Whoopa vs Acuity Scheduling
Which is the better choice for Australian service businesses?
Acuity Scheduling is a well-known US-based booking platform used by coaches, therapists, consultants, and service businesses globally. It is a capable tool with a solid reputation. But for Australian businesses, there are important differences worth considering — particularly around pricing in AUD, SMS reminders, local support, and features built around the Australian market.
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The core difference
The core difference — US platform vs Australian-built
Whoopa
Whoopa is built specifically for Australian service businesses. AUD pricing, ABN at signup, Australian support, and a feature set designed around salons, clinics, fitness studios, allied health practitioners, and service businesses in the local market — not adapted from a US product.
Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling is owned by Squarespace and built primarily for the US market. It operates globally and is used by Australian businesses, but pricing is in USD, SMS functionality varies by region, and support is not Australia-specific.
Side by side
Feature comparison
Feature
Whoopa
Acuity Scheduling
Monthly pricing (AUD)
From $29 AUD/month
From ~$31 AUD/month (converted USD)
AUD native pricing
Yes
No — USD, subject to exchange rates
Built for Australian businesses
Yes — ABN at signup
US-based platform
Australian support
Yes
US-based support
No watermarks
Yes — all plans
Acuity/Squarespace branding on lower plans
SMS reminders (AU numbers)
Built-in for AU numbers — credits apply
Varies — may need extra setup
Group bookings & class capacity
Yes
Yes — higher plans only
Built-in waitlist
Yes
Limited
Roster with QR check-in
Yes
No
PIN-protected attendance kiosk
Yes
No
Google Calendar two-way sync
Yes — Pro plan
Yes
Recurring bookings
Yes
Yes
30-day free trial
Yes — no credit card
7-day trial only
Pricing
What it actually costs
Whoopa
Basic
2 staff, 3 services
$29 AUD/month
Business
5 staff, 10 services
$49 AUD/month
Pro
10 staff, unlimited bookings
$99 AUD/month
Enterprise
Unlimited everything
Custom
No commission. No per-booking fees. Ever.
Acuity Scheduling
Acuity Scheduling's Emerging plan is approximately $31 AUD/month at current exchange rates. Growing is ~$53 AUD/month and Powerhouse is ~$95 AUD/month. Pricing is in USD and monthly cost changes with exchange rate fluctuations. SMS availability for Australian numbers may require additional setup or credits.
Free trial — 30 days vs 7 days
Whoopa offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. Acuity offers a 7-day trial. For a service business owner setting up a new booking system, 7 days is often not enough time to fully configure the system, import clients, test the booking flow, and evaluate it properly. Whoopa's 30-day trial gives you a full month to set everything up and make an informed decision.
SMS reminders in Australia
Whoopa's SMS reminders are built for Australian mobile numbers out of the box — no regional configuration, no third-party setup. Email reminders are included free, and SMS messages run on simple pay-as-you-go credits in AUD. Acuity Scheduling's SMS functionality was built primarily for the US market. Australian SMS delivery through Acuity can require additional configuration and may involve separate charges.
Roster & attendance — Whoopa only
Whoopa includes a built-in roster with QR code check-in, name-list kiosk, and PIN-protected kiosk mode. Acuity Scheduling does not offer roster or attendance tracking. For fitness studios, allied health clinics, or group-based services, Whoopa's attendance system is a meaningful operational advantage.
An honest answer
Which is right for you?
Choose Whoopa if…
- You want AUD pricing that does not fluctuate with exchange rates
- You need SMS reminders that work reliably for Australian mobile numbers
- You want a longer free trial — 30 days vs 7 days
- You run group sessions, classes, or need attendance tracking
- You want a platform built specifically for the Australian market with local support
Choose Acuity Scheduling if…
- You are a solo consultant or coach primarily booking 1:1 sessions
- You are already embedded in a Squarespace website ecosystem
- You need specific third-party integrations that Acuity supports
- Your client base is primarily international rather than Australian
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long is Whoopa's free trial compared to Acuity?
Whoopa offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. Acuity offers a 7-day trial. Whoopa's trial is more than four times longer.
Do Whoopa SMS reminders work for Australian numbers?
Yes — SMS reminders are built for Australian mobile numbers out of the box, with no regional setup. Email reminders are included free on every plan; SMS messages use pay-as-you-go SMS credits in AUD.
Can I switch from Acuity to Whoopa?
Yes. Whoopa supports CSV import of client data. You can migrate your existing client list from Acuity to Whoopa.
Does Whoopa work for coaches and consultants like Acuity does?
Yes. Whoopa is used by life coaches, business coaches, consultants, and a wide range of solo service providers alongside salon and studio businesses.
Live demo
Try a live booking form for a demo clinic.
This is exactly what your patients would experience when booking with you — choose a service, pick a time, and see the confirmation come through. It's a real, working form built on Whoopa. Try it yourself.
A real demo · No signup · No account needed
30 days free. No credit card. Built for Australia.
No credit card · No lock-in · 30-day trial · AUD pricing · Local support
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