Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever tried to wrangle everyone’s calendars for a single meeting, you know it can feel like herding cats. Calendly’s the go-to for a ton of teams, mostly because it keeps those endless “What time works for you?” emails at bay. But here’s the catch: their free plan? It’s pretty limited. You get one event type, and anything fancier—like round-robin scheduling, collecting payments, or real customization—means you’re shelling out for a paid plan. If that’s not your vibe, you’re probably hunting for the best Calendly alternatives that actually fit how you work. Here are three top picks for scheduling tools that give Calendly some real competition.
Quick Glance: Top Calendly Alternatives
| Tool | Who It’s For | Key Features | Starting Price | What Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimplyBook.me | Service businesses, or anyone who wants to pick and choose features | Over 70 add-ons, POS, custom intake forms, books via social media | Free, or €9.99/mo | Seriously customizable (Forbes) |
| SavvyCal | People/teams who want fair meeting distribution | Unlimited scheduling links, polls, payment collection | Free, or $12/mo | Makes team scheduling fair |
| Setmore | Small teams wanting free multi-user setup | 24/7 support, recurring bookings, SMS/email reminders | Free up to 4 users | Budget-friendly and easy |
Psst: Prices can shift depending on which bells and whistles you add on, but this is the gist.
My Take on the Top Calendly Alternatives
1. SimplyBook.me
Who’s it for?
If your business runs on appointments—think salons, therapists, or the neighborhood dog groomer—SimplyBook.me lets you build out exactly what you need (or don’t). It’s like a scheduling buffet and one of the most customizable Calendly alternatives out there.
Features I love:
- Over 70+ options: intake forms, coupons, point-of-sale, HIPAA for medical folks—you name it.
- Lets your clients book from wherever: Facebook, Instagram, or even a standalone page.
- Reminders aren’t just email—they hit WhatsApp, SMS, and more.
Why it might annoy you:
- The sheer number of features can be a little… much. (I’ve helped people set it up. Coffee helps.)
- The more you want, the pricier it gets.
Bottom line:
If you’re picky about features and want to scale as you grow, this is the one. Starts free, then €9.99/month and up.
🔗 Want to see for yourself? Check out SimplyBook.me
2. SavvyCal
Who’s it for?
Teams (or solo folks) who want to make scheduling feel less like a tug-of-war. SavvyCal is all about fairness and keeping things streamlined, making it a strong alternative to Calendly for team scheduling.
What’s cool:
- Unlimited calendars and links—even if you have a wild personal/professional life.
- Built-in meeting polls and fair round-robin so nobody gets dumped with all the early-morning slots.
- Stripe integration for taking payments right in the booking flow.
Where it falls short:
- Gotta pay $20/month for the full package (no sneaky admin freebies).
- If you want to keep costs down, the best features are locked behind the higher tier.
TL;DR:
Ideal if you want a slick, ad-free experience and care about fair meeting distribution. Starts free, then $12 per user/month or $20/month for premium.
🔗 Curious? Give SavvyCal a whirl
3. Setmore
Who’s it for?
Small teams who want to keep things simple, or anyone tired of paying for “per user” scheduling. Setmore stands out among free Calendly alternatives for its easy setup and budget-friendly pricing.
Best bits:
- Free for up to four users, which is a lifesaver for a lot of startups.
- Live chat support, recurring appointments, and reminders that actually get sent.
- Calendar sync if you upgrade, plus you can even take payments.
Downsides:
- Video call integrations are basic on the free plan.
- Free version keeps Setmore’s branding and sometimes has hiccups (like any free tool).
Bottom line:
If your budget is $0 and you still want to look professional, it’s a solid pick. Pro starts at $5/month if you need more.
🔗 Ready to try? Explore Setmore
Calendly vs. SavvyCal: A Quick Showdown
| Feature | Calendly (Free) | SavvyCal (Basic/Premium) |
|---|---|---|
| Event Types | 1 (unlimited on paid) | Unlimited from the start |
| Team Scheduling | Only on pricier Teams plan | Round-robin/overlay included |
| Payments | Paid plans only (Stripe, etc.) | Stripe (Premium) |
| Branding | Paid removes it | No branding—even free |
So, Which Calendly Alternative Should You Pick?
If you want something anyone can use right away with tons of integrations, Calendly still wins for plug-and-play. But if you want to be fair with team meetings and need payment collection, SavvyCal has the edge. If you need to really customize everything or you want to take bookings from everywhere, SimplyBook.me is your friend. For totally free team scheduling, Setmore does the trick.
How to Actually Pick a Scheduler (From Someone Who’s Been Behind the IT Desk)
- On a tight budget?
Calendly’s free version works, but check Setmore (free for 4) and SimplyBook.me. Even SavvyCal’s basic tier is free. - Need to build complex forms or workflows?
SimplyBook.me all the way. - Want fair scheduling and built-in payments?
SavvyCal, hands down. - Small team, just starting out?
Setmore keeps things simple and wallet-friendly. - Easy setup?
Setmore or Calendly.
(SimplyBook.me is “power-user” territory. Bring snacks.) - Integrations?
Calendly and SimplyBook.me have the most plug-ins and add-ons. SavvyCal handles payment/calendar basics. Setmore covers social, video, and payment needs.
FAQs: Calendly Alternatives (with Some Straight Talk)
What’s the actual best Calendly alternative?
Depends! If you want all the toys and options, go SimplyBook.me. If you care about fair team scheduling and payments, SavvyCal’s your new best friend. For small teams on a budget, Setmore’s perfect.
Is there a totally free Calendly alternative?
Yep! Setmore is free for up to four users, and both SavvyCal and SimplyBook.me offer free plans.
Which tool nails fair team scheduling?
SavvyCal. Round-robin and smart overlays, right out of the gate.
Wrapping Up: The Best Calendly Alternatives for 2025
- SimplyBook.me: Go wild with custom features. Great for anyone who loves to tinker.
- SavvyCal: Fair, team-friendly, and payment-ready. No ads, no fuss.
- Setmore: Easy on your wallet, and works well for small teams.
Hope this rundown saves you from another hour lost in the weeds of scheduling tools. If you’ve got stories or war tales from trying to get everyone in a room at the same time, let me know—I’ve probably seen (or fixed) it in a past life at the IT helpdesk. Good luck out there!