← All Comparisons

Comparison

Appointment Reminder vs. Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling (now part of Squarespace) is a solid booking platform, but it requires you to use its scheduling system for reminders to work. Appointment Reminder connects to the calendar you already use — Google, Outlook, your EHR — and adds multi-channel reminders with SMS, email, and voice calls, plus two-way texting and HIPAA compliance with a signed BAA on every plan.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature
Appointment Reminder
Acuity Scheduling
SMS Reminders
Included on all plans
Included on paid plans
Email Reminders
Branded HTML with ICS attachments
Customizable email reminders
Voice Call Reminders
Automated voice calls with keypress confirmation
Not available
Two-Way SMS (Confirm/Reschedule)
Patients reply to confirm or reschedule via text
No two-way SMS
HIPAA Compliant (BAA on All Plans)
Signed BAA on every plan
BAA available on higher-tier plans
Calendar Import/Sync
Works with any existing calendar via sync or iCal
Requires using Acuity's booking system
Custom Reminder Sequences
Multi-channel sequences with flexible timing
Basic reminder emails and SMS
Online Booking
Embeddable booking widget
Core feature — extensive booking tools
Per-Message Pricing
No per-message fees
SMS add-on may have usage limits
Free Trial
14-day free trial, cancel anytime
7-day free trial

Why Choose Appointment Reminder Over Acuity Scheduling

No Booking System Lock-In

Acuity requires you to use its booking platform for reminders to function. Appointment Reminder connects to any calendar — Google, Outlook, your EHR, or any iCal feed — so you keep the workflow you already have.

Multi-Channel Reminders

Acuity sends email and SMS notifications, but it doesn't offer voice call reminders or two-way texting. Appointment Reminder lets you reach patients on every channel — SMS, email, and automated phone calls.

HIPAA with BAA on Every Plan

Acuity's HIPAA features are reserved for higher-tier plans. Appointment Reminder includes a signed BAA on every plan, so practices of any size can maintain compliance from day one.

Two-Way Patient Communication

Appointment Reminder's two-way texting lets patients reply to confirm, cancel, or reschedule directly from the reminder. Responses update your calendar automatically — something Acuity's notification system doesn't support.

All Features
See what's included
HIPAA Compliance
BAA on all plans
Pricing
Simple, transparent plans
Integrations
Calendar sync & more

Frequently Asked Questions

No. That's one of the biggest differences. Acuity requires you to use its booking system, but Appointment Reminder syncs with your existing calendar — Google Calendar, Outlook, your EHR, or any iCal feed. You keep the tools you already know.
No. Acuity Scheduling sends email and SMS notifications but does not offer automated voice call reminders. Appointment Reminder includes voice calls with press-1 confirmation on all plans — important for reaching patients who prefer phone calls.
If you need a full booking platform and are willing to switch your scheduling workflow, Acuity is a capable choice. If you want to keep your existing calendar and add powerful multi-channel reminders with HIPAA compliance, Appointment Reminder is the stronger fit.

Ready to reduce no-shows?

See why practices choose Appointment Reminder over Acuity Scheduling. Start your free 14-day trial — cancel anytime.

Start Free Trial