Is Cal.com really free?

Yes, Cal.com offers a generous free tier that includes unlimited bookings and event types. You can connect up to 2 calendars and use core features without paying. Paid plans add team features, branding removal, and advanced functionality.

How does self-hosting work?

Cal.com provides Docker images and Kubernetes configurations for self-hosting. You'll need to provision your own database (PostgreSQL) and set up environment variables. The community and documentation provide extensive guidance for deployment.

Can I migrate from Calendly to Cal.com?

Cal.com doesn't offer a direct import tool, but the setup process is straightforward. You'll need to recreate your event types and update your booking links. Most users complete migration within a few hours.

Does Cal.com support payment collection?

Yes, Cal.com integrates with Stripe and PayPal to collect payments at booking time. You can require full payment, deposits, or make payments optional for your events.

All Alternatives

Cal.com

Open source scheduling infrastructure

Open SourceSelf-HostableEnterpriseDeveloper-First

Visit Cal.com

Free tier available

Starting at

$12/user/month

Founded

2021

Headquarters

San Francisco

Team Size

50-100

What is Cal.com?

Cal.com is an open-source scheduling platform that offers both a hosted solution and self-hosting options. Built for developers and teams who want full control over their scheduling infrastructure.

Cal.com represents a paradigm shift in the scheduling software market as the leading open-source alternative to Calendly. Founded in 2021, the platform has rapidly gained adoption among developers, startups, and enterprises who prioritize data ownership, customization, and transparency. The platform offers two deployment options: a fully-managed cloud service for those who want convenience, and a self-hosted version for organizations requiring complete control over their data and infrastructure. This flexibility makes Cal.com particularly attractive to privacy-conscious businesses and those operating in regulated industries. What sets Cal.com apart is its commitment to open development. The entire codebase is available on GitHub, allowing developers to inspect, modify, and contribute to the platform. This has fostered a vibrant community that continuously improves the product and develops integrations. For teams, Cal.com offers sophisticated scheduling features including round-robin assignment, collective booking (where multiple team members must be available), and managed event types. The platform also supports workflows and automations, enabling businesses to create custom booking experiences.

Key Features

Open Source Transparency

Full access to source code on GitHub. Inspect, audit, and modify as needed. Active community with regular contributions.

Self-Hosting Option

Deploy on your own infrastructure using Docker or Kubernetes. Maintain complete control over your data and comply with strict data residency requirements.

Advanced Team Scheduling

Round-robin distribution, collective booking requiring multiple attendees, and managed event types for consistent team experiences.

Powerful Workflows

Automate pre and post-meeting actions with customizable workflows. Send reminders, trigger webhooks, and integrate with your existing tools.

Developer-Friendly API

Comprehensive REST API for custom integrations. Embed scheduling directly into your product or build custom booking experiences.

White-Label Ready

Remove Cal.com branding and customize the entire booking experience to match your brand identity.

Pricing Plans

Free

$0forever

Unlimited bookings
Unlimited event types
Connect up to 2 calendars
Workflows
Cal.com branding

Popular

Team

$12/user/month

Everything in Free
Remove Cal.com branding
Team scheduling
Round-robin
Collective events
Routing forms

Enterprise

Custom

Everything in Team
SAML SSO
SCIM provisioning
Custom SLA
Dedicated support
Self-hosting support

Pros & Cons

Pros

Fully open source with active community
Self-hosting option for complete data control
Generous free tier with unlimited bookings
Highly customizable via API and source code
Transparent roadmap and development process
No vendor lock-in

Cons

Self-hosting requires technical expertise
Younger platform than established competitors
Some enterprise features still maturing
Smaller integration ecosystem than Calendly

Best Use Cases

Sales demo scheduling with round-robin assignmentCustomer support appointment bookingInterview scheduling for HR teamsConsultation booking for professional servicesInternal meeting coordinationClient onboarding sessions

All Features

Calendar sync (Google, Outlook, Apple)
Team scheduling
Round-robin booking
Collective scheduling
Custom booking pages
Workflows and automations
API access
Self-hosting option
White-labeling
Video conferencing integrations
Routing forms
Recurring events
Buffer times
Minimum notice periods
Custom availability

Integrations

Google CalendarOutlookApple CalendarZoomGoogle MeetMicrosoft TeamsStripePayPalZapierSalesforceHubSpotSlackDiscordGitHub

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict

Cal.com is the best choice for developers, technical teams, and organizations that value open source and data ownership. Its self-hosting option and transparent development make it ideal for privacy-conscious businesses. While it may lack some polish compared to Calendly, its rapid development pace and community support make it a compelling long-term choice.

Quick Info

Free tier available

Unlimited bookings, unlimited event types, calendar connections

Paid plans from

$12/user/month

Per user, per month

Try Cal.com

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