10 Best Calendly Alternatives in 2026 (Free & Paid Tools)
10 Best Calendly Alternatives in 2026: Find the Right Scheduling Tool for You
Here’s what nobody tells you about Calendly: it works great until it doesn’t.
You send a booking link. Your contact clicks it. They pick a time. Simple.
But what about the client who finds booking links impersonal? The prospect who thinks your link looks like a phishing attempt? The colleague who just wants to email times back and forth like normal people do?
Calendly changed how millions schedule meetings. But for many professionals, the booking link model creates as many problems as it solves.
If you’re looking for a Calendly alternative, you’re not alone. Whether you need something cheaper, more flexible, or fundamentally different, the right tool depends on how you actually work.
This guide covers the 10 best Calendly alternatives for 2026. From AI-powered assistants that work through email to free booking tools for small teams.
Why Users Look for Calendly Alternatives
Before diving into options, let’s address why you’re here.
The Booking Link Problem
Calendly’s model is simple: generate a link, share it, let people book time on your calendar. This works perfectly in some contexts. Job candidates expect booking links. New leads from your website expect them too.
But in many professional situations, booking links feel off.
Sales professionals report that some prospects find links impersonal. Recruiters coordinating with hiring managers can’t just send a link to the CEO. Consultants building relationships don’t want to outsource scheduling to a webpage.
Then there’s the security angle. IT departments train employees to be suspicious of unfamiliar links. Your Calendly URL might look no different from a phishing attempt to a cautious contact.
What People Actually Want
When users search for a Calendly alternative, they typically want one of these things:
- Lower cost - Calendly’s paid plans can add up, especially for teams
- Different features - Group scheduling, payments, CRM integration
- No links required - Scheduling that happens within normal email conversations
- Full calendar management - Not just meeting scheduling, but all calendar events
- Simpler experience - Less setup, fewer settings, just works
Keep these needs in mind as we explore your options.
The 10 Best Calendly Alternatives for 2026
1. Carly - Best for Email-Based Scheduling (With or Without Links)
Best for: Professionals who want scheduling flexibility - conversational email coordination OR one-click booking links
Carly takes a fundamentally different approach to scheduling. Instead of just generating links for others to book, Carly is an AI scheduling assistant that works the way you already communicate: through email and text.
Forward a scheduling email to Carly. She reads it, checks your calendar, and handles the back-and-forth with the other person. Your contacts interact with Carly like they would a human assistant.
But here’s the thing: Carly also does links - and does them better. When Carly emails your contact, she includes click-to-book links right in the email. Your contact sees available times and books with one click. No separate webpage, no extra steps. It’s actually faster than Calendly because everything happens in the email thread.
You get both worlds: the warmth of conversational scheduling when relationships matter, and the speed of one-click booking when efficiency matters.
Key Features:
- Forward emails to add events or coordinate meetings
- CC Carly on threads to handle scheduling automatically
- Click-to-book links embedded directly in emails - faster than Calendly
- Text natural language instructions to manage your calendar
- Send photos or screenshots of itineraries to add events
- Works with Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar
Pros:
- Best of both worlds: conversational OR one-click booking
- Click-to-book links right in email (no separate page needed)
- Zero learning curve if you can email
- Handles full calendar management, not just meetings
- Text and image support for quick additions
Cons:
- Different paradigm from traditional booking tools
- No standalone public booking page (links live in emails)
Pricing: Free to start, paid plans for additional features
Why it stands out: Carly gives you options other tools don’t. Want to avoid booking links entirely? Forward an email and let Carly handle it conversationally. Want speed? Your contacts get one-click booking links right in the email - even faster than visiting a Calendly page. It’s perfect for professionals who want human-like scheduling coordination with the efficiency of modern booking tools.
2. Cal.com - Best Open Source Alternative
Best for: Developers and teams who want full control over their scheduling infrastructure
Cal.com offers everything Calendly does, but open source. You can self-host it, customize every aspect, and avoid vendor lock-in.
For technically-inclined teams or organizations with specific compliance requirements, Cal.com provides flexibility that proprietary tools can’t match.
Key Features:
- Self-hosting option
- Fully customizable booking pages
- Team scheduling and round-robin routing
- Workflow automation
- API access for custom integrations
Pros:
- Open source and self-hostable
- Generous free tier
- Active development community
- No vendor lock-in
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge to self-host
- Less polished UI than Calendly
- Still uses booking links (just open source ones)
Pricing: Free tier available, Teams plans from $15/user/month
3. Acuity Scheduling - Best for Service Businesses
Best for: Salons, consultants, coaches, and service providers who need payments and packages
Acuity (owned by Squarespace) excels at service business scheduling. If you need clients to book appointments, pay upfront, and purchase packages, Acuity has you covered.
The integration with Squarespace websites makes it particularly appealing for small business owners already in that ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Integrated payments (Stripe, PayPal, Square)
- Package and membership management
- Intake forms and questionnaires
- Automated reminders
- Multi-location support
Pros:
- Excellent for appointment-based businesses
- Strong payment integration
- Robust intake forms
- Squarespace integration
Cons:
- Overkill for simple meeting scheduling
- Can be complex to set up
- Still requires booking links
Pricing: From $16/month
4. Doodle - Best for Group Scheduling
Best for: Teams coordinating meetings with multiple participants who need to poll for availability
Doodle pioneered the group poll model. Instead of one person dictating times, Doodle lets everyone vote on what works.
For committee meetings, team events, or any situation where consensus matters, Doodle simplifies coordination.
Key Features:
- Availability polling
- Time zone management
- Calendar integration
- Booking pages
- Admin console for teams
Pros:
- Best-in-class group scheduling
- Everyone gets a voice in timing
- Familiar format many people recognize
- Works without accounts for participants
Cons:
- Less useful for one-on-one scheduling
- Free tier has limitations
- Still requires sharing links
Pricing: Free tier available, Pro from $6.95/user/month
5. HubSpot Meeting Scheduler - Best for CRM Users
Best for: Sales and marketing teams already using HubSpot CRM
If you’re in the HubSpot ecosystem, their meeting scheduler is a no-brainer. It connects directly to your CRM, automatically logging meetings and pulling contact information.
The value isn’t the scheduler itself. It’s the seamless integration with your sales pipeline.
Key Features:
- Native HubSpot CRM integration
- Automatic contact creation
- Meeting outcome tracking
- Team round-robin scheduling
- Embed on websites
Pros:
- Seamless CRM integration
- Free with HubSpot CRM
- Automatic data logging
- Sales pipeline visibility
Cons:
- Only makes sense if you use HubSpot
- Limited standalone value
- Basic compared to dedicated tools
Pricing: Free with HubSpot CRM, advanced features with paid HubSpot plans
6. Zoho Bookings - Best Free Alternative
Best for: Budget-conscious users who need a full-featured booking tool without paying
Zoho Bookings offers a remarkably complete free tier. For individuals or small teams watching costs, it provides booking pages, calendar sync, and basic automation at no charge.
The catch? You’ll get the most value if you’re using other Zoho products.
Key Features:
- Free tier with core features
- Two-way calendar sync
- Custom booking pages
- Automated reminders
- Payment integration
Pros:
- Generous free tier
- Full Zoho ecosystem integration
- Multi-language support
- Reliable and well-maintained
Cons:
- Best value within Zoho ecosystem
- Interface less polished than competitors
- Still uses booking links
Pricing: Free tier available, paid plans from $6/user/month
7. Clockwise - Best for Team Calendar Optimization
Best for: Teams who want AI to protect focus time and optimize meeting schedules
Clockwise isn’t a booking tool. It’s a calendar optimizer that automatically moves flexible meetings to protect focus time for your team.
If your problem is less “how do I schedule meetings” and more “meetings are destroying my productivity,” Clockwise addresses that.
Key Features:
- AI-powered schedule optimization
- Focus time protection
- Flexible meeting rescheduling
- Team scheduling intelligence
- Calendar analytics
Pros:
- Unique approach to calendar management
- Protects deep work time
- Team-wide optimization
- Useful analytics and insights
Cons:
- Not a direct Calendly replacement
- Requires team adoption for full value
- Can feel like losing control of your calendar
Pricing: Free tier available, Pro from $6.75/user/month
8. YouCanBookMe - Best for Simple Booking Pages
Best for: Freelancers and small businesses who want straightforward booking without complexity
YouCanBookMe does one thing well: simple booking pages that connect to your calendar. No frills, no complex workflows, just functional scheduling.
For users overwhelmed by feature-heavy tools, the simplicity is the appeal.
Key Features:
- Clean booking page builder
- Calendar integration
- Custom branding
- Basic automation
- Time zone handling
Pros:
- Very easy to set up
- Affordable pricing
- Reliable core functionality
- Good for simple use cases
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Less suitable for teams
- Still requires links
Pricing: Free tier available, paid from $10/month
9. Microsoft Bookings - Best for Microsoft 365 Users
Best for: Organizations already invested in Microsoft 365
Microsoft Bookings comes included with many Microsoft 365 subscriptions. If you’re already paying for Microsoft, you have a capable booking tool at no additional cost.
The integration with Outlook, Teams, and the Microsoft ecosystem makes it natural for enterprise users.
Key Features:
- Included with Microsoft 365
- Outlook and Teams integration
- Staff scheduling
- Custom booking pages
- Appointment management
Pros:
- No additional cost for M365 users
- Native Microsoft integration
- Enterprise-grade security
- Multi-staff scheduling
Cons:
- Only for Microsoft 365 subscribers
- Less polished than dedicated tools
- Limited customization
Pricing: Included with Microsoft 365 Business Basic and above
10. Reclaim.ai - Best for Habit and Task Scheduling
Best for: Professionals who want AI to schedule habits, tasks, and meetings optimally
Reclaim goes beyond meeting scheduling. It helps you defend time for habits (exercise, lunch, focus work) and automatically schedules tasks from your to-do list.
Think of it as a calendar productivity tool that happens to handle meetings too.
Key Features:
- Habit scheduling
- Task auto-scheduling
- Smart 1:1 meetings
- Buffer time protection
- Team coordination
Pros:
- Holistic calendar management
- Habit protection is unique
- Good integration options
- Thoughtful AI features
Cons:
- Learning curve for full value
- Can over-automate for some users
- Still primarily uses links for external scheduling
Pricing: Free tier available, Pro from $8/user/month
Feature Comparison: Calendly Alternatives at a Glance
| Tool | Links Optional | AI Assistant | Full Calendar | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carly | Yes (both modes) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Email-based scheduling |
| Cal.com | No | No | No | Yes | Open source control |
| Acuity | No | No | No | No | Service businesses |
| Doodle | No | No | No | Yes | Group scheduling |
| HubSpot | No | No | No | Yes | CRM users |
| Zoho | No | No | No | Yes | Budget-conscious |
| Clockwise | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Team optimization |
| YouCanBookMe | No | No | No | Yes | Simplicity |
| Microsoft | No | No | No | Included | M365 users |
| Reclaim | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Habit scheduling |
How to Choose the Right Calendly Alternative
For Sales Teams
Sales professionals need scheduling that doesn’t feel cold. Sending a booking link to a warm prospect can feel transactional.
Consider: Carly (for relationship-driven scheduling via email), HubSpot (if already using their CRM), or Calendly itself (for inbound leads who expect links)
For Recruiters
Recruiting involves complex coordination. Multiple interviewers, different time zones, candidates who need flexibility.
Consider: Carly (handles multi-party coordination through email), Doodle (for panel interview polling), or dedicated recruiting scheduling tools
For Service Businesses
Salons, coaches, consultants, and therapists need appointment booking with payments.
Consider: Acuity (best payment integration), Zoho Bookings (best free option), or Calendly (solid all-around choice)
For Busy Professionals Who Want Flexibility
If you find booking links awkward in some situations but convenient in others, you need a tool that adapts.
Consider: Carly gives you both options. Forward emails and let Carly handle it conversationally when relationships matter. Or use Carly’s click-to-book links embedded right in emails - even faster than Calendly because there’s no separate page to visit. You choose the approach based on the context.
The Future of Scheduling: Beyond Booking Links
The scheduling landscape is shifting.
For years, the model was simple: everyone gets a booking link, everyone shares it. But this created problems. Links feel impersonal. They require behavior change from your contacts. They don’t handle incoming requests.
AI assistants represent something new. Instead of a tool you configure and a link you share, you get an assistant that works through your existing communication channels.
This matters because it removes friction. Your contacts don’t need to learn anything new. They email, they text, and the scheduling happens.
Tools like Carly point to where this is heading: AI that handles coordination the way a human assistant would, but available to everyone.
The booking link won’t disappear. For public scheduling, website integration, and high-volume inbound requests, links make sense. But for relationship-driven professionals, the best Calendly alternative might not be a booking tool at all.
Conclusion
The right Calendly alternative depends on how you work.
Need open source control? Cal.com gives you flexibility and freedom.
Running a service business? Acuity handles payments and packages better than anyone.
Coordinating groups? Doodle’s polling model works.
Already in an ecosystem? HubSpot or Microsoft Bookings eliminate the need for another tool.
Want AI to optimize your calendar? Clockwise or Reclaim take different approaches.
Want the best of both worlds? Carly works through email and text, with optional click-to-book links right in the email - faster than visiting a Calendly page.
The best tool is the one that fits your workflow. For many professionals, that means having options: conversational when relationships matter, one-click when speed matters.
Ready to try smarter scheduling? Forward your first email to Carly and see how scheduling should work.
Looking for more ways to take control of your calendar? Check out our guide to how top performers manage their calendars or explore the best AI calendar assistants for 2026.
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