Calendly vs Acuity vs SavvyCal: Best Appointment Scheduling Software for Consultants
As a consultant, your time is billable. Every email chain to find a meeting slot is lost revenue. An effective scheduling tool turns this admin friction into direct client bookings, letting you focus on client work. We compare Calendly, the well-known choice; Acuity Scheduling, strong for paid sessions and forms; and SavvyCal, which prioritizes the client booking experience.
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Quick Answer
For a new consultant, use Calendly Free to book discovery calls with potential clients or quick project updates. If you sell paid coaching sessions, consulting packages, or require detailed client intake forms before meetings, Acuity Scheduling is your best fit. Choose SavvyCal when scheduling with high-level clients or partners, as it makes finding a mutual time much smoother and more professional.
How They Compare
Calendly's free plan allows one type of meeting, like a "30-minute discovery call" and connects to one calendar. This is enough for initial client outreach. Its Standard plan, at $10/month, adds unlimited meeting types, automated reminders to reduce client no-shows, and more calendar links. Acuity Scheduling begins at $16/month. It includes scheduling, payment collection for consulting packages via Stripe or PayPal, detailed client intake forms, and features to sell session bundles or recurring subscriptions. SavvyCal starts at $12/month. It offers a unique overlay scheduling feature, allowing your clients to see their calendar next to yours for easy booking. It also has unlimited event types and a tool for scheduling group calls, useful for team or project meetings.
When to Choose Calendly
Choose Calendly if your main need is to book free introductory calls, like "15-minute discovery sessions" or "30-minute initial consultations." Clients are familiar with Calendly links, which builds trust and reduces hesitation. The free plan is solid for simple, one-on-one bookings. Upgrade to the Standard plan if you need different meeting types (e.g., a "45-minute paid strategy session" alongside your free call) or want automatic email or text reminders to cut down on missed client appointments.
When to Choose Acuity
Acuity Scheduling (now part of Squarespace) is ideal for consultants, coaches, and advisors who sell paid sessions or packages. It lets clients book, pay upfront for a "60-minute coaching session" or a "3-session HR consulting package," and complete intake forms, all in one smooth process. Its payment system is designed for service sales, and selling packages or subscriptions is a core feature, not an add-on. If your consulting website is on Squarespace, Acuity integrates very well.
When to Choose SavvyCal
SavvyCal offers the best experience for the client or partner you're trying to book a meeting with. Its unique overlay shows both your open slots and their calendar, making it simple to find a shared time without guessing. If you often schedule with high-value prospects, C-suite executives, or important project partners, SavvyCal's $12/month cost is a smart investment to show you value their time and provide a professional, easy booking process. It reduces the back-and-forth common with busy schedules.
The Verdict
Begin with Calendly's free plan to handle initial client discovery calls. If you need to collect payments for "paid strategy sessions" or "coaching packages" and require clients to fill out intake forms, upgrade to Acuity ($16/month). If your consulting work involves scheduling with senior business leaders, high-profile clients, or complex project teams, and you want to offer the smoothest, most professional booking experience, try SavvyCal ($12/month). All three platforms offer free trials to test what works best for your consulting practice.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Calendly
Free 1-event-type plan, Standard from $10/month
Acuity Scheduling
Service business scheduling with payments, from $16/month
SavvyCal
Overlay scheduling, best invitee experience, from $12/month
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Calendly free?
Yes. Calendly's free plan supports one event type and one calendar integration with unlimited bookings. It is sufficient for founders who need to schedule one type of meeting (e.g., a 30-minute discovery call).
Can Calendly collect payments?
Yes, Calendly supports Stripe and PayPal payment collection on the Standard plan and above. For more advanced payment features (packages, subscriptions, deposits), Acuity Scheduling is a better fit.
What is the best scheduling tool for a solo consultant?
Calendly Standard ($10/month) covers most solo consultant use cases: multiple meeting types, automated reminders, Zoom/Google Meet integration, and basic payment collection. If you sell session packages, upgrade to Acuity Scheduling.
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