Acuity Scheduling vs Helix
The Real Comparison for Permanent Makeup Artists

Acuity Scheduling
$33/mo ($396/yr)
VS
Helix
$279 once — own forever
or 3 payments of $99
Break even: 8.5 months. Save $1,050 over 3 years.
"I compared Acuity Scheduling and Helix side by side. The math wasn't even close. $1,329 over 3 years vs $279 once. Switched and never looked back."
— Permanent makeup artist, Helix customer

The verdict for permanent makeup artists: Acuity Scheduling is solid software, but at $33/month it costs $1,329 over 3 years. Helix does most of what Acuity Scheduling does for $279 once. For solo permanent makeup artists and small teams, Helix is the better deal.

Choose Helix if:

  • You're done paying monthly forever
  • You're a solo operator or small team (1-5)
  • You need scheduler, Connect CRM, Invoicing in one purchase in one tool
  • You're tired of price increases
  • You want to own your tools like you own your equipment

Choose Acuity Scheduling if:

  • You have a large team (10+) needing enterprise features
  • You're deeply invested in Acuity Scheduling's specific workflow
  • You need a feature Helix doesn't have yet

What Acuity Scheduling Actually Costs Permanent Makeup Artists

The 3-Year Damage

Year 1$396
Year 2 (+11.4% inflation)$441
Year 3$491
Total lost to Acuity Scheduling$1,329

Helix: $279. Once. You keep $1,050. And you own it — no more "we're updating our pricing" emails.

Your Acuity Scheduling subscription has cost you $0.00 since you opened this page.

Feature-by-Feature

FeatureAcuity SchedulingHelix
Invoicing✓✓
Scheduling✗✓
CRM✗✓
Time Tracking✗✓
Full Accounting✗✓ (SIMPL)
Task Management✗✓
Price$33/mo$279 once
or 3 × $99
3-Year Total$1,329$279
You own it?No — stop paying, lose accessYes — forever
"The feature comparison convinced me. Helix does 90% of what Acuity Scheduling does — for 10% of the 3-year cost. And I actually own it."
— Permanent makeup artist

Calculate Your Full Stack

Acuity Scheduling plus whatever else you're paying for:

Email yourself this comparison?

Switching from Acuity Scheduling

1
Export your data — Go to Settings → Export. Download your client list and appointment history.
2
Set up Helix Scheduler — 15-minute setup. Import clients and recreate your appointment types.
3
Update your links — Replace your Acuity booking link everywhere — website, email, social.
4
Cancel Acuity — Cancel Squarespace subscription. Download a final backup of your data.
✓ 30-day money-back guarantee. Zero risk.
Permanent Makeup Artists are switching from Acuity Scheduling every week.

The math doesn't lie.

What This Means for Permanent Makeup Artists

You have 3 appointments today: ombre brows initial ($500, 3 hours), lip blush touch-up ($150, 1.5 hours), and a consultation for eyeliner ($0, 30 min). Supplies per procedure: $40 in needles, pigment, and disposables. Your suite costs $1,400/month. The touch-up is half price but full supply cost. The consultation might not convert. You need to track per-procedure profitability but you're just checking your bank account.

Permanent Makeup Artists deal with unique challenges that generic software was not built for: Touch-up appointments at reduced rates 6-8 weeks after initial procedure. Supply costs per procedure are significant ($30-80 in disposables). Liability documentation and consent form management. Premium pricing justification requires portfolio and review management. Acuity Scheduling charges $33/month on top of these daily realities. The median permanent makeup artist earns $55,000/year — $396/year in software subscriptions is a significant percentage of that income, paid every year, forever.

Helix is $279 once. Invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, accounting — all connected, built for permanent makeup artists. You own it like you own your PMU machine and needles.

FAQ

Is Helix really a Acuity Scheduling replacement?

For solo permanent makeup artists and small teams, yes. invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, task management, and full accounting — all for $279 once. Acuity Scheduling may be better if you have a large team (10+) or need enterprise-specific features.

What does Acuity Scheduling do that Helix doesn't?

Acuity Scheduling has features like Intake forms and Package and subscription billing that some businesses rely on. For most solo permanent makeup artists, these aren't dealbreakers.

How fast does Helix pay for itself?

At $33/month, Helix pays for itself in 8.5 months. After that: $396 saved every year.

Can I pay in installments?

Yes. Helix is $279 as a one-time payment, or 3 payments of $99 ($297 total). Either way it's a one-time purchase — no subscription, no recurring fees ever.

"$1,329 over 3 years to Acuity Scheduling. Or $279 once for Helix. I own my tools now. No more renting software."
— Permanent makeup artist, Helix owner

$1,329 Over 3 Years. Or $279 Once (or 3 × $99).

Own your tools. Stop renting your software.

Get Helix — $279 Once
or 3 payments of $99
✓ 30-day money-back — save $500 or full refund

More Comparisons for Permanent Makeup Artists

Vagaro Alternative for Permanent Makeup ArtistsBooksy Alternative for Permanent Makeup ArtistsHoneyBook Alternative for Permanent Makeup ArtistsAll Software for Permanent Makeup ArtistsSaaS Graveyard
HomeCompareIndustriesGraveyard

© 2026 Smith + Canon. Own your tools.