Slotly vs Setmore
Setmore is a well-liked appointment scheduler with one of the most generous free tiers around, including built-in video calls — a strong fit for solo providers and small teams on a budget. Slotly covers the same appointment-booking ground and adds automated SMS reminders, payments and deposits, and real team routing like round-robin and collective events. Which one wins depends on whether you value Setmore's free-plan headroom or the team and automation features Slotly includes earlier.
Slotly vs Setmore: feature by feature
| Feature | Slotly | Setmore |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 14-day free trial | ✓ |
| SMS reminders | Included | Paid plans only |
| Two-way calendar sync (Google + Outlook) | ✓ | Paid plans only |
| Take payments / deposits | Built in (Stripe) | Square free; Stripe/PayPal paid |
| Round-robin & collective events | ✓ | ✕ |
| Routing / qualification forms | ✓ | Limited |
| Built-in video calls | Via integrations (Zoom, Meet, Teams) | Built in (Teleport) |
| Remove branding | Pro | Paid plans only |
| Custom domain booking page | ✓ | Limited |
| Open / self-hostable core | ✓ | ✕ |
Why choose Slotly
- Automated SMS plus email reminders with one-tap reschedule, included rather than reserved for a top tier
- Real team scheduling — round-robin, collective events, and routing forms — that Setmore lacks
- Payments and deposits through Stripe with no-show protection built into the booking flow
- Two-way Google and Outlook sync plus custom branding and domain on an open, self-hostable core
Slotly trade-offs
- Setmore has a permanent free plan that's generous on raw appointment volume and staff calendars; Slotly offers a 14-day free trial rather than a forever-free tier, which budget-first solo users may prefer
- No bundled native video tool — Slotly relies on connecting Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams instead of a built-in option
- Newer brand with a smaller user base and fewer years of reviews than Setmore
Setmore strengths
- Unusually generous free plan covering multiple staff calendars and a healthy monthly appointment limit
- Built-in Teleport video calls, so virtual appointments work without a third-party tool
- Free Square payment integration available even on the free plan
- Simple, approachable setup that small service businesses can get running quickly
Setmore weaknesses
- No automated round-robin or team routing, so it's a weaker fit as a team grows
- SMS reminders, two-way calendar sync, recurring appointments, and removing branding all require a paid plan
- Closed platform with no self-hosting or open core for data control
How to migrate from Setmore
- Export your Setmore services and staff list, noting each appointment's duration, price, buffers, and intake questions.
- Recreate each service as a Slotly event type, assigning the right provider and per-provider availability as you go.
- Connect the same Google or Outlook calendar with two-way sync so existing commitments block availability immediately.
- Connect Stripe to carry over deposits and payments, and turn on SMS plus email reminders with one-tap reschedule.
- Rebuild intake and qualification questions on each event type, adding routing forms if you want bookings sent to the right provider.
- Set your booking page slug and optional custom domain, then swap your Setmore link across your site, email signature, and social profiles.
- Run both tools in parallel for a week, then retire Setmore once bookings flow cleanly through Slotly.
Setmore is a genuinely strong pick for solo providers and small teams who want a generous free plan with built-in video and simple setup — if you can live with email-only reminders and one-way sync until you upgrade. Slotly is the better fit once you need automated SMS reminders, payments and deposits, and real team routing like round-robin and collective events, or you want an open, self-hostable core with custom branding. Choose Setmore for free-tier headroom and built-in video; choose Slotly for automation, team scheduling, and room to grow.
Start free with SlotlySlotly vs Setmore: FAQs
Is Slotly a good Setmore alternative?
Yes, especially if you've outgrown a solo setup. Slotly matches Setmore's core appointment booking and adds automated SMS reminders, Stripe payments and deposits, and team features like round-robin and routing forms. If you mainly need a generous free plan with built-in video, Setmore remains a strong option.
Does Setmore have a free plan, and how does Slotly's compare?
Setmore's free plan is one of its biggest draws, covering several staff calendars and a substantial monthly appointment limit. Slotly does not have a permanent free plan, but it starts every plan with a 14-day free trial of all paid features, free for 14 days and cancellable anytime. Setmore gives more free headroom on volume, while Slotly includes more automation and team capability earlier.
Can I take payments and send SMS reminders in both?
Slotly includes Stripe payments, deposits, and automated SMS reminders in its plans. Setmore offers free Square payments even on its free tier, but SMS reminders and Stripe or PayPal payments require a paid plan.
Does Slotly support team scheduling like round-robin?
Yes. Slotly supports round-robin assignment, collective events, and routing forms. Setmore lets you keep multiple staff calendars but doesn't automatically distribute bookings across a team, which is its main limitation for growing teams.
Keep exploring
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