# 7 Top-Rated Free Appointment Scheduling Software | Capterra > Looking for free appointment scheduling software solutions? Discover 7 top-rated tools, explore their benefits, and learn how to choose the best solution for your needs. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/free-appointment-scheduling-software --- Administrative # 7 Top-Rated Free Appointment Scheduling Software Written by: Shephalii Kapoor Shephalii KapoorAuthor Writer Experience I’ve been writing for Capterra since September 2021, providing expert insights to help small businesses find the right software solutions. ... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/skapoor/) and edited by: Lindsay Page Lindsay PageEditor Content Editor Experience I have been an editor at Capterra for three years, specializing in editing data-driven research and tech trends reports for small a... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/lindsay-page/) Published April 22, 2022 | Updated on September 4, 2024 13 min read Managing appointments can be challenging, often involving double bookings, missed appointments, and countless back-and-forth emails. [Appointment scheduling software](https://www.capterra.com/appointment-scheduling-software/) offers a practical solution to the disorder. The software automates the process of managing appointments, allowing clients to book, reschedule, and cancel appointments online while sending automated reminders and confirmations to reduce no-shows.  If you’re new to using the software or on a tight budget, try a free version or trial to evaluate software usability before purchasing a paid plan. To assist your software search, this article highlights, in alphabetical order, seven top-rated free appointment scheduling tools based on verified user reviews. **All featured products offer a free trial, a forever-free version, or both.** They are categorized into three categories—dedicated appointment scheduling tools, practice management systems, and activity reservation platforms with appointment scheduling capabilities. Regardless of the category, all products include online scheduling, reminders, and payment processing as common features. ### What is free software vs. free trial software? Free software is software that users can access without incurring any costs. To meet this criterion, a software solution must grant users free lifetime access to either all or some of its features. On the other hand, a free trial allows users to try out the software with complete or partial feature access for a limited period. Unlike free software, which is free forever, a free trial requires payment after a specific timeframe. _Analysis accurate as of August 2023_ ## 1\. [BookyWay](https://www.capterra.com/p/244796/gymtrainer/) **Free trial period:** Not available  **Free version:** Available BookyWay is an activity reservation system that helps businesses in the fitness and wellness industry book classes, appointments, or activities directly through the platform. The software offers a waiting list feature to manage high demand for classes or appointments with a manual or automated procedure. You can add clients to a waiting list when a class or appointment is fully booked. Clients automatically receive a notification email when they are moved from the waiting list to a confirmed booking. **Free features**: - **Booking statistics:** Download detailed reports to track number of bookings over a specified period. You can also use these reports to identify trends in appointment cancellations, understand the most profitable activities with the highest bookings, and calculate income from appointments.  - **Weekly booking limits:** Set weekly booking limits to control the number of appointments a client can book within a specific week. This feature helps you manage class capacity, optimize your class schedule, and provide a better experience for all your clients.  - **In-app payments:** Collect payment from clients for classes, appointments, memberships, or other services directly within the app, without having to switch to an external payment gateway. Payments are processed instantly, providing immediate booking confirmation to clients.  **Customer support options:** Email, online FAQs, and online tutorials #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Cost to upgrade Forever free (for all users added within 30 days) #### Device Compatibilty ## 2\. [Carepatron](https://www.capterra.com/p/195467/Care-Patron/) **Free trial period:** Not available **Free version:** Available Carepatron is a practice management solution for healthcare professionals that includes a patient portal, allowing you to connect with patients, conduct appointments remotely, and securely manage medical records. Patients can book and manage appointments via this portal by selecting from the list of available appointment times, services, and practitioners. They can also make payments for services directly through the portal and choose from various payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets. **Free features**: - **Appointment reminders:** Send automated text and email reminders to clients reminding them of their upcoming appointments. You can also send booking confirmations immediately after scheduling a new appointment or rescheduling an existing one.  - **Calendar sync:** Integrate your schedule with popular calendar platforms to schedule and manage appointments. Any changes made in Carepatron, including cancellations and rescheduling, are reflected on the synced calendar. You can also drag-and-drop existing appointments within your calendar. - **Automated invoicing:** Create, send, and track invoices, saving time and reducing manual errors in the process. The software automatically generates invoices based on scheduled appointments, services rendered, and patient accounts. It also offers tools to track invoice status, payment history, and outstanding balances. **Customer support options:** Help center and online request form #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Cost to upgrade $12 per user, per month #### Billing cycle Annual #### Device Compatibilty Pro tip Select a tool with a mobile-friendly interface to ensure that clients can easily view available appointment times, book, reschedule, or cancel appointments from their mobile devices. ## 3\. [Goldie](https://www.capterra.com/p/268055/Goldie/) **Free trial period:** Not available **Free version:** Available Goldie is an appointment scheduling app that lets your customers book appointments at any time, from any device, such as mobile phones and tablets. You can use this tool to build an online booking website where customers can book, reschedule, and cancel appointments with you. Goldie’s booking website allows you to either accept all reservations automatically or manually review and approve or decline each appointment request. **Free features**: - **Online scheduling:** Sync with other calendars to manage your commitments. The software offers flexible calendar views—daily, weekly, and monthly to help you manage your schedules. You can also use color coding to visually differentiate between different types of booking or appointments.  - **Personalized message templates:** Customize the messages you send to clients before or after appointments. The software offers in-built templates that can be used to send messages for different occasions, such as booking confirmations and reminders. You can edit the template’s content, date and time, sending times, and more. - **Individual client reports:** Generate client reports to view their total number of appointments, no-shows, and cancellations. These reports help you understand each client’s appointment habits and the total revenue they have brought.  **Customer support options:** Email, knowledge base, and online support ticket #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Cost to upgrade $19.99 per month #### Billing cycle Monthly #### Device Compatibilty ## 4\. [Practice Better](https://www.capterra.com/p/159263/Better/) **Free trial period:** 14 days **Free version:** Available Practice Better is another practice management tool that helps you book multiple sessions with a client in different ways. You can either book sessions with a client using a fast-action button on the bookings page, or find the package you would like to book sessions for and book multiple sessions within a specific package. Practice Better also enables double bookings for specific services if needed. **Free features**: - **Multiple office location support:** Accept appointments and bookings at different locations. You can even allow your clients to suggest locations when booking in-person sessions. This feature automatically populates location suggestions that can be made available to clients when they book in-person sessions with you. - **Public booking page:** Create a custom booking page to include multiple services. You can organize products on your bookings page, add packages, and limit locations available for booking. Your clients can schedule appointments from this page directly without needing to create an account.  - **Mobile apps:** View your schedules, book, or reschedule appointments while on the go. The software offers Android and iOS mobile apps that enable you to connect with clients through secure messaging and instant alerts. **Customer support options:** Chat, help center, and knowledge base Best functionality #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Cost to upgrade $25 per month #### Billing cycle Monthly #### Device Compatibilty Pro tip Consider a free tool that offers customizable invoice templates so that you can modify the layout , add a business logo, and include essential fields, such as payment terms and client information. This feature is particularly helpful for service-based businesses as it ensures timely and accurate billing, enhancing client satisfaction. ## 5\. [Setmore](https://www.capterra.com/p/122035/SetMore/) **Free trial period:** 30 days **Free version:** Available Setmore is a dedicated appointment scheduling solution that integrates with popular social media channels to help your clients book appointments without leaving their social apps. You can use the integration to add a “book now” button or a booking page to your social media accounts, such as Instagram and Facebook for increased visibility and improved booking experience. This integration simplifies your booking process and helps convert social media followers into paying customers. **Free features**: - **Online payments:** Receive online payments for appointments. The software integrates with payment platforms, enabling customers to use their credit or debit cards to reserve spots on your calendar. You can also use the tool to accept advance payments for upcoming appointments.  - **Email reminders:** Send free email reminders to clients, notifying them of upcoming appointments or any changes in the schedule. You can add a link for clients to reschedule in your emails, reducing the chances of no-shows and lost revenue.  - **Customizable booking page URL:** Customize a part of the booking page URL by including your business name, industry, or other relevant keywords. This customization makes your URL easier to remember and promote. **Free trial features:\*** - **Recurring appointments:** Create recurring appointments to simplify your scheduling process. You can select between daily, weekly, or monthly recurrence for your appointments, with repeat bookings automatically appearing in your calendar.  - **Video meeting integrations:** Book and host video appointments, meetings, classes, and webinars. The software integrates with popular video platforms, allowing you to share video meeting links with customers for online appointments.  - **SMS reminders:** Send automated text reminders for appointments and cut down on missed appointments. You can also personalize these reminders by adding the services booked, date, time, staff member, and more.   **Customer support options:** Email, knowledge base, and phone #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Cost to upgrade $5 per user, per month #### Billing cycle Annual #### Device Compatibilty ## 6\. [Square Appointments](https://www.capterra.com/p/170263/Square-Appointments/) **Free trial period:** 30 days **Free version:** Available Square appointments is a scheduling solution that allows you to add and view as many staff calendars as you want to your Square account. Businesses with multiple employees can leverage this feature to manage schedules for an unlimited number of staff members from a single account. Each staff member has their own calendar, which can be accessed by clients to book appointments. It simplifies the scheduling process, ensures that the availability is updated in real-time, and supports coordination across multiple employees. **Free features**: - **Custom schedule:** Customize your calendar, letting clients book when you are available. You can color-code your schedule by staff or service, set a daily appointment limit, and even block off some personal time.  - **Fake-It-Filter:** Reduce the number of available appointment slots from the calendar to create an impression of high demand and potentially increase bookings, or simply reserve a percentage of your day for other tasks.  - **Booking integrations for websites:** Add a “book now” button to your website, create a QR code to ensure a contactless booking option, or embed a booking widget into your existing website. This means your customers can easily schedule appointments without leaving your site. **Free trial features:\*** - **Waitlist:** Create a waitlist for popular services or staff, and fill gaps in your schedule due to last-minute cancellations or reschedulings. Your clients can join the waiting list through your booking site and receive notifications when an opening occurs.  - **Cancellation policy and fees:** Set up your cancellation policy, requiring clients to cancel appointments within a certain time frame and provide their credit card information when they book. You can use this information to charge a small fee in the event of last-minute cancellations or no-show.  - **Google calendar sync:** Sync your Square Appointments calendar with your Google Calendar so that you never miss an appointment or double-book yourself. This feature ensures that your schedule is always up-to-date.  **Customer support options:** Chat, online community, and phone #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Cost to upgrade $29 per location, per month #### Billing cycle Monthly #### Device Compatibilty ## 7\. [Zoho Bookings](https://www.capterra.com/p/229078/Zoho-Bookings/) **Free trial period:** 15 days **Free version:** Available Zoho Bookings is another appointment scheduling platform that allows you to manually schedule appointments on behalf of your customers. Your customers can also book one-on-one service appointments with you via an online interface and invite multiple guests to their appointments. The software automatically handles time zone conversions, ensuring both you and your clients have accurate appointment times, regardless of the geographical location. **Free features**: - **Client history:** Get a comprehensive view of your client’s history, including the details of their previous appointments, payments, preferences, and contact information. This feature helps you understand customer behavior and spending habits to provide better services. - **Buffer times**: Set buffer times before and after appointments to maintain a smooth workflow and prevent scheduling conflicts. You can set different buffer times for different staff members or services. - **Mobile-responsive booking page**: Ensure a positive user experience for customers booking appointments on their smartphones or tablets. The software offers a mobile-responsive booking page which means that the page will automatically adjust its layout and content to fit different screen sizes. **Free trial features:\*** - **Auto-translation:** Set your booking page language by selecting from nine different languages, including English, French, and German. Displaying your booking page in your target audience’s language can increase customer satisfaction and conversions.  - **Booking reassignment:** Reassign appointments from one staff member to another. This feature helps you manage staff schedules, accommodate staff absences, and ensure optimal service delivery to clients.  - **Appointment reports:** Generate detailed reports to view statistics about your bookings and revenue, which can be based on your staff, services offered, service types, and appointment status. This can help you understand various aspects of your business, including its functioning and the most sought-after staff for your services.  **Customer support options:** Email, knowledge base, and phone #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Cost to upgrade $6 per user, per month #### Billing cycle Annual #### Device Compatibilty Pro tip Shortlist a free appointment scheduling tool that sends automated messages to clients via email or text messages, reminding them of the upcoming appointments and minimizing the chances of no-shows. ## What is the cost to upgrade from free appointment scheduling software to paid software? Appointment scheduling software upgrades can be as low as $4 per month or up to $599+ per month, depending on various factors—number of users, features, infrastructure requirements, business size/type, training availability, deployment options, integrations, and storage. Most appointment scheduling software solutions typically include the following subscription plans: - **Free trials:** Range from seven to 30 days and give users temporary access to either complete or limited software features. These no-cost trial plans are ideal for businesses that wish to try out a tool before purchasing it.  - **Free versions:** Offer perpetual access to limited software features. These free plans are ideal for small businesses or individuals on a budget. - **Entry-level plans:** Start at $4 per month and offer access to standard features. They are recommended for small businesses or teams with basic feature requirements, such as online booking, calendar integration, and appointment confirmation.  - **Mid-tier plans:** Range from $7 to $469 per month and offer advanced features such as team scheduling, buffer time, customizable booking pages, payment processing, and customer relationship management (CRM) integration. They are suitable for businesses that have outgrown basic appointment scheduling solutions but don’t require the full range of functionality offered by enterprise-level tools. - **High-end plans:** Cost over $599 per month and offer a range of advanced capabilities, including online waiting room, unlimited bookings, video conferencing integration, customizable notifications, customer feedback management, advanced reporting, and priority support. They are suitable for large businesses that need a customized solution to manage high volumes of appointments. ### Hidden costs associated with appointment scheduling software Besides the software license, additional costs may include: - **Commission charges:** Several appointment scheduling platforms charge a commission on new client bookings, adding up to the original software price. - **Processing fees**: Processing fees for transactions made through the software's integrated payment system can increase the cost of the software. - **Integration fees**: Integrating the software with your CRM, email marketing, or other tools might have additional fees. ## Frequently asked questions when selecting free appointment scheduling software Here are some questions to ask appointment scheduling software providers during the software evaluation phase. Does the free tool offer online payment capabilities? Free appointment scheduling tools usually come with limited online payment capabilities. However, the feature might be useful, especially if you want to centralize your appointment scheduling and payment acceptance processes. Consider a free tool that integrates with payment gateways and offers different payment options, such as digital wallets and credit cards, allowing customers to pay securely using their preferred payment method. Does the free software offer customizable booking pages? While evaluating potential free solutions for your appointment scheduling needs, make sure that the software allows you to tailor the online booking interface to reflect your brand. This includes adding a logo, selecting brand colors, and adding business information, such as hours of operation and staff profiles. This ability can help you create a consistent brand experience for clients. What are the client management capabilities offered by the free tool? Free appointment scheduling solutions typically include basic features, such as storing client information, tracking appointment history, and adding notes on client preferences. Understanding these features can help you quickly access client details, manage repeat bookings, and personalize services for clients. ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Looking for Scheduling software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Scheduling software](https://www.capterra.com/scheduling-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Authors [### Shephalii Kapoor](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/skapoor/) Shephalii Kapoor is a writer at Capterra. She provides insights to help small businesses identify the right software for their needs by analyzing over 550,000 Capterra user reviews and nearly 48,000 interactions between Capterra software advisors and buyers. [### Lindsay Page](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/lindsay-page/) Lindsay Page has been an editor at Capterra for three years. She specializes in editing data-driven research and tech trends reports for small and midsize businesses. She has more than a decade of experience writing and editing for a variety of industries, with expertise in cybersecurity, corporate and securities regulation, and finance. She has been a writer, editor, senior editor, and associate director. ### RELATED READING - [Bookkeeper vs. Accounts Payable Software: Which One Should You Choose?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/category-compare-bookkeeper-vs-accounts-payable-software/) - [How to Unlock Real AI Benefits in Sales and Marketing](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-benefits-sales-marketing-software/) - [How To Build the Right Project Management Tech Stack for Your Business](https://www.capterra.com/resources/project-management-tech-stack/) - [Why You Need Project Management Software With ADP Integration](https://www.capterra.com/resources/project-management-software-with-adp-integration/) - [5 Key Help Desk Software Features With Top Products That Offer Them](https://www.capterra.com/resources/help-desk-software-key-features/) - [Help Desk Software for IT Support: Features and Benefits 1,300+ Users Value](https://www.capterra.com/resources/it-help-desk-software-features-benefits/) - [AI in Talent Management Software: The Bridge Between Recruiting and Retention](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-talent-management-software/) - [Switching Accounting Software: Common Risks to Avoid in 2026](https://www.capterra.com/resources/switching-accounting-software-problems-risks/) - [Why Projects Fail, and What Actually Helps Teams Fix Them](https://www.capterra.com/resources/4-steps-to-completely-recover-from-project-failure/) To be considered for this list, products had to: - Have at least 20 unique product reviews published on Capterra within the past two years, with an average rating of 4.0 or higher (as of August 13, 2024). We selected the seven products with the highest ratings to feature in this article. - Offer either a free stand-alone version of the software or a free trial that needs to be purchased after the trial period.  - Meet our definition of appointment scheduling software: _“Appointment scheduling software streamlines the process of scheduling clients, patients, and meetings. This type of software promotes efficiency by eliminating double bookings and automating the scheduling of recurring appointments. It also allows employees to have real-time access to their and their colleagues' schedules, make changes to the system straight from the scheduling interface, and provide clients with the most suitable appointment options.”_ The “best functionality” tool is identified based on the highest user ratings for functionality that a vendor received based on publicly available reviews as of August 13, 2024. **Editorial Independence** We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology. Note: Products evaluated for the pricing calculation were taken from [Capterra’s appointment scheduling software directory](https://www.capterra.com/appointment-scheduling-software/). The pricing ranges exclude freemium versions of the products. The features highlighted were identified based on their relevance and the percentage of products in the Capterra directory that offer them. Only products with publicly available pricing information, as of August 13, 2024, were considered for pricing calculation. Product research for this article was contributed by Rakshat Chhokar.