Hey new to Reddit, but after many failed attempts at coming to the 'best' conclusion from researching my options, I'd figured I'd ask here.

I'm helping a freelance therapist build their own website as they grow their business and I'm suggesting we build on WordPress rather than Squarespace, Wix, etc. The only obstacle left is choosing a booking plugin to automate the appointments part of the job. I've already looked into Bookly and Amelia (as well as non-WordPress native apps like Acuity, Square Appointments, Calendly, etc).

Their needs are fairly simple:

• An automated bookings end for customers to select available dates.
• An integration/some sort of connection to Google Calendar.
• A payment option. One that preferably avoids or has the smallest transaction fee (with more expensive services, the fees begin to really quickly add up).
• SMS reminders.
• A level of security and confidentiality, so customers do not see unavailable appointments or only a greyed-out option and for the therapist to only handle bookings with the most basic level of details.
• In terms of appointments, its just one therapist, one location, appointments both online and in-person, deposits are sitting under a question mark until the transaction fee issue is resolved and a small handful of service options (think like 5 max, including a 15-minute free 'get to know each other' consultation).

If I'm missing anything obvious, feel free to point it out.

At the moment, I'm mostly leaning towards the Bookly plugin but even there the payment question still stands- even PayPal transactions have a 2- 3% fee per transaction, which I understand isn't out of the ordinary compared to the rest of the market but I figured I'd throw the question out there as well.

I'd be more than grateful for some insights/recommendations. Thanks.

Hey new to Reddit, but after many failed attempts at coming to the 'best' conclusion from researching my options, I'd figured I'd ask here.

I'm helping a freelance therapist build their own website as they grow their business and I'm suggesting we build on WordPress rather than Squarespace, Wix, etc. The only obstacle left is choosing a booking plugin to automate the appointments part of the job. I've already looked into Bookly and Amelia (as well as non-WordPress native apps like Acuity, Square Appointments, Calendly, etc).

Their needs are fairly simple:

• An automated bookings end for customers to select available dates.
• An integration/some sort of connection to Google Calendar.
• A payment option. One that preferably avoids or has the smallest transaction fee (with more expensive services, the fees begin to really quickly add up).
• SMS reminders.
• A level of security and confidentiality, so customers do not see unavailable appointments or only a greyed-out option and for the therapist to only handle bookings with the most basic level of details.
• In terms of appointments, its just one therapist, one location, appointments both online and in-person, deposits are sitting under a question mark until the transaction fee issue is resolved and a small handful of service options (think like 5 max, including a 15-minute free 'get to know each other' consultation).

If I'm missing anything obvious, feel free to point it out.

At the moment, I'm mostly leaning towards the Bookly plugin but even there the payment question still stands- even PayPal transactions have a 2- 3% fee per transaction, which I understand isn't out of the ordinary compared to the rest of the market but I figured I'd throw the question out there as well.

I'd be more than grateful for some insights/recommendations. Thanks.