8 Best Free Appointment Scheduling Software in 2024

Running a one-person show or a small business means wearing many hats. Let's face it: with your hands already full, the last thing you want is to waste time juggling emails and phone calls with clients wanting to schedule a meeting.

What's the solution, you ask? A free appointment scheduling software. These tools can handle everything from sending booking confirmations to managing cancellations without the financial hit.

Whether you're a freelance writer, a virtual assistant, or a small business owner, there's a free option to manage your workflows and simplify your scheduling. In this list, we'll explore some of the best free appointment scheduling app options to break down features, pros, and cons so you can pick the perfect tool for your needs. 

How did we select and evaluate the best appointment scheduling software?

At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations; that's the G2 difference! We didn’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements on our list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.

Top 8 best free appointment scheduling software of 2024

Appointment scheduling app automates the tedious task of booking, rescheduling, and canceling appointments without the hassle of back-and-forth emails or phone calls.

The list below includes free appointment scheduling software based on real user reviews. It’s important to note that, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free. To be included in this category, a solution must:

• Provide a scheduler accessible and editable by administrators and multiple users
• Collect contact information from appointment makers
• Send appointment notifications to customers
• Include payment integration for client appointments
• Support integration with other office tools such as email, calendar, or video conferencing applications.

*This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity. 

1. Doodle

Doodle is the go-to tool for anyone who needs to coordinate and schedule meetings with a group of people— whether it’s a team, client, or faculty meeting. It simplifies the whole process by allowing everyone to vote on the best time slots. Doodle is especially handy for tricky situations where you’re dealing with different time zones or wildly varied schedules.

What users like best:

“Doodle has made it much easier to "poll" what dates and times work best for meetings. It has saved us a lot of time and stress trying to find the best times to meet for larger groups of people with varying calendars. You can easily create an account, and the program is very simple to figure out. We use Doodle at least once a month. There is no real implementation time; you can use it immediately.”

- Doodle Review, Shae P.

What users dislike:

“I find Doodle's scheduling process quite cumbersome and lacking some features. It would be great if there were an easier way for users to schedule multiple events at the same time, as this can be very time-consuming when working with large groups of people. It would also be helpful if administrators could quickly see who has not voted in their polls or send out reminder emails quickly.”

- Doodle Review, Michelle B.

2. YouCanBookMe

YouCanBookMe is perfect for professionals who need a straightforward way for clients to book their time. It integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar and Outlook, offering a personalized booking page where clients can schedule appointments based on their availability. The tool appeals to freelancers, consultants, and small business owners who want to look polished and professional.

What users like best:

“YouCanBookMe proves to be an invaluable tool for streamlining client appointment booking. Its standout feature is the seamless booking process that allows clients to schedule sessions without direct communication, while simultaneously notifying me via text message immediately after a booking is made. The platform is user-friendly, and the support team provides excellent assistance during the account setup process, ensuring all configurations are accurate and tailored to your needs.”

- YouCanBookMe Review, Laura B.

What users dislike:

“Since updating to their new-style calendar, I've had display issues with the calendar integration on my website. It worked perfectly before the upgrade. I contacted their support team on September 2nd, and as of September 27th, I am yet to receive any response. Given that this is a paid service, I expected better customer care. I'm unlikely to renew my subscription which is a shame.”

- YouCanBookMe Review, Clare E.

3. Calendly

Calendly is a favorite among professionals for its sleek design and ease of use. Anyone who needs to eliminate the hassle of finding mutual availability for meetings will appreciate this tool. Just send a link, and clients or colleagues can pick a time that works for both of you. What’s more, Calendly integrates with a wide array of other tools, making it a powerhouse for productivity.

What users like best:

“I love how intuitive and simple Calendly is. The automated processes save time, energy, and a lot of back-and-forth. The system allows me to manage my calendar and avoid time negotiations. I love how it integrates seamlessly with multiple platforms and apps and that editing and updating services and availability is so easy.”

- Calendly Review, Colette A.

What users dislike:

“One of the downsides for me has been the inability to override my own schedule when attempting to reschedule phone interviews. I'll typically have to make a lot of adjustments to my Outlook calendar just to make a specific space appear as available.”

- Calendly Review, Morgan M.

4. Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a powerful tool for service-based businesses, such as salons, health practitioners, and personal trainers. It not only handles appointment scheduling but also allows clients to fill out intake forms, pay for services, and even book recurring appointments. With Acuity Scheduling, you have a virtual receptionist who works 24/7.

What users like best:

“Hands down, the integration with other software is the best feature here! The ease of use and user-friendly interface is a close second. It makes your life easier if you are a customer-facing business that relies on a schedule to operate. We really love this product! We use this tool for everyday client booking, business meetings, and online scheduling through our website.”

- Acuity Scheduling Review, Michelle M.

What users dislike:

“I want the general landing page to be a bit more customizable. I would also like it if clients could add one or more additional email addresses (attendees) when scheduling an appointment. This would help me know when clients want to add the person to a Zoom call instead of them passing on the link and me finding out during the appointment that someone else is joining the call.”

- Acuity Scheduling Review, Shawniece E.

5. Setmore

Setmore offers a great balance between simplicity and functionality. It provides a straightforward way to schedule appointments, with the added bonus of staff and resource management. Plus, it integrates with social media platforms, allowing the clients to book directly from your Facebook page.

What users like best:

“I enjoy Setmore's simplicity and flexibility. As a large tutoring center on campus, we needed a straightforward tool to schedule a large team with hundreds of courses in our catalog. Setmore is quick to set up and their support team is always available to resolve questions within just a few minutes. I didn't think I could find such excellent service at an affordable price, but Setmore exceeded our expectations!”

- Setmore Review, Alex B.

What users dislike:

“The only thing missing is setting up specific services on specific days. Such as online sessions only on Thursdays. This would make my booking system even more versatile.”

- Setmore Review, Calynn W.

6. GReminders

GReminders is a nifty tool for anyone who wants to make sure appointments are never missed. It works with Google Calendar and Outlook to send automated SMS and email reminders to clients, reducing no-shows. It’s especially useful for professionals who rely on a tight schedule.

What users like best:

“This has been invaluable in maximizing productivity and reducing cancelations with meetings. It allows me to link appointments to the invitee's calendars, emails, and texts. I use it daily for all my business and personal appointments. Additionally, whenever I've needed to speak with customer support, they’ve always been very helpful. Though, I rarely reach out to them because the app is very easy to use.”

- GReminders Review, Maria G.

What users dislike:

“The only thing I would change is that if I switch a calendar event to a different employee's name after the reminder has been sent, and the customer replies ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, it sends a message saying the event has been canceled. I understand why this happens, but I would change the verbiage to 'Some details have been changed or canceled, please call for clarification.' Just so they don't call me panicked!”

- GReminders Review, Sarah C.

7. Sign In Scheduling (formerly 10to8)

Sign In Scheduling, previously known as 10to8, is a versatile AI-driven appointment scheduling tool optimized for professionals across different fields, from healthcare providers to consultants. It’s all about keeping clients informed and reducing no-shows, managing everything from booking to check-in. If you’re handling sensitive client info, Sign In Scheduling is compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and ISO 27001.

What users like best:

“I use them for my social media marketing company loco IV logos and they are amazing. I'm just trying to get my business going and what I really love is they have a free version that allows my clients to book an appointment through my business website online. Once my business grows, I will be able to start paying them for their services, but right now, while it's small and just starting, they are there for you to help you. They are real easy to set up and they are there to help whenever you need it.”

- Sign In Scheduling (formerly 10to8) Review, Chariti P.

What users dislike:

“I find the uploading availability part a little confusing. It would be easier if there was a specific tab that you could click on called "add availability" and it would be good if you could see the month all at once.”

- Sign In Scheduling (formerly 10to8) Review, Melissa C.

8. Boomerang for Gmail

More than just scheduling, Boomerang for Gmail is a fantastic tool for managing your email-based appointments. Business professionals who live in their inbox will benefit from its ability to schedule emails, set reminders, and even pause the inbox to focus on important tasks. 

What users like best:

“I love how easy it is to schedule meetings with multiple clients without worrying about double booking. Plus, it adds the meeting to their calendar as well, so everyone stays informed.”

- Boomerang for Gmail Review, Kirsten G.

What users dislike:

“I wish I could import the entirety of my calendar contacts at once. I currently have to add people's calendars one by one, and in a large company, that can be time-consuming.”

- Boomerang for Gmail Review, Janelle G.

Comparison of the best free appointment scheduling software

Need help comparing the best free appointment scheduling software? This table gives you a quick overview.

Frequently asked questions on free appointment scheduling software

Q. Are free appointment scheduling tools reliable for business use?

While free appointment scheduling tools might have limitations compared to paid options, they can effectively manage appointments for small businesses and solopreneurs. It's essential to choose a reputable platform with positive user reviews and consider how well it meets your specific business needs.

Q. What features should I look for in free appointment scheduling software?

A good free appointment booking software should at least offer basic features like online booking, calendar integration, appointment reminders, and customer management.

Q. Are there any limitations to using the free versions of these tools?

Yes, some limitations with free tools can include fewer customization options, limited integrations, or restrictions on the number of users or appointments you can handle. You will need to upgrade to a paid appointment scheduling software for more advanced features, such as recurring appointments, payment processing, or advanced reporting.

Do you have an appointment?

Appointment scheduling software is a total lifesaver for anyone managing a busy calendar. It offers ways to automate bookings, send reminders, and keep your schedule organized. The beauty of free tools is that they provide a range of these essential features without the commitment of a paid plan. 

We hope this roundup helps you find the best free online appointment scheduling software to fit your needs and keep your calendar running smoothly.

Now that you have some more time, check out digital business card software to share your contact information digitally and capture more business.