Best Free Calendly Alternatives 2025
Calendly is popular, but it's not the only option. Discover the best free alternatives to Calendly in 2025, from privacy-focused tools to feature-rich scheduling platforms.
⚡ Try WhenAvailable - The Privacy-First Alternative
Create temporary scheduling links in seconds. No signup required, links expire after booking. Perfect for one-time meetings.
Get Started Free →Why Look for Calendly Alternatives?
While Calendly is a powerful scheduling tool, many users seek alternatives due to:
- Cost: Calendly's free plan is limited to one event type
- Privacy concerns: Your data stays on their servers indefinitely
- Feature limitations: Many advanced features require paid plans
- Over-complexity: You might not need all the features Calendly offers
Let's explore the best free Calendly alternatives that address these concerns.
1. WhenAvailable - Best for Privacy & One-Time Meetings
WhenAvailable
100% FREEWhenAvailable is a unique temporary scheduling tool designed for one-time bookings with maximum privacy.
✅ Pros
- • No signup required
- • Links expire after booking
- • Zero data retention (24hr auto-delete)
- • Natural language time input
- • Completely free forever
❌ Cons
- • Not for recurring bookings
- • No calendar integration
- • Limited to 5 time slots per link
Best for: Recruiters, consultants, anyone doing one-time meetings who values privacy
Try WhenAvailable Free →2. Cal.com - Best Open-Source Alternative
Cal.com is an open-source scheduling platform that offers excellent customization and privacy controls.
Key Features:
- Self-hosting option for complete data control
- Unlimited event types on free plan
- Calendar integrations (Google, Outlook, etc.)
- Team scheduling capabilities
Pricing: Free forever plan available, paid plans start at $12/month
3. Doodle - Best for Group Scheduling
Doodle excels at finding the best time for multiple participants without back-and-forth emails.
Key Features:
- Poll-based scheduling
- Group availability finder
- No account required for participants
- Simple, intuitive interface
Pricing: Free basic plan, premium from $6.95/month
4. Google Calendar Appointment Schedules - Best for Google Users
If you're already in the Google ecosystem, Google Calendar's built-in appointment scheduling is a solid free option.
Key Features:
- Native Google Calendar integration
- No additional app needed
- Completely free with Google account
- Automatic timezone detection
Pricing: 100% free with Google account
5. Tidycal - Best Budget Alternative
Tidycal offers a one-time payment model instead of subscriptions, making it cost-effective long-term.
Key Features:
- Unlimited bookings
- Unlimited event types
- Calendar integrations
- Custom branding
Pricing: $29 one-time payment (lifetime access)
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Best For | Free Plan | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhenAvailable | One-time meetings | ✓ Forever free | ★★★★★ |
| Cal.com | Open-source fans | ✓ Good limits | ★★★★☆ |
| Doodle | Group meetings | ⚠ Limited | ★★★☆☆ |
| Google Calendar | Google users | ✓ Forever free | ★★★☆☆ |
| Tidycal | One-time payment | ✗ Paid only | ★★★★☆ |
How to Choose the Right Calendly Alternative
Consider these factors when choosing a scheduling tool:
1. Meeting Frequency
One-time or infrequent meetings? WhenAvailable or Google Calendar
Regular recurring bookings? Cal.com or traditional alternatives
2. Privacy Requirements
Maximum privacy needed? WhenAvailable (auto-deletes data)
Want data control? Cal.com (self-hosting)
Standard privacy is fine? Any option works
3. Budget
$0 budget: WhenAvailable, Google Calendar, Cal.com free
Small budget: Tidycal ($29 one-time)
Flexible budget: Any paid plan
4. Features Needed
Basic scheduling only? WhenAvailable, Google Calendar
Team features? Cal.com, Calendly
Group polls? Doodle
Conclusion: Which Calendly Alternative Should You Choose?
The "best" Calendly alternative depends entirely on your use case:
- For privacy-conscious users or one-time meetings: WhenAvailable is unbeatable with zero signup and automatic data deletion
- For open-source enthusiasts: Cal.com offers the most control and customization
- For Google users: Google Calendar's built-in scheduling is simple and free
- For group scheduling: Doodle makes finding common availability easy
Most users find that WhenAvailable perfectly balances simplicity, privacy, and cost (it's free!). Try creating your first temporary scheduling link in under 30 seconds.
Ready to Try a Better Way?
Create your first temporary scheduling link with WhenAvailable. No signup, no credit card, no data retention.
Get Started Free →Takes less than 30 seconds • No account required