SAME CATEGORY. YOUR PRIORITIES.
Acuity Scheduling vs Vagaro
Compare evidence, costs and trade-offs. Adjust the criteria to reflect your own workflow.
MAKE THE SCORE YOURS
What matters most?
Core capabilities carry 32 points; workflow depth carries 68. AI contributes the category-specific weight shown below within those totals. Change group priorities and see every contribution update.
How the score is calculated →Documented fit across available plans · unknowns shown as ranges · no customer ratings
| Features & decision context | Acuity Scheduling68–96/100 documented fit Core capabilities28.4 / 32 pts10/10 checks with established status Workflow depth40–68 / 68 pts8/18 checks with established status |  Vagaro75–98/100 documented fit Core capabilities27.2–29.6 / 32 pts9/10 checks with established status Workflow depth48–68 / 68 pts10/18 checks with established status |
|---|---|---|
| How AI changes fitSame priorities, with and without AI | 68–96 with AI68–100 without AIFeature-fit points; not measured ROI | 75–98 with AI75–100 without AIFeature-fit points; not measured ROI |
| Supplier website | Visit Acuity Scheduling | Visit Vagaro |
| Good fit for | Consultants, studios and service businesses selling reserved time. | Salons, wellness practices and fitness operators combining booking and client communication. |
| Look more closely when | You need deep retail stock management or a general-purpose CRM. | You only need occasional meeting links and want minimal configuration. |
| Pricing snapshotDifferent billing units are not directly comparable | $16.00month · billed annually Starter is $16/month billed annually or $20 month to month, with one calendar. Pricing source | $30.00month for one calendar US base subscription is $30/month for one bookable calendar; the initial promotional discount is excluded. Pricing source |
| Self-service booking 24% base weight | ||
| Core capabilityCustomer booking pageLet a customer choose an available appointment or service online. | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Client self-scheduling and intake forms are included. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Customers can book through the service-business booking interface. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Core capabilityCustomer cancellation or reschedulingLet a customer change or cancel a booking within configured policies. | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Clients can cancel or reschedule through confirmation links, subject to scheduling limits. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Vera provides links for booking changes; the customer follows the linked workflow. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkBuffers or advance-booking limitsSet appointment buffers or minimum booking notice to protect scheduling capacity.Ask for a demonstrationAdd a buffer or minimum notice rule and show unavailable slots. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported7.2 / 7.2 pts Scheduling limits control lead time and client change windows. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported7.2 / 7.2 pts Cleanup time adds service buffers that protect staff availability. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkBooking intake questionsCollect custom questions or intake details as part of booking.Ask for a demonstrationMake a custom question required and show its answer in the booking record. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported7.2 / 7.2 pts Appointment types can include client intake forms. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported7.2 / 7.2 pts Forms can be mandatory for appointments or classes and notify the responsible provider. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Calendars, staff & resources 16% base weight | ||
| Core capabilityCalendar availability & conflictsUse calendar availability or synchronization to prevent conflicting bookings. | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Availability is managed through bookable service calendars. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Bookable service calendars control availability. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Core capabilityMultiple staff or resource calendarsCoordinate more than one staff member, provider or bookable calendar. | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Calendar count is one on Starter, six on Standard and 36 on Premium. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Additional bookable calendars and separate locations affect subscription charges. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkShared rooms or resourcesPrevent overlapping use of a shared room, piece of equipment or resource.Ask for a demonstrationBook two staff against the same resource and show conflict prevention. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Resources limit bookings by available rooms, equipment or other shared capacity. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Booking workflows reserve required rooms, chairs or equipment to avoid conflicts. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkGroup booking capacityAllow multiple attendees for a time slot while enforcing a capacity limit.Ask for a demonstrationFill a class to capacity and show what the next attendee sees. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Group classes allow multiple attendees with configured capacity. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Classes enforce a configured maximum in-house attendee capacity. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Reminders & follow-up 16% base weight | ||
| Core capabilityEmail remindersSend automated email reminders for appointments. | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Email appointment reminders are included. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Vagaro sends automatic appointment reminders by email, subject to customer notification preferences. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Core capabilitySMS remindersSend appointment reminders through SMS. | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Text reminders require Standard or Premium. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Text appointment reminders are documented; repeat messages may require an additional messaging product. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkCustom reminder contentCustomize appointment notification or reminder wording.Ask for a demonstrationAdd a preparation instruction to an appointment reminder. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–4.8 / 4.8 pts The reviewed documentation does not establish this specific workflow: custom reminder content. Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Custom text can be added to customer email reminders. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkNotification preferences and controlsControl enabled appointment notifications, channels or customer notification preferences.Ask for a demonstrationShow how a channel or reminder is switched off for the relevant recipient or workflow. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Administrators can suppress selected notifications and configure reminder channels. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Email, text and push reminders follow customer notification preferences. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Payments & deposits 12% base weight | ||
| Core capabilityPayment at bookingCollect a payment when the appointment is booked. | Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts Supported payment processors collect appointment payments. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.4 / 2.4 pts Connected payment tools alone do not establish collection during online booking. Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Core capabilityDeposits or prepaymentsCollect a deposit or advance payment for the booked service. | Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts The product explicitly supports deposits. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts The appointment workflow includes a deposit due ahead of time to reserve the service. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkLate-cancellation or no-show feesUse a supported payment workflow to collect a configured cancellation or no-show fee.Ask for a demonstrationApply a late-cancellation policy and show the customer charge and record. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–3.2 / 3.2 pts The reviewed documentation does not establish this specific workflow: late-cancellation or no-show fees. Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Staff can mark a no-show and charge the configured fee to a stored card. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkAppointment payment refundsRefund an appointment payment through the platform or its connected payment processor.Ask for a demonstrationCancel a prepaid booking and show the refund workflow and transaction record. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported4 / 4 pts Refunds are issued through the connected payment processor; Acuity supplies the payment link. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4 / 4 pts Customer records expose refunds of previously paid appointment transactions. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| AI scheduling assistance 12% base weight | ||
| Core capabilityAI service or scheduling conversationUse AI to answer a booking request or discuss appropriate services and available times. | Limited1.2 / 2.4 pts Booking Assistant recommends services and times on Premium; language and service exclusions apply. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts Vera answers service questions and checks availability through configured connected products. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Core capabilityAI completes a bookingHave the AI workflow create a confirmed booking, rather than only supply a link. | Not supported0 / 2.4 pts The documented assistant redirects the customer to checkout to finish rather than completing the booking itself. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Not supported0 / 2.4 pts The documented Vera workflow supplies booking links rather than completing the reservation itself. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkAI uses live scheduling contextAn AI scheduling interaction checks configured availability or existing appointment records.Ask for a demonstrationAsk AI about a time made unavailable by another booking. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts The chat widget uses configured services, calendars and actual available slots. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Vera checks service and availability context before supplying booking options. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
Depth checkControl or hand off booking AIDisable AI handling, control its scope or hand a conversation to a person.Ask for a demonstrationShow how staff stop AI handling or take over a booking conversation. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Supported4 / 4 pts Administrators configure and approve widget context and control its publication. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source | Supported4 / 4 pts Vera supports requested handoff and staff pause or takeover of conversations. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source |
| Operational detail 20% base weight | ||
Depth checkRoute bookings from form answersDemonstrate: Route bookings from form answers. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Route bookings from form answers. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
Depth checkExpire a link after one bookingDemonstrate: Expire a link after one booking. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Expire a link after one booking. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
Depth checkDistribute bookings across available hostsDemonstrate: Distribute bookings across available hosts. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Distribute bookings across available hosts. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
Depth checkCollect availability through a meeting pollDemonstrate: Collect availability through a meeting poll. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Collect availability through a meeting poll. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
Depth checkBook a recurring appointment seriesDemonstrate: Book a recurring appointment series. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Book a recurring appointment series. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
Depth checkPrevent two bookings taking the final slotDemonstrate: Prevent two bookings taking the final slot. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Prevent two bookings taking the final slot. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
Depth checkPreview booking times across daylight-saving changesDemonstrate: Preview booking times across daylight-saving changes. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Preview booking times across daylight-saving changes. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
Depth checkRetry failed booking-event deliveryDemonstrate: Retry failed booking-event delivery. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests.Ask for a demonstrationDemonstrate: Retry failed booking-event delivery. State the plan, limits and behaviour on failure. Use two hosts and competing requests. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test. | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source | Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source |
| AI usage and limits | Booking Assistant recommends services and available slots, then sends the client to checkout to finish.
| Vera Receptionist answers customer questions and helps direct booking requests through Vagaro Connect.
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| Additional costs to ask about |
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| Integration shortlist |
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| Research date | Oct 15, 2026 Full source record → | Oct 15, 2026 Full source record → |