Cicini vs ShiftCal

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.

ShiftCal provides shift scheduling, clock-ins by GPS or kiosk, time-off management, and payroll exports for shift-based businesses, including gyms. Its assistant and solver draft rosters around coverage, availability, rest, and fairness rules. Gym scheduling supports class-shaped shifts, instructors working across multiple gyms, and shift swaps to arrange cover. The assistant can extract roles, shifts, sites, rules, and coverage needs from Excel, PDF, CSV files, and schedule photos. A confirmation card appears before changes are applied or published. Employees can use Android and iOS apps for calendars, push notifications, clock-ins, leave requests, and shift swaps; the service also runs on the web. Timesheets and payroll can be exported in CSV, Excel, or PDF formats, but no specific payroll integrations are named. The free plan is listed at free for five people and one site, with no card required and cancellation anytime. The pricing note lists paid plans from €2.99/mo and a 14-day trial; the plan details also list Pro at €299 a month and Crew at €999 a month. Precise location is collected only at workplace clock-in, not tracked in the background.