Acuity Scheduling vs Vagaro
Acuity Scheduling
Cloud-based appointment scheduling and payment collection software for service professionals.
Solo consultants, fitness trainers, therapists, coaches, and service professionals who need scheduling plus integration with existing business tools.
Vagaro
All-in-one salon and spa management platform with native POS, invoicing, and inventory control.
Salons, spas, and multi-service beauty businesses needing consolidated scheduling, payments, inventory, and marketing in a single platform.
Short Answer
Acuity Scheduling excels as a pure appointment scheduling platform with superior integrations and lower pricing starting at $15/month, while Vagaro is a comprehensive salon and spa management suite with built-in POS and invoicing starting at $29/month, making it better for multi-service businesses requiring full business management.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Acuity Scheduling if you're a solo service professional prioritizing affordability, ease of use, and seamless integration with other business tools—it's the best value for scheduling-first businesses. Choose Vagaro if you operate a salon, spa, or multi-service beauty business needing an all-in-one platform with POS, inventory, and invoicing built in, justifying the higher cost through consolidated operations.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose Acuity Scheduling if
Solo consultants, fitness trainers, therapists, coaches, and service professionals who need scheduling plus integration with existing business tools.
Choose Vagaro if
Salons, spas, and multi-service beauty businesses needing consolidated scheduling, payments, inventory, and marketing in a single platform.
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Acuity Scheduling | Vagaro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Time to Launch(hours) | 15-30 minutes | — | — |
| Starting Monthly Cost(USD) | $16 | — | — |
| No-Show Reduction (Typical)(%) | ~25% (via reminders) | — | — |
| Starting Monthly Price (USD)(USD) | $16 | — | — |
| Available Integrations(count) | 120+ (via Zapier and native) | — | — |
| Setup Time to First Booking (minutes)(minutes) | 30-60 minutes | — | — |
| Third-Party Integrations(count) | 500+ via Zapier | 200+ integrations | +150% |
| Mobile App Platforms(platforms) | iOS and Android | iOS and Android | — |
| Starter Plan Price(USD/month) | $15 (Standard) | — | — |
| Setup Time to First Booking(minutes) | 15-25 minutes | — | — |
| Zapier Integration Count(integrations) | 150+ apps | — | — |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $15 | $29/month | -48% |
| Mid-Tier Plan Price(USD/month) | $55 | — | — |
| Available API Integrations(count) | 500+ | — | — |
| Average Setup Time(minutes) | 1-2 days | — | — |
| Free Trial Period(days) | 14 days | — | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Key Differences
Acuity Scheduling
$15/month🏆
Vagaro
$29/month
Acuity Scheduling
Requires third-party integration
Vagaro
Native POS included🏆
Acuity Scheduling
Service professionals (fitness, consulting, beauty)
Vagaro
Salons, spas, and beauty-focused businesses
Acuity Scheduling
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction🏆
Vagaro
3.5% for Stripe, varies by processor
Acuity Scheduling
iOS and Android with full client access
Vagaro
iOS and Android with POS capabilities
Acuity Scheduling
500+ integrations via Zapier and native connectors🏆
Vagaro
200+ integrations, more limited ecosystem
Acuity Scheduling
No native inventory tracking
Vagaro
Built-in inventory with low-stock alerts🏆
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Acuity Scheduling |  Vagaro |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction Fees Per Payment(percentage + fixed) | 2.2% (Stripe external) | — |
| Starting Monthly Cost(USD) | $16 | — |
| Transaction Fee (Online Payments)(%) | None (3rd party) | — |
| Starting Monthly Price (USD)(USD) | $16 | — |
| Free Tier Availability | No (14-day free trial only) | — |
Show 5 more attributesStarter Plan Price(USD/month) $15 (Standard) — Payment Processing Fee (if applicable)(percent + USD) 2.2% + $0.30 (native Acuity processing) — Starting Monthly Price(USD) $15 $29/month Mid-Tier Plan Price(USD/month) $55 — Free Trial Period(days) 14 days — | ||
| Setup Time to Launch(hours) | 15-30 minutes | — |
| Built-in Email Marketing | Yes (automated campaigns) | — |
| Maximum Clients(unlimited) | Unlimited | — |
| Waitlist & Cancellation Policy Support(yes/no) | Yes | — |
| Maximum Calendars (Scheduling Types)(count) | Unlimited | — |
| Custom Form Fields(count) | Unlimited | — |
Show 10 more attributesEmail Automation Capabilities(level) Advanced (25+ templates, conditional logic, delays) — Built-in POS System No (integration required) Yes, included Native Inventory Management No Yes with alerts Client Booking Page Customization Advanced CSS/HTML editing Template-based customization Intake Form Conditional Logic Yes (all plans) — Custom Domain Support(domains) Yes (Professional plan+, $59/month) — API Access Availability Yes (Professional tier, $59/month) — Email Marketing Tools Included(boolean) No — Sales Pipeline Management(feature level) Basic (not primary focus) — Appointment Booking Customization(level) Highly specialized (primary function) — | ||
| Native Mobile App Available(platforms) | Web-based only | — |
| Maximum Staff Accounts(users) | Unlimited | — |
| Multi-Location Support(locations) | Yes (via platform) | — |
| Inventory Management | No | — |
| No-Show Reduction (Typical)(%) | ~25% (via reminders) | — |
| Native Payment Processing | Yes (Stripe, PayPal, Square) | — |
| Available Integrations(count) | 120+ (via Zapier and native) | — |
| Setup Time to First Booking (minutes)(minutes) | 30-60 minutes | — |
| Setup Time to First Booking(minutes) | 15-25 minutes | — |
| White-Label/Rebranding Options(level) | Full (complete removal of branding) | — |
| Payment Processing Fees(percentage + fixed) | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.5% (Stripe) |
| Third-Party Integrations(count) | 500+ via Zapier | 200+ integrations |
| Available API Integrations(count) | 500+ | — |
| Mobile App Platforms(platforms) | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
| Automated Marketing Tools | Basic (via integrations) | Built-in email, SMS, loyalty programs |
| Zapier Integration Count(integrations) | 150+ apps | — |
| Average Setup Time(minutes) | 1-2 days | — |
VagaroShow 5 more attributes
Show 10 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
Acuity Scheduling
Pros
- Lowest starting price at $15/month with unlimited appointments
- 500+ integrations via Zapier and native connectors (Stripe, Square, Calendly, HubSpot, Facebook Ads)
- Lowest payment processing fees at 2.9% + $0.30
- Superior client experience with self-service booking and automated reminders
- No-code customization via Zapier for automation workflows
Cons
- No built-in POS or retail inventory management—must integrate third-party solutions
- Limited reporting capabilities compared to enterprise salon software
Vagaro
Pros
- Built-in POS system for retail sales and service payments in one platform
- Native inventory management with low-stock alerts and supplier tracking
- Comprehensive invoicing and accounting integrations (QuickBooks, Xero)
- Marketing suite with email campaigns, loyalty programs, and SMS notifications
- Specialized for beauty industry with service categorization and add-on management
Cons
- Higher starting price at $29/month increases cost for small solo practitioners
- Fewer third-party integrations limits flexibility for custom workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
Acuity Scheduling is better if you prioritize affordability ($15/month) and already use other business tools. Vagaro is better if you want everything (scheduling, POS, inventory, marketing) in one platform and don't mind paying $29/month for convenience.
Resources & Learn More
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