For corporate productivity and efficiency, selecting the correct scheduling software is critical. The best scheduling software can assist you with project management, collaboration, time management, and billing. I liked and reviewed the ten best scheduling software and my top 5 picks in this article so you can choose the finest one for you.
What is Scheduling Software?
Schedule software is a web- and mobile-based solution that allows individuals and organizations to create and maintain schedules, assign shifts, and track their employees’ time.
These apps usually have extra features, such as personalized booking pages, cloud backups, time clocks, and interaction with different productivity and payment apps.
These programs are also helpful for:
- Scheduling and managing client appointments
- Scheduling inventory or other resources
- Tracking attendances/ absences
- Dispatching schedule changes in real-time
- Client retention tools
Typical Features of Scheduling Software
Many scheduling programs have one or more of the following features:
Workforce Scheduling
Scheduling software assists business owners in managing their staff by allowing them to schedule shifts and check their calendars in real-time. It also enables owners and managers to design people according to their talents and knowledge.
Managers can use scheduling software to manage their employees across various locations and change their availability.
Automated Scheduling
Booking software should automatically adjust requests based on availability. Should a booking be rescheduled or canceled, a standard scheduling tool can also handle the waiting list of scheduling allocations.
Calendar Syncing
This technology may also exchange timetables and reservations with the appropriate individuals, regardless of their location. They can also work with other calendar apps such as Google Calendar and iCal.
Reminders
Allows the user to send automated reminders to participants using SMS, email, and push notifications.
Resource Scheduling
Clients can also reserve meeting spaces using scheduling software. Users can also schedule the company’s equipment with them.
Time-Clocks
These tools simplify business owners to keep track of their employees’ time. Employee attendance, absence rates, and PTO (paid time off) days can be tracked. Some apps also link with HR and payroll software to assist with other day-to-day chores.
What Type of Buyer Are You?
So, how do you pick the right scheduling software for your company? That depends on the size of your company and your specific requirements. As an example, consider the following buyer types:
Individuals
If you’re a small business owner who wants to stay on top of things, scheduling software with a free subscription with minimal capabilities would be brilliant. Those elements would be sufficient for your business, client meetings, and day-to-day chores.
SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)
SMEs typically have 70-80 people that specialize in several operational areas. They usually cater to a specific demographic.
A dental clinic or a salon, for example, should seek appointment scheduling software that allows them to book and schedule appointments online. On the other hand, a mid-sized company should employ a scheduling solution that includes functions like resource scheduling, time clock management, and shift management.
Large Corporations
Large organizations that operate in numerous functional areas with staff stationed in various places need automated work schedules. Organizations should consider a modular suite that allows them to pick and select the components that best suit their needs.
A cash management company, for example, would require field service management to optimize and track their vehicle routes. Such businesses would also need a shift management tool to select the best individual for the job. To reduce no-shows and track worker location, elements such as a time clock and automatic reminders would be required.
Benefits of Scheduling Software
Better Communication Flow
One of the essential advantages of scheduling software is that it keeps everyone on the same page. A time clock and attendance system should be included in even the most basic scheduling system to allow management to keep track of their personnel.
Everyone knows when they are working because the schedules are distributed to the entire staff. When there is a schedule change, the team is also informed. These advantages result in improved communication throughout the company.
Reduced Conflicts
Businesses with non-repeating schedules or rotational shifts are more likely to experience availability problems. As a result of inefficient systems, time is lost.
This is most common when companies use old scheduling systems like Excel and solely post schedules on the notice board. A scheduling tool lowers inefficiencies by providing real-time updates and reminders to employees about their unique programs.
Increased Accountability
When efficient plans are established automatically without human intervention, scheduling technologies increase transparency. This software also encourages accountability by allowing employees to choose their shifts when the boss permits it.
The Cost Of Scheduling Software
Almost all scheduling software offers a free trial, so you can discover if it’s right for you. Basic scheduling, sharing, and access to mobile applications are usually included in these trials.
On the other hand, the paid plans are subject to their price scheme. Most software requires a monthly fee of $1 to $4 per user. Others charge $1 to $95 a month or more for feature-based subscriptions.
10 Best Scheduling Software Of 2023
1. Calendly – Best Overall Scheduling Software
Calendly is a free scheduling tool that can help you keep track of your employees’ schedules. Calendly’s web-based and mobile-based solutions allow you to schedule appointments from anywhere.
You can make timetables in just a few minutes and share them with several people in real-time. You and your staff can also modify their availability at any time of day, and all relevant persons will be notified right away.
Calendly’s UI is simple to use and comprehend. There are no unneeded features. You can schedule an unlimited number of one-on-one appointments in the free edition.
When it comes to pricing, Calendly is entirely free if you want to utilize one calendar. Their paid plan starts at $8 a month and includes a 14-day free trial.
Pros:
- It only takes three steps to book an appointment
- Process payments with integrated applications like Paypal
- Automatically maintain availability status
- Automatic reminders for upcoming events
- Integrates with hundreds of other applications
2. Acuity Scheduling – Best for Organizing Clients’ Info
Acuity is a cloud-based scheduling service that allows employees to track their availability in real-time and adjust their schedules accordingly.
This device includes a user-friendly UI and numerous valuable features. You may automate your timetables and calendars to match the time zones of your users.
A free trial is available from Acuity Scheduling. If you want to upgrade to premium, the plans range from $14 to $50 per month, depending on your scheduling needs.
Pros:
- Embeddable calendars
- Group scheduling
- Customizable intake forms
- Third-party synchronization
- Secure online transactions
3. SimplyBook – Best Solution for Service-Based Businesses
SimplyBook is the most effective scheduling tool for service businesses. It offers personalized pages with complete booking solutions and various scheduling capabilities.
You can easily add “Book Now” CTA buttons to your social networks with book pages.
SimplyBook offers a 14-day free trial to try out the service. The premium plans range from $9.9 per month to $59.9 per month.
Pros:
- Option to accept multiple bookings from clients
- Customizable site to match branding style
- Customizable intake forms for clients
- Better marketing through client memberships, coupons, packages, and gift cards
- Option to send customized emails to clients
4. Hubspot Meetings – Best Meeting Room Scheduling Software
This tool generates personalized booking links that others can use to schedule meetings with you based on your availability.
When someone sets an appointment with you, their contact information will appear on your calendar automatically. Your HubSpot CRM database will also be updated with these details.
Hubspot Meetings can now be linked to Google Calendar and Office 365. When you join up for HubSpot Meetings, you’ll get access to the following features:
- HubSpot free CRM
- HubSpot Marketing
- HubSpot Sales and Customer Service Tools
- HubSpot Academy
HubSpot Meetings has a free plan that includes one unique meeting link, CRM connectivity, unlimited meetings, and a calendar that can be embedded.
Their premium subscriptions include essential features like marketing and sales tool integration. Premium plans begin at $50 per month.
Pros:
- Customizable booking links and pages
- Group meetings links
- Customized form questions for valuable context in regards to the prospect
- Embeddable calendar for your website
- Fully integrates with the HubSpot suite of tools
5. Bookafy – Best for Small Businesses
Bookafy is a flexible scheduling solution for calls, meetings, sales demos, and appointments. It’s simple to set up and integrate or embed your calendars smoothly.
You may also use applications like Zoom and GoToMeeting to create meeting links for your appointments.
Its main distinguishing feature is skill-based scheduling: when a customer requests a meeting, the person with the most relevant skills and knowledge in the subject matter is assigned.
They provide a free 7-day trial with no strings attached. Their monthly pro plan starts at $7.
Pros:
- Feature-rich free plan
- Customizable interface to match your branding style
- Sync with iCloud, Outlook.com, Google Calendar, and ICS
- Enterprise options available
6. Setmore – Best Appointment Scheduling Software
Setmore is a simple yet powerful scheduling program. Its set-up wizard takes care of the heavy lifting for you, so you don’t have to be technically savvy to use it.
The desktop application is another unique feature of this instrument. You can see your appointments even if you are not connected to the internet. This is a capability that no other scheduling tool has.
They provide a generous free plan that includes all essential features and does not require a credit card. Their monthly premium plans start at $9.
Pros:
- Offers text and email reminders
- Offers email and SMS alerts when an appointment is cancelled or rescheduled
- Clients can make appointments through social media platforms
- Fast payment processing
- Top-notch customer support
7. Findmyshift – Best for Drag-and-drop Scheduling
Findmyshift is a cloud-based workforce planner that makes it easier for managers to schedule employees. The drag-and-drop tool allows you to design the entire timetable in minutes.
Depending on your business demands and requirements, you can add as many objects as you like in cells using its incredibly user-friendly interface.
It also allows you to create and preserve customized templates based on recurrent patterns, which helps you schedule more efficiently.
For teams of up to 5 employees, Findmyshift is entirely free. Premium services, which start at $25 per team, also come with a free 30-day trial.
Pros:
- Staff-tracking at all times
- Powerful web-based schedule-making and instant sharing
- Timeclock app to track hours and schedules
- Real-time notifications via SMS, emails, and push notifications
- Smart pay calculation for hourly employees
- Secured Automated backups to the cloud
8. Bitrix24 – Best for Logistics Company
Bitrix24 is an open-source scheduling program that offers a variety of valuable features. It allows you to organize projects and tasks, share files, message business contacts, etc.
In addition, Bitrix24 has a call centre tool that allows you to reconnect with lost clients and prospects. That means you can see your previous interactions with clients and promptly retrieve the saved data if you miss a call from them.
For up to 12 users, Bitrix24 is free to use. The pricier plans also come with free trials. A paid membership ranges from $12 to $99.5 a month.
Pros:
- Activity Stream Access allows you to collaborate with other firms and get source codes, extra tools, and data control.
- Upload and share files with others right away.
- Intranet services let you manage external and internal communication more effectively.
- Access several features, including task reports, an employee directory, an absence chart, time monitoring, etc.
9. Appointy – Best Class Scheduling Software
Appointy is an excellent choice if your company relies more on social media than its website. It allows you to construct a custom booking page that clients may use to arrange appointments with you.
Another valuable aspect of Appointy is its automated scheduling system, which helps you arrange your business.
It is possible to inquire about past interactions with customers for information.
You can set up multiple payment plans and take money directly as an administrator. You can also create invoices on Appointy’s website.
They provide a free plan with restricted features to try out the program. Their paid monthly plans begin at $19.99, including a 14-day free trial.
Pros:
- In minutes, you can integrate your social media channels.
- Effectively manage a significant number of personnel
- Implement customized customer loyalty programs to help you retain more customers.
- Tools for tracking staff performance and appointments using analytics and reporting
- Reminders are sent automatically to reduce no-shows.
10. SuperSaaS – Best Scheduling Software for 24/7 availability
SuperSaaS is a web-based scheduling program that works around the clock. You may log in remotely and work because it is available on multiple platforms. It can also communicate in 33 other languages.
SuperSaaS provides clients with various scheduling options, coupons, and discounts, sends reminders and interacts with online payment options.
SuperSaaS can be used for reservations, rentals, service bookings, and one-on-one appointments, among other things.
The free edition of SuperSaaS allows you to plan up to 50 appointments. Premium plans start at $8 per month.
Pros:
- Provides options for scaling the business to handle more employees, infinite users, and a variety of additional resources.
- It supports 34 languages and adjusts the time zone automatically.
- It syncs with Google Calendar, Microsoft outlook, phone calendar, and Zoom to eliminate duplicate bookings and disputes.
- It effortlessly integrates with iCal to deliver real-time updates on the status of your appointments.
Conclusion
So there you have it: some of the most powerful online scheduling applications currently available. However, you must first assess your company’s needs to make the best decision.
Before you choose the correct scheduling software, bear the following aspects in mind:
- Number of Employees: If you are a freelancer or manage a small business, choose the free edition with adequate capabilities. However, an enterprise plan will give you the best value for your money if you have a more prominent firm.
- Type of Business: Your company may require ticketing, appointment scheduling, or work distribution software. Instead of choosing a tool with many extra capabilities, choose a platform that matches your specific scheduling needs.
- Budget: Ensure your platform is within your financial constraints and provides the most value for money. To get the most terrific deal, compare the pricing and features of different solutions. Look for free versions if you have a small staff or minimal requirements.
Consider these points and closely evaluate each instrument. There is no simple way to manage everything when arranging meetings and other essential business duties. The greatest thing you can do is enlist the help of a scheduling app to help you organize your business meetings.
Would you use any of the scheduling tools on this list? Please leave a remark below with your favourites.