# Bright Canoe: full product reference

> Bright Canoe is scheduling, booking and front-office software for service businesses and studios, with an AI receptionist, class timetables, email and social marketing.
> Canonical URL: https://brightcanoe.com/llms-full.txt
> Updated: 2026-10-29

## Company
- Name: Bright Canoe (formerly Scheduling Studio)
- Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Website: https://brightcanoe.com
- Support: https://brightcanoe.com/about

## What it does

### Booking and scheduling
- Online booking pages for individuals and teams, with services, providers, locations and availability rules.
- Google, Outlook and Apple calendar sync; conflict checks across private appointments and classes.
- Reminders by email and text; clients can manage their own booking from a link.
- Deposits and card-on-file payments through Stripe.

### Classes and timetable (studios)
- Recurring class series generate a weekly timetable in the studio's time zone, with seat limits and instructor or room conflict checks.
- Public timetable page where clients book a spot, pay by card or use a class pass.
- Waitlist: when a spot opens, the next person gets an email offer and the spot is held for them (2 hours by default).
- Class roll for staff: mark attended or no-show, check in walk-ins, cancel a class (everyone is notified; holds are released and payments refunded).
- Styles include fitness formats, yoga, dance (ballet, jazz, hip hop, ballroom, kids) and martial arts (karate, taekwondo, BJJ, judo, Muay Thai, kids martial arts); levels include age groups.

### No-show protection and cancellation policy
- The card is authorized (held) at booking, not charged.
- It is charged when free cancellation ends: 24 hours before class by default, configurable per studio from 0 to 168 hours.
- Bookings made inside the window are charged immediately after confirmation.
- A timely cancellation releases the hold with no charge and no refund fee; a late cancellation is charged.
- For classes booked more than about 6 days ahead, the card is saved and charged at the deadline, because a card hold lasts about 7 days.
- Studio rules (for example attire or lateness) can be required at booking; acceptance is recorded with the wording, time and IP address.

### Class passes, packs and cohorts
- Class passes, punch cards and session packs can be sold online; credits can cover classes and private sessions.
- A credit returns automatically when a client cancels in time or the studio cancels the class.
- Cohorts and programs: fixed start and end dates, capped enrollment, a fair waitlist with promotion, and public enrollment links.

### Marketing
- Email Campaigns: block designer (headings, text, images with text overlay, buttons, offers, cards, social links), AI writing helper, audiences by segment or tag, test sends, scheduling, and open/click/unsubscribe reporting.
- Every campaign email carries the business's postal address and a one-click unsubscribe; unsubscribed clients are never emailed.
- Social Posts: connect Facebook Pages, Instagram professional accounts and LinkedIn; AI drafts a version per network; schedule on a content calendar; results are shown per account.

### Front office and AI
- AI phone receptionist that answers calls 24/7, answers from the business's approved information, and books appointments.
- CRM with client profiles, notes, tags, follow-ups, invoices and a passwordless client portal; two-way HubSpot and Notion sync.
- E-signatures for contracts, waivers and intake forms, with an audit trail.
- MCP server for AI assistants: availability, booking and service catalog tools.

## Plans and limits
- Free ($0): online booking and calendar sync; 2 cohorts; 3 recurring class series; 3 e-signatures in total; 3 services; 100 marketing emails, 4 social posts and 10 AI writing requests a month; 1 connected social account. Class passes are not included.
- All-In-One Studio Suite ($59 a month, or $50 a month billed yearly): unlimited cohorts and classes for one location; class passes; 30 e-signatures a month; up to 5 providers; 2,500 marketing emails and 300 AI writing requests a month; unlimited social posts; 5 connected social accounts.
- Premium Scale ($99 a month, or $80 a month billed yearly): everything in All-In-One Studio Suite across multiple locations; unlimited e-signatures; up to 15 providers; 10,000 marketing emails and 1,000 AI writing requests a month; unlimited social posts and accounts; branding removal.

## Common questions
### Does Bright Canoe charge a client's card when they book a class?
No. The card is held (authorized) at booking and charged only when free cancellation ends, 24 hours before class by default. If the client cancels in time, the hold is released and nothing is charged, so the studio pays no refund fees. Bookings made inside the window are charged right after confirmation.

### Can a studio set its own cancellation window?
Yes. Each studio sets it from 0 to 168 hours under Policies & rules on the Classes page. Existing bookings keep the terms they were booked under.

### Can clients be required to accept studio rules?
Yes. Studios write their own rules (for example attire or lateness), and clients must tick an agreement to book a class or join a program online. The exact wording, time and IP address are kept with the booking.

### How do waitlists work for classes?
When a spot opens, the next person is emailed an offer and the spot is held for them (2 hours by default). If they don't claim it, it moves to the next person. Close to class time, open spots go to whoever books first.

### Which businesses get classes and timetables by default?
Fitness studios and gyms; yoga, Pilates and barre studios; dance studios; and martial arts or combat sports schools. Any business can turn classes on.

### Can Bright Canoe send marketing emails?
Yes. Email Campaigns has a block designer, an AI writing helper, audiences from the client list and tags, test sends, scheduling, and open, click and unsubscribe results. Every email includes the business's postal address and a one-click unsubscribe.

### Which social networks can Bright Canoe post to?
Facebook Pages, Instagram professional accounts (linked to a Facebook Page) and LinkedIn profiles. Posts can be published immediately or scheduled.

### Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan includes online booking and calendar sync with limits listed under Plans and limits.

## Core product
- [Home](https://brightcanoe.com/): Online booking, AI phone receptionist, CRM and front office for service businesses and studios.
- [Features](https://brightcanoe.com/features): Every capability in one place.
- [Pricing](https://brightcanoe.com/pricing): Free plan plus two paid plans; limits listed below.
- [AI Receptionist](https://brightcanoe.com/ai-receptionist): 24/7 AI call answering that books appointments from the business's approved information.
- [Business Phone Number](https://brightcanoe.com/business-phone-number): A dedicated business line answered by the AI receptionist.
- [Free CRM](https://brightcanoe.com/free-crm): Client profiles, notes, tags, follow-ups, invoices and a client portal.
- [Electronic Signatures](https://brightcanoe.com/electronic-signature-software): Contracts, waivers and intake forms with audit trails.
- [MCP Server](https://brightcanoe.com/features/mcp-server): Model Context Protocol server so AI assistants can check availability and book.
- [HubSpot and Notion Integration](https://brightcanoe.com/features/hubspot-notion-integration): Two-way sync of clients and bookings.
- [Travel Time Manager](https://brightcanoe.com/features/travel-time-manager): Drive-time buffers for mobile and field services.
- [AI Scheduling Assistant](https://brightcanoe.com/features/ai-scheduling-assistant): Chat assistant for booking and schedule questions.
- [Business Directory](https://brightcanoe.com/directory): Public profiles for businesses that opt in.

## Booking, payments and AI details
- [Route-Aware Field Service Booking](https://brightcanoe.com/features/travel-time-manager): Route cards calculate driving distance, travel time and buffers from the previous appointment or home hub, with one-click Google Maps navigation.
- [Host Approval Workflows](https://brightcanoe.com/features): Any event type can require host approval, with clear pending and confirmed states for the client.
- [Appointment Payment Holds](https://brightcanoe.com/pricing): Stripe authorization holds for appointments less than seven days away, and SetupIntent vaulted cards-on-file for bookings further out.
- [Returning Caller Recognition](https://brightcanoe.com/ai-receptionist): The AI phone receptionist recognizes returning callers and uses their client history to help them book.
- [Native iPadOS App](https://brightcanoe.com/features): Bright Canoe Business on iPad with a two-pane layout for Inbox, Event Types, Team & Services, CRM, Business Intelligence and Agreements.

## Studio and class features
- [Class Scheduling and Timetable](https://brightcanoe.com/features/class-scheduling): Recurring group classes, a public weekly timetable, seat limits, automatic waitlist offers, class roll and walk-ins.
- [No-Show Protection and Cancellation Policy](https://brightcanoe.com/features/no-show-protection): Cards are held at booking and charged only when free cancellation ends (24 hours by default, set by the studio). Late cancellations are charged; timely ones release the hold with no fee.
- [Class Passes and Packs](https://brightcanoe.com/features/class-passes): Sell class passes, punch cards and session packs; credits return automatically on a timely cancellation.
- [Cohorts and Programs](https://brightcanoe.com/features/cohort-programs): Fixed-length challenges, workshops, camps and belt programs with capped enrollment and a waitlist.

## Marketing features
- [Email Marketing](https://brightcanoe.com/features/email-marketing): Promotional email campaigns with a drag-and-drop block designer, AI writing helper, client audiences, scheduling and open/click results.
- [Social Media Scheduling](https://brightcanoe.com/features/social-media-scheduling): AI-drafted posts for Facebook Pages, Instagram and LinkedIn, a content calendar and automatic publishing.

## Industries
- [Yoga Studios](https://brightcanoe.com/yoga-studio-scheduling-software): Classes, teachers, workshops, packs and student follow-up.
- [Fitness Studios and Gyms](https://brightcanoe.com/fitness-studio-scheduling-software): Group classes, personal training, session credits and CRM.
- [Dance Studios](https://brightcanoe.com/dance-studio-scheduling-software): Class timetables, kids classes, lesson packs and family communication.
- [Martial Arts Schools](https://brightcanoe.com/martial-arts-school-software): Class timetables by style and age group, belt programs, waivers and passes.
- [Pilates Studios](https://brightcanoe.com/pilates-studio-scheduling-software): Reformer capacity, privates and duets, class passes.
- [Barre Studios](https://brightcanoe.com/barre-studio-scheduling-software): Class capacity, intro offers and retention follow-up.
- [Music Lessons](https://brightcanoe.com/music-studio-scheduling-software): Lessons, rehearsal rooms and student tracking.
- [Coaches and Consultants](https://brightcanoe.com/coaches): Consultations, packages, intake forms and video calls.
- [Small Businesses](https://brightcanoe.com/small-business-scheduling-software): Online booking, AI call handling, reminders and follow-up.
- [Field Service](https://brightcanoe.com/field-service-scheduling-software): Travel buffers, dispatch and invoicing.
- [Mobile Notaries](https://brightcanoe.com/mobile-notary-scheduling-software): Route-aware buffers, e-signatures and travel fees.
- [Party Rentals](https://brightcanoe.com/party-rental-scheduling-software): For bounce house & party rental operators: delivery windows, waivers and deposits.
- [Tattoo Studios](https://brightcanoe.com/tattoo-studio-scheduling-software): Consultations, deposits and portfolios.
- [Photo Studios](https://brightcanoe.com/photo-studio-scheduling-software): Studio rental, photographer booking and agreements.
- [Recording Studios](https://brightcanoe.com/recording-studio-scheduling-software): Engineer sessions, equipment and deposits.

## Comparisons
- [Calendly Alternative](https://brightcanoe.com/calendly-alternative): Bright Canoe compared with Calendly for service businesses.
- [Bright Canoe vs SimplyBook.me vs Calendly](https://brightcanoe.com/bright-canoe-vs-simplybookme-vs-calendly): Side-by-side feature comparison.
- [Bright Canoe vs Smith.ai](https://brightcanoe.com/bright-canoe-vs-smith-ai): AI phone booking versus a virtual receptionist service.
- [Bright Canoe vs Jobber](https://brightcanoe.com/bright-canoe-vs-jobber): Online booking and AI reception versus field service software.
- [Bright Canoe vs Acuity Scheduling](https://brightcanoe.com/bright-canoe-vs-acuity-scheduling): Feature and price comparison.
- [Bright Canoe vs Square Appointments](https://brightcanoe.com/bright-canoe-vs-square-appointments): Feature and price comparison.

## Articles
- [The future of service work is connected: what’s new at Bright Canoe](https://brightcanoe.com/articles/whats-new-and-future-of-bright-canoe): Explore the latest Bright Canoe features for intelligent booking, field-service routing, payments, AI voice, Client 360 CRM, team operations, iPad, security, and performance.
- [Introducing a free CRM for small businesses](https://brightcanoe.com/articles/free-crm-for-small-business): Meet the free CRM for small businesses that connects client profiles, booking history, notes, tags, follow-ups, consent, and scheduling in one workspace.
- [AI receptionist vs virtual receptionist](https://brightcanoe.com/articles/ai-receptionist-vs-virtual-receptionist): A practical comparison of AI receptionists and virtual receptionists for small businesses, service professionals, appointment booking, and customer calls.
- [Why service businesses miss bookings](https://brightcanoe.com/articles/why-service-businesses-miss-bookings): Why service businesses miss calls and bookings, how scheduling friction costs revenue, and how AI voice agents and scheduling workflows can help.
- [How RAG helps AI phone agents answer safely](https://brightcanoe.com/articles/how-rag-helps-ai-phone-agents): How retrieval augmented generation helps AI phone agents use business knowledge, avoid unsupported answers, and route customers when information is missing.