# Booking

> “Get more bookings”. Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

A booking page works when clients can pick a slot, get a reminder and turn up. Calendly is the link most clients already know, and Cal.com does the same job with open-source code you can host yourself. If you charge per session, Acuity Scheduling takes payment or a deposit at booking time. Salons and tutors moving off phone bookings can start on Setmore's free plan.

Last checked: 2026-10-03

## Ranking

1. **[Calendly](https://suiteintent.com/t/calendly?m=GB)**: Booking links that clients already recognise. · Quickest to set up · Free plan · 14 days ([Deals](https://suiteintent.com/deals/calendly))
2. **[Cal.com](https://suiteintent.com/t/cal-com?m=GB)**: Open-source scheduling you can self-host. · Most customisable · Free plan · 25% ([Deals](https://suiteintent.com/deals/cal-com))
3. **[Acuity Scheduling](https://suiteintent.com/t/acuity?m=GB)**: Appointment booking with payments and intake forms. · Best for: Charging upfront for one-to-one sessions · Pricing on request
4. **[HighLevel](https://suiteintent.com/t/highlevel?m=GB)**: Marketing CRM that agencies resell. · All-in-one with reminders and SMS · From $97/mo · 14 days ([Deals](https://suiteintent.com/deals/highlevel))
5. **[SavvyCal](https://suiteintent.com/t/savvycal?m=GB)**: Scheduling links that respect both calendars. · Best for: Consultants booking calls with clients · Pricing on request
6. **[Setmore](https://suiteintent.com/t/setmore?m=GB)**: Free online appointment booking. · Best for: Moving phone bookings online for free · Free plan

## Side by side

| Tool | Price | Ease of use (1-5) | Team size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Calendly | Free plan, 14-day free trial | 5 | solo, small team, growing team, large team |
| Cal.com | Free plan, 25% off Teams and Organizations, billed yearly | 4 | solo, small team, growing team, large team |
| Acuity Scheduling | Pricing on request | 4 | solo, small team, growing team |
| HighLevel | From $97/mo, 14-day free trial | 2 | small team, growing team |
| SavvyCal | Pricing on request | 5 | solo, small team, growing team |
| Setmore | Free plan | 5 | solo, small team |

## Why these picks

- Independent reviews: [Fit Small Business](https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-free-appointment-scheduling-software/), [Zapier](https://zapier.com/blog/best-appointment-scheduling-apps/) (Last checked: 2026-10-02)
- Prices last checked: 2026-10-03
- Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

## Head to head

- [Calendly vs Acuity: which booking tool for you](https://suiteintent.com/compare/calendly-vs-acuity)
- [Calendly vs Cal.com: online booking compared](https://suiteintent.com/compare/calendly-vs-cal-com)

## Questions

### Should a consultant and a salon use the same booking tool?

Usually not, because the jobs differ. A consultant books calls into one calendar, and Calendly or SavvyCal handle that with little setup. A salon needs staff calendars, reminders and payments, which Setmore covers on its free plan. Acuity Scheduling sits between the two, with intake forms and deposits for paid one-to-one sessions.

### Can I take bookings without paying a monthly fee?

Yes, three of the picks have free plans: Calendly, Cal.com and Setmore. One person can run Calendly free. Cal.com's free plan is generous, and you can also host the code on your own server. Setmore's free plan covers small teams, which suits shops that used to book by phone.

### I already share my calendar by email. Do I need a booking page?

A booking page removes the back-and-forth about which time works. The client sees only your free slots, picks one and gets a confirmation and a reminder. Reminders are the main defence against no-shows, and every pick here sends them. If you book fewer than a handful of meetings a month, a shared calendar may still be enough.

### Can clients pay a deposit when they book?

Acuity Scheduling lets clients pay in full or leave a deposit while they book, and fill in your intake form at the same time. Calendly, Cal.com and Setmore also take payments at booking. A deposit is the most direct way to cut no-shows for paid sessions. Check which payment provider each tool connects to in your country before you commit.

### Where is booking data stored, and does that matter under GDPR?

Your booking page collects names, emails and sometimes health or intake details, so GDPR applies to it. Cal.com is open source, which means you can host it on your own servers and keep that data where you choose. Hosted tools such as Calendly keep the data on their own infrastructure. If you take sensitive intake answers, as a therapist might, read each provider's data processing terms first.