate overbooking and underbooking. mHelpDesk can also integrate with Google Calendar, Home Advisor, and QuickBooks.
For Whom?
mHelpDesk is meant to be used by growing or stable small to medium sized businesses.
Key Features:
Quick reference employee availability
Several integrations
Automated features
Appointment scheduling
PROS & CONS
User friendly
Responsive customer service
Simplified billing and invoicing
Slow loading times
Some integrations don’t work very well
Cannot remove old users
Pricing:
Capterra notes that their pricing starts at $169/user per month.
Free trial: 14-day free trial
Free-for-life plan: No
When it comes to scheduling, Shiftboard has a few features that can be highly beneficial when you have hourly workers. For example, automated scheduling, schedule distribution, shift swapping, push notifications, two-way texting, mobile clock in and out, and more. In addition, Shiftboard can integrate with numerous software solutions such as Oracle, Dropbox, ADP, Paycor, and more.
For whom?
Shiftboard is optimal for the healthcare, manufacturing, and staffing industries.
Key Features:
Automated scheduling
Budgeting and budget forecasting
Calendar management
Applicant and candidate management
PROS & CONS
Good variety of features and tools
Good for managing complex employee schedules
Hard to use and requires training
No training material or tutorials
Some users complain the software looks old and outdated
Pricing:
Unfortunately, to obtain a price quote you must request a demo with a sales representative.
Free trial: No
Free-for-life plan: No
TSheets, now Intuit QuickBooks, has similar features as most employee scheduling apps in the market. Schedule by shift or by job, use drag & drop, send notifications about shift changes, easily copy the previous week’s schedule and more. Receive alerts about overtime or missed shifts so you can reduce labor expenses. TSheets has a cool “Who’s Working” feature, so you can immediately see who is available for urgent jobs.
For whom?
Tsheets, now QuickBooks, is mainly used by small businesses.
Key Features:
Accounting integrations
Simple employee scheduling
Budget tracking and forecasting
Asset management and tracking
PROS & CONS
Easy to use
Good variety of features
Lacking customer support
User report many bugs
Hard to get software up and running
Can get expensive for large teams
Pricing:
Tsheets Premium plan requires a $20 monthly base fee and an additional $8/user per month. The Elite plan requires a $40 monthly base fee and an additional $10/user per month.
Free trial: 30-day trial free trial
Free-for-life plan: No
4. Best Scheduling Software With Ecommerce: Vagaro
Vagaro specializes in appointment management for the beauty industry, offering more advanced features like an eCommerce store for salon products. (They do also offer core scheduling services that would be a fit for fitness businesses.) Mainly used by small businesses, Vagaro can grow with you as your business expands.
Vagaro Features
| Scheduling | Marketing | Automation | Administrative | Cost | ||||
| Appointment booking | Facebook & Instagram booking integration | Client text/email reminders | Client management | Starts at $25/month | ||||
| Class bookings | Automated email marketing | Package management | Staff schedule management | |||||
| Multiple staff schedules | Promotion marketing | Automatic billing | Multiple locations | |||||
| Personal time off | Marketplace listing | Online payments | Business analytics |
Our Favorite Vagaro Feature
Vagaro offers an integrated website builder with the booking app already in place — it’s perfect for a business that’s just starting out and doesn’t yet have a digital home.
5. Best Scheduling Software for Tool-Junkies: Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling by SquareSpace is a super simple platform covering all the essentials, including website integration, reminder emails, and package management. This software is an especially good option if you use SquareSpace to manage your site — you can keep all of your business needs in one place.
Acuity Scheduling Features
| Scheduling | Marketing | Automation | Administrative | Cost | ||||
| Appointment booking | Facebook & Instagram booking integration | Client text/email reminders | Client management | Starts at $15/month | ||||
| Personal time off | Package management | Staff schedule management | ||||||
| Multiple staff schedules | Multiple locations | |||||||
| Business analytics |
Our Favorite Acuity Scheduling Feature
The beauty of Acuity Scheduling is its ability to work with other tools you’re already using. The app integrates with tons of other softwares like MailChimp and QuickBooks, for example.
6. Best Scheduling Software for the Beauty Business: Styleseat
Styleseat is a scheduling platform built for solo providers that includes the necessary scheduling features and some marketing options to help manage your client relationships. The app is geared towards the beauty industry, with highly visual features across the board, like a customized business listing banner.
Conclusion
Online booking systems are an essential element of online marketing. After all, your business depends on your ability to build new clients, improve your search engine rankings, achieve better conversions rates and get more return on investment.