Acuity Scheduling guide
Does Acuity Scheduling Have a Waitlist? (Classes and Appointments in 2026)
Yes. Acuity has a waitlist for appointments and, since October 2026, for individual class sessions too. Here's how it works and what an add-on like Aculio adds.
Updated October 2026: Acuity has added a built-in waitlist for group classes. This article has been revised to reflect it.
Yes, Acuity Scheduling has a waitlist. It covers one-on-one appointments and, since October 2026, individual group class sessions too. Clients join from your scheduling page and get a text with a booking link when a matching spot opens. The waitlist is available on the Standard/Growing and Premium/Powerhouse plans.
Does Acuity Scheduling Have a Waitlist Feature?
Yes. Acuity offers two waitlists, which you turn on separately: an appointment waitlist and a class waitlist. Both are available on the Standard/Growing and Premium/Powerhouse plans, according to Acuity's help article on waitlists.
- Appointments: clients choose a preferred date or date range and time window, up to 14 days out, and can add up to five preferences.
- Class sessions: a Join waitlist button appears on any fully booked class session. Class series are not supported; waitlists are for individual sessions only.
- How clients are notified: a confirmation email when they join, then a text message with a booking link when a matching spot opens after a cancellation or reschedule. The text can't be customized.
Does the Acuity Waitlist Work for Group Classes?
Yes, since October 2026. Turn on Class waitlist in your scheduling page settings, set how close to the start time clients can still book from the waitlist, and save. You can review, add, remove, and book waitlisted clients from the Waitlist tab on your Calendar page in a browser; class waitlists aren't available in the Acuity mobile app.
For many studios the built-in waitlist will be enough. It's worth looking further if you need things it doesn't do, such as alerts by email, a waitlist on your own website, or an inbox for client replies.
| Capability | Native Acuity waitlist | Acuity + Aculio |
|---|---|---|
| One-on-one appointments | Supported | Supported |
| Group class sessions | Supported (Standard and Premium plans) | Supported |
| Seat-open alerts | Text to clients whose request matches | SMS or email to everyone on the class waitlist |
| Reply-aware follow-up | No | Yes (YES / CANCEL / LATE) |
| Two-way replies inbox | No | Yes |
How Do Clients Join an Acuity Waitlist?
For appointments, a client clicks Join waitlist, picks preferred dates and times, enters their details, and confirms. For classes, they click Join waitlist on the full class session and enter their details. Either way they get a confirmation email and can cancel the request from the confirmation page or email. When a spot opens, Acuity texts matching clients a booking link, and the first to complete the booking gets it.
When an Add-on Like Aculio Still Helps
Aculio works alongside Acuity rather than replacing it. Studios use it when they want seat-open alerts by SMS or email to everyone on a class waitlist, a waitlist widget on their own website, a two-way inbox for client replies, and optional no-show reminders and feedback forms in one dashboard. See how the Aculio group class waitlist works, or combine it with Acuity SMS automation for no-show prevention and two-way messaging.
Start Your Free Trial
Want more than Acuity's built-in waitlist? Start a 14-day free trial of Aculio and connect Acuity. No credit card required. Review Aculio pricing to pick a plan.
