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Head-to-head · Appointment Scheduling Software

Acuity Scheduling vs DayOtter

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Acuity Scheduling #5 in Appointment Scheduling Software 8.9/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Acuity
DayOtter #64 in Appointment Scheduling Software 3.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit DayOtter

Acuity Scheduling leads on 0 checks, DayOtter on 2, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAcuity Scheduling · 8.9/10
  • Lowest starting priceDayOtter · $9/seat/mo
  • Free planonly DayOtter
  • Free trialonly Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling scores higher on our rubric for appointment scheduling software: 8.9 against 3.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #64.

DayOtter offers free plan; Acuity Scheduling doesn't. DayOtter is cheaper to start at $9/user/mo against $16/user/mo.

Acuity Scheduling is the better fit for service businesses needing advanced operations. DayOtter is the better fit for open-source scheduling with AI assistance.

  • Acuity Scheduling fits best

    Service businesses needing advanced operations

  • DayOtter fits best

    Open-source scheduling with AI assistance

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Acuity Scheduling 8.9/10 Visit ↗ DayOtter 3.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 3.7
Ranking #5 in Appointment Scheduling Software #64 in Appointment Scheduling Software
Best for Service businesses needing advanced operations Open-source scheduling with AI assistance
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $16/mo $9/seat/mo (best)
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 13 integrations 11 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Acuity Scheduling 5/5 · DayOtter 5/5
Booking pages ✓ ✓
Group booking ✓ ✓
Round-robin scheduling ✓ ✓
Automated reminders ✓ ✓
Payment collection ✓ ✓
Specs
Calendar sync Two-way Two-way
Our review
Pros
  • Supports staff, resources, availability, and multi-location calendars
  • Combines booking, payments, packages, memberships, and invoicing
  • Offers group booking, round-robin scheduling, and two-way calendar sync
  • Free plan includes unlimited event types and booking pages
  • Self-hosted edition unlocks Pro features under AGPLv3
  • Supports routing, round-robin scheduling, reminders, payments, and CRM sync
Cons
  • No ongoing free plan after the 7-day trial
  • Starter includes only 1 calendar
  • Advanced features require the higher-priced Premium plan
  • Hosted Pro costs $9 per seat per month
  • Self-hosting requires customer-managed infrastructure and credentials
  • Platform coverage centers on web, Android, self-hosting, and API access
Our verdict

Acuity Scheduling is online appointment scheduling software for solo practitioners, service businesses, and multi-location teams. It provides branded booking pages, shareable links, website embedding, client self-scheduling, rescheduling…

Read the review →

DayOtter is an appointment scheduling platform for individuals and teams that need shareable booking pages, calendar coordination, reminders, group polls, and team scheduling. Its booking pages support intake questions, buffers, recurring…

Read the review →
  1. Acuity SchedulingAppointment Scheduling Software 8.97-day trial
  2. DayOtterAppointment Scheduling Software 3.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Acuity Scheduling — where it wins

    • Supports staff, resources, availability, and multi-location calendars
    • Combines booking, payments, packages, memberships, and invoicing
    • Offers group booking, round-robin scheduling, and two-way calendar sync

    Where it doesn't

    • No ongoing free plan after the 7-day trial
    • Starter includes only 1 calendar
    • Advanced features require the higher-priced Premium plan

  • DayOtter — where it wins

    • Free plan includes unlimited event types and booking pages
    • Self-hosted edition unlocks Pro features under AGPLv3
    • Supports routing, round-robin scheduling, reminders, payments, and CRM sync

    Where it doesn't

    • Hosted Pro costs $9 per seat per month
    • Self-hosting requires customer-managed infrastructure and credentials
    • Platform coverage centers on web, Android, self-hosting, and API access
  • Acuity Scheduling8.9/10 · 7-day trial

    Acuity fits service businesses that need scheduling, payments, clients, and operations in one system.

    Visit AcuityFull verdict →
  • DayOtter3.7/10 · Free plan

    A flexible scheduler with a free tier, self-hosting, team routing, and AI assistance.

    Visit DayOtterFull verdict →

More comparisons

All appointment scheduling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update