The Core Difference
Square Appointments is a booking add-on from a payments company. Square's core business is payment processing, and the free booking tool exists to get more transactions flowing through Square hardware.
Aestheticc is clinic management software. Bookings are one feature alongside clinical records, consent forms, treatment protocols, marketing automation, and compliance tracking.
One is a payments company that added booking. The other is clinic software that includes payments.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Aestheticc | Square Appointments | |---------|-----------|---------------------| | Built for medical aesthetics | Yes | No (general commerce) | | Clinical consent forms | Yes | No | | Treatment records | Yes | No | | Before/after photos | Yes | No | | CQC compliance | Yes | No | | Online booking | Yes | Yes | | Payment processing | Yes (Stripe, Klarna) | Yes (Square only) | | POS hardware | Via Stripe Terminal | Yes (Square Reader) | | SMS reminders | Yes | Paid plans only | | Marketing automation | Yes | No | | Client records | Clinical-grade | Basic contact info | | Payment processor choice | Yes (Stripe) | No (Square only) |
Pricing
| Plan | Aestheticc | Square Appointments | |------|-----------|---------------------| | Solo | £39/month (everything) | Free (basic) or $49/month Plus (~£39) | | Team | £69/month | $149/month Premium (~£119) | | Payment processing | Stripe rates (your choice) | Square rates (no choice) |
Square's free tier is attractive, but it locks you into Square's payment ecosystem and gives you a booking calendar, not clinic software. By the time you need staff management and reminders, you're paying $49/month for a tool that still can't handle consent forms or clinical records.
The Payment Lock-In Problem
Square Appointments exists to drive transactions through Square. That means:
- No payment processor choice. You use Square or nothing
- Hardware lock-in. Square readers only, not industry-standard terminals
- Transaction fees set by Square. No negotiation, no alternatives
- Data portability. Your payment history lives in Square's ecosystem
With Aestheticc, payments go through Stripe. You get competitive rates, support for Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Klarna, and your data stays yours.
When Square Appointments Makes Sense
- You already use Square for payments and want free basic booking
- You run a simple service business (barbershop, nail bar, massage)
- You don't need clinical records or compliance features
- Cost is your primary concern and you're comfortable with basic features
When Aestheticc Makes Sense
- You run an aesthetic clinic performing medical treatments
- You need clinical records, consent forms, and compliance tracking
- You want payment processor flexibility (not locked into one ecosystem)
- You need marketing automation, treatment protocols, and clinical workflows
Clinic software, not a booking add-on from a payment company. Try Aestheticc free.