The Top 7 Best Square Alternatives

Square powers over 4 million businesses worldwide—from your fav corner coffee shops to stylish downtown boutiques.¹ Its reach is impressive, but does it meet the unique demands of your business?

In today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial landscape, the options for business management software are pretty much endless. Each comes with its own set of strengths and drawbacks, making it that much more crucial to find the perfect match for your needs.

Join us as we explore the best business software options out there, and discuss:

Why You Should Be Considering Square Alternatives

Even if your search has taken a back seat, hasn't crossed your mind lately, or maybe hasn't even started yet, it's important to keep a few key must-haves in mind when selecting software to run your business.

Customer Support

Reliable customer support can make all the difference when it comes to choosing out software. If getting timely assistance is a top priority for you, platforms like Vagaro and Appointy stand out for their quick and efficient customer service teams.

A great, responsive support staff is always ready to step in and guide you through any challenges you might be facing with your software, without the long wait times or being left in the dark. It lets you get the help you need, when you need it most, so you can stay focused on what matters most: running your business smoothly.

Industry Focus

Square Appointments is great for general use, but it’s not quite designed with niche industries in mind. If you’re running a salon, gym, or wellness studio, you might find it lacks the tailored features you need, like salon-specific point-of-sale tools or fitness membership management options.

Platforms like GlossGenius or Booksy, built specifically for these industries, can provide the specialized tools and streamlined workflows that make running your business easier and more efficient.

Cost Concerns

Pricing might be the most important factor to consider when software hunting, but it can also be a huge sticking point for some, especially for businesses with high transaction volumes or growing needs. Extra costs for add-ons like advanced reporting or marketing tools can quickly add up, too.

If you're budget-conscious or looking for a better value, platforms like Fresha offer cost-effective alternatives—some even with free plans that only charge for transactions. Why pay more when you can get what you need for less?

Lack of Crucial Features

Square Appointments covers the basics well, but it might fall short for businesses with more complex scheduling needs. Features like multi-location management or advanced recurring appointments aren’t as robust as what competitors offer.

That’s where alternatives like Acuity or Appointy shine—they’re built to handle intricate setups with ease, giving you the flexibility and control your business demands while accommodating your unique schedule.

Limited Customization

Square’s design is simple, which can be a huge plus, but for businesses looking to create a more personalized or branded booking experience, it can feel limiting. If you want to stand out with custom booking pages or a unique client interface, platforms like SimplyBook.me offer greater flexibility to match your business’s style, personality, and brand.

Your booking process should reflect you!

Now that we know what to look for in a new software, let's take a closer look at some of the top contenders:

7 Square Alternatives

These are the ten best alternatives to Square for your business:

• Vagaro - Starts at $30/mo - all-in-one solution with scheduling, payment, and marketing tools

• Acuity Scheduling - $16–$50/month - highly customizable + advanced scheduling capabilities

• Calendly - Free–$16/month - automated calendar syncing and seamless integrations

• Setmore - Free–$12/month - user-friendly interface and lots of free-tier features

• HoneyBook - $16–$66/month - made for solopreneurs; great at workflow optimization

• Booksy - $29.99/month - mobile-friendly and strong industry-focus on hair, beauty, and wellness

• GlossGenius - $24–$148/month - beauty industry focused; customizable with easy-to-use interface

Alternative #1: Vagaro | The Highest-Rated Software for Salons and Spas

Vagaro is a comprehensive scheduling and business management tool specifically designed for beauty, wellness, and fitness professionals. From salons and spas to gyms and yoga studios, Vagaro caters to businesses of all sizes with a robust suite of features (but we’re not biased!)

Vagaro excels in online booking, allowing clients to schedule appointments easily through your website or Vagaro’s marketplace, making it a top square alternative. Automated reminders reduce no-shows, while the integrated point-of-sale (POS) system streamlines payments and inventory management. Marketing tools, including email campaigns and customizable promotions, help you stay connected with clients and grow your business.

One of Vagaro’s standout features is its ability to adapt to diverse business needs.

Whether you’re managing class schedules for a fitness studio or running a busy salon with multiple staff members, Vagaro offers tools to keep everything organized. Its user-friendly interface and industry-specific design make it a favorite among beauty and wellness professionals looking for an all-in-one package.

Recommended for: SMBs & enterprises in beauty, wellness, and fitness industries in the market for a comprehensive all-in-one solution with scheduling, payment processing, and marketing tools.

Alternative #2: Acuity Scheduling | A Customizable Tool for Advanced Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a versatile and intuitive tool designed to simplify appointment management for service-based businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a growing team, Acuity’s features help streamline the booking process and keep your schedule on track.

Clients can easily book appointments through a self-scheduling system that adjusts for time zone differences, making it ideal for businesses with remote or international clients. You can collect payments upfront, manage group bookings, and reduce scheduling conflicts by syncing with popular calendars like Google, Outlook, and iCloud.

One of Acuity’s strengths is its seamless integration with payment processors and third-party apps, allowing you to customize it to your workflow. Its flexibility, paired with an intuitive interface, makes Acuity an excellent choice for professionals who want to simplify scheduling while providing a convenient, polished experience for their clients.

Recommended for: Service-based businesses and creative professionals who need a highly customizable scheduling platform with robust payment integration and group booking options.

Alternative #3: Calendly | The Best for Seamless Calendar Syncing and Integrations

Calendly is a simple yet powerful scheduling tool loved by professionals and teams across industries. Its user-friendly design allows you to create shareable booking links that let clients or colleagues schedule meetings or appointments directly based on your availability.

Whether it’s setting buffers between meetings, limiting daily appointments, or syncing with calendars like Google, Outlook, or iCloud, the platform adjusts seamlessly to your schedule. For teams, Calendly shines with features like round-robin scheduling and pooled availability, making it easy to manage group appointments.

Calendly’s widespread adoption stems from its simplicity and reliability. It eliminates the back-and-forth of scheduling emails, giving you more time to focus on your work while offering a professional, streamlined booking experience for clients and collaborators alike.

Recommended for: Corporate professionals and tech/SaaS companies looking for a simple, reliable scheduling tool with seamless calendar syncing and easy group booking management.

Alternative #4: Setmore | The Top Choice for Free-Tier Features and User-Friendliness

Setmore is a user-friendly scheduling solution tailored to small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. It simplifies the booking process with an intuitive online system that allows clients to schedule appointments 24/7 through your website, social media, or a personalized booking page.

In addition to its robust scheduling capabilities, Setmore supports payment processing, making it easy to collect payments at the time of booking. Features like video call integrations, text reminders, and multi-staff scheduling make it an excellent choice for businesses offering virtual or in-person services.

One of Setmore’s standout qualities is its affordability. With both free and paid plans, it’s an accessible option for those just starting out or looking to grow without breaking the bank. Its flexibility and ease of use make Setmore a go-to tool for entrepreneurs who need an efficient, budget-friendly way to manage their appointments and client interactions.

Recommended for: SMBs and retail or e-commerce businesses that want an affordable, user-friendly scheduling platform with integrated payment processing and multi-staff scheduling capabilities.

Alternative #5: HoneyBook | The Go-To Software for Creatives and Workflow Optimization

HoneyBook is more than just a scheduling tool—it’s a project-management platform designed for creative freelancers and entrepreneurs. It seamlessly combines appointment booking with essential business management features like project tracking, invoicing, and client contract handling.

With HoneyBook, clients can book appointments directly through a customized booking page, making it easy to keep your schedule organized. Beyond scheduling, it helps you streamline your workflow by managing projects from inquiry to payment, all in same place! Its invoicing and payment features allow you to send professional proposals and collect payments with ease.

HoneyBook is particularly appealing to creatives who juggle multiple projects, like photographers, event planners, or designers. By integrating scheduling with broader business tools, it saves time and ensures your operations run smoothly, so you can focus on delivering outstanding work to your clients.

Recommended for: Creative entrepreneurs and freelancers looking for an all-in-one platform that combines scheduling with project management, invoicing, and client contract handling.

Alternative #6: Booksy | The Best Mobile-Friendly Solution for Hair and Beauty Professionals

Booksy is a top choice for beauty professionals looking for an easy-to-use scheduling solution tailored specifically to their industry. Whether you’re a hairstylist, makeup artist, or barber, Booksy makes managing appointments, payments, and clients simple and efficient.

The platform offers online booking, allowing your clients to book appointments at their convenience through your website or the Booksy app. Payment processing is integrated, so clients can pay directly at the time of booking, reducing administrative work. Booksy also offers customer management tools, helping you keep track of client preferences, visit history, and even send reminders to prevent no-shows.

What sets Booksy apart is its mobile-friendly design, perfect for beauty professionals who are always on the go. With a strong focus on the beauty and wellness industry, it provides all the features you need to run your business smoothly while offering a seamless experience for your clients.

Recommended for: Beauty professionals and wellness practitioners who need a mobile-friendly platform specifically designed for their industry, with easy scheduling and client management features.

Alternative #7: GlossGenius | The Top Choice for Customization in the Beauty Industry

GlossGenius is a sleek, all-in-one booking and business management platform tailored for beauty professionals. From hairstylists and makeup artists to estheticians and nail technicians, GlossGenius offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface designed to streamline scheduling, payments, and client management.

The platform provides features like customizable booking pages, automatic reminders, and secure payment processing, making it easy to manage appointments and collect payments on the spot. GlossGenius also includes marketing tools such as customizable email campaigns and client retention features to help you stay connected and grow your client base.

What sets GlossGenius apart is its focus on the beauty industry, offering tools that cater specifically to professionals in this space. The mobile app ensures you can manage your business on the go, and with transparent, affordable pricing, it’s a great choice for independent beauty entrepreneurs looking to elevate their business while keeping things simple and professional.

Recommended for: Beauty professionals and wellness providers who want a sleek, customizable booking system with integrated payment processing and powerful marketing tools to grow their client base.

Choose the Square Alternative That Works Best for You

Choosing the right Square alternative really depends on what your business needs most. Whether you’re in the beauty, wellness, or fitness industry, or just looking for a simpler way to manage your appointments, there’s a platform out there that can make your life easier.

From the all-in-one features of Vagaro and Booksy for salon and spa owners, to the easy-to-use Calendly for general scheduling, the options are endless. Think about what matters most to you—whether it’s personalized support, industry-specific tools, or keeping things budget-friendly—and find the platform that helps you run your business smoothly.

With the right choice, you'll not only streamline your processes but are sure to launch your business far beyond what you ever imagined

Looking for a software that’s always got your back, and can flex, scale, and grow with your vision? Consider a 30-day complimentary trial with Vagaro, and see what you can accomplish!

Sources:

1. https://squareup.com/