OpenCal

Comparison · October 8, 2026

OpenCal vs Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling has no free plan. It offers a 7-day free trial, then paid plans from $16 per month. OpenCal is free. This information comes from Acuity's pricing page and calendar sync guide, fetched October 8, 2026.

TopicOpenCalAcuity Scheduling
Free planOpenCal is free.Acuity Scheduling says, "Acuity doesn't offer free appointment scheduling at this time". Its trial lasts 7 days with "no credit card needed".
StarterNot applicable.Acuity Scheduling charges $16 per month when paid annually, or $20 when paid monthly, for "1 calendar".
StandardNot applicable.Acuity Scheduling charges $27 per month when paid annually, or $34 when paid monthly, for "Up to 6 calendars".
PremiumNot applicable.Acuity Scheduling charges $49 per month when paid annually, or $61 when paid monthly, for "Up to 36 calendars".
Outside calendars it readsOpenCal reads several Google accounts, personal and work Microsoft accounts, one iCloud account, .ics feeds, and calendars read from your screen.Acuity Scheduling syncs with Google, Outlook (Office 365, Exchange, Outlook.com) and iCloud.

What are Acuity Scheduling and OpenCal?

Acuity Scheduling provides paid appointment software for businesses that take bookings from clients. OpenCal is a free app that shows your open times from all your calendars on one link. A visitor who signs in can book a time on your OpenCal link.

Does Acuity Scheduling have a free plan?

Acuity Scheduling has no free plan. Its pricing page says, "Acuity doesn't offer free appointment scheduling at this time, but you can use the free trial to test out our scheduling software before committing to a paid version." The trial lasts 7 days. Starter costs $16 per month paid annually or $20 paid monthly. OpenCal is free.

What does "calendars" mean on Acuity's plans?

Acuity's plan limits count its own scheduling calendars, not your outside calendars. The pricing page explains the limit: "Use separate calendars per employee or location, depending on business needs." Starter lists "1 calendar", Standard "Up to 6 calendars" and Premium "Up to 36 calendars". OpenCal gives each person one link and uses that person's calendars rather than staff or location calendars.

Which outside calendars can Acuity Scheduling and OpenCal read?

Acuity Scheduling syncs with "Google, Outlook (Office 365, Exchange, Outlook.com), or iCloud", according to its sync guide. Acuity can block off time for events on those calendars. OpenCal reads several Google accounts, personal and work Microsoft accounts, and one iCloud account. OpenCal also adds a Teams or Outlook desktop calendar with Read from screen, Outlook on the web with its Chrome and Edge extension, and any private .ics address.

Can my visitor see the times that work for both of us?

On OpenCal, a visitor who signs in with Google or Microsoft sees only the times that work for both of you. The OpenCal server compares the two calendars, so neither person receives the other's busy times. Acuity's pricing page lists "Automatic time zone conversion" for each client. Acuity's pricing page does not mention a view that compares the client's calendar.

How do I add a company Teams calendar that blocks outside apps?

OpenCal adds it with Read from screen. Microsoft's Entra ID documentation says admins can turn off user consent or allow it only for apps from verified publishers, and then an admin must approve the app. In OpenCal, open your Teams or Outlook desktop week view, press Read from screen and pick that window. The screenshot never leaves your browser. OpenCal stores only the busy times, encrypted. Each read takes one press and one window pick, so you read your week again when it changes.

What does Acuity Scheduling do that OpenCal does not?

Acuity Scheduling accepts "Payments via Stripe, Square, PayPal, Venmo" and sends email reminders on every plan. It has custom client intake forms. Standard and Premium add text reminders, an appointment waitlist, memberships, packages and gift certificates. Acuity runs separate calendars for each employee or location. OpenCal's feature set does not include these Acuity features. OpenCal sends no email itself. Google or Outlook sends the invite when you turn on adding bookings to your calendar.

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