9 Best Squarespace Calendar Plugins for Event Management
Finding the ideal calendar solution for your Squarespace website can be challenging, especially for businesses with specific needs such as scheduling multiple, recurring events or handling complex booking requirements. While Squarespace offers basic calendar functionalities, they might not suffice for everyone—particularly for studios, workshops, and educational businesses that require advanced features. Thankfully, several third-party plugins come to the rescue by offering enhanced capabilities. This article dives deep into some of the best calendar plugins available, providing detailed reviews and helping you navigate through common questions to identify the perfect tool for your business.
Here are some popular choices along with situations where they excel:
Acuity Scheduling excels at streamlining the booking and scheduling processes, making it ideal for businesses that need robust calendar management.
Key Features:
Intuitive client booking interface
Time zone intelligent
Customizable availability and booking types
Integration with multiple payment processors
Advanced reporting tools
Pros:
Highly customizable to fit various business needs.
Offers sync with Google Calendar, Outlook, and more.
Efficient handling of payments and cancellations.
Robust support and extensive knowledge base.
Cons:
Can be too complex for simpler needs.
Higher cost at advanced tiers.
Initial setup may take time.
Pricing:
Basic: Free with limited features.
Emerging: $15/month.
Growing: $25/month.
Powerhouse: $50/month.
Ideal for: Service-based businesses such as spas, fitness studios, and consulting firms that require detailed scheduling and client management.
2. Tockify
Tockify is ideal for those who need a visually engaging calendar that supports custom event submissions.
Key Features:
Public event submission with moderation control
Customizable design options
Sync with external calendars like Google Calendar
Mobile responsive design
Pros:
Highly customizable interface that enhances user interaction.
Allow visitors to contribute to the calendar, enriching community engagement.
User-friendly setup and management.
Cons:
May require some learning curve to fully utilize customization features.
Premium features come at additional costs.
Limited direct integration for certain third-party tools.
Pricing:
Free: Basic features with Tockify branding.
Premium: $8/month for added features and customization options.
Ideal for: Community centers, local event organizations, and educational sites that value community input and engagement.
3. Calendly
Known for its simplicity and excellent integration capabilities, Calendly is a great choice for businesses needing streamlined appointment scheduling.
Key Features:
Seamless integration with Google, Outlook, Office 365, and iCloud Calendar
One-on-one appointment slots
Group events functionality
Automated notifications and reminders
Customizable booking page
Pros:
Intuitive design that’s easy to use and set up.
Robust integration with other software including Zapier, Salesforce, and Zoom.
Effective for managing both individual and team scheduling.
Offers a free tier with essential features, suitable for smaller operations.
Cons:
Paid versions might be necessary for more advanced features.
Limited customization options for the look of the booking pages compared to competitors.
No native payment processing; relies on integrations.
Pricing:
Basic: Free
Premium: $8 per user/month
Pro: $12 per user/month
Ideal for: Solo entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for an easy-to-implement solution for scheduling without requiring extensive customization.
4. Eventbrite
Strong in managing ticket sales and promotions, Eventbrite is ideal for businesses organizing public events and gatherings.
Key Features:
Event creation and ticketing system
Promotion and marketing tools
Analytics and reporting features
Mobile app access for ticket scanning and event management
Integration with social media platforms
Pros:
Comprehensive tool for event management from ticketing to attendee engagement.
High visibility with Eventbrite’s marketplace for potential increased attendance.
Useful for both free and paid events.
Strong support and community resources available.
Cons:
Fee per ticket can be costly for event organizers, especially for larger events.
Some customization limits in event setup and branding.
Primarily focused on event ticketing than daily or internal business scheduling.
Pricing: Varies by ticket sales; includes a service fee and a percentage of sales.
Ideal for: Enterprises and medium-sized businesses that regularly host public workshops, seminars, or performances.
5. Setmore
Overview: Setmore delivers a solid scheduling foundation with a direct plugin for Squarespace, enhancing website integration.
Key Features:
Online booking calendar
Email reminders
Mobile app for scheduling and notifications
Payment integration with Stripe
Teleport and Zoom integrations for virtual appointments
Pros:
Comprehensive free version suitable for most small businesses.
Direct plugin available for Squarespace for easy integration.
Supports multiple staff calendars and services.
Option to book classes in addition to one-on-one appointments.
Cons:
Advanced features like SMS reminders and 2-way calendar sync are locked behind a premium subscription.
Limited reporting capabilities in the free version.
Some users may find the interface less modern compared to competitors.
Pricing:
Free: Basic features with up to 4 calendars.
Premium: $9 per user/month.
Ideal for: Small businesses and service providers who want easy scheduling integration within their Squarespace website without excessive costs.
6. Event Calendar App
Offers versatility with its robust calendar displays and event customization options, making it a favorite for those needing visual and functional adaptability.
Key Features:
Rich visual customization options
Supports recurring event scheduling
Embeddable on multiple platforms including Squarespace
Integration with external calendars like Google Calendar
Mobile-responsive design
Pros:
High degree of customizability in how events are displayed.
Useful for both small-scale recurring events and large one-time functions.
Provides a clean, user-friendly interface for both admins and users.
Good performance and reliability, even with large calendars.
Cons:
Some customization features may require more technical proficiency.
Higher cost for fully featured packages.
Lacks native payment integration; relies on third-party tools.
Pricing:
Basic: Limited features, free
Professional: $14/month
Premium: $28/month
Ideal for: Event-heavy organizations that need a customizable public-facing calendar that integrates smoothly with Squarespace.
7. Elfsight Event Calendar
A versatile, user-friendly widget perfect for adding sophisticated calendar functionalities to Squarespace sites.
Key Features:
Customizable design templates
Easy integration with Squarespace with no coding required
Supports recurring events and multiple event views
Pros:
Extremely user-friendly interface that is simple to set up and manage
Highly customizable to match your site’s design
Responsive customer support
Cons:
The free version is quite limited, pushing users towards a premium subscription
Higher-tier plans can be expensive for small businesses
OverviewPricing:Overview Free limited version available; paid plans start from $5/month. *(Prices reflect per month, billed annually)*
OverviewIdeal for:Overview Any Squarespace user looking to enhance their site with a professional-looking calendar without the need for coding.
8. Time.ly Calendar
Efficient for managing a comprehensive event schedule directly within Squarespace.
Key Features:
Embeddable widgets that seamlessly integrate with Squarespace
Supports ticketing and RSVP functionalities
Advanced calendar functionalities like Google Maps integration
Pros:
Powerful tools for handling complex event management tasks
Offers integrations with other calendar apps (Google Calendar, iCal, Outlook)
Good customization options with the ability to import/export events
Cons:
Some users may find the feature set overwhelming for basic needs
The initial setup can be time-consuming to perfect
Pricing: Starts with a basic free option; premium features available in higher plans.
Ideal for: Businesses and individuals who host frequent events and require extensive calendar management features.
9. Commoninja Calendar
A straightforward and effective solution for integrating a customizable calendar into Squarespace.
Key Features:
Drag-and-drop builder for easy customization
Allows integration of multiple calendar types
Supports sync with Google Calendar
Pros:
Intuitive design makes it easy for users without tech skills
Lightweight widget that doesn’t slow down your website
Custom CSS options for advanced design customization
Cons:
Limited functionalities in the free version might necessitate an upgrade
Less known than other platforms, which might concern some users about long-term reliability
Pricing: Offers a basic free plan; premium features require a subscription starting at $7/month. *(Prices reflect per month, billed annually)*
Ideal for: Smaller businesses or individual creators looking for a simple, yet effective calendar solution.
Squarespace Calendar and Event FAQS
1. What plugin should I use for my studio to handle bookings and various other requirements?
For an art studio, Acuity Scheduling emerges as a potent tool. Here's how it effectively caters to your specific needs:
- Integrated Bookings and Payments: Seamlessly schedule classes and accept payments in one place.
- Manage Class Lists and Participant Details: Easily track who’s signed up for sessions and manage attendee information for better interaction.
- Recurring Events and Multiple Dates: Set up courses that recur automatically on your chosen schedule or span multiple dates effortlessly.
- Reporting Tools: Utilize built-in analytics for insight into attendance and revenue, helping you make informed decisions to improve your offerings.
With its extensive features, Acuity Scheduling takes the hassle out of managing complex class schedules and bookings.
2. How can users submit events to my calendar on Squarespace?
To enable event submission by users on Squarespace, consider using plugins like Tockify or MembershipWorks. Both offer:
- Custom Submission Forms: Create forms for users to fill out, simplifying the event submission process.
- Moderation Tools: Review and approve submitted events to maintain control over your calendar’s content.
- Simple Integration: These plugins integrate smoothly with Squarespace, maintaining a cohesive user experience.
With these plugins, not only can you empower users to contribute content, but you also maintain the necessary oversight to manage public submissions effectively.
3. Is it possible to customize the appearance of a Google Calendar embed on Squarespace?
While direct customization options for Google Calendar embeds in Squarespace are limited, using plugins like Tockify can offer a workaround. Tockify allows:
- Custom Styling Options: Change the look and feel of the calendar to match your website’s aesthetics.
- Sync with Google Calendar: Keep all schedules in sync while offering a more visually appealing interface on your site.
This approach allows for a greater degree of personalization than Squarespace’s default embed options.
4. Is there a better way to manage recurring events in Squarespace?
Momence provides enhanced capabilities for handling recurring events within Squarespace. Key features include:
- Flexible Recurrence Options: Set specific rules for how often events recur and the ability to edit individual occurrences.
- Automatic Reminders: Send automatic notifications to participants ahead of each occurrence.
- Comprehensive Management: Keep track of attendance and changes across repeated events easily.
For businesses with frequent and complex event scheduling, Momence offers a robust solution that goes beyond basic functionalities.