Scheduling nightmares, be gone! In the digital age, finding the perfect time slot for meetings shouldn't feel like solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded. For this exact reason, we’re introducing you with the scheduling software showdown of 2025: Calendly vs Doodle.
Calendly is a one-on-one scheduling wizard that comes with plenty of features and integrations. Doodle, on the other hand, is the group coordination champ and simplifies finding common meeting times with its poll-based approach. While these tools have their specialties, there's plenty of overlap - but we'll break it all down for you. Plus, we'll introduce you to a new player: Zeeg.
Before we start, are you looking for more options to manage your time effectively? Check out our comprehensive guide on the best calendar apps in 2025.
Calendly and Doodle: Scheduling Tools Compared
What is Calendly?
First, in case you're asking yourself "what is Calendly and does it work", here's a an intro: Calendly was built as an in-depth scheduling platform designed to eliminate the endless back-and-forth of arranging meetings and appointments. With over 10 million users worldwide, Calendly offers customizable scheduling workflows and automated meeting communications.
Calendly's Strengths
One-on-One Scheduling: Calendly can be a good choice for individual appointment settings with its highly customizable scheduling links. Users can set detailed availability preferences, include buffer times between meetings, and even limit the number of daily meetings to prevent overbooking. This makes it especially valuable for consultants, salespeople, and professionals who rely heavily on one-on-one appointments.
Group Scheduling: While not its main focus, Calendly also offers Meeting Polls for group coordination. Users can create polls directly from Gmail, Chrome, and Firefox extensions, and have the option to temporarily hold all proposed time slots until one is confirmed. But poll responses are limited to "yes" or "no" options.
What is Doodle?
Doodle began as a humble polling tool - think of it as the digital version of asking everyone to raise their hands in a classroom. But like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, Doodle has grown into a full-blown scheduling powerhouse. Its evolution from a simple "who's free when?" app to a strong scheduling platform shows just how far it's come.
Doodle's Strengths
Group Scheduling: Doodle's star feature is its Group Poll. Users can create polls with multiple time slots, which allows participants to respond with "yes," "no," or "if need be." Its visual, color-coded chart makes it easy to identify optimal meeting times at a glance. Once a time is agreed upon, one-click booking sends confirmations to all participants.
Individual Scheduling: While known for group coordination, Doodle also offers robust 1:1 meeting capabilities. Users can share simple links for individual appointments, add meeting details like agenda and location, and send out automated calendar invites upon booking.
Ease of Use: Doodle is as simple as it can get
As the two platforms were born for two different reasons, they’re also not on the same page when it comes to how easy they are to use.
Doodle is an easy breeze. Creating a poll is as simple as clicking 'Create a Doodle' and selecting 'Group Poll'. The process is as quick as it can get and takes only a couple of minutes from start to finish. This simplicity makes Doodle a go-to choice for quick, group-oriented scheduling needs.
Calendly, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated. At first use, users might find themselves navigating through various meeting types, which can feel a bit like solving a puzzle. But of course, this hassle is not without purpose. Once familiar with the system, adding information becomes easy. The challenge lies in locating results, which might require a bit of exploration in the dashboard.
Calendly vs Doodle: A feature comparison
Now, it’s time to dive into their key features. Doodle is known for its simplicity and group coordination focus, while Calendly offers a broader approach with rich features for both individual and business users. Both platforms have unique strengths in scheduling - but they have different audiences.
Doodle: Simplicity meets efficiency
Simple but easy group coordination: Doodle's best bet is its Group Poll feature. This tool allows users to create polls with multiple date and time options, which makes it easier to find consensus for group meetings. This tool is useful for:
- Project managers
- Event planners
- Anyone coordinating schedules with multiple participants
Accessibility at its core: One of Doodle's major advantages is its user-friendly approach:
- No account required for participants
- Lets users easily join meetings without all the hassle
- Ideal for working with external clients or organizing casual events
Additional Features
- In-poll comments and messages for seamless communication
- Calendar integration (premium version) with secure data handling
- Automated reminders and deadline setting
- Advanced privacy options for polls
- Microsoft Outlook plug-in for direct inbox scheduling
- Team analytics and insights for managers (premium feature)
Calendly: Personalizing the scheduling experience
One-on-one scheduling specialist: While Calendly also offers group scheduling, it is especially good at individual appointment settings:
- Highly customizable scheduling links
- Detailed availability preferences sharing
- Ideal for consultants, salespeople, and professionals with frequent one-on-one meetings
Integration powerhouse:
- Extensive integration options with popular business tools and CRM systems
- Advanced time zone intelligence for global scheduling
- Seamless web conferencing integration (e.g., Zoom, GoToMeeting)
Business-centric features:
- Built-in payment integration for monetizing appointments
- In-depth analytics and reporting for tracking scheduling activity
- Multiple event types to cater to different appointment needs
- Workflow automation capabilities
When it comes to comparing Calendly with Doodle, it's like comparing a Swiss Army knife to a master key - both are useful, but in different scenarios.
Integrations: Calendly vs Doodle
Now, let’s take a look at integrations. Both platforms offer integrations for improved functionality and workflows, but there are major differences in their approaches and offerings.
Communication and Team Collaboration
Doodle: The Doodle Bot for Slack allows users to create polls directly within Slack conversations.
Calendly: Also offers Slack integration, but mainly to get instant meeting notifications. Plus, it has advanced CRM integrations with Salesforce and HubSpot for creating and updating contacts, leads, and opportunities.
Calendar and Video Meetings
Both platforms do a great job in calendar integrations and support major services like Outlook, Teams, Google Calendar, Office 365, and Microsoft Exchange. Doodle has a slight edge here with its Apple iCloud Beta integration, which Calendly doesn't offer.
For video conferencing, Doodle integrates with Zoom and Google Meet, while Calendly expands its offerings to Zoom, Google Meet, Webex, and GoToMeeting.
This wider range of video conferencing options gives Calendly an advantage for businesses using various platforms for their virtual meetings.
Payment Processing and Marketing Analytics
Calendly currently leads in payment processing and offers integrations with both PayPal and Stripe. This allows users to collect payments during the booking process, a valuable feature for service-based businesses.
However, Doodle is catching up with a Stripe integration, which has been released recently.
But when it comes to marketing and analytics, Calendly pulls ahead:
- Google Analytics integration
- Meta Pixel integration
These tools allow businesses to track engagement and record appointments as conversions and provide analyses for marketing and sales teams. Doodle, as of now, doesn't offer such marketing integrations.
Security and Compliance
- Doodle: SOC 2 Type II compliance, Cyber Verify Level 3 certification, and GDPR compliance.
- Calendly: Offers enhanced security measures including encryption at-rest (AES-256), web application firewall, DDoS protection, semi-annual penetration testing, SOC 3 and ISO/IEC 27001 compliance, 24/7 monitoring, real-time activity logs, PII data deletion management, and flexible admin roles.
Calendly vs Doodle: Pricing and Plan Comparison
When it comes to choosing between Calendly and Doodle, pricing plays quite an important role. Both platforms offer a range of options to suit needs and budgets from different angles:
Calendly's pricing structure starts with a free plan followed by a Standard plan at $10/seat per month for those needing more features. Teams looking for collaborative tools can opt for the Teams plan at $16/seat per month. For large organizations with 30+ users, Calendly offers an Enterprise plan with custom pricing tailored to specific needs.
Doodle's pricing model is similar but comes in at a lower price point. They offer a free plan (with ads) for basic use, with their Pro plan priced at $6.95/user per month. The Team plan, suited for collaborative environments, costs $8.95/user per month. Organizations with over 20 team members can explore Doodle's Enterprise plan, which offers custom pricing.
Free Plan Comparison: One point for Calendly
While both platforms offer free tiers, there are major differences in what you get without paying:
Doodle's free plan centers on its group polling feature. However, it's quite limited. Users get just one 1:1 meeting per month, and sharing options are restricted to links only, without access to email sharing features. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the inclusion of advertisements, which can create a less professional experience.
In contrast, Calendly's free plan is more generous. It includes unlimited Meeting Polls and bridges the gap with Doodle in group scheduling capabilities. It also provides access to most individual-level features, data deletion options, a wider range of integrations, and automated event notifications. While it doesn't include team management or enterprise-level features, it still comes with an impressive set of tools for personal scheduling needs.
In the end, your choice might come down to your team size and whether you're willing to pay a bit more for Doodle's group scheduling prowess or stick with Calendly's more affordable options for easier individual scheduling.
Note: The prices were sourced from Doodle and Calendly websites on 18 October 2024. For more recent information, make sure to check out the official websites.
Zeeg: The Scheduling Solution You Didn't Know You Needed
In the Calendly vs Doodle debate, a brand new toy has stepped into the ring: Zeeg. This innovative scheduling tool offers a fresh perspective on scheduling solutions and bridges the gap between its competitors. From tax advisory to law firms, from startups to enterprises, Zeeg thought of everyone and made a scheduling tool that adapts to everyone’s needs.
Why Zeeg?
Zeeg cleverly positions itself as the Goldilocks of scheduling tools - not too complex, not too simple, but just right.
- With features like collective meetings and round-robin appointments, it takes the headache out of coordinating complex schedules. Need to connect customers with the right contact? Zeeg's routing forms have you covered.
- But Zeeg isn't just about scheduling. It's a productivity powerhouse. With workflows and automation, it makes your business processes much easier, freeing up your time for what really matters. And for those looking to monetize their time, Zeeg offers flexible online payment options integrated right into the scheduling process.
- But what sets Zeeg apart is its versatility. Whether you're in sales, customer support, recruiting, or marketing, Zeeg has use-cases tailored for you. It's like having a scheduling assistant who speaks the language of every department in your company.
- Integration is where Zeeg really stands out. From Google Calendar to Salesforce, from PayPal to Microsoft Teams, Zeeg plays nice with all your favorite apps. It's not just a scheduling tool; it's the missing piece that brings your entire workflow together.
- And the best part? Zeeg offers the most generous free plan in the market. So whether you're a solopreneur just starting out or a large enterprise looking for a powerful solution, Zeeg has a plan that fits your needs and your budget.
In a world where time is money, Zeeg isn't just helping you schedule – it's helping you succeed. It's not about choosing between features or simplicity anymore. With Zeeg, you can have it all.
Is Zeeg your perfect match?
Still on the fence in the Calendly vs Doodle debate? Zeeg might just be the perfect match you didn't know you were looking for. Here's why:
- Just the right kind of scheduling: Not too simple, not too complex - Zeeg manages to find the perfect balance between user-friendly interface and high-tech features.
- Fort knox for your data: With strict GDPR compliance, Zeeg takes your privacy as seriously as you do.
- Grows as you grow: From solopreneur to enterprise, Zeeg's flexible plans adapt to your evolving needs.
- The perfect child: Imagine Calendly and Doodle had a super-talented child - that's Zeeg. It combines the strengths of both while addressing their limitations.
So, if you're ready to take your scheduling game to the next level, it might be time to swipe right on Zeeg. After all, the perfect match doesn't just meet your current needs - it anticipates your future ones too.
Bottom line: Which one to choose, Calendly or Doodle?
As we wrap up our Calendly vs Doodle comparison, it's clear that both tools are versatile players in the scheduling game. While they may have started with different specialties, both Calendly and Doodle have evolved for both group and individual scheduling needs.
Calendly may often be associated with one-on-one scheduling, but it surprises us with its capable Meeting Poll feature for group coordination. Meanwhile, Doodle, famous for its group polls, holds its own in the individual scheduling arena with user-friendly 1:1 meeting options.
The key difference lies in their approaches:
- Calendly emphasizes customization and business integration,
- while Doodle focuses on simplicity and visual coordination.
And then there’s Zeeg, the new alternative that comes to blend the strengths of both platforms. By offering a mix of group and individual scheduling features, along with unique additions like smart routing and enhanced privacy measures, Zeeg is an interesting alternative for those looking for an easy but comprehensive solution. It is also quite affordable, starting at $10 user/month.
Your ideal scheduling tool will eventually depend on your specific needs and preferences. Do you prioritize depth of features or ease of use? Are you more focused on individual appointments or group coordination? Or do you need a balanced mix of both?
At the end of the day, your perfect scheduling match depends on what you need and what you're willing to shell out. Whether you go for,
- Calendly's polish
- Doodle's group savvy
- Zeeg's fresh approach
- Or another option entirely,
Remember, the right scheduling solution can be a game-changer for your business. So take the time to consider your options, and here's to more efficient, stress-free scheduling in the years to come!
