Solo Biz Soft Editorial Team A booking page lets clients pick a time without the back-and-forth emails. Calendly is the household name; Cal.com is a newer alternative with a generous free plan. This guide compares them using each company’s own pricing page.
Prices are in US dollars and were checked on 19 September 2026.
Quick comparison
| Calendly | Cal.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 1 event type, 1 calendar connection, one-on-one scheduling | 1 user, unlimited event types and calendars, unlimited meetings |
| Payments | Standard and above (Stripe or PayPal) | Listed on the free plan (Stripe and PayPal) |
| Reminders and automations | Standard and above | Email and SMS notifications listed on Free |
| Paid entry | Standard: $10 per seat a month billed annually | Teams: $12 per user a month billed annually |
| Trial | Free plan available | Teams: 14-day free trial |
Calendly
Calendly’s free plan allows one event type, one calendar connection and one-on-one scheduling with a customizable booking page. Payments, reminders, automations and routing are not included. Standard ($10 per seat a month billed annually) adds unlimited event types, multiple calendars, automations and reminders and payments through Stripe or PayPal. Teams ($16) adds round-robin scheduling and lead routing.
Pros
- Well-known and easy for clients
- Simple booking page
- Standard adds payments and reminders
Cons
- Free plan limited to one event type
- Payments and reminders need a paid plan
- Teams features cost more
Visit CalendlyFree plan
Cal.com
Cal.com’s free plan is for one user and lists unlimited event types, calendars and meetings, email and SMS notifications, 100+ app integrations, payment acceptance through Stripe and PayPal, a mobile app and a browser extension. Teams ($12 per user a month billed annually) adds shared availability, round-robin scheduling, recurring events, routing forms and removal of Cal.com branding.
Pros
- Generous free plan
- Payments listed on Free
- Unlimited event types
Cons
- Less familiar to some clients
- Team features need a paid plan
- Branding on the free plan
Visit Cal.comFree plan
How to choose
If you want to pay nothing and still take payments: look at Cal.com’s free plan.
If clients expect the familiar Calendly experience: consider Calendly Standard.
If you have only one type of meeting: Calendly’s free plan may be enough.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better free plan?
Cal.com lists unlimited event types and payments. Calendly’s free plan allows one event type.
Do clients need an account to book?
Booking pages are designed so clients can book without an account. Check each tool’s setup.
Can I connect my calendar?
Both connect to calendars. Calendly’s free plan allows one calendar connection.
Related reading: Best Project Management Software for Freelancers (2026)
Prices and features were checked on 19 September 2026 and can change. Always confirm on the company’s website.