Cicini vs Planday

Cicini is a web-based booking and scheduling platform for service businesses, combining appointments, staff calendars, payments, reminders and client management. Clients can book around the clock through a custom booking page and public link, while teams coordinate availability and shifts across multi-staff calendars. Google Calendar sync is in beta: new appointments can push to Google, and two-way busy-time blocking can hide unavailable slots. Email reminders are included on all plans; paid plans add plan-limited SMS reminders and Stripe checkout for full payments or service deposits. Card information remains with Stripe rather than Cicini’s servers. Client tools include typed-question intake forms and public e-sign links for legal documents and policies. Professional and Enterprise plans include API keys and outbound webhooks, though Professional quotas are limited and the public REST surface is still developing. Cicini says it encrypts data in transit and at rest and uses role-based access controls, but does not claim HIPAA, PHIPA or SOC 2 compliance. A free plan is available; paid plans start at $15/mo (annual), and a 30-day trial is offered.

Planday provides employee scheduling and workforce-management software for shift-working teams, on the web and on Android and iOS. Scheduling tools cover availability preferences, shift swaps, open and draft shifts, and reusable schedule templates. Workers can use Punch Clock to clock in and out from their devices, with location restrictions and rounding rules. Managers can compare scheduled and worked hours, approve shifts for payroll, and export timesheets through integrations. The mobile app also supports schedule viewing and updates, hour approvals and team communications. Planday connects with payroll, POS and HR systems, including Xero, Personio, Square, Lightspeed and ADP. Customers can configure working-time rules, contract hours and absence policies for automatic application to schedules, with real-time alerts for violations. The Starter plan includes Help Centre and live chat support; Pro includes dedicated phone support through a call-back service. Planday says it serves small, medium and enterprise businesses across industries such as hospitality, care homes, hotels, entertainment, retail, and fitness and wellness. There is no free plan; a 30-day trial is available. Starter costs £2.99 a month, billed per user/month, with a five-user minimum.