Online booking plugins for WordPress

Running a business such as a Hairdresser, Barbers, Nail Bar, MOT Test Center etc where bookings can be taken can always benefit from having an online booking form.

This not only serves your customers better as they can book without having to call when you are open but also you as well by freeing up your time.
These systems below can be highly customised and tweaked to work the way that your business works and can take deposits (helpful to prevent no-shows), send out reminders and also act as an interface for returning customers as they can have an account.

Here are the top five online booking plugins for WordPress in 2024, selected based on features, ease of use, support, and price in GBP:

1. Amelia

Pros:

• User-Friendly Interface: Amelia is known for its intuitive dashboard, making it easy for both beginners and advanced users to manage appointments without technical expertise.
• Versatile Booking Options: It supports multiple services, appointments, and event bookings, making it ideal for a range of businesses.
• Automated Notifications: Amelia automatically sends email and SMS reminders, reducing the chances of no-shows.
• Payment Integrations: Integrates with PayPal, Stripe, and WooCommerce for streamlined online payments.
• Customisable Calendar Views: Allows multiple calendar displays, making it adaptable for different industries.

Cons:

• Limited Free Version: The free version offers basic features, while most advanced options require a paid plan.
• Learning Curve: While straightforward, advanced customisations may take some time to master.

Pricing: Starting at approximately £65/year for a basic licence, with the premium package at around £200/year.

2. Bookly

Pros:

• Modular Design: Bookly allows users to purchase individual add-ons, so you only pay for the features you need.
• Automated Notifications: Includes SMS and email notifications to minimise missed appointments.
• Customisable Forms: Bookly allows you to personalise booking forms, which is helpful for branding.
• Multilingual and Multi-Currency Support: Useful for businesses with international clients.
• Payment Gateways: Supports PayPal, Stripe, and WooCommerce for secure online payments.

Cons:

• Expensive Add-ons: The modular approach can lead to high costs if you require multiple features.
• No Free Version: Bookly doesn’t offer a free plan; there’s only a limited demo for testing but we have several of our customers using the system.

Pricing: The basic plugin costs around £70, but additional add-ons, which there are many, can increase the total price.

3. WP Simple Booking Calendar

Pros:

• Simple to Use: Known for its ease of setup, this plugin is ideal for those needing a straightforward booking and calendar solution.
• Customisable Calendar Views: Allows users to adjust the calendar display to show availability and bookings.
• Translation Ready: Suitable for multilingual websites, making it an excellent choice for international audiences.
• Affordable: This plugin is budget-friendly and well-suited for simpler booking needs.

Cons:

• Limited Features: Lacks advanced functionality for payment gateways, notifications, or integration with other plugins.
• No Built-In Payment System: You’ll need to use third-party payment solutions if you require payment options.

Pricing: The premium version is around £32 per year, while a basic version is available for free.

4. Simply Schedule Appointments

Pros:

• User-Friendly Setup: Simply Schedule Appointments is known for being beginner-friendly and quick to set up.
• Supports Various Booking Types: Handles one-on-one appointments, group bookings, and events.
• Integration with Popular Plugins: Works seamlessly with WooCommerce, Google Calendar, and other WordPress plugins.
• Flexible Notifications: Offers customisable email reminders to help reduce no-shows.

Cons:

• Higher Price for Premium Features: Advanced features like Google Calendar sync and payment gateways are only available in higher-tier plans.
• Limited Customisation on Free Version: The free version lacks certain customisable options that are only included in paid versions.

Pricing: Basic free version; premium plans start at around £81, going up to £244 per year for full functionality.

5. WooCommerce Bookings

Pros:

• Perfect for WooCommerce Users: Fully integrates with WooCommerce, making it an ideal choice for e-commerce sites.
• Versatile Booking Options: Supports a variety of bookings, from services and appointments to rentals.
• Automated Notifications: Helps reduce no-shows by sending reminders to customers.
• Highly Customisable: Allows extensive customisation to fit a range of branding needs.

Cons:

• High Cost: WooCommerce Bookings is on the pricier side, which may be a hurdle for smaller businesses.
• Complex Setup: Users new to WooCommerce may find the setup challenging.

Pricing: The annual cost is approximately £200, which includes updates and support.