You have a WordPress website and you want to accept online appointments. Naturally you start with the best-known names: Bookly, Amelia, and NoveuFlow. But which one is right for you?
This article compares the three plugins objectively on 8 criteria. No sales pitch: NoveuFlow has clear advantages but also honest disadvantages, and we will name them both.
Quick comparison table
| Criterion | Bookly | Amelia | NoveuFlow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (base) | Free (limited) / €89 one-off | €79/year | Free / see pricing |
| Commission per booking | None | None | None |
| Dutch language support | Partial | Partial | Full |
| Built-in CRM | No (add-on) | Limited | Yes |
| Email marketing | No | No | Yes |
| Payments | Via add-on | Yes | Via Mollie/Stripe |
| Learning curve | Medium | High | Low to medium |
| Community/support | Large | Large | Small but active |
Bookly: the veteran with an add-on model
Bookly has been around for years and has one of the largest user bases of any WordPress booking plugin. The plugin is solid, well-documented, and works with virtually any WordPress theme.
What Bookly does well:
The core functionality is reliable. Staff members, services, time slots, reminders via email and SMS: it works. The free version makes it easy to try. The paid version (approx. €89 one-off) gives you access to more configuration options.
Where Bookly falls short:
Bookly's add-on model is both its strength and its weakness. Want group bookings? Add-on. Recurring appointments? Add-on. Coupon codes? Add-on. Google Calendar sync? Add-on. Each add-on costs extra, and the total bill can quickly reach €200 to €300 for a fully equipped installation.
The Dutch translation is partial. Some screens remain in English, which can feel unprofessional to clients. Dutch-language direct support does not exist; you are dependent on English forums and documentation.
Bookly verdict: excellent for international WordPress developers who want flexibility and are not afraid of add-ons. Less ideal for Dutch SME owners who simply want a working system without technical frustration.
Amelia: the premium choice with enterprise ambition
Amelia by TMS (ThemeForest/Envato) positions itself as the most complete booking plugin for WordPress. The interface is modern, the features are extensive, and the documentation is impressive.
What Amelia does well:
Amelia has everything a professional business needs: multiple locations, multiple staff members, complex availability rules, package bookings, events, and direct payment integrations with Stripe, PayPal, WooCommerce and Mollie. The calendar view in the admin panel is one of the most beautiful in its class.
Amelia's strongest point is the polished client experience. The booking flow is visually attractive and works well on mobile.
Where Amelia falls short:
The learning curve is steep. Amelia has so many options that new users easily get lost in the settings. We spoke with multiple SME owners who had not fully set up the plugin months after purchase.
The price of €79 per year seems low, but the Lite version (free) is too limited for serious use. The Basic version (€79/year) lacks several features you would expect, after which you quickly reach for Amelia Pro (€169/year).
Like Bookly, Dutch-language direct support is limited. The product is internationally focused; Dutch-specific features like iDEAL payments require separate configuration.
Amelia verdict: the best choice if you want a visually impressive system with extensive enterprise features. However, the price and learning curve are barriers for smaller businesses.
NoveuFlow: built for the Dutch market
NoveuFlow is newer than Bookly and Amelia, and that shows. The community is smaller, the plugin has fewer external reviews, and some advanced features are still on the roadmap. We are honest: if you are looking for a large international community with years of forum answers, you are better off with Bookly or Amelia.
But NoveuFlow is built with a different premise: not a generic international plugin, but a platform for the Dutch service market.
What NoveuFlow does well:
The plugin is fully in Dutch, not just the front-end for clients, but the entire admin panel. No more English in your own back office. The setup wizard guides you step by step through configuration; most users are operational within an hour.
NoveuFlow has built-in features that require add-ons or separate integrations in Bookly and Amelia: client management (CRM), marketing campaigns, automatic return reminders ("you have not been in for 8 weeks"), and iDEAL payments via Mollie. No extra plugins, no extra costs.
Industry adaptation is a core feature. A hair salon sees "Clients" and "Treatments"; a physiotherapist sees "Clients" and "Sessions". This runs through the entire system.
Honest NoveuFlow disadvantages:
- Younger plugin: smaller community, fewer forum answers
- Limited integrations: no native connection with Zapier, Make, or popular external CRMs
- No events module (group classes, workshops): Amelia clearly wins here
- The free version is functional but Pro has the most valuable features
NoveuFlow verdict: strong choice for Dutch service businesses (hair salons, physiotherapists, garages, coaches) who want a fully Dutch-language system without plugin spaghetti. Less suitable for international operations or complex event planning.
When do you choose which plugin?
- Choose Bookly if:
- You are a WordPress developer with technical knowledge
- You serve international clients where Dutch language is not central
- You want a high degree of customisation through add-ons
- Choose Amelia if:
- You have multiple locations or a large team
- Visual impression of your booking flow is a priority
- You want to offer group classes or events
- You have budget for a Pro licence and time to configure
- Choose NoveuFlow if:
- You run a Dutch service business (1 to 15 employees)
- You want the full interface in Dutch, including admin
- You want CRM and marketing built in without extra plugins
- You are starting out or switching and want to be operational quickly
Try NoveuFlow risk-free
NoveuFlow is available for free from WordPress.org. Install it, choose your industry in the wizard, and you are ready within an hour. No credit card, no obligations.
Want the full Pro functionality? Book a free demo. See the pricing page for the current amounts per plan, or read more about the options for your type of salon or practice.
Still unsure? Read the reviews on WordPress.org or send an email to support@noveuflow.com. We will honestly tell you whether NoveuFlow is right for your situation.