1. Simplicity Matters More Than Feature Volume
For small studios, simplicity is critical. You want bookings to work.
Fast.
Acuity delivers basic scheduling.
Mindbody, on the other hand, offers everything — all at once.
That’s often the problem.
Too many features.
Too much setup.
Many small studios look for tools that are simple to start with, but don’t require a full system change as operations grow. This balance is often missing when comparing scheduling-first tools and enterprise platforms.
2. Most Small Studios Don’t Need Enterprise Complexity
Small studios don’t need complex enterprise tools.
They need the essentials.
Mindbody is powerful, but heavy.
Many features go unused.
Yet the cost remains.
Acuity is lighter, but limited.
Once your studio adds memberships or packages, friction appears.
Small studios typically value clear scheduling, flexible pricing structures, and operations that don’t require constant setup or workarounds. Systems that prioritize these basics tend to age better as studios grow.
3. Admin Time Is a Bigger Cost Than Software
For small teams, time is money.
Every manual task adds up.
With Acuity, workarounds are common.
With Mindbody, setup and maintenance take time.
More integrated studio systems reduce admin load by keeping attendance, credits, and capacity logic aligned automatically. This is especially important for small teams where owners are also instructors.
4. Switching Costs Matter More Than Most Studios Expect
Small studios don’t plan to stay small—growth is the goal. Switching platforms later can be painful. Data migration is tricky. Clients can get confused. Many modern studio platforms are designed to support this kind of gradual growth, allowing studios to start simple and add complexity only when needed.
Conclusion: The Right System Is About Fit, Not Size
Acuity works for basic scheduling.
Mindbody works for large operations.
But small studios need balance.
They need tools that fit today — and tomorrow.
For studios weighing Acuity vs Mindbody, the bigger question is whether the system fits their current operations — and where they expect to be in the next 1–3 years.