Acuity books appointments. OpenChair fills them, retains clients, and runs your business.
Acuity is a flexible, affordable scheduler — and that's the limit of it. There's no AI gap-filling, no team commissions, no marketing automation. If you've outgrown a generic scheduler and need a platform built for how salons actually work, this is it.
Our Take
Acuity is excellent for what it is: a flexible, customisable appointment scheduler that works for anyone. It works well for solo practitioners and consultants whose needs are 'book a time slot.' The moment you want SMS campaigns, commission splits, AI gap-filling, or automated client win-backs, Acuity can't help. OpenChair is purpose-built for salon and barbershop operations — if you've been making Acuity work for a salon, you've been doing work the platform should be doing for you.
Feature Comparison
The Honest Truth about Acuity Scheduling
They are a solid platform, but here is where they fall short for modern growth-focused venues.
- Generic scheduler — no salon-specific features (no colour processing, no commission tracking)
- No AI automation of any kind
- No team tools — no commissions, payroll, or staff permissions
- Very affordable ($20–$61/mo) and highly customisable
- Excellent intake forms — best-in-class for the price
- Deep Squarespace integration for website-based bookings
Make the Switch
From a Generic Scheduler to a Salon OS.
60 days of OpenChair Pro when you switch from Acuity. AI scheduling, team commissions, marketing automation — everything your salon needs in one platform built for the industry.
Claim OfferLimited time offer for verified Acuity Scheduling customers.
Making the Switch from Acuity Scheduling
Switching software feels daunting — but it doesn't have to be. Here's exactly how the transition works.
Export your client data from Acuity
Download your client list from Acuity's account settings or via their API. You can export contact details and appointment history.
Import into OpenChair
Upload your export or use AI Booking Link Import to pull your services automatically. The process takes about 15 minutes for most salons.
Set up your salon-specific features
Add commission splits, configure Processing Gaps for colour work, set up consultation forms with conditional logic, and enable Reconnect automations. These are features Acuity doesn't have — and they pay for themselves quickly.
Update your booking link
Replace your Acuity embed or link on your website, Instagram, and Google Business Profile with your OpenChair storefront. Your clients get a booking experience built for salons — faster, cleaner, and under your brand.