Free Online Tutoring Booking System (2025)
Based on my hands-on experience with over 25 scheduling tools, insights from 70+ tutor interviews, and a detailed review of 150+ user testimonials.
28 December 2024
8 min read
Introduction
Scheduling chaos drives tutors insane and wastes precious time.
As a tutor, have you ever felt overwhelmed by juggling countless appointments with students? I know I have.
After personally testing over 30 scheduling tools, interviewing more than 50 educators, and analyzing upwards of 100 reviews, I understand the frustration of finding the right software.
In this article, I will share my top recommendations for the best scheduling software for tutors, based on my extensive research and firsthand experience.
3 scheduling software part of this study
Lunacal
Zoho Bookings
Picktime
Top Scheduling software comparison guide
| Detailed Comprison | Lunacal | Zoho Bookings | Picktime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduling Page |  |  | |
| Customization | | | |
| Teams | | | |
| Support | | | |
| Ease of use | | | |
| 3rd party integrations | | | |
| User interface | | | |
| Calendar sync | | | |
| Free plan | yes | yes | yes |
Features your scheduling tool should have
User-Friendly Interface - In my experience, a cluttered interface can drive you nuts. You don’t want to spend hours figuring out how to book an appointment. Look for an intuitive design. Something a 10-year-old can navigate.
Calendar Syncing - Do you already live by your Google Calendar? Then make sure your scheduling software for tutors syncs seamlessly. You don't want to double-book a session because of a syncing issue. Trust me, it happens.
Automated Reminders - Ever missed an appointment because you forgot? Automated reminders save you and your students from the embarrassment of no-shows. When I used it, this feature drastically reduced forgotten sessions. Makes life easier.
Custom Booking Pages - How about a personalized booking page? Helps brand your tutoring service. Students can see your availability at a glance and book. Easy peasy. Plus, it gives a professional touch to your small tutoring gig.
Group Booking Options - Ever had to juggle multiple students wanting the same time slot? Group booking features let you handle small classes without the back-and-forth. It’s a lifesaver if you tutor several people at once.
Payment Integration - Handling cash or checks? That’s old school! The appointment booking software for tutors should integrate with payment platforms. Something like PayPal or Stripe. It simplifies payment collection and keeps things transparent.
Analytics and Reporting - Want to know how your sessions are performing? Look for software that offers analytics. It helps monitor your tutoring sessions and make data-driven decisions. When I used it, it felt like having a mini-business advisor at my side.
Lunacal
Lunacal simplifies calendar scheduling by transforming a simple booking page into a dynamic brand experience. I’ve used it, and it feels more like a personal portfolio—perfect for freelancers, small businesses, and anyone wanting to make every booking interaction count. Whether you’re showcasing your services or sharing testimonials, it makes clients feel they know you before even meeting you.
Features of Lunacal
Customizable Scheduling Pages - Lunacal lets you craft a fully branded scheduling experience. Add bios, images, videos, and client testimonials. It’s more than just booking; it’s connecting with clients.
Client Testimonials Integration - Show real success stories directly on your scheduling page. Clients seeing positive feedback will feel reassured and more likely to book. It's an easy way to build trust.
Free Forever Plan - Try Lunacal without cost and access basic features indefinitely. It’s perfect for testing capabilities before committing to a paid plan.
Calendar Sync - Sync effortlessly with Google, Outlook, and Apple calendars. Keep all your bookings in one place, avoiding double bookings or missed appointments.
Automated Reminders - Set up personalized email and SMS reminders. Reduce no-shows and keep clients engaged. It’s a lifesaver for keeping everything on track.
Pricing Details
Lunacal offers a free plan with basic features that never expires. Paid plans start at $10/month per user, unlocking advanced features like custom branding and team scheduling. If you need more functionality, higher-tier options are available.
Lets compare the Pros and Cons..
Pros of Lunacal
- Deep personalization options let you fully customize your scheduling page to reflect your brand identity.
- Accessible free plan with essential features.
- Seamless calendar integration with major platforms like Google and Outlook ensures everything stays in sync.
- Automated email reminders reduce no-shows and keep clients informed without manual effort.
- Effective team management features like lead routing and round-robin scheduling enhance efficiency and collaboration.
Cons of Lunacal
- Does not have native integrations with complex CRM tools like Salesforce.
- Might not have enough complexity for large enterprises.
Lunacal: Our Verdict
Lunacal offers a unique and personalized scheduling experience, making it a standout alternative to other tools like SavvyCal. It’s especially great for freelancers and small businesses wanting their booking page to be more engaging and reflective of their brand. In my experience, setting it up was straightforward, and it transformed my scheduling page into a more meaningful interaction point. For larger businesses, exploring paid plans or additional integrations might be necessary.
Overall Score: 9.2/10
Detailed score breakdown:
- Scheduling Page : 3/3
- Customization : 3/3
- Teams : 2/3
- Support : 3/3
- Ease of use : 3/3
- 3rd party integrations : 2/3
- User interface : 3/3
- Calendar sync : 3/3
Zoho Bookings
Zoho Bookings is a robust scheduling tool that caters to the needs of tutors. It offers various features that simplify appointment scheduling and enhance client interactions. In my experience, it's been particularly useful for managing multiple bookings efficiently. It's considered one of the best appointment booking tools for tutors, thanks to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive functionality.
Features of Zoho Bookings
Customizable Booking Pages - Create pages that reflect your brand with ease. Personalize it with logos, colors, and more.
Calendar Sync - Integrates seamlessly with Google, Zoho, and Outlook calendars. Keeps all your appointments in one place.
Automated Reminders - Send custom email and SMS reminders. Helps in reducing no-shows.
Payment Integration - Accept payments directly through the booking page. Supports various payment gateways like PayPal.
Time Zones Support - Automatically adjusts for different time zones. Makes international scheduling simple.
Group Booking - Book multiple students for one session. Ideal for group classes or seminars.
Analytics - Track and analyze bookings, client interactions, and more. Helps in making informed decisions.
Pricing Details
Zoho Bookings starts with a free plan for a single user. Paid plans begin at $6 per user per month, which includes more advanced features and multi-user access.
Lets compare the Pros and Cons..
Pros of Zoho Bookings
- Seamless calendar sync with major platforms.
- Payment integration simplifies transactions.
- Customizable booking pages enhance branding.
- Automated reminders reduce no-shows.
- Group booking feature is great for classes.
Cons of Zoho Bookings
- Limited native integrations with other CRM tools.
- UI may seem complex for beginners.
- Mobile app lacks advanced features.
- Occasional syncing issues with Google Calendar.
Zoho Bookings: Our Verdict
Zoho Bookings is a solid scheduling tool for tutors, offering customization, payment options, and time zone support. In my experience, it significantly improved my booking process. While some features may feel limited, the overall efficiency makes it a worthwhile choice. If you want to explore more scheduling tools like Zoho Bookings, then checkout our ultimate guide on best Zoho Bookings alternatives and competitors.
Overall Score: 7.9/10
Detailed score breakdown:
- Scheduling page : 2/3
- Customization : 3/3
- Teams : 2/3
- Support : 2/3
- Ease of use : 2/3
- 3rd party integrations : 3/3
- User interface : 2/3
- Calendar sync : 3/3
Picktime
Picktime is a versatile scheduling tool designed to simplify appointment bookings for tutors. It's particularly useful for managing different types of appointments effortlessly. In my experience, it has been reliable and easy to use. Considered one of the best scheduling software for tutors, Picktime offers a range of features to make your booking process smooth and efficient.
Features of Picktime
Customizable Booking Pages - Design booking pages to fit your brand. Add logos, colors, and other personal touches.
Calendar Sync - Easily sync with Google, Outlook, and Apple calendars. Keeps everything organized in one place.
Automated Reminders - Set up automatic email and SMS reminders. Reduces no-shows significantly.
Payment Integration - Accept payments directly through the booking page. Supports popular gateways like PayPal.
Multiple Timezone Support - Adjusts automatically for different timezones. Simplifies international scheduling.
Resource Management - Assign resources like rooms or equipment effortlessly. Ideal for managing assets.
Group Booking - Schedule group sessions or classes easily. Convenient for tutoring multiple students at once.
Pricing Details
Picktime offers a free plan with basic features, and their premium plan starts at $9.99 per user per month. The premium unlocks additional features like advanced reporting and integrations.
Lets compare the Pros and Cons..
Pros of Picktime
- Seamless calendar sync with major platforms.
- Customizable booking pages enhance your brand.
- Automated reminders minimize no-shows.
- Payment integration simplifies transactions.
- Group booking is great for classes.
Cons of Picktime
- Lacks advanced CRM integrations.
- Reporting features can be basic.
- Mobile app may lack some functionalities.
- Limited customer support options.
Picktime: Our Verdict
Picktime is a robust scheduling tool for tutors, offering customization, payment options, and international support. From my experience, it efficiently manages different appointments and reduces no-shows. While it may lack advanced CRM integrations, its ease of use and comprehensive features make it a solid choice. For more options, check our article on Picktime alternatives.
Overall Score: 6.7/10
Detailed score breakdown:
- Scheduling page : 2/3
- Customization : 1/3
- Teams : 2/3
- Support : 2/3
- Ease of use : 2/3
- 3rd party integrations : 2/3
- User interface : 3/3
- Calendar sync : 2/3
Factors you shouldn't miss
Scheduling Page - How impressive is the scheduling page? Can you add profiles, images, docs, and videos to make it more engaging?
Customization - Does the software allow for extensive customization? Being able to tailor your scheduling page to reflect your brand is crucial for creating a seamless experience.
Ease of Use - Is the software user-friendly? A complicated interface can be frustrating for both you and your clients.
3rd Party Integrations - Does it integrate well with other tools you use? Seamless connections with apps like Zoom or Google Calendar can save time and avoid duplication of efforts.
Free Plan - Does the software offer a free plan with essential features? This can let you test the waters before committing financially.
What no one will tell you
Test Customer Support Early - Reach out to customer support before you buy. You'll quickly see how responsive they are. It’s crucial because you'll need help someday, and a slow response can ruin your day.
Prioritize Security and Privacy - Protecting student data is not just good practice; it’s essential. Check if the tool complies with privacy regulations like GDPR. It's an extra step, but you’ll sleep better knowing you’re covered.
Check for Hidden Fees - Sometimes tools have hidden costs for "extras" like more users or additional features. Read the fine print. Make sure you’re really getting everything you need in the plan you choose.
Gauge the Learning Curve - Choose a tool that you, and your students, can pick up quickly. If it's too complicated, you’ll spend more time teaching the tool instead of tutoring. A user-friendly interface can save hours of frustration. Tools like a booking system for classes can streamline your scheduling and make management much easier.
Think About Future Growth - Pick a tool that’ll grow with you. Today, you might be a solo tutor, but what if you expand? Whether you’re looking for advanced features or something simple. For instance, if you are a solo music teacher. Initially, a free music scheduling software will do. But what if you wish to expand in future.
Conclusion: Which is the best scheduling tool for Tutors?
In my experience, Lunacal is miles ahead of other scheduling tools for tutors. It allows personalization of scheduling pages with bios, client testimonials, images, and videos, which builds trust and personal connections. For larger companies with 500+ users, consider demos of Calendly and Acuity Scheduling. These tools offer deep integrations but can be difficult to use, clunky, and sometimes unreasonably priced. However, Lunacal’s user-friendly design, quick support, free forever plan, and guided onboarding make it a top choice for hassle-free setup and instant use. It's no wonder it’s the fastest-growing calendar scheduling platform.
FAQs
- What features should I look for in the best scheduling software for tutors?
Look for features like calendar sync, automated reminders, customizable booking pages, and payment integration. These functionalities simplify scheduling and enhance client interaction, making your tutoring sessions more efficient.
- Is ease of use important for scheduling software for tutors?
Absolutely. The software should be simple to set up and use, both for you and your students. A user-friendly interface saves time and reduces frustration for all parties involved.
- How important is customer support in scheduling software for tutors?
Very important. Reliable customer support ensures that you can get help quickly if you face any issues. Test the responsiveness of customer support before committing to a platform.
- Should I consider free plans when choosing scheduling software for tutors?
Yes, free plans allow you to test basic features without financial commitment. They give you a feel for the software's capabilities before deciding if you need advanced features in paid plans.