Unlock Efficiency: Top 7 Free Scheduling Software for Small Businesses

Are you…

• ✅ Wasting time on the back-and-forth hassle of appointment scheduling?
• ✅ On a tight budget but still looking for booking software that can help?

You’ve come to the right place!

While meetings certainly take time, scheduling them shouldn’t have to. 

As a small business owner, your time is extremely valuable. You can’t afford to waste it on repetitive tasks such as finding a time to meet, sending out meeting confirmations, or setting up video call links. 

That’s why we’ve researched every nook and cranny of the seven best free scheduling software for small businesses currently on the market. 

Scroll through our comparison of the features, integrations, pros, cons, and pricing of these seven free online scheduling apps for small businesses:

• YouCanBookMe
• Calendly
• OnceHub
• Setmore
• SimplyBook.me
• Doodle
• CalendarHero 

Which one will it be? Let’s find out!

Top 4 benefits of scheduling software

1. Save time: Without scheduling software, you’re spending too many hours on back-and-forth emails trying to pin down a meeting time. With scheduling software, the booking process happens automatically and without any hassle, letting you allocate more time to the tasks that matter (such as growing your business)!
2. Improve customer experience: Appointment scheduling apps let customers book meetings with you 24/7, in seconds, at a time that suits them. If that doesn’t make your customer smile, we don’t know what will!
3. Reduce no-shows: Your time is precious, and you can’t waste it waiting around for or tracking down no-shows. Booking software will send automated appointment reminders for you, ensuring people show up as planned. 
   
4. Automate administrative tasks: Need to update your CRM post meeting? Online appointment scheduling software can do that for you. Need to take online payments for bookings? It can do that, too. What about creating virtual meeting links? Yep, you guessed it, that’s taken care of as well!

How small businesses can evaluate free scheduling software

Every small business is different, so how you evaluate software ultimately depends on your specific needs. However, if you’re just beginning the quest to find the best free scheduling software for your business, we can help! 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which platform is right for you:

• Ease of use: The goal of scheduling software is to save both you and your customer time and hassle. Therefore, the tool should be user-friendly and intuitive.

• Integrations: Every small business has tools they can’t imagine working without. Make a list of your ride-or-die tools and try to find booking software that integrates with them!

• Pricing: You may currently be on the hunt for free scheduling software, but as your business grows, you may need more features. Take a look at what each tool costs now and choose one that you can upgrade without spending an arm and leg.

• Customer experience: Happy customers are loyal customers. A smooth customer experience will keep your users coming back for more, which is fantastic news for your bottom line. 

• Learning curve: As a small business owner, you’ll want to look for a tool that you can quickly get a handle on. After all, you don’t exactly have time to decode convoluted booking software.

• Customization: Let’s be honest: nobody likes a generic customer journey. Keep an eye on the customization options, ensuring you can breathe some of your branding and business personality into the tool.

• Customer support: You want to pick a platform that will have your back. Whether that’s through an extensive knowledge base or a fast and friendly support team—you want to feel supported as you build your business.

7 Best free scheduling software for small businesses

Overview: As judged by users on G2

Judging by customer reviews, it seems like there are two clear winners. See how Calendly and YouCanBookMe compare. 

1. YouCanBookMe

YouCanBookMe is a versatile scheduling tool focused on giving your customers a better booking experience. With a high degree of customization, many time-saving features, and an easy-to-use interface, YCBM lets you quickly build a friction-free scheduling process for you and your bookers.

How does it work?

Connect your calendar, create a booking page, and then share it wherever you connect with customers—in your email signature, website, social media, or even via a QR code on printed materials. 

Key features

• Unlimited bookings
• Personalized booking link
• Embed YouCanBookMe on your website
• Configurable booking form to collect info before you meetAdd branding to your booking page (such as logos and images)
• Minimum/maximum booking notice (to prevent people from booking last minute or too far in advance)
• Automated and customizable email confirmations
• Access to booking records
• Set prices and take payment for appointments

Integrations

• Calendars: Google, Microsoft 365, and Outlook
• Video conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams
• Online payments: Stripe
• Others: Chrome extension

Pros 

• Complete control over your availability, a.k.a. when you’re free to book meetings
• Robust features are available even in the free version
• User-friendly for both you and the booker

Cons

• No mobile app
• No integration with iCloud Calendar

Pricing: Free, $12/calendar/month

2. Calendly

Calendly simplifies scheduling by providing an intuitive platform where users can set their availability and allow others to book appointments. It integrates seamlessly with various calendars, efficiently organizing meetings and streamlining the scheduling process.

How does it work?

Connect your calendar, create a booking page, and share your Calendly link. People will be able to see your availability and schedule a meeting at a time that suits them.

Key features

• Unlimited bookings
• Personalized booking link
• Embed Calendly on your website
• Add branding to your booking page
• Meeting polls (so participants can vote on the best time to meet)
• Automated email confirmations 

Integrations

• Calendars: Google, Microsoft 365, Outlook, and iCloud
• Video conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Webex
• Online payments: No payment integration is available on the free version. Must upgrade to get access to Stripe and PayPal
• Others: Slack

Pros 

• Low learning curve 
• Intuitive user interface
• Mobile app available for both Android and iOS

Cons

• Can’t accept online payments on the free plan
• Can’t customize emails on the free plan
• In case of upgrade, tiered plans mean you’ll have to pay more for access to all features

Pricing: Free, $12/user/month (Standard), $20/user/month (Teams), and custom Enterprise plan

3. OnceHub

OnceHub (formerly ScheduleOnce) is a comprehensive scheduling tool that helps you quickly engage leads. The booking software lets you easily arrange many different types of appointments, including one-on-one, group, and even instant meetings. 

How does it work?

After linking your calendar and setting up a booking page, share your unique booking link so people can select an appointment time that best suits their schedule.

Key features

• Unlimited bookings
• Intelligent chatbot with customizable questions and content
• Instant meetings
• One-on-one meetings, group meetings, and round-robin scheduling
• Buffer before and after meetings (to allow for a break or travel time)
• Customize images, colors, and fonts on your booking page
• Set a maximum number of meetings per week/day
• Embed your booking page on your site
• Access to booking records

Integrations

• Calendars: Google, Microsoft 365, Outlook, and iCloud
• Video conferencing: Zoom, Google Meet, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, and Webex
• Online payments: No payment integration is available on the free version. Must upgrade for access to PayPal
• Others: Slack

Pros 

• Unique advanced features such as a chatbot and instant meetings
• Free plan offers robust features

Cons

• Cannot accept online payments on the free plan
• No mobile app is available
• Free version only lets you view six weeks of booking records

Pricing

Free, $12/user/month (Growth), and custom Enterprise plan

4. Setmore

Setmore is a user-friendly booking software designed for appointment-based businesses of all sizes, enabling easy booking and meeting management. Apart from handling appointments, SetMore has a suite of tools, including reminders, staff scheduling, and customizable branding options.

How does it work?

Create booking pages tailored to your brand and share the link with customers on your website and social media accounts. Customers can then click and book available slots.

Key features

• Unlimited bookings
• Add your Setmore booking page directly to Facebook or Instagram
• Add your logo, pictures, and branding to your booking page
• 500 free email reminders per month
• Accept online payments for appointments with clients 
• Connect with your CRM 
• Embed your booking page on your website

Integrations

• Calendars: None in the free version. Must upgrade to connect Google and Microsoft Calendars
• Video conferencing: Teleport. Must upgrade for access to Zoom and Google Meet
• Online payments: Square, PayPal, Stripe, and LawPay
• Others: Instagram and Facebook

Pros 

• Free plan allows for four users
• Email reminders are available in the free plan
• Mobile app for iOS and Android 

Cons

• No iCloud Calendar integration
• Can’t connect any calendars in the free plan
• Can’t customize notifications in the free plan

Pricing

Free, $9/user/month (Team), and $12/user/month (Pro)

5. SimplyBook.me

SimplyBook.me is a scheduling tool created for service-based businesses that allows customers to book meetings with you quickly. Their appointment scheduling app offers many handy customizable add-ons, but you can only choose one with the free plan.

How does it work?

You can create a booking page to integrate with your existing website or build a new booking site within SimplyBook.me.

Key features

• Custom booking website hosted by SimplyBook.me
• Booking widget to embed on your website
• Different meeting lengths 
• Buffer before and after meetings (to allow for a break or travel time)
• Automated confirmation, reminder, and cancellation emails 
• Automatic feedback request post-appointment

Integrations

• Calendars: Google and Outlook Calendars
• Video conferencing: Google Meet and Microsoft Teams are available in the free plan, but only if you choose that as the custom feature you’d like to add
• Online payments: None in the free version. Must pay for access to Square, PayPal, and Stripe

Pros 

• Email reminders are available in the free plan
• Mobile app for iOS and Android 
• Offers handy booking website templates

Cons

• Free plan limits you to only 50 bookings a month
• Cannot accept online payments on the free plan
• Complicated pricing structure with no plans available that offer unlimited meetings
• No iCloud Calendar integration

Pricing

Free, €9.90/month (Basic), €29.90/month (Standard), €59.90/month (Premium), and €99.90/month (Premium Plus)

6. Doodle

Doodle is an online appointment scheduling software that eases the hassle of organizing group meetings. It offers valuable tools such as polls, surveys, and bookable calendars to help you quickly find the best meeting time for everyone.

How does it work?

Although Doodle offers a bookable calendar, it's most well-known for its meeting polls. You insert all the meeting details and time options into one email, and everyone responds by voting on the time slots that work for them.

Key features

• Unlimited group polls 
• Personalized booking page 
• One-on-one and group meetings
• Automated notifications and reminders

Integrations

• Calendars: Google, Microsoft, and MX Exchange Online
• Video conferencing: Google Meet and Zoom are available in the free plan. Must upgrade for access to Microsoft Teams and Webex
• Online payments: None 

Pros 

• User-friendly interface
• Allows you to create polls for group meetings quickly
• Android and iOS mobile apps

Cons

• Free version has prominent ads
• Cannot accept online payments for meetings even in the paid versions
• No iCloud Calendar integration

Pricing

Free, $14.95/user/month (Pro), $19.95/user/month (Team), and custom Enterprise plan

7. CalenderHero

CalendarHero’s booking software is all about merging the newest tech with your scheduling.  Aside from the standard booking pages and links, it offers intelligent features such as an AI meeting assistant, custom insights on your bookers, and many native integrations.

How does it work?

Connect your calendar, create personalized booking pages with your availability, and then share those pages with anyone who wants to meet with you.

Key features

• Personalized booking page 
• One-on-one and group meetings
• Automated meeting notifications
• Option to embed on your website
• AI learning model that examines your habits and client relationships
• Insights on your bookers (limited to 2 per month on the free plan)

Integrations

• Calendars: Google, Microsoft, and iCloud
• Video conferencing: Zoom, Webex, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, Skype, Highfive, Avaya Spaces, Join.me, BlueJeans, Vectera, and RingCentral
• Online payments: None in the free version. Must upgrade for access to Stripe
• Others: Slack, Mailchimp, Hubspot, Salesforce, and many more

Pros 

• Many valuable integrations are available even in the free version
• Access to unique features such as AI and booker insights
• Ample video chat capabilities

Cons

• The free plan only lets you schedule 5 meetings per month
• Advanced features are overall pretty limited in the free plan, ex: you can only send 2 appointment reminders per month 
• Cannot accept online payments in the free version
• No mobile app

Pricing

Free, $8/user/month (Professional), and $12/user/month (Team)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about free scheduling software for small business

1. Is there a free scheduling program?

Yes, many free scheduling programs are available to help you facilitate online bookings. Seven of the best free scheduling software for small businesses include YouCanBookMe, Calendly, OnceHub, Setmore, SimplyBook.me, Doodle, and CalendarHero. These tools offer handy features that reduce scheduling conflicts, such as booking pages, appointment reminders, and automatic time zone detection. 

2. Does Google have free scheduling?

Yes, if you use Google Calendar with a personal account, you can create one booking page to book unlimited free appointments. However, you’ll have to pay for more advanced features, such as multiple calendar integrations, email reminders, and unlimited booking pages.

3. What Microsoft program is best for scheduling?

Microsoft Bookings allows you to create, manage, and customize booking calendars to help you book appointments quickly and minimize scheduling conflicts. However, most free scheduling software for small businesses (such as YouCanBookMe) integrate with Microsoft Calendar, seamlessly connecting your favorite calendar with many booking tool