Calendly helps clients choose an available meeting time without repeated emails. Australian consultants, recruiters and sales teams can share a scheduling link or embed it on their website, with calendar connections helping prevent clashes and time-zone handling supporting overseas appointments.

• Set meeting durations, availability and buffers between sessions. The limited free plan suits simple scheduling; paid plans add event types, integrations and automation for more demanding workflows.
• Team features can distribute appointments among colleagues or coordinate several hosts, depending on the subscription. Video meeting connections help clients receive the joining details they need.
• Payment collection is available through supported integrations on eligible plans. Compare user charges, currency and workflow limits, and test reminders, cancellation and daylight-saving behaviour before publishing your booking link.

Our view: An approachable choice when booking meetings and consultations is the main requirement.

Square Appointments connects online bookings, staff calendars, customer information and payments for Australian service businesses. Clients can book through a hosted booking site or a link from an existing website, while owners manage appointments alongside other Square business tools.

• A free software option provides an entry point, with paid plans adding capabilities. Confirm current location allowances and feature limits; free software does not remove card-processing or hardware costs.
• Customer records and reminders help staff prepare for appointments and communicate with clients. Eligible features can support prepayments and no-show protection; check the settings and terms for your selected plan.
• Connected checkout can suit salons, barbers and other service businesses already accepting Square payments. Demonstrate booking changes, staff availability, refunds and reconciliation, then compare the complete subscription and transaction costs.

Our view: A practical option when appointments and Square checkout need to work together.

Fresha combines appointment booking and business management for beauty and wellness professionals. Australian salons, spas and barbers can manage service calendars, client information and checkout, while its consumer marketplace provides another route for potential customers to discover and book services.

• Share direct booking links through your website or social channels. Marketplace bookings from newly acquired clients can attract a separate acquisition charge, so distinguish these from direct and repeat bookings.
• Client profiles, consultation forms, reminders and retail tools support daily administration. Optional payments, marketing and other services can extend the system; check messaging allowances and the extra charges that apply.
• Compare the Independent and Team subscriptions using your actual number of bookable staff. Test service durations, client records, deposits and cancellation workflows, and confirm Australian pricing rather than relying on older subscription-free descriptions.

Our view: A useful shortlist choice for beauty businesses wanting scheduling and a customer marketplace.

Acuity Scheduling lets clients book appointments and classes through a dedicated scheduling page or an embedded website calendar. Australian coaches, tutors and service professionals can combine availability, intake information and payments in a booking process that reflects their business.

• Gather client details before a session using intake forms, then keep appointment history and related information together. Customise appointment types, scheduling limits and reminders to reduce repetitive administrative work.
• Supported payment connections can collect booking payments, while eligible plans offer packages, subscriptions and gift certificates. Confirm which features and calendar allowances are included in the subscription you select.
• Acuity can work independently or alongside a Squarespace website, but its subscription is separate. Use the trial to test forms, payment handling, cancellations and calendar synchronisation, and check billing currency and Australian processor availability.

Our view: Particularly useful when client forms and paid services are central to your booking workflow.

Timely focuses on salon and beauty business management, bringing appointments, client records and payment tools together. Australian hairdressers and beauty teams can use online booking to reduce telephone administration while keeping service information and staff schedules accessible during the working day.

• Client notes and consultation information help staff prepare for returning customers. Booking tools and automated communications support the client journey; compare reminder allowances and messaging charges across the available plans.
• TimelyPay supports payments in Australia, with in-salon payment options available. Check processing costs, hardware requirements and any promotional conditions before judging the total value of a proposed package.
• Build, Elevate and Innovate plans offer different capabilities, with pricing affected by team size. Use the trial to demonstrate staff permissions, service timings, reporting and customer records, including the steps needed to migrate existing information.

Our view: A strong candidate for salon teams wanting coordinated bookings and ongoing client management.

SimplyBook.me provides an online booking website or widget for service businesses across different industries. Australian tutors, consultants and wellness businesses can configure services, providers and availability, then allow customers to book without waiting for a telephone or email response.

• The limited free plan and trial offer ways to explore the system. Paid plans vary by booking volume, provider allowance and custom features, so estimate your busiest month rather than average demand alone.
• Optional features can support classes, memberships, intake forms and other booking requirements. Automated notifications and supported payment gateways extend the customer journey; some messaging and additional services carry separate charges.
• Choose the features your business actually needs before comparing subscriptions. Test mobile booking, calendar connections, time zones and payments with an Australian account, and confirm the limits and additional costs for your chosen configuration.

Our view: Worth considering when a straightforward scheduler needs more configurable service-booking options.

Setmore provides a booking page and calendar for small service businesses, letting clients choose appointments online while staff manage availability. Australian consultants, tutors and personal service providers can start with a limited free plan and consider paid features as their requirements grow.

• Create service listings, staff profiles and working hours, then share your booking page through website buttons, social channels or a QR code. Customer profiles help keep contact information and appointment history accessible.
• Payment integrations include options relevant to Australian businesses. Confirm your preferred processor, account eligibility and transaction charges, and test how online payments are recorded against the appointment.
• Paid features include SMS reminders and two-way calendar synchronisation. Compare staff limits, per-user charges and recurring appointment needs before upgrading, and demonstrate booking changes and cancellations from customer and staff perspectives during setup.

Our view: A practical starting point for smaller teams wanting accessible booking tools with upgrade options.