As businesses continue to grow and evolve in 2024, having a reliable scheduling app is crucial for keeping operations organized and efficient. Whether you’re coordinating meetings, managing appointments, or syncing with clients and team members, the right scheduling tool can save you time and reduce the headaches of manual planning. 

With many options available, finding a scheduling app that fits your needs is essential. In this guide, we’ll dive into some of the top scheduling apps for businesses, helping you choose the one that best aligns with your workflow.

Calendly

Calendly remains one of the most popular scheduling tools for businesses, known for its simple user interface and ease of use. Its ability to sync with major calendar apps like Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar makes it highly versatile. Calendly lets you set up appointment types and buffer times between meetings and integrates with platforms like Zoom, Salesforce, and Slack.

Why it's great for businesses:

• Customizable meeting types
• Easy team collaboration
• Integration with over 70 tools, including payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal

For businesses that want an easy-to-use scheduling app without overwhelming customization options, Calendly is an excellent choice.

Acuity scheduling

Acuity Scheduling, now part of the Squarespace family, offers a range of powerful features for service-based businesses. It allows you to manage multiple staff calendars, accept payments upfront, and offer appointment packages or memberships. It’s highly customizable and integrates with email marketing tools, making it an excellent choice for businesses that rely heavily on client interaction and follow-ups.

Why it's great for businesses:

• Payment integration with Stripe, PayPal, and Square
• Customizable intake forms
• Integration with Google Calendar, Zoom, and Squarespace

Acuity is ideal for businesses needing a more detailed customer booking experience, from personalized appointment reminders to custom forms for client data collection.

Setmore

Setmore is a robust scheduling tool designed for service-based businesses, particularly those in health and wellness, beauty, and education. It offers features like staff management, online booking pages, and the ability to accept payments. Setmore stands out for its free plan, suitable for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs just starting.

Why it's great for businesses:

• Free plan available
• Customizable booking pages
• Integration with Zoom and Teleport for virtual meetings

Setmore is perfect for small businesses that need a reliable and user-friendly scheduling system without a steep learning curve.

Zoho bookings

Zoho Bookings is a natural fit for businesses already using the Zoho suite of tools. As part of the Zoho ecosystem, it integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps like Zoho CRM, Zoho Mail, and Zoho Meetings. The platform allows clients to book appointments via a branded booking page, and businesses can send out automated reminders to reduce no-shows.

Why it's great for businesses:

• Deep integration with Zoho’s other products
• Branded booking pages
• SMS and email reminders for clients

Zoho Bookings is best for businesses already entrenched in the Zoho environment or looking for a comprehensive suite of business tools.

HubSpot meeting scheduler

HubSpot offers a meeting scheduler as part of its CRM platform, making it a convenient choice for businesses already using HubSpot. The meeting scheduler integrates directly with your email and calendar, and because it’s part of the more extensive CRM system, every meeting scheduled is tracked and logged. It’s ideal for sales teams, as you can set up individual or group meeting links for prospects.

Why it's great for businesses:

• Free to use as part of HubSpot’s CRM
• Automatically logs meetings and interactions
• Customizable availability settings

HubSpot's meeting scheduler is an excellent option for businesses that want a comprehensive tool with built-in CRM capabilities.

B12 scheduling

Now, let’s discuss an option beyond just scheduling—B12 Scheduling. If you already use B12 for your business website, you’ll love how seamlessly its scheduling feature integrates with the platform. Instead of juggling separate tools for your website and scheduling needs, B12 combines them in one streamlined platform, saving you time and reducing complexity.

Why it’s great for businesses:

• Built directly into your B12 website
• No need to manage multiple platforms or logins
• Automatically syncs with your site’s design, creating a cohesive client experience

Many businesses struggle with fragmented systems, where their website and scheduling tools don’t talk to each other. With B12, your scheduling tool is an integral part of your website. Clients can schedule appointments directly from your website, which helps maintain a smooth, professional experience. No more sending clients to third-party booking systems that look out of place.

Benefits of using a built-in scheduling app

When choosing the best scheduling tool, one primary consideration is whether to use a standalone app or a scheduling tool built into an existing platform you already use—like B12. Here are some key advantages of using a built-in scheduling app:

• Seamless integration: Since the scheduling tool is part of a more extensive system you already use, everything works together seamlessly. For example, with B12, your appointments sync with your website, and updates happen in real time.
• Fewer tools to manage: You won’t need to juggle different logins, manage multiple subscriptions, or learn new interfaces. A built-in scheduling app is just one less thing to worry about.
• Consistent branding: Your branding remains consistent because the scheduling tool is integrated into your existing platform. Clients will interact with a unified system, which reinforces your professionalism.
• Streamlined client experience: Clients can book appointments directly on your site without being redirected to a third-party system, which creates a more cohesive and pleasant experience for them.

Making the right choice for your business

In 2024, there are more scheduling apps than ever, and each offers unique features tailored to different business needs. Whether you need a simple tool like Calendly, a robust platform like Acuity, or an all-in-one solution like B12 Scheduling, choosing a system that fits seamlessly with your workflow and offers value beyond just scheduling is essential.

If you are already using B12’s website builder, incorporating scheduling into your website could be the smartest choice. It simplifies your tech stack and ensures you offer your clients a smooth, unified experience.

Ready to take your scheduling and business website to the next level? Discover how B12 can transform your online presence and make managing appointments easier. Let’s get your business started on the path to efficiency—sign up with B12 today!