WordPress is a major player in the website builder space and for good reason. Not only is this platform flexible and easy to use (all you need is a theme and WordPress hosting), WordPress also gives you the tools to build your business brand with different design options. Having been around for the last 20 years, it's clearly stood the test of time.

Although this platform is very popular, ultimately WordPress is a website builder and blogging platform. This means if you're wanting to take bookings from your WordPress website, you will have to integrate a booking system that is compatible with WordPress.

Luckily, we have outlined the top 5 best booking systems for WordPress websites, so you can narrow down your search for right booking system for your business.

Does WordPress have a booking system?

No, WordPress does not have its own "out of the box" booking system. However, WordPress has many compatible plugins that can do the job.

If you decide use a booking system that doesn't have a native WordPress plugin, then you can embed your chosen booking system as an iFrame. This option requires a small amount of html knowledge. This is a great tutorial on how to embed an iFrame in WordPress.

Are bookings free on WordPress?

With many booking systems offering free plan options, it is definitely possible to take bookings for free on your WordPress website. Simply choose a free booking system that can plugin to WordPress.

Alternatively, many booking systems that provide a free account can also be embedded into your WordPress website.

How do you take bookings on WordPress?

Once you have found the right booking system for your business, you'll need to embed the booking tools as an iFrame or use a booking system with a native plugin. Taking bookings for your classes, appointments, events and activities is usually a very straightforward process. Once your chosen booking tool has been installed on your site, customers will be able to choose an event and time, pay and receive confirmation emails and reminders.  

How do you install a booking system into WordPress?

Installing a booking system into your WordPress website is simple. Many businesses choose to use a booking system with a native WordPress plugin, however, if the best booking system for your needs doesn't plugin to WordPress, then you can embed your chosen booking system as an iFrame. Even though this option does require a small amount of coding, this process is simple, even for those with no coding experience.

Searching for a booking system that is the right fit for your business? Keep reading to our top 5 best booking systems for anyone with a WordPress website.

Top 5 Best Booking Systems for WordPress (2022):

  1. Baluu
  2. Arlo
  3. Setmore
  4. WooCommerce
  5. Appointment Hour

1. Baluu

Best for: building a completely customised and effortless booking experience that reflects your brand

Baluu is an all-in-one booking system that is used and loved by hundreds of small businesses. Take bookings from your WordPress website, manage your team and get 24/7 support form your dedicated Baluu account manager.  

Like many popular booking systems, Baluu can be easily embedded into your existing WordPress website. Choose whether to embed Baluu as an iFrame or to link to your booking page.

How to install Baluu into WordPress?

After you have signed up with Baluu, you will have access to the user-friendly Baluu dashboard. On the dashboard, you can manage every aspect of your business, from organising your teams schedule to tracking your income.

MasterPeace have embedded Baluu into their WordPress website as an iFrame - image via MasterPeace Studio

To build a branded booking experience, you can customise your booking page and list your products, classes and events.

Once you have created your branded booking page which clearly showcases your brand, events and timetable, it's time to embed your booking page into your WordPress website.

On the dashboard you can access URLs, then you can use an iFrame code generator to create an embed code for your Baluu pages.

Copy this html code into a new block on WordPress website by following the steps in this tutorial and you're ready to start taking sharing your bookings page (on your WordPress website) with your customers. Everything from choosing a time, to taking payments will be managed.

You can then see all your upcoming bookings and payments from within the Baluu dashboard. It really is that simple!

Want some help embedding Baluu into your WordPress website? Baluu's responsive support team are here to help you through this process and beyond.

See more @ Baluu.co.uk

Pricing*

Baluu offers small businesses three paid plans to choose from. As well as their affordable pricing plans, Baluu also offer a free plan and a 30 day free trial.

Explore Baluu's Free and paid plans

Pros

  • Add your business logo, images and colours to build a branded booking experience.
  • Gives you the tools to create a customer booking experience that is intuitive and effortless.
  • Can take bookings for your classes, courses, events, activities and experience.
  • Customers can also buy products from your website with Baluu's eCommerce tools.
  • Your dedicated account manager will help you embed Baluu into your WordPress website.

Cons

  • Users will have to embed Baluu into their WordPress website instead of using Baluu as a plugin.
  • Although Baluu provides a clear and secure payment journey, the checkout flow itself cannot be customised.

2. Arlo

Best for: running live online classes, courses and learning events.

Arlo is an online training management solution. This booking system is used by businesses that host online and in-person classes and courses. Create waiting lists, run live online classes and take bookings from your WordPress website with Arlo.

To integrate Arlo into your WordPress website, simply login to your WordPress Dashboard and add the Arlo Wordpress plugin. Now you're ready to start taking bookings directly from your website.

Pricing*

Arlo has a 14 day free trial which allows businesses to see if the software fits their needs before they sign up to a paid plan. This booking system gives businesses three paid plans to explore.

Image via https://www.arlo.co/pricing#/

Pros

  • Arlo can be used on your WordPress website as a plugin which requires no code.
  • Allows you to both online and in-person classes and training courses.
  • Create waiting lists for popular and sold out classes and courses.
  • Automate your communication with your customers and students.
  • Build customised registration forms for your students to complete so you can collect essential information.
An example of Arlo's booking tools

Cons

  • Arlo does not offer a free plan and their paid plan options are expensive.
  • Designed for businesses that take bookings for training events, this can limit businesses that offer bookings for different services.
  • The process of getting set up with Arlo is very time consuming.
  • Arlo has pre-built pages which means you have limited design input.

3. Setmore

Best for: businesses that offer appointments.

Setmore is an online scheduling system, designed to help small businesses to manage their bookings. With Setmore you can take bookings from your WordPress website, take secure payments online and automate your admin.

Like many other booking and scheduling systems, Setmore can also be used as a plugin on your WordPress website. With Setmore you can link to a bookings page, or embed the Setmore Widget on a page of your WordPress website.

Pricing*

Setmore has a free plan as well as two inexpensive paid plan options for small businesses.

Image via https://www.setmore.com/pricing

Pros

  • Offering a free plan and low-cost paid plans means small businesses can use Setmore.
  • Setmore can plugin to your WordPress website without the need for any coding.
  • This booking system doesn't cap your bookings. Take bookings for unlimited appointments on your website.  
  • Setmore can integrate with your social media platforms so your customers can book from anywhere.
  • Use your logo and brand colours to create a booking page that showcases your brand.
An example of Setmore's booking tools 

Cons

  • If you need help, Setmore only offer in-app and online support.
  • Users have often found that their customers struggle to make a booking.
  • Some users find that this booking system looks dated.

4. WooCommerce

Best for: selling products from your existing WordPress website.

WooCommerce is an eCommerce system that has been built on WordPress .This eCommerce platform makes it possible to sell products from your WordPress website. Setup your online store, securely take payments and orders made on your WordPress website.

The popular WooCommerce plugin can either be installed automatically or manually. Once you have successfully installed WooCommerce, you can start taking orders for your products straight from your own website.

Pricing*

WooCommerce is free to use. However, businesses can purchase the extensions and add-ons that WooCommerce offer.

Image via https://woocommerce.com/woocommerce-essentials/

Pros

  • Businesses that don't require any extensions or add-ons can use WooCommerce for free.
  • WooCommerce can be used as a plugin which means installing WooCommerce into your WordPress website requires no coding.
  • WooCommerce has extensive customisation tools which will help you build your brand.
  • When using WooCommerce, you have the ability to sell anything from your WordPress website.
An example of the WooCommerce software

Cons

  • Some of the add-ons and extensions that WooCommerce offer are costly.
  • This booking system is focuses mainly on eCommerce bookings, rather than event, appointment and class bookings.
  • While other booking systems can integrate with many website builders, WooCommerce can only plugin to WordPress websites.
  • Users find that WooCommerce is difficult to use if you have limited tech or website design knowledge.

5. Appointment Hour Booking

Best for: businesses that take bookings on multiple websites.

Appointment Hour Booking is a booking system can plugin to WordPress. Create a simple booking experience for your customers on your WordPress website, clearly share your availability and build customised booking forms with Appointment Hour Booking.

Like Arlo, Setmore, and WooCommerce, this booking system can an official WordPress plugin. Businesses already using Appointment Hour Booking on their WordPress website have given this booking system five stars.

Pricing*

Appointment Hour Booking has one free plan and three paid plans to choose from. Whether you choose their Professional plan or their Platinum plan

Image via https://apphourbooking.dwbooster.com/

Pros

  • Appointment Hour Booking can easily plugin to your existing WordPress website.
  • Businesses can use Appointment Hour Booking on multiple websites.
  • This booking system allows businesses to customise booking forms.
  • Appointment Hour Booking offer a wide range of add-ons which means you can get the specific tools that you need.
An example of Appointment Hour Booking's tools

Cons

  • The paid plans are quite basic. Users may need to consider paying for add-ons to access essential tools.
  • Users find that this booking system looks dated and clunky.
  • Businesses find that Appointment Hour Booking has slow and unresponsive support.

*All pricing outlined in this article was accurate to the best of our knowledge and soured from the aforementioned website's pricing page at the time of writing (1/06/2022).

Need more advice?

We have rounded up the top 5 best booking systems for WordPress websites. After considering the pros, cons and pricing of the top booking system, we hope you have found the best booking system for your WordPress website.