you can easily download appointment scheduling software to your PC. Appointment scheduling software is a beneficial application which assists a user to manage his time and enable him to keep an eye on appointments in one place. Appointment scheduling software is designed in a way that it allows the user to manage multiple schedules in accordance with his convenience. They provide free plans and can be downloaded easily. Check them out.
Calendly
Calendly is a simple software that helps automate booking. This software has essential booking features like automated scheduling, reminders, group scheduling, calendar sync, and online booking.
Calendly is suitable for individuals and teams in any industry. This software can set appointments for different event types with ease. You can also integrate this software with other apps for efficiency.
This scheduler works well on phones, desktops, and tablets for compatibility. Also, freelancers and staff in brick and mortar offices can use the software. Furthermore, clients can make bookings from anywhere without the need to log in from a desktop.
Pros
- Shareable on social media
- Has a phone app for convenience
- Easy to use
- Has a free trial
Cons
- No rescheduling feature
- Restrictive analytics
- Not customizable visually
Appointy
BEST FOR
Scalability.Visit Website
- Mobile administration console
- Compulsory prepayments
- Powerful multi-report feature
- Marketing tools
Appointy has been in the market since 2008. This software is suitable for freelancers, stand-alone businesses, and those with branches in different locations.
Appointy is simple yet powerful and can help you book appointments, integrate it with other apps, send reminders, create gift cards, or even accept online prepayments. This scheduler is one of those that you can easily customize to suit your business.
Calendar management
The simple appointment scheduling software allows you to view your calendar from the customer’s perspective. That way, you can see available time slots, as the customer would.
This app allows you to navigate the app by day, week, or month quickly. That way, you can see each employee’s bookings.
Online booking
Appointy offers clients the convenience of booking from anywhere, and at any time. Also, clients need not register for accounts to make a booking. Also, Google and Facebook can authenticate clients.
Payment processing
Note that clients have to make a prepayment for the system to reserve a spot. The advance can be in the form of a percentage of the entire amount, a booking fee, or the full amount.
Appointy accepts payments from;
- Credits cards
- PayPal
- Stripe
- Square
- Authorize.net
Reminders
This software allows you to send automated reminders in the form of email or text messages. The notifications remind the clients to plan ahead of the appointment, to ensure zero cancellations.
In case your clients cancel because of unforeseen circumstances, you can promote the newly available time slots on your website or social media. Label the availability as last-minute deals to ensure the time doesn’t go to waste.
Built-in CRM system
This software provides different ways for business owners to gather details regarding their client needs such as;
- Facebook profiles
- In-house database
- Open ID login
Advanced features
This software allows you to create gift cards. You can either offer your clients the cards for free, or for sale. Themes here include birthdays, anniversaries amongst others.
Apps and integrations
Appointy is compatible with; Android, Web, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Using Zapier, you can connect Appointy to over 2000 apps such as;
- Zoom
- MailChimp
- Microsoft Excel
- Gmail
- Autopilot
To mention a few.
Ease of use
This software is easy to figure out for people without prior knowledge. However, someone with experience using Google calendar will find it even easier to use.
The user interface is dynamic and interactive. Every button, layered window, icon is easy to spot. The software also has high customization abilities, but beware that you need to upgrade to paid plans to enjoy this feature to the maximum.
Customer support
For queries and support, clients can reach Appointy through different avenues such as;
- Phone support
- Online help desk (Note that this is not 24/7)
- Live chat
Price
If you’re looking for an appointment scheduling software that’s free, you’ll be happy to know that Appointy has this option. Here are the schedulers both free and paid plans:
- Plan – $0 for a lifetime
- Growth – $19.99/month (Billed yearly and includes one staff)
- Professional – $49.99 (Billed annually and includes five staff)
- Enterprise – $79.99/month (Billed yearly and it’s multilocation)
SimplyBook.Me
BEST FOR
Businesses without websites.Visit Website
- Customizable templates
- Charges per month
- Coupon codes
- Free account available
SimplyBook.me is the best appointment scheduling software for small businesses, freelancers, small, medium, and large enterprises in multiple service-oriented industries. The scheduler has been in the market since 2008.
The software offers business owners appealing booking websites upon signing up. From here, you can sell your services, accept bookings, receive payment, send invoices services.
Calendar management
SimplyBook.me allows you to manage your bookings via its easy-to-use calendar effectively. Here, users can not only make bookings but also add notes regarding appointment details.
Users can also mark for break times, as well as view service providers.
Online booking
Clients can make bookings round the clock through mobile, desktop, or other supported devices. Also, users can make bookings through your website, Facebook, Google, or Instagram.
Payment processing
Clients can pay deposits or full payments to you after making a booking. You can accept full fees or deposits online through;
- Paypal
- Stripe
- Credit card
Reminders
This app sends reminders to both staff and clients via email and SMS. The system sends notifications every time there’s a booking, cancellation, or reschedule. The admin app also has push notifications that display new bookings.
Built-in CRM system
This software has no built-in CRM. However, you can integrate the software with Bmby for customer relationship management. The integration helps increase database prospects, nurture leads as well as structure campaigns and other marketing agendas accordingly.
Advanced features
API
You can use SimplyBook.me developer API to create an app or website relevant to your brand. With the API, you can create a “Book now” button that’s available to your clients around the clock.
However, note that there are serves limitations on API requests;
- Common servers – 5,000 per day
- Common enterprise servers – 25,000 per day
- Dedicated servers – Unlimited requests
Coupons and gift cards
People love coupons and gift wards.
This office appointment scheduling software offers coupons and gift cards that clients can purchase for their family and friends.
Also, clients can use discount coupons to get free services from you. This feature is one sure way to attract more subscribers.
Apps and integrations
SimplyBook.me is cloud-based, and is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Windows mobile, open API, Android, and iOS.
SimplyBook.me allows integration with other apps using Zapier. Examples here include but not limited to:
- Slack
- Zenkit
- Gmail
- Salesforce
- Freshbooks
Ease of use
Although the interface is user friendly, signing up can overwhelm newbies. Also, using the API requires a bit of technical knowledge.
Customer support
Simplybook.me caters to client needs through various ways such as;
- Phone
- Live support
Price
If you’re looking for a free online appointment scheduling software, then you’re in luck. This scheduler has a free version as well as a free trial period. Here are SimplyBook’s plans:
- Free – $0 (Limited to 50 bookings)
- Basic – $9.90/month (100 bookings)
- Standard- $29.90/month (500 bookings)
- Premium – $59.90/month (Unlimited bookings
Checkfront
BEST FOR
Tour companies.Visit Website
- Clean interface
- Good invoicing system
- Customizable
- Feature-rich
Grant Jurgeneit and Jason Morehouse launched Checkfront in 2009 to simplify scheduling and payments. This booking and inventory software serves enterprises such as accommodation providers, rental companies, tour companies, and activity operators.
Users can easily manage appointments, track payments, send invoices, access reports, and manage inventory. Also, note that you might need to insert some codes to kick start the whole process.
Calendar management
As a business owner, you can set suitable hours to operate your business on your calendar. Clients can see when service providers are available to make bookings according to a time that’s suitable for them.
From the appointment system, you can see both your client and inventory calendars. Most booking systems don’t have this feature.
You can sort your calendar by day, week, or month. The scheduler allows you to see up to six weeks of upcoming bookings and inventory to help you with planning.
Online booking
Users can access this service appointment scheduling software‘s calendar from desktops or mobile phones. Therefore, it’s easy to book appointments on the go, on a 24/hour basis.
Payment processing
You can choose to take full or a percentage of the entire payment upon booking. Checkfront integrates with 23 payment processors such as;
- PayPal
- Google Wallet
- Stripe
- Sage Pay
- Authorize.net
And many others.
Reminders
This software has an automated sequence of notifications, making it easy for you to follow all your processes. Reminders come in after bookings, and removal of items from the inventory as well.
Clients get reminders of balances and appointment date. Staff also gets notifications once clients book them, and right before the client arrives.
Built-in CRM system
Checkfront doesn’t have a built-in CRM. However, you can easily set up a way to manage relationships with your clients using Zoho.
The Zoho add on will help you create leads and contacts to your database every time there’s a booking. Note that the scheduler works best with the latest Zoho version.
Advanced features
Reports
Checkfront has a reports feature that allows you to see booking updates and interactions with clients. The outputs are visually appealing and come in the form of charts and graphs. Here are some examples of information that the reports display;
- Transactions
- Client booking
- Staff bookings
- Vouchers
- Booking volumes by month/ voucher or discount
- Cash-out reports
Apps and integrations
Checkfront is a cloud-based platform compatible with; Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
You can integrate your client appointment scheduling softwarewith plenty of third-party apps such as:
- TripConnect
- Slack
- Signature
- Salesforce
- Zoho
Ease of use
The inspiration to build the software comes from gaming, hence the game-like learning process. This software’s interface is intuitive, modern, stable, and clean looking. Setting up is easy, but beware that the entire process can take almost half an hour.
Clients can start making bookings with you as soon as you finish the process. You can choose to go with a simplistic interface or customize it to your liking.
However, note that this scheduler is suitable for businesses that already own a website. If you don’t already own a site, this might not be a good option for you. The good news is that we have plenty of other options on our list that come with a free booking website.
Also, note that the learning curve can be a little hectic for people not familiar with coding. However, there’s always the option of hiring a coding expert to help with the process.
Customer support
This software’s support wasn’t that good at the beginning. However, the company quickly learned from its mistakes and currently has top-notch customer services. Some ways that clients can reach support here are:
- Phone
Pricing
This software doesn’t have a free plan. However, it has a 21 days trial period for all its packages, and here they are;
- Soho – $42/month (2 staff accounts and 1200 appointments)
- Pro – $84/month (5 staff accounts and 3000 software appointments and 3000 bookings)
- Plus- $169/month (10 staff accounts and 6000 appointments and 3000 bookings)
- Enterprise – Custom pricing
The pricing could be a little steep for new startups, but the software offers value for money.
*Note that the company bills all its packages annually.
Conclusion
Appointy is free to download, however you will need to upgrade to the paid plans to enjoy the full set of features. Things that are available on the free plan include appointment scheduling, booking calendar, reminders, last-minute deals, and attendance management.