Best SimplyBook.me Alternatives for Tattoo Studios

If you’re on the lookout for the best SimplyBook.me alternatives for tattoo studios, you’re probably tired of juggling DMs, no-shows, and messy calendars. You need a booking tool that fits how tattoo shops really work.

This guide breaks down the strongest options, what they’re good at, and where they might fall short for tattoo artists.

By the end, you’ll know which SimplyBook.me alternatives are worth testing and which ones to skip so you can get back to drawing and tattooing instead of babysitting your schedule.

What To Look for in a SimplyBook.me Alternative

Tattoo shops run on long sessions, consultations, and repeat clients. That said, your booking system has to handle that without turning your calendar into chaos.

So, when it comes to a SimplyBook.me alternative, look for flexible time blocks so you can book half-day or full-day sessions without weird workarounds. You also want strong deposits and payment options to protect your time and reduce no-shows.

Automated reminders and client messaging should keep clients informed without you sending manual texts all night. A clean booking page matters too, so clients can see your availability and book without confusion.

Finally, check how easy it is for multiple artists to share a calendar, manage their own schedules, and avoid double-booking. If a tool nails those basics, it’s worth your attention as a real SimplyBook.me alternative.

6 Best SimplyBook.me Alternatives

Below are highly recommended alternatives to SimplyBook.me that you should consider.

1. Bookedin

Bookedin is built to solve chaos in appointment-heavy service businesses, and tattoo studios are a big focus. If you want a SimplyBook.me alternative that actually understands tattoo studios, this is definitely a great pick.

Instead of forcing you into tiny time slots, Bookedin lets you set up long sessions, consultations, and touch-ups in a way that actually matches your workflow.

The visual calendar makes it easy to see each artist’s day at a glance, so you avoid overbooking and awkward overlaps. With built-in deposits, you can require payment up front and significantly reduce no-shows.

Meanwhile, automated reminders and client messaging keep clients in the loop without you chasing them.

Your public booking page lets clients book 24/7, choose their artist, and pick the right service. Bookedin’s whole goal is to reduce time waste, protect your schedule, and keep your day running smoothly so you can focus on the work.

2. Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling is a popular online booking tool that can work for tattoo studios, but it’s not built specifically for them.

Still, you get strong control over availability, time zones, and appointment types, which helps if you do consults, flash days, and long sessions. You can also take payments and partial payments, which can stand in for deposits.

The downside is that setting it up can feel overwhelming, with lots of menus and options that don’t always apply to tattoo work. You’ll likely spend time tweaking settings to avoid double-booking and to make sure clients pick the right service length.

Acuity’s interface is more “corporate” than creative, which some artists don’t love. Still, if you want a powerful, flexible SimplyBook.me alternative and don’t mind a learning curve, Acuity can handle most studio needs.

3. Fresha

Fresha is known for its marketplace and free booking tools, and some tattoo studios use it as a SimplyBook.me alternative. You get online booking, client profiles, and payment options in one place.

The big draw is exposure: Clients can discover you through the Fresha marketplace, which can help newer shops.

However, there are some trade-offs. The platform is built mainly for beauty and wellness, so tattoo-specific needs like long custom sessions can feel awkward. You may need to hack together services to cover full-day bookings.

Also, marketplace platforms often push promotions and price competition, which doesn’t always fit custom tattoo work. If you want tight control over your brand and booking experience, Fresha’s shared environment might feel limiting, even if the price looks attractive at first.

4. Vagaro

Although Vagaro is a platform mainly aimed at salons, spas, and wellness businesses, some tattoo studios use it as a SimplyBook.me alternative. You get quite a lot with it — from online booking and POS to inventory, memberships, and more.

For tattoo shops, the main appeal is the robust feature set and client management. You can create different services, track clients, and manage multiple artists.

The downside is its complexity. Vagaro can feel heavy if you don’t need all the extras, and the interface is packed with options that may not matter to you. It’s also not tattoo-specific, so you’ll still be adapting salon-style tools to custom tattoo workflows.

If you like big, all-in-one systems and don’t mind a steeper learning curve, Vagaro can work. However, if you want lean, tattoo-focused booking, it might be more than you need.

5. Square Appointments

This one works well for studios that already use Square for payments and want a basic booking tool attached. You get online booking, a calendar, and integrated payments in one ecosystem.

For smaller shops or solo artists, that simplicity can be a win. You can set up services for consults, small pieces, and larger sessions, then let clients book online.

The catch is that Square Appointments is still more salon-oriented. Handling full-day bookings, complex deposits, or multi-artist coordination can feel limited. Reporting and customization are decent but not tailored to tattoo workflows.

If you’re running a busy multi-artist studio with lots of custom work, you may hit the ceiling fast. As a SimplyBook.me alternative, it’s solid for straightforward setups, less so for larger, custom-focused tattoo shops.

6. Calendly

If you’re moving off SimplyBook.me and you want something lightweight while you try out more tattoo-studio-friendly tools, Calendly can be a decent short-term option.

For tattoo studios, it works best for design consults, quick follow-ups, and small touch-ups where you don’t need a bunch of rules or service complexity.

However, it isn’t designed around deposits, long sessions, or custom services, so you’ll end up rebuilding the exact chaos you’re trying to escape: separate payment links for deposits, extra messages to confirm details, and manual cleanup when someone reschedules.

If you’ve got multiple artists, it can also get confusing unless you’re very strict about each person’s availability and links.

Checklist for Choosing Your SimplyBook.me Alternative

• Can it handle long, custom tattoo sessions without weird workarounds?
• Does it support deposits or upfront payments to cut no-shows?
• Are reminders and client messaging automated and easy to edit?
• Is the calendar clear for all artists and easy to read at a glance?
• Does the booking page look clean and simple for clients?
• Can multiple artists manage their own schedules without stepping on each other?
• Is the setup straightforward, or will you be tweaking settings every week?
• Does it actually reduce chaos, or just move it into a new app?

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