SMS Reminder SMS Reminder × Shopify
Comparison

A free alternative to Apntly for Shopify booking

Apntly (Appointly) is a well-liked, affordable app (5.0 stars, 620+ reviews) and one of the cheapest paid tiers on Shopify. If low headline price is your priority, it's worth a look. But its free plan is limited to a single service and one team member, and SMS is billed per message on top. Here's how we compare.

Add to Shopify
SMS Reminder
Apntly
Free plan bookings
Unlimited services
Single service only
Team members (free)
Included
1
Google Calendar sync (free)
Included, two-way
Limited / paid
SMS reminders
Plan allowance included
Pay-per-SMS credits (add-on)
Reviews / maturity
New
5.0, 620+
Starting paid price
$19/mo
$5/mo

Comparison compiled July 2026 from publicly available information. Apntly may have updated their plans, pricing, or features since. Please verify current details on their listing before deciding.

Where Apntly is strong
A very low starting price ($5/mo)
Simple setup and strong reviews
Deposits on Pro and responsive support
Where SMS Reminder wins
A genuinely usable free plan: unlimited services and free two-way calendar sync, not a single-service tier
An SMS allowance bundled into each plan rather than pay-per-message credits
More than one team member without upgrading

Who should pick which

Choose Apntly

If you offer a single service and want the lowest possible monthly price.

Choose SMS Reminder

If you want unlimited services and free calendar sync on the free plan, with predictable SMS as you grow.

FAQ

Common questions

Is it really free? +

Yes. Unlimited bookings and two-way Google Calendar sync are free, forever. You only pay if you want SMS reminders or higher-volume features.

Do I need to code? +

No. Add the booking button to any page and set your availability.

Does it work on mobile? +

Yes, customers can book on desktop or mobile.

What do paid plans add? +

SMS reminders and confirmations, and higher monthly volumes with more synced calendars.

How does calendar sync work? +

Two-way: bookings appear on your Google Calendar, and times you block on your calendar become unavailable on the store.

Try the free tier for yourself