Calm Alternatives To Client Booking Systems
- Why some people are rethinking Treatwell
- Real alternatives people are testing
- Honest trade-offs (not hype)
- Questions to help you choose calmly
- A way to share what you learn with others
Why some people are rethinking Treatwell
Treatwell helped many sole traders get started. It simplified booking, brought visibility, and reduced admin.
But some practitioners and clients now report a gradual shift — not dramatic, just cumulative.
- Rising fees and reduced margins
- Algorithm-driven visibility
- Data demands linked to DAC7 reporting, including NI number requests
- Threats of blocked access if information isn’t supplied
- Loss of direct control over bookings, reviews, and client relationships
None of this implies wrongdoing. But it does change the balance of power — and for some people, that’s the point they pause.
What people are exploring instead
WriteUpp
A UK-based practice management system used widely by therapists.
- Why people try it: no public marketplace, direct client relationships
- Trade-offs: less built-in discovery
Kiku
A therapy-specific booking and practice tool.
- Why people try it: calm design, privacy-respecting defaults
- Trade-offs: smaller ecosystem
SimplyBook
A lightweight booking calendar without a public marketplace.
- Why people try it: minimal data collection, simplicity
- Trade-offs: manual overrides can be limited depending on setup
Hybrid approaches
Many people don’t leave entirely. They keep Treatwell for discovery, move repeat clients to direct booking, and keep systems modular.
What people are learning
- Discovery is hardest to replace
- Human override matters more than automation
- Lock-in hurts more than high fees
- Smaller tools fail more gently
- What works varies by local context
Questions worth asking
- Can I override this system manually?
- Can I export my data and leave cleanly?
- Does this tool own the relationship — or support it?
- Can I swap this part out later?
- Is the data being asked for proportionate?
If you try an alternative — especially if it doesn’t work — you’re invited to share what you noticed. Short, anonymised reflections help others explore more realistically.
For some people, Treatwell remains the right fit. For others, stepping back restores balance. Both are valid.