The main event · Reviewed June 2026
CREW.INKTattoo-native
AcuityGeneric schedulerAcuity built a calendar. CREW.INK built a tattoo workflow.
Acuity Scheduling is a genuinely flexible generic scheduler — that's the point, and the problem. A tattoo booking isn't a 30-minute slot: it's a request with references, a deposit, a waiver, and sometimes three more sessions. CREW.INK treats it that way from the first click.
Acuity public pricing & pages + CREW.INK repo-verified data
TALE OF THE TAPE
Round by round, side by side.
Reviewed June 2026 · Acuity details from public pricing & product pages · CREW.INK rows repo-verified
THE DECIDING ROUNDS
Where the fight is actually won.
A calendar, not a workflow
Acuity schedules anything — which means it knows nothing about tattoo. No references, no waivers, no flash, no walk-in flow. CREW.INK ships the whole tattoo pipeline.
Forms aren't tattoo intake
Acuity's generic forms can ask questions. CREW.INK's intake is structured for tattoo: subject, placement, size, budget, reference images — attached to a booking request you approve.
You assemble. CREW.INK ships.
On Acuity you stitch together forms, payment integrations, e-sign tools, and a separate shop. CREW.INK has deposits, waivers, flash drops, kiosk, and shop in one system.
GIVING ACUITY ITS DUE
Where Acuity takes the round.
Acuity's scheduling engine is genuinely flexible: appointment types, padding, timezone handling, group classes, and availability rules that generic businesses need. Its Squarespace integration is native, and its API plus integration ecosystem is mature — if you like assembling your own stack, Acuity is a good foundation.
But every tattoo-specific need lands on you to assemble: intake via generic forms, waivers via a separate e-sign tool, references over email or DMs, flash sales somewhere else entirely. CREW.INK ships that as one workflow — requests with references, deposit rules, digital waivers, flash drops, and a client portal — because it was built in a tattoo shop, not for "any appointment business."
PURSE & FEES
More features. Clear fees. No marketplace commissions.
CREW.INK
Free: Free forever · 9.9% booking fee on deposits and card payments ($2.50 minimum); payer can be client, artist, or split
Plus: $39/mo + 4.5% booking fee; payer can be client, artist, or split
Pro: $99/mo · 3.5% booking fee; payer can be client, artist, or split
One booking fee covers card processing on deposits and every other card payment, with a $2.50 minimum. Booking fee payer follows workspace configuration; the client, artist, or a split can be selected.
Acuity
Entry: From around $16 USD/mo (billed annually)
Higher tiers: More staff calendars and features
Payments: Card processing via integrated processors
The real cost is the stack you assemble around it — form tools, e-sign, a separate shop. Check Acuity's current pricing.
FAQ
Common questions.
Is CREW.INK or Acuity better for tattoo artists?
CREW.INK. Acuity is a flexible generic scheduler — good calendar logic, clean Squarespace embeds. It has no structured tattoo intake, no reference-image workflow, no waivers in the booking flow, no flash drops, no convention mode. CREW.INK runs the tattoo workflow end to end.
Can Acuity take tattoo deposits?
Yes, generically — Acuity can collect payment at booking through its payment integrations. CREW.INK is deposit-first by design: bookings stay requests until you approve them, deposit rules live in the booking flow, and reminders are automatic.
How much does Acuity cost?
Entry plans start around $16 USD/month (billed annually), with higher tiers adding staff calendars and features — check current pricing. CREW.INK Free is $0/mo for artists with a 9.9% booking fee on deposits and card payments; payer can be client, artist, or split; Plus is $39/mo + 4.5% booking fee; payer can be client, artist, or split.
Does CREW.INK integrate with my existing website?
Yes — your CREW.INK booking link and public profile work from any site or bio link, and API/webhook integrations are available. You don't need to rebuild your site to take deposit-first bookings.
Who should stick with Acuity instead of CREW.INK?
Businesses living on a Squarespace site that want native embeds, mixed non-tattoo appointment businesses, and anyone with automation already built on Acuity's API. Tattoo-only and tattoo-dominant shops are better served by CREW.INK.