Calendly vs Cal.com: Which Productivity App Wins in 2026?
Choosing between Calendly and Cal.com? This comprehensive comparison covers pricing, features, pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Quick Summary
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Calendly | Cal.com |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $12/mo |
| Category | Calendar & Scheduling | Calendar & Scheduling |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extensions | Web, Self-hosted |
| Founded | 2013 | 2021 |
Key Features
Calendly Features
- Meeting types
- Team scheduling
- Calendar sync
- Buffer times
- Custom branding
- Payment collection
- Routing forms
- Integrations
Cal.com Features
- Open source
- Self-hosting option
- Team scheduling
- Round robin
- Workflows
- Custom branding
- Payments
- API
Pros & Cons
Calendly
Pros
- + Simple and intuitive
- + Great free tier
- + Reliable sync
- + Professional appearance
- + Strong integrations
Cons
- - Limited customization on free
- - Can seem impersonal
- - Basic analytics
- - Gets expensive for teams
Cal.com
Pros
- + Open source
- + Self-hosting available
- + Great free tier
- + Active development
- + No vendor lock-in
Cons
- - Newer platform
- - Fewer integrations
- - Documentation gaps
- - Self-hosting complexity
Pricing Comparison
The Verdict
Both Calendly and Cal.com are excellent calendar & scheduling tools, but they serve different needs.
Choose Calendly if: You value simple and intuitive and great free tier.
It's best for freelancers and sales.
Choose Cal.com if: You prioritize open source and self-hosting available.
It's ideal for developers and privacy-conscious.
Calendly vs Cal.com FAQ
It depends on your needs. Calendly (9/10) excels at simple and intuitive, while Cal.com (8.5/10) is known for open source. Calendly has the higher overall rating.
Both Calendly and Cal.com offer free tiers. Calendly's paid plan starts at $10/mo, while Cal.com starts at $12/mo.
Yes, many users combine Calendly and Cal.com in their productivity stack. You can connect them using automation tools like Zapier or Make. This works well if Calendly handles your meeting types while Cal.com manages open source.
Calendly offers: Meeting types, Team scheduling, Calendar sync. Cal.com provides: Open source, Self-hosting option, Team scheduling. The "better" features depend on what you need most.
Calendly is generally user-friendly. Cal.com is generally user-friendly. Both offer tutorials and onboarding to help you get started.
Calendly is available on Web, iOS, Android, Browser extensions. Cal.com supports Web, Self-hosted. Both offer cross-platform sync.
For teams, consider: Calendly is more individual-focused. Cal.com is better for personal use.
Consider switching if Cal.com's strengths (Open source, Self-hosting available) address pain points you have with Calendly. Both tools typically offer data export, making migration possible. Test Cal.com with a free trial first.
Key differences: Pricing (free tier vs free tier), Focus (Calendar & Scheduling vs Calendar & Scheduling), Platforms (4 vs 2 platforms).
Calendly users love: Simple and intuitive, Great free tier. Common complaints: Limited customization on free. Cal.com users appreciate: Open source, Self-hosting available. Common issues: Newer platform.