The Best Alternative to BlockIt: Carly

Carly is an AI-powered scheduling assistant that works over email and SMS. Unlike traditional booking links or calendar tools, Carly reads messy email threads she is cc'd on, understands context, and sends real invites that keep the conversation natural. You can forward Carly an email, send her a text, or send screenshots and images for her to process and add to your calendar. It's built for busy professionals who want a human-like assistant that just works, handling coordination and calendaring so you don't have to. ChatGPT could never be this useful.


Feature Comparison

FeatureCarlyBlockIt
AI-Powered Scheduling
Human-like AssistantPartial
SMS Integration
Email Integration✅ (CC-based)
Slack Integration
Multiple Calendar Support
Smart Time Zone Detection
Pricing$35/monthNot public
Natural Language UnderstandingPartial
Email Thread AwarenessPartial
Setup Time2 mins15-30 mins (requires training)
Response Time1 minInstant
Available 24/7

Why Carly is the Better Choice

While BlockIt offers a capable AI scheduling assistant, Carly provides a more accessible and user-friendly experience. BlockIt requires extensive setup time, including training the bot and defining custom codewords before it can effectively manage your schedule. In contrast, Carly is ready to go in just 2 minutes with minimal configuration, allowing you to start scheduling immediately without a steep learning curve.

Perhaps most importantly, Carly offers transparent, affordable pricing at $35/month, while BlockIt does not publicly disclose its pricing. Additionally, Carly’s SMS integration sets it apart from BlockIt, which only operates through email CC and Slack. This means you can schedule meetings via text message with Carly, making it more versatile for on-the-go professionals who prefer quick SMS interactions over email.

Conclusion

For professionals seeking an AI scheduling assistant that combines ease of setup, transparent pricing, and flexible communication channels including SMS, Carly is the clear winner. While BlockIt offers solid AI-powered scheduling capabilities, its complex onboarding process and opaque pricing make Carly the more practical choice for busy individuals who want to save time without jumping through hoops.

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