The main event · Reviewed June 2026
LVL2Tattoo-native
AcuityGeneric schedulerAcuity built a calendar. LVL2 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. LVL2 treats it that way from the first click.
Acuity public pricing & pages + LVL2 repo-verified data
TALE OF THE TAPE
Round by round, side by side.
Reviewed June 2026 · Acuity details from public pricing & product pages · LVL2 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. LVL2 ships the whole tattoo pipeline.
Forms aren't tattoo intake
Acuity's generic forms can ask questions. LVL2's intake is structured for tattoo: subject, placement, size, budget, reference images — attached to a booking request you approve.
You assemble. LVL2 ships.
On Acuity you stitch together forms, payment integrations, e-sign tools, and a separate shop. LVL2 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. LVL2 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. Less money. No commissions.
LVL2
Free: Free forever · 9.9% booking fee on deposits; payer can be client, artist, or split
Plus: $39/mo + 4.5% on client deposits only
Pro: $99/mo · zero LVL2 booking fees
Deposits, payouts, and payment-plan workflows run through Stripe. Deposit fee payer follows workspace configuration; the client, artist, or a split can be selected.
Acuity
Entry: From around $16/mo
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 LVL2 or Acuity better for tattoo artists?
LVL2. 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. LVL2 runs the tattoo workflow end to end.
Can Acuity take tattoo deposits?
Yes, generically — Acuity can collect payment at booking through its payment integrations. LVL2 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/month, with higher tiers adding staff calendars and features — check current pricing. LVL2 Free is $0/mo for artists with a 9.9% booking fee on deposits; payer can be client, artist, or split; Plus is $39/mo + 4.5% on deposits; payer can be client, artist, or split.
Does LVL2 integrate with my existing website?
Yes — your LVL2 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 LVL2?
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 LVL2.