Apntly suits a low-cost appointment shortlist, Appointo offers an unlimited-booking free entry point, Sesami emphasizes retail resources and extensibility, and Cowlendar combines varied booking types with revenue-based tiers.
Why these four apps?
These are four established options with meaningfully different buying decisions. This is an editorial shortlist by Cowlendar, not an official Shopify ranking. If you need rental-specific rules or event packs, also explore our wider comparison directory.
All prices below are monthly USD from official Shopify listings checked September 22, 2026. An entry price is not the cost of every feature.
| App | Free entry point | First paid tier | Main pricing consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowlendar | Free plan; see usage allowance, all features | $13.99/month | Paid tiers depend on booking revenue |
| Apntly | 1 service, 1 staff member, unlimited bookings | $5/month | Pro features are listed at $9/month |
| Appointo | Unlimited services and bookings | $14/month | Advanced workflows and some usage charges are separate |
| Sesami | Development stores only | $19/month | Resources and advanced capabilities differ sharply by tier |
Cowlendar: varied booking types in one storefront
Cowlendar is worth considering when you combine appointments, group activities or multi-day services and want access to the feature set from the free trial-sized allowance. Its free plan with all features is intended for a small start or evaluation, not unlimited ongoing volume.
Budget using expected booking revenue. Starter covers up to $1,000, Basic up to $3,000 and Growth up to $10,000 at the checked prices. Confirm the applicable tier and any usage-specific costs before launch. See Cowlendar pricing.
Apntly: a straightforward low-cost appointment option
Apntly's free plan is particularly relevant for one service and one staff member. Its Starter tier expands services and team members, while Pro lists groups, calendar integrations, meeting links and deposits.
A merchant with a narrow appointment workflow should test Apntly rather than assume a more expensive app is better. If your business depends on multi-day rentals, shared equipment or a specialized integration, ask for confirmation of that specific requirement. See Cowlendar vs Apntly.
Appointo: generous free booking volume, layered paid features
Appointo lists unlimited services and bookings on its free plan. Paid tiers add calendar connections, reminders, groups, waitlists and further operational tools. Its listing also discloses a 2% charge for subscriptions/bundles and usage-based messaging costs.
Compare the actual plan for your workflow, particularly if you sell repeat-visit packages. See Cowlendar vs Appointo for the feature-by-feature breakdown.
Sesami: resource-based retail and extensibility
Sesami lists Google Calendar, POS and an API/SDK in its offering. Its paid tiers distinguish resource counts, groups, customer rescheduling and multi-location capabilities. A retailer with a developer or a tailored service experience may value that approach.
The free option is for development stores, so a live merchant should budget for a paid plan. Advanced needs can move the relevant comparison from the $19 Small plan to Pro or Premium. See Cowlendar vs Sesami.
Make the final choice with a real scenario
Configure one representative service in the shortlisted apps. Test a customer booking, an external calendar conflict, a cancellation and a payment change. Include mobile checkout and staff access. Choose the tool that your team can operate reliably on the plan you are prepared to pay for.
Official sources
Common questions
Which of these has a free plan for unlimited bookings?
Apntly lists unlimited bookings with one service and one staff member. Appointo lists unlimited services and bookings. Feature and usage limits still need checking.
Is Sesami free for a live Shopify store?
The checked free plan is for development stores. The listed entry paid plan for live use is Small at $19/month.
Written by the Cowlendar team. Recommendations reflect our editorial judgment; we make Cowlendar. App facts are based on the linked public documentation checked on September 22, 2026, not a claim of independent hands-on testing. Pricing and plan limits can change.
Originally published May 30, 2024.
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