If you want a scheduling solution that won't break the bank, you might be asking yourself - "is Calendly free?" The answer is yes and no – Calendly does offer a free plan for basic scheduling features. And for more advanced options, you'll to pay.
In this complete guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about the Calendly free version: its features, limitations, and how it compares to paid plans. We'll also discuss some alternatives to free Calendly, like Zeeg - a scheduling tool that also comes with a free plan that you can keep forever...and with more affordable paid options. But more on that later.
Who is Calendly’s free plan best for?
Calendly's free plan is a good fit for people who need simple scheduling tools without extra bells and whistles. It works well for individuals just starting to manage their appointments online, whether for work or personal reasons. Think of freelancers booking client calls, small business owners arranging meetings, or even students setting up study sessions. But it's also handy for professionals like tutors or consultants who want to try online scheduling before paying for more features.
In short, if you're looking to make your scheduling easier without spending money, Calendly's free plan can be your starting point. But if you need slightly more advanced things - like group events, for example - then well...you'll need a paid plan, and it might not be that cheap.
What does the free Calendly plan include?
The Calendly free plan offers a range of basic features that can be enough for individual users or those just starting with scheduling software. It starts by letting you link one calendar, which helps you avoid those pesky double-bookings. You can also set your available hours, giving you control over when people can book you. The plan comes with just one Event Type - think of it as a template for your meetings. And if you need to meet virtually, also not a problem - you can hook it up with video conferencing tools.
All in all, it's a handy toolbox for anyone looking to streamline their scheduling without spending a penny. Fair. But there are also some limitations, especially when you think about meeting with more people. Here's what you can expect in terms of features:
Unlimited 1-1 meetings
Calendly's free plan allows users to schedule as many one-on-one meetings as they need. This can be particularly useful for freelancers, consultants, or anyone who frequently conducts individual sessions. However, it's important to note that this unlimited feature only applies to one-on-one meetings. Group meetings or more complex scheduling scenarios are not supported in the free tier, which could be a significant limitation for teams or businesses with slighlty more diverse scheduling needs. Just think what type of meetings you'll need and wether this would be sufficient for you.
One event type
The single event type offered in Calendly's free plan might cause some mixed feelings. For users with consistent meeting formats, it simplifies the setup process. You create one event type - say, a 30-minute consultation - and use it for all your bookings. Perfect. But what if you need different durations or meeting types? That's where the limitation becomes apparent. Professionals requiring varied appointment structures may find this restrictive, and potentially they'll need an upgrade to a paid plan. Flexibility has its price.
Connection to one of your calendars
Integrating your primary calendar with Calendly helps prevent double-bookings, a feature available even in the free plan. However, please not that none of the plans, free or paid, will allow you to connect Calendly to Apple Calendar or iCloud. But here's how it works for the available integrations:
- Choose your preferred calendar provider, like Google, Outlook, or Microsoft 365
- Grant Calendly access to your calendar
- Calendly checks for conflicts when someone tries to book a meeting
While this integration is useful, the single-calendar limit can be problematic. Many professionals use multiple calendars to separate work and personal commitments. In such cases, the free plan's single-calendar restriction might lead to scheduling conflicts.
Video conferencing integration
Having virtual meetings through Calendly is quite straightforward, thanks to its integration with popular platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. When someone books a meeting, Calendly automatically generates a unique video call link. This feature streamlines the process of setting up online meetings, saving you time and reducing the chance of miscommunication.
Booking page customization
Calendly's free plan allows users to add a personal touch to their booking pages. Users can upload a logo or profile picture and customize their Calendly URL. A brief description of services can also be added. These features help create a more professional appearance, but customization is limited. Full color scheme adjustments, removal of Calendly branding, and advanced design options are not available in the free tier. Whether these basic customization options are sufficient depends on the user's specific needs and branding requirements.
Send confirmation emails
Automatic confirmation emails are part of Calendly's free offering. These emails confirm meeting details for both parties, potentially reducing no-shows and providing a reference for scheduled appointments. However, the free plan restricts customization of email content. Users cannot send fully branded emails or set up advanced features like reminder sequences. The effectiveness of these basic confirmation emails may vary depending on the complexity of a user's scheduling needs.
Embed scheduling on your site
Calendly's free plan includes the option to embed scheduling directly into a website. This feature can potentially streamline the booking process by allowing clients to schedule appointments without leaving the site. However, users should note that styling options for the embedded widget are limited in the free version. Advanced embedding features, such as pop-ups, are not available. Additionally, some users may encounter compatibility issues with certain website builders. The value of this feature depends on individual website setups and design preferences.
Mobile app & browser extension
Calendly extends its functionality through mobile apps and browser extensions. The mobile app allows users to manage their schedule on the go and receive real-time booking notifications. Browser extensions enable quick access to Calendly without switching tabs. However, these tools come with limitations. Some features may only be accessible through the web interface, and the mobile app's functionality might be more restricted compared to the full web version. Browser extensions may not offer the complete range of Calendly features. The usefulness of these additional tools varies based on individual workflow and feature requirements.
What are the limitations of the Calendly free account?
We've hinted on this already, but let's be clearer about limitations. While Calendly free offers valuable features, this basic version does come with some restrictions, making the tool less flexible than what you might need. For instance - users are limited to one event type and one connected calendar; or also, advanced features like team scheduling, integrations with CRM systems, and customizable reminders are not available in the free plan.
That's why you think well of what will be your needs, because you could start off with te basic version, and suddenly realize that you actually need something more complete. It won't be too late to change, but you'll probably feel tempted to keep the same tool, as you already got used to it. The only issue is that there will be a cost to it - and it might be a significant one. But ok, let's look at the limitations of the free version:
- You can only create one active Event Type at a time
- It allows connection to only one calendar
- You can't set up team scheduling or round-robin events
- There's no option for automated workflows or follow-up emails
- You can't collect payments through Calendly
- Advanced features like Salesforce and other CRM integration are not available
- There's no access to detailed analytics or reporting
- There's no option for group events (one-to-many scheduling)
- You don't get access to priority support
- There are no admin controls for team management
- You can't set up recurring events
Calendly free vs paid versions: main differences
Price comparison
Calendly offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. The Free plan provides basic scheduling features, while paid plans offer increasingly advanced capabilities. The Standard plan ($10/seat/month) unlocks unlimited event types and integrations. The Teams plan ($16/seat/month) adds advanced routing and admin features. The enterprise appointment scheduling software plan (from $15,000/year) offers maximum security and control.
- Free: no costs for the free features
- Standard: $10/seat/month (monthly billing) or $8/seat/year (annual billing)
- Teams: $16/seat/month (monthly billing) or $12/seat/year (annual billing)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing, starting from $15,000/year
Features comparison
Calendly Free Vs Standard
The Standard plan expands quite well on the free version's capabilities. Three features that worth to highligt are: unlimited event types, which allow for diverse meeting formats; multiple calendar connections, enabling better schedule management across various platforms; and integration with popular tools like HubSpot and Mailchimp, automating your workflow. You might give it a try on the free version to know if that would be enough - but if there's anything from the Standard plan that you think it's essential for you, then think twice. In any case, and just to sum it up, basically the Standard plan includes everything on Calendly’s free version, plus:
- Stripe and PayPal integration for easy payments
- Zapier and Webhooks connections for automation
- Google Analytics integration for tracking
- Team scheduling capabilities
- Enhanced reminder and follow-up options
- Greater customization options
- 24/7 live chat support
Calendly Free Vs Teams
The Teams plan builds on the Standard plan with features that are crucial for larger organizations. If there's anything in here that you'd like to have, then the free version won't probably cut it. Key additions include Salesforce integration for seamless CRM updates, Round Robin meeting distribution for better team scheduling, and advanced prospect routing and qualification tools to streamline sales processes. In general, expect these additional features on the Teams plan:
- Integration with marketing automation tools (Marketo, Pardot, HubSpot)
- Integration with Salcesforce
- Round Robin meetings
- More advanced admin controls
- Optional Single Sign-On (SSO) add-on for simplified team access
Calendly Free vs Enterprise
The Enterprise plan offers the highest level of customization, security, and support, and is made for companies with more employees. Definitely the furthest version for the free plan. You should expect all the features from the Teams plan, plus some more. SSO and SAML integration are included, as well as domain control and a dedicated customer success representative for personalized support. Expect the following add-ons on top of Calendly for Teams:
- Audit log compliance for regulatory requirements
- Data deletion API for privacy management
- Microsoft Dynamics integration
- Comprehensive security and legal reviews
Calendly Free: FAQ
How do I set up Calendly for free?
Setting up a free Calendly account is a quite straightforward process:
- Visit the Calendly website
- Click "Sign Up" and choose the free plan
- Follow the prompts to connect your calendar
- Set up your first event type
- Customize your booking page
- Within minutes, you'll be ready to start scheduling meetings
Is Calendly really free?
Yes, Calendly offers a free plan with basic scheduling features. This plan includes unlimited one-on-one meetings, one event type, and integration with popular video conferencing tools. It's a great way to experience Calendly's core functionality without any cost, though it has some limitations when you compare it with the paid plans.
How long is the free version of Calendly?
The free version of Calendly has no time limit. You can use the free plan indefinitely, enjoying its basic features for as long as you need. However, paid plans offer a 14-day free trial, after which you'll be downgraded to the free version unless you choose to continue with a paid subscription.
Is Calendly free with Zoom?
Calendly's free plan does include Zoom integration. This means you can set up and conduct Zoom meetings through your Calendly scheduling link, even with the free version. This feature is a quite important one for users who rely on Zoom for their virtual meetings and still would like to have a free scheduling tool.
How do I downgrade Calendly to free?
To downgrade your Calendly account to the free plan, log into your account and navigate to the Admin Center. Select "Billing," then "Change plan," and choose the option to downgrade. This process allows you to revert to the free version, where you'll be keeping basic capabilities, but lose all the others you were paying for.
Is Calendly free with Outlook?
The free version of Calendly can be integrated with Outlook. You can connect your Outlook calendar to Calendly, allowing for automatic conflict checking when scheduling meetings. This integration helps maintain an accurate and up-to-date schedule across both platforms and to prevent double-booking issues.
Is Calendly API free?
The Calendly API is not available with the free plan. If you need API access for custom integrations or advanced automation, you'll need to upgrade to a paid subscription.
Is there a free Calendly alternative?
Yes, there are free alternatives to Calendly. Zeeg, for example, offers a free version that includes features like unlimited event types, multiple calendar connections, and customizable booking pages. Plus, from just 7 euros per month on its paid plans, it offers a great variety of other tools, making it a cost-effective Calendly alternative for those seeking advanced scheduling features.
Bottom line: is Calendly free worth it?
The value of the Calendly free plan depends on your specific needs. For individuals or small businesses with basic scheduling requirements, just needing consistent same-type-and-length meetings, the free version might be a good solution. It offers core those unlimited one-on-one meetings and video conferencing integration at no cost. However, if you require more advanced features such as team scheduling, multiple event types, or integrations with CRM and marketing tools, you may find the free plan limiting.
In conclusion, while Calendly's free plan provides a good entry point into scheduling software, it's worth exploring alternatives like Zeeg to find the best fit for your specific needs and budget. Always consider your long-term requirements and potential for growth when choosing a scheduling solution.
For more information on Calendly's various plans and pricing, check out our detailed guide on Calendly pricing.
Free alternatives to Calendly
1. Zeeg
While Calendly offers a quite solid free plan, Zeeg stands out as a great free alternative. Zeeg's non-paid plan includes calendar connections, a business digital card, and great customization options, making it a compelling choice for scheduling software for small businesses, individuals and enterprises.
Plus, Zeeg's paid plans, starting at just 7 euros per month, offer advanced features at very competitive prices. This makes Zeeg an attractive option for users who need more than what Calendly's free plan offers but don't want to commit to higher-priced tiers. Just have a look.
- Unlimited number of 1:1 events
- Zeeg has two free scheduling pages, Calendly only one
- One calendar connection
- Automated event email notifications and calendar invitations
- Rescheduling and cancellation options included
- Your digital business card and link-in-bio with advanced customization options
- Multiple integration available, including iCloud, Google Calendar, Outlook, Zapier, Salesfore, and many more
- Zeeg has better prices for all packages, costing just from $7/month, whereas Calendly starts at $10/seat/month
- Zeeg, a company made in Germany, is fully GDPR compliant for European operations
2. Doodle
When it comes to group scheduling, Doodle's free plan is hard to beat. Its claim to fame is the ability to create polls for finding the best meeting time among multiple participants. The free tier allows you to create an unlimited number of polls, making it ideal for coordinating team meetings or social gatherings. While it lacks some of the advanced features of paid alternatives, Doodle's free plan shines in its simplicity. If your primary need is finding mutually convenient times for group events, Doodle's free offering could be your go-to solution.
3. SimplyBook.me
SimplyBook.me's "Free Forever" plan caters to small businesses but is limited to 50 bookings per month. It stands out by offering features sometimes found in paid plans, including a customizable booking website, client management tools, and a basic Point of Sale system. The free tier also has Facebook and Instagram integration, boosting online visibility. While limited to five services and lacking advanced features like SMS reminders, it's an good starting point for new businesses or part-time service providers seeking a scheduling solution without upfront costs.
Sources:
- Calendly’s pricing page
- All prices on this article were last checked on September 30, 2024 and are subject to change