Alternatives to SimplyBook.me for businesses in Spain
SimplyBook.me is a powerful booking platform, but its complexity, paid plugin system and lack of native WhatsApp lead many businesses in Spain to look for simpler alternatives adapted to their market. These are the best options in 2026.
Last updated: March 2026
Why look for SimplyBook.me alternatives?
SimplyBook.me has been on the market for years and offers more than 50 "custom features" or plugins you can activate as needed. It sounds good in theory, but in practice it creates problems: each plugin you need adds cost, the setup becomes labyrinthine and the interface gets overloaded. For a business in Spain, there are also specific shortcomings that complicate day-to-day operations.
Common SimplyBook.me problems:
- ✗ Complex interface: too many menus and options
- ✗ Paid plugins that increase the bill
- ✗ WhatsApp only through external integrations
- ✗ Spanish as a partial translation, not native
What a business in Spain needs:
- ✓ Intuitive software that works from day one
- ✓ WhatsApp integration (used by 80%+ of clients)
- ✓ Clear pricing: all-inclusive, no extra plugins
- ✓ Real GDPR compliance with European servers
The best SimplyBook.me alternatives
1. Marai
RecommendedFree / €29 – €99/mo
Best for: Service businesses in Spain that need WhatsApp and simplicity
Pros
- +AI WhatsApp bot (Pro: 300 msgs/year, Business: 1,000 msgs/year)
- +Simple interface with no plugin system — all included
- +100% in Spanish, EU servers, native GDPR compliance
Cons
- -New to the market (fewer third-party integrations)
- -Additional message packs available if quota runs out (from €19/500 msgs)
2. Calendly
Free / From $8/mo
Best for: Corporate meetings and sales teams
Pros
- +Clean and very easy-to-configure interface
- +Integrations with Zoom, Meet, Teams and Salesforce
- +Functional free plan for individual use
Cons
- -No WhatsApp or client CRM
- -Designed for meetings, not in-person services
- -US servers (potential GDPR conflict)
3. Setmore
Free / From €5/mo
Best for: Businesses on a very tight budget that need the basics
Pros
- +Generous free plan (up to 4 users)
- +Simple and quick to configure
- +Zoom and Google Meet integration
Cons
- -No WhatsApp integration
- -US servers (potential GDPR conflict)
- -Spanish as translation, not native
4. Fresha
Free (with commissions for new clients)
Best for: Beauty salons looking for marketplace visibility
Pros
- +No fixed monthly fee
- +Marketplace with new client traffic
- +Integrated POS
Cons
- -Commissions for each new marketplace client
- -You lose control over your client data
- -No AI WhatsApp bot for bookings
5. Acuity Scheduling (Squarespace)
From $16/mo
Best for: Businesses with a Squarespace website that want integrated appointments
Pros
- +Native Squarespace integration
- +Customizable intake forms
- +Stripe and PayPal payments included
Cons
- -No WhatsApp (reminders by email and SMS only)
- -Spanish as translation, not native
- -US servers (GDPR depends on configuration)
6. Cal.com
Free (self-hosted) / From $12/mo
Best for: Technical teams that want full code control
Pros
- +Open-source with self-hosting option
- +Very customizable for developers
- +Integrations with calendars, Zoom, Meet, etc.
Cons
- -Requires technical knowledge to get the most out of it
- -No WhatsApp or integrated client CRM
- -Limited Spanish support
Quick comparison table
| Feature | Marai | Simply | Calendly | Setmore | Fresha | Acuity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI WhatsApp Bot | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| WhatsApp reminders | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Email reminders | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client CRM | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi-professional | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No commissions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Upfront payments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native Spanish | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| GDPR (EU servers) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| All-inclusive | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
What to look for in a SimplyBook.me alternative?
Before migrating from SimplyBook.me to another platform, make sure the new tool covers the essentials for your business. These are the most important criteria:
- 1. Real simplicity: you should be able to configure your schedule in under 10 minutes, without having to research which plugins to activate.
- 2. Integrated WhatsApp: in Spain, more than 80% of clients prefer WhatsApp over email. Bookings and reminders should work through this channel.
- 3. All-inclusive pricing: avoid platforms where each feature is a paid "extra". A fixed price with everything included makes expense planning easier.
- 4. Native GDPR: your client data must be on European servers and the platform must automatically handle consent, erasure and data export.
- 5. Real Spanish: not an automatic translation with errors, but an interface designed from the start for Spanish-speaking users.
Why Marai is the best SimplyBook.me alternative?
Marai was designed specifically for service businesses in Spain. While SimplyBook.me forces you to piece together your solution plugin by plugin, Marai gives you everything from day one: AI WhatsApp bot, client CRM with reliability scoring, automatic multi-channel reminders, online booking portal and team management. No surprises on the bill.
AI WhatsApp bot
Your clients book by writing on WhatsApp in natural language. The bot manages availability, confirmations and reminders 24/7.
All-inclusive
No plugins, no extra modules. CRM, payments, reminders, multi-professional and multi-location in each plan. Fixed price, no surprises.
Native GDPR and Spanish
Servers in the European Union. GDPR and LOPDGDD compliance without configuration. Interface 100% in Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
Why look for a SimplyBook.me alternative?
What is the best SimplyBook.me alternative in Spain?
Does SimplyBook.me comply with GDPR?
Are there SimplyBook.me alternatives with WhatsApp integration?
Is there a SimplyBook.me alternative that is easier to use?
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