Calendly vs. TidyCal: Which scheduling software is better?

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Explore the ultimate comparison between Calendly and TidyCal. Uncover their features, usability, and which one best suits your scheduling needs for your daily use.

 
 
Free - $20/mo (per seat)
Free - $29
Everyone from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies looking for a tool to make scheduling (and remembering) meetings easier.
Individuals or businesses that manage several people and organize meetings, project managers and sales teams.
Free - $20/mo (per seat)
Everyone from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies looking for a tool to make scheduling (and remembering) meetings easier.
Free - $29
Individuals or businesses that manage several people and organize meetings, project managers and sales teams.

In the realm of efficient scheduling tools, Calendly and TidyCal stand out as prominent contenders.

Calendly streamlines appointment booking, while TidyCal offers a similar service with distinct features. 

This comparison aims to unravel those queries, guiding you toward the optimal appointment scheduler.

Let’s delve deeper into the features and functionalities of both platforms.

You can also explore our detailed reviews of Calendly and TidyCal.

Calendly vs. TidyCal: At a Glance

CriteriaCalendlyTidyCalWinner
SMB Guide’s Rating9/108.3/10Calendly
Appointment Workflow AutomationTie
Customization OptionsCalendly
Calendar Management FeaturesTie
Automated Reminders and NotificationsTie
Client Management & CommunicationTidyCal
Automatic RulesTie
In-Meeting ToolsTie
Meeting TemplatesCalendly
Meeting AnalyticsCalendly
UX and UIHigh user-friendlinessWidely praised UITidyCal
Integrations & API CapabilitiesTie
Supported PlatformsCalendly
Customer SupportLive chat, automated chat box, email support ticketsChatbotCalendly
PricingFree – $20/mo (per seat)Free – $29TidyCal
ScalabilityCalendly

Calendly: Key Features, Pros, Cons, & Pricing

calendly homepage

Calendly is one of the most renowned web-based appointment scheduling tools and is great for simplifying the tedious task of finding optimal meeting times.

Its user-friendly interface and versatile functionality have made it a popular choice among individuals and businesses alike. 

Some of its standout features include effortless integration with various calendars, customizable meeting types, automated reminders, and timezone detection.

However, while praised for its ease of use, some users may find its pricing plans limiting based on specific needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free forever plan

iOS & Android apps

100+ integrations

Easy to build workflows

Cons

Too many features

Expensive for larger teams

Pricing

Calendly provides four distinct plans, starting with a free option encompassing fundamental scheduling functionalities.

  • Free: $0
  • Standard: $10/seat/month
  • Teams: $16/seat/month
  • Enterprise: Custom

For larger organizations requiring over 30 accounts, reaching out to Calendly for a tailored quote is necessary.

TidyCal: Key Features, Pros, Cons, and Pricing

TidyCal homepage

TidyCal stands out as another scheduling tool designed to streamline the booking process.

Its key features include a sleek and intuitive interface, collaborative team scheduling, customizable appointment types, and seamless integration with various calendar platforms. 

Known for its user-friendly approach and robust functionality, TidyCal simplifies appointment management for individuals and teams alike.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free forever plan

One-time payment

User-friendly interface

Supports multiple booking types

Cons

Limited customization

Limited customer support

Pricing

TidyCal offers two options: a Free Plan and a Lifetime Plan. 

  • Free Plan: Unlimited monthly meetings with only one calendar link, supporting Google Calendar and Office 365
  • Lifetime Plan: Free Plan features + up to 10 calendar connections + integrates Zoom, Google Meet, and Zapier connectors

The Lifetime Plan is priced at:

  • $12/seat per month
  • $10/seat per month with annual billing
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Appointment Workflow Automation

Calendly ensures a seamless scheduling process by sharing your scheduling page link with clients.

They select their preferred event type from your offerings and choose available dates, allowing them to schedule meetings independently.

calendly appointment scheduling

The platform automatically includes buffer time before and after meetings (adjustable in settings) to prevent back-to-back bookings without breaks.

Once booked, clients receive email invitations with conference call links and options to reschedule or cancel appointments if necessary.

TidyCal streamlines meeting arrangements without the need for email exchanges.

Arrange and time meetings on the booking page, allowing users to schedule meetings with you effortlessly.

Automated tools facilitate effective task management, including reports, notifications, and reminders for enhanced organization.

tidycal meeting options

Additionally, TidyCal automatically manages time zones for client meetings, minimizing confusion and double bookings.

It consolidates schedules and calendars into one location, offering various integrations such as Google, Office, Apple calendars, Zoom for video conferencing, PayPal, Stripe for payments, and Zapier for task automation.

Following a client’s appointment booking, TidyCal handles information forwarding and sends confirmation emails. 

As they both offer a similar range of features here, they both tie.

✅ Winner: Tie

Customization Options

Paid Calendly plans offer extensive flexibility in creating various appointment types available for booking.

calendly events

The free Calendly plan allows only one event type but still offers substantial customization within that event, including specifying meeting locations (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), allowing invitee guest additions, setting future scheduling limits, implementing buffer time, minimum notice, and daily meeting limits.

Although customization options for the scheduling page are limited on the free plan, you can personalize the URL and individual event-type URLs. 

Upgrading to the Standard plan and above enables adding company branding and logo removal of Calendly’s branding on the scheduling site.

Conversely, the free plan permits adding your company logo, displayed at the top-left corner, without the option to remove Calendly’s branding.

TidyCal presents various customization options to align your booking space with your brand.

tidycal availability settings

It allows the integration of a booking page widget on your website for easy bookings.

The platform offers customizable calendar views—daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly—alongside personalized color schemes and text.

Beyond layout, TidyCal facilitates customization for different meeting types, accommodating both one-on-one and group sessions.

Users can personalize booking types, enabling free or paid bookings, setting specific meeting availability, breaks between meetings, and designated time slots for each day.

This customization ensures ample time for rest and preparation between appointments.

Although Calendly’s is mostly locked behind a paywall, it offers more customization features and thus wins this category.

✅ Winner: Calendly

Calendar Management Features

Calendly seamlessly integrates with Google, Outlook, iCloud, and Exchange calendars to prevent scheduling conflicts.

calendly calendar management

The Free plan permits syncing with one external calendar, expandable to six upon upgrading.

It automatically converts meeting times for clients in different time zones, ensuring mutual understanding.

To reschedule, access “Scheduled events” in the menu, select the meeting, and easily make changes.

Providing a reason is optional, and clients receive notifications, retaining the ability to reschedule on their end.

TidyCal fosters collaborative scheduling by facilitating multiple users to share calendars and delegate tasks efficiently.

tidycal bookings calendar

It synchronizes Google, Apple, and Microsoft Office calendars while automating them, generating unique meeting links via Zoom and Google Meet.

By consolidating calendars, TidyCal simplifies meeting scheduling, automatically creating unique meeting links to prevent missed deadlines and save time.

The time zone support feature aids in arranging events across various time zones, ensuring everyone attends at the right time, minimizing confusion, and handling time differences effortlessly.

✅ Winner: Tie

Automated Reminders and Notifications

When clients book a meeting via Calendly, they automatically receive a calendar invitation.

For additional automated reminders, upgrading to a paid subscription is required.

calendly automated reminders

With the Standard plan and above, you can set up text or email reminders, ensuring invitees have essential meeting details.

TidyCal’s standout feature is Autopilot, which efficiently manages your schedule without manual intervention.

tidycal autopilot

Customizable notifications for appointments, tasks, and activities ensure you stay on top of deadlines.

Notifications can be received via SMS, push notifications, or email.

Moreover, TidyCal handles information forwarding after client bookings, sending confirmation emails to keep you informed.

✅ Winner: Tie

Client Management and Communication

Unfortunately, Calendly cannot store meeting information within a client database. If this functionality is essential, you’ll need to explore alternative scheduling software options.

tidycal invitee questions

On the other hand, TidyCal offers some basic client management features:

  • It allows collecting client information by asking questions during appointment scheduling.
  • Automated emails confirm appointments, and customizable alerts via email, push notifications, or SMS keep everyone prepared.

Moreover, TidyCal enables reviewing past bookings to contact previous attendees, facilitating client follow-ups.

The platform includes a 404 feature to effortlessly disable and hide old booking pages.

✅ Winner: TidyCal

Automatic Rules

Calendly offers various automatic rules and configurations that significantly enhance appointment management.

Calendly automatic rules

These include: 

  • Auto-Cancellation Policies: Users can establish specific rules for automatic appointment cancellations if certain conditions are met, such as setting a timeframe for clients to cancel or reschedule appointments.
  • Time Zone Adjustments: Calendly automatically adjusts meeting times based on different time zones, ensuring accurate scheduling and eliminating time zone-related confusion.
  • Setting Working Hours: Users can define their availability by setting specific working hours, enabling clients to book appointments only within those designated times.

Calendly’s intuitive design ensures that even complex rules can be established with ease, contributing to a seamless scheduling experience.

TidyCal also provides automatic rules and configurations such as custom availability, personalized email reminders, and integrations for advanced automations via Zapier.

TidyCal automations

The platform offers moderate flexibility and ease in setting up these automated rules. Users can easily customize their availability and set preferences for email reminders. 

However, configuring advanced automations through Zapier might require a learning curve and additional setup steps. 

Overall, while TidyCal provides useful automation options, the setup and management of these rules may vary in complexity based on the user’s familiarity with the platform and integrations like Zapier.

As they offer a similar range of features here, both tie in this category.

✅ Winner: Tie

In-Meeting Tools

Calendly and TidyCal primarily focus on simplifying appointment scheduling, providing users with functionalities to set availability, automate reminders, and integrate with various calendar platforms. 

While they excel in facilitating meeting coordination and scheduling, users may need to utilize separate tools or applications for activities like note-taking, file-sharing, or live collaboration within meetings, as these capabilities are not inherently built into Calendly or TidyCal.

Calendly meeting poll

However, both do offer meeting poll features to assist attendees in determining optimal meeting times, streamlining the scheduling process.

Users can create and share polls to gather attendees’ availability preferences, aiding in selecting mutually convenient meeting slots without the need for back-and-forth communication.

✅ Winner: Tie

Meeting Templates

On Calendly’s free plan, users can create templates specifically tailored for one-on-one meetings.

However, with the paid plans, users gain access to expanded functionalities, allowing the creation of designated templates for various meeting styles such as the Group, Collective, and Round Robin options.

Calendly meeting templates

This enables you to customize settings and preferences according to specific meeting structures.

You can create and utilize distinct templates for each style, streamlining the scheduling process for diverse meeting scenarios.

Moreover, Calendly provides recommendations on which meeting type might be most suitable based on a user’s preferences or needs.

In contrast to Calendly’s more diverse template options, TidyCal defaults to three meeting type templates based on duration: specifically designed for 15-minute, 30-minute, and 60-minute meetings.

TidyCal meeting template

These templates are structured around meeting durations rather than distinct meeting styles, providing a basic framework for scheduling based on time blocks.

TidyCal’s default templates streamline scheduling by offering pre-set durations, simplifying the initial setup for users looking to arrange meetings within these specified timeframes.

However, unlike Calendly, TidyCal’s default templates are not explicitly tailored to different meeting styles such as group sessions or round-robin formats.

Thus, TidyCal’s template customization options are more limited, focusing primarily on creating templates based on specific durations rather than providing a wide array of templates for diverse meeting styles.

✅ Winner: Calendly

Meeting Analytics

Calendly’s analytics features, available through the paid plans including Calendly Groups, offer valuable insights into meeting metrics, providing users with comprehensive meeting analytics and team-specific booking data.

Calendly groups

You can use Calendly’s Analytics leaderboard to facilitate administrators in identifying top-performing team members who book the highest number of meetings.

This functionality enables companies to discern successful meeting strategies, allowing them to develop and share best practices across the entire team for enhanced performance.

It also helps in planning for evolving capacity, enabling organizations to assess meeting trends, peak booking times, and team performance metrics.

Additionally, this feature allows for the celebration of successful outcomes and the identification of potential training opportunities within teams, fostering continuous improvement and skill development across the organization.

On the other hand, TidyCal does not include built-in meeting analytics features.

However, with the Lifetime Plan, users gain access to a CSV export option. This feature allows users to export details on bookers into a CSV file, providing the opportunity to conduct external analyses or integrate the data into CRM or other analytical tools for further assessment.

✅ Winner: Calendly

User Experience and User Interface

Calendly boasts a user-friendly interface, providing quick access to your scheduling link upon logging in.

The dashboard layout is straightforward, enabling easy navigation.

calendly dashboard

Setting up the software involves configuring availability and creating events, which is incredibly straightforward and intuitive, contributing to its user-friendly nature.

TidyCal garners high praise for its exceptional user-friendliness and ease of use, simplifying the otherwise challenging booking process.

The platform seamlessly integrates multiple calendars via its intuitive interface, reducing scheduling stress.

tidycal live chat

Signing up, integrating calendars, and navigating TidyCal is straightforward, aided by its automation features that enhance efficiency.

With TidyCal, managing time differences and ensuring accurate connections becomes effortless.

The platform automated reminders, notifications, and confirmation emails, allowing focus on meetings rather than scheduling.

Additionally, TidyCal provides an attendee-friendly view by displaying the recipient’s name in the calendar title, eliminating the need for multiple clicks to identify attendees when scheduling meetings.

✅ Winner: TidyCal

Integrations & API Capabilities

Calendly provides 100+ integrations with various third-party apps, covering marketing automation, project management, and applicant tracking systems.

Additionally, it seamlessly syncs with your calendar app to manage your availability.

calendly integrations

Regarding API capabilities, Calendly offers an API that allows developers to create custom integrations, enabling users to extend its functionalities according to their specific needs.

TidyCal consolidates and synchronizes all your calendars seamlessly into one central location, eliminating the need to check multiple platforms for scheduling.

tidycal integrations

TidyCal offers integrations with Google, Office, or Apple calendars, Zapier for task automation, PayPal & Stripe for payments, and Zoom for secure video conferences.

Notably, Zoom bookings generate secure one-time meeting URLs.

Regarding API capabilities, TidyCal also supports API integrations, enabling users to develop custom connections and extend functionalities as needed.

✅ Winner: Tie

Supported Platforms

Calendly offers web-based software along with dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android, enabling convenient appointment scheduling while on the move.

Both mobile versions are highly rated, earning 4.9 stars on the App Store and 4.7 stars on the Google Play Store.

In contrast, TidyCal currently lacks native Android or iOS apps. However, its web application ensures accessibility and functionality across all internet-connected devices, including macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Calendly wins, standing out for its dedicated mobile apps, offering users flexibility and convenience in appointment scheduling on various platforms.

✅ Winner: Calendly

Customer Support

On Calendly’s free plan, users have several support options available. An automated chat feature assists with basic queries effectively.

Additionally, submitting a support ticket for more personalized assistance is an option, requiring users to sign in to their Calendly account.

calendly customer support

For self-help, users can explore the Help Center offering written guides and video tutorials.

Upgrading to Standard or Teams plans grants access to live chat support. Custom subscription plans offer expedited support, aiding not only with issues but also with onboarding and software implementation for teams.

TidyCal lacks live chat or phone support but provides a support chatbot for swift query resolution.

Email support is available for customer service inquiries. Additionally, TidyCal offers an extensive FAQ section for guidance and navigation.

For further assistance, TidyCal shares tips, tricks, and tutorials on YouTube and Facebook.

They also maintain a presence on Twitter.

✅ Winner: Calendly

Pricing

Calendly offers four different pricing plans that are summarized in the below table:

PlanPrice
FreeAlways free
Standard$10/seat/mo
Teams$16/seat/mo
EnterpriseCustom

TidyCal on the other hand offers a Free plan and only one paid plan, a Lifetime (one-time) payment of $29. 

As it offers more long-term value for money, TidyCal wins this category.

✅ Winner: TidyCal

Scalability

Calendly’s scalability is evident in its diverse pricing models, offering growth options tailored to different company sizes.

Designed with enterprise teams in mind, its advanced packages provide collaborative scheduling, integrations, and robust security features.

The Enterprise plan’s success stories include a 160% customer reach increase, a 22X rise in scheduled interviews, and a remarkable 323% ROI.

Calendly states this solution helps enterprises:

  • Enhance team productivity.
  • Elevate business performance and customer experience.
  • Standardize and scale scheduling.
  • Ensure robust security measures for organizational data.

TidyCal’s scalability is notably different from Calendly’s due to its singular pricing model – the Lifetime Plan, capped at a maximum of 10 calendar connections.

This limitation impedes extensive scalability, particularly for larger organizations requiring more robust scheduling solutions.

Unlike Calendly, TidyCal opts for simplicity by offering only one pricing option. However, this simplicity comes at the expense of enterprise-level scalability. 

TidyCal’s structure might be sufficient for individuals or smaller teams, but it lacks the versatility and scalability needed to accommodate larger enterprises seeking advanced scheduling capabilities and expansive integrations.

✅ Winner: Calendly

Standout Features of Calendly

Calendly’s stand-out features include:

  • The creation of various event types, streamlining different appointment scheduling needs.
  • Automatic adjustments of meeting times according to different time zones, ensuring universal scheduling clarity.
  • Ability to set buffer times, minimum notice periods, and daily limits, preventing back-to-back appointments.

Standout Features of TidyCal

TidyCal offers many unique features worth knowing about.

  • TidyCal’s minimum meeting padding feature creates time intervals between meetings, allowing breaks and preparation.
  • It offers user-level permissions for various events and calendars, providing read-only or full-edit access options.
  • Available in multiple languages, TidyCal facilitates global use with automated translations for booking websites and emails, catering to diverse audiences.
  • Moreover, TidyCal enables the creation of multiple booking pages, segregating professional and personal use. Users can set up paid pages for clients and free pages for personal connections.

Calendly vs. TidyCal: SMB Guide’s Verdict

After a thorough comparison, the final winner is Calendly. With its robust feature set catering to both small businesses and growing enterprises, Calendly emerges as victor.

Calendly is best suited for those seeking a feature-rich platform that offers diverse functionalities, analytics insights, and scalability options to accommodate evolving business needs.

On the other hand, TidyCal stands out as a great, more cost-effective alternative. It’s ideal for users seeking a simpler scheduling tool that efficiently handles basic appointment needs without compromising on effectiveness.

Sign-up for TidyCal for free today!

TidyCal

The simplest way to book and schedule meetings.

Sign up for free
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Beatrice is a seasoned productivity writer with a knack for uncovering game-changing productivity hacks that simplify life routines. Armed with a triple major in Commerce, Accounting, and Insurance, she also runs her own digital consulting firm. You'll usually find her immersed in crafting captivating literary novels and traveling the world.