Acuity Scheduling & Stripe Integration Guide

If you run a service-based business—whether it’s coaching, consulting, beauty services, or fitness—you know that collecting payment upfront reduces no-shows and improves cash flow. Acuity Scheduling is a popular appointment management platform, and Stripe is a leading payment processor. Together, they create a seamless booking experience where clients pay at the moment they schedule, without manual invoicing or follow-up.

How the Integration Works

The Acuity Scheduling and Stripe integration operates through third-party connectors that bridge the two platforms. Here’s what happens behind the scenes:

• Booking triggers payment: When a client books an appointment in Acuity Scheduling, the integration automatically sends a payment request to Stripe based on the service price configured in Acuity.
• Real-time charge processing: Stripe processes the credit card charge immediately. If the payment succeeds, the appointment is confirmed in Acuity. If it fails, the client receives a notification and can retry or choose a different payment method.
• Automatic reconciliation: Successful payments appear in your Stripe dashboard and are linked to the corresponding appointment record in Acuity, eliminating manual data entry.
• Refund synchronization: If you cancel an appointment in Acuity, the integration can automatically refund the client’s payment through Stripe, with the refund status reflected in both systems.
• Recurring appointment support: For clients booking multiple sessions (packages or subscriptions), the integration can process recurring charges on the schedule you define in Acuity.

Key Features & Capabilities

This integration enables several powerful workflows that streamline your booking and payment process:

• Instant payment collection: Charge clients at the moment they book, ensuring you capture payment before they have a chance to cancel or no-show.
• Reduced administrative overhead: Eliminate manual invoicing, payment reminders, and follow-up emails. Payments happen automatically when appointments are scheduled.
• Flexible pricing and deposits: Charge full service fees, partial deposits, or package rates—all configurable per service type in Acuity and processed through Stripe.
• Multi-currency support: If you serve international clients, Stripe’s multi-currency capabilities mean you can accept payments in their local currency while settlements go to your account.
• Detailed financial reporting: View all appointment-related transactions in Stripe’s dashboard alongside your other business income, making tax preparation and accounting easier.
• Customizable payment pages: Stripe allows you to brand the payment experience, and Acuity can be configured to display your logo and messaging during checkout.

Setup Difficulty: Medium

Setting up the Acuity Scheduling and Stripe integration typically takes 15–30 minutes and requires basic configuration but no custom coding.

What you’ll need:

• An active Acuity Scheduling account with admin access
• An active Stripe account (you can create one free; charges apply only when you process payments)
• Your Stripe API keys (publishable and secret keys, found in your Stripe dashboard)

General setup steps:

1. Log into your Acuity Scheduling account and navigate to the Integrations or Payment Settings section.
2. Select Stripe from the available payment processors.
3. Copy your Stripe API keys from your Stripe dashboard and paste them into Acuity’s integration settings.
4. Configure which services require payment and set the amount (full price, deposit, or custom amount).
5. Test the integration by booking a test appointment with a Stripe test card number.
6. Once verified, switch to live mode and enable the integration for client bookings.

If you’re uncomfortable handling API keys or need custom workflows (e.g., conditional pricing based on client type), you may want to involve a developer or consult Acuity’s support team.

Alternatives to Direct Integration

If the native Acuity-Stripe integration doesn’t fully meet your needs, consider these alternatives:

• Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat): These automation platforms can connect Acuity Scheduling to Stripe with more flexibility. For example, you could create custom logic like “charge a deposit only if the appointment is more than 7 days away” or “send a payment receipt to a specific email address.” Setup takes longer but offers more control.
• Custom API integration: If you have a developer on staff, both Acuity and Stripe offer robust APIs. A custom integration can implement highly specialized workflows, such as dynamic pricing based on demand or integration with your accounting software.
• Alternative payment processors: Acuity also integrates with PayPal, Square, and other processors. If you already use one of these, you may find their integration with Acuity equally capable and possibly easier to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a payment fails when a client tries to book?

When a payment fails, Stripe returns an error message to Acuity, which displays it to the client. The appointment is not confirmed, and the client is prompted to try a different payment method or contact you directly. You can configure Acuity to send a follow-up email to the client with a payment link if you prefer to give them a second chance.

Can I offer a discount or promo code at checkout?

Acuity Scheduling allows you to create discount codes that reduce the service price before payment is processed. When a client applies a promo code during booking, Stripe charges the discounted amount. Some businesses also use Stripe’s coupon feature for more advanced discount logic, though this requires additional setup.

How are refunds handled if a client cancels their appointment?

If you cancel an appointment in Acuity and the integration is configured to auto-refund, Acuity sends a refund request to Stripe. The refund is processed back to the client’s original payment method, typically within 5–10 business days depending on the client’s bank. You can also manually refund through Stripe if needed.

Does the integration work with Acuity’s group bookings or class scheduling?

Yes. If you use Acuity to manage group classes or multi-person events, the integration can charge each attendee the class fee at the time they book. You can set different prices for different class types and manage capacity limits independently of payment processing.

Important Disclaimer

Integration features and capabilities are subject to change as both Acuity Scheduling and Stripe update their platforms. Payment processing rules, API requirements, and supported features may evolve. Always verify the current integration capabilities and requirements on the official Acuity Scheduling and Stripe documentation pages before making deployment decisions. If you encounter issues or need clarification on specific features, contact Acuity’s support team or consult Stripe’s integration guides.

Conclusion

The Acuity Scheduling and Stripe integration is a practical solution for service-based businesses that want to streamline bookings and eliminate payment friction. By collecting payment at the moment of booking, you reduce no-shows, improve cash flow, and free up time spent chasing invoices. The setup is straightforward, and the payoff—in both operational efficiency and customer experience—is significant. If you’re already using Acuity for scheduling, adding Stripe payment processing is a logical next step.