Comparison of online appointment systems: TidyCal vs. Calendly
Calendly is currently a popular online appointment system. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, TidyCal might be interesting for you. Although TidyCal is fundamentally similar to Calendly, it offers significant cost savings. Of course, there are some differences. In this article, we’ll delve into whether TidyCal is suitable for you.
This article covers the following topics:
What is TidyCal?
TidyCal is a user-friendly tool that allows you to easily schedule and manage appointments in your calendar. It is essentially a handy appointment system. This tool was developed by AppSumo Originals, an organization focused on creating simple and affordable software solutions.
TidyCal is designed specifically to boost productivity. It offers a modern yet simple way to make and manage appointments, with numerous calendar integrations, booking pages, and other useful features. It is particularly useful for small businesses, individual professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone who frequently schedules online appointments.
TidyCal Lifetime deal
Are you a fan of lifetime deals? Then TidyCal – and AppSumo – is the right place for you. AppSumo is a great platform where you can often find lifetime deals for user-friendly tools. The TidyCal appointment tool can be purchased for just $29, and you receive a lifetime license in return. So, no recurring monthly costs.
One-time $29
With this $29, you can link up to 10 calendars, have integrations with Zapier and API, and can immediately create meetings with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. You also have the option to create paid meetings, make group bookings, and redirect to a custom URL (such as your own website) after booking.
What is Calendly?
Calendly is an online scheduling tool used to simplify the process of scheduling meetings, appointments, and events. With this tool, users can set their availability and share a personalized link, allowing others to easily schedule appointments at times that work for both parties.
It is essentially a similar tool to TidyCal but is somewhat more expensive. On the other hand, Calendly also offers more advanced integration options.
Calendly vs TidyCal
Both TidyCal and Calendly are popular appointment tools. Below, we compare Calendly (Professional plan) with TidyCal in terms of price, functionalities, and integrations.
Key differences between the two:
- TidyCal allows for receiving paid bookings
- TidyCal supports syncing more calendars (10)
- TidyCal offers integrations with Zapier and webhooks
- Calendly has more integrations with video tools
- Calendly has a mobile app (iOS and Android)
- TidyCal is more affordable (cheaper)
- Calendly offers more customization options
When looking for a modern and user-friendly online appointment tool or system without too many bells and whistles, TidyCal is the ideal choice. Moreover, it is a cost-effective option. This appointment planner is particularly suitable for smaller organizations, entrepreneurs, coaches, and employees.
On the other hand, if you need more advanced integrations, Calendly might be a better choice for you.
Similarities and differences between TidyCal and Calendly
We will further explain the key similarities and differences below, focusing on price, number of calendar connections, integrations, customization, and number of online meeting options.
Price
TidyCal has a (limited) free version and a paid version costing $29 for a lifetime license. No recurring costs.
Calendly also has a (limited) free version and three paid options. The Professional Plan is most comparable to the paid version of TidyCal and costs $12 per user per month.
Number of calendar connections
You want to connect your calendar to your appointment tool. Maybe you have multiple calendars and want them all connected. This ensures that visitors or clients cannot book blocked times in your calendar through the appointment system. Calendly allows connecting up to 6 calendars. TidyCal allows connecting up to 10 calendars.
Online meeting options
When someone schedules an appointment with you, it’s convenient if they can immediately create a meeting with Teams, Google Meet, or Zoom. TidyCal supports Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Zoom. Calendly also supports Webex and GoToMeetings.
Note: If you use Teams, Google Meet, or Zoom, TidyCal works just as well.
Integrations
Calendly has over 30 built-in integrations, such as with popular platforms like Salesforce, Mailchimp, Slack, and Hubspot. Both providers can be connected with Zapier and various APIs. The shortcomings in TidyCal’s integrations can be somewhat circumvented with Zapier.
Customization
Calendly offers more extensive customization options.
Group meetings
Both tools have an option for allowing multiple people to book the same meeting, useful for webinars, for example.
Blocking time & breaks
In addition to already blocked times in your calendar, you can manually make specific time slots unavailable. You can also set a buffer period between time slots to take a break and prepare for the next meeting.
Maximum time for booking a meeting
Manage how far in advance appointments can be scheduled and prevent last-minute surprises.
Questions for participants
Allows you to ask specific questions to participants who want to book a session with you.
Redirect URL
This feature allows you to direct people to a specific URL (e.g., a signup page for an email newsletter or a thank-you page) after they schedule a session on your calendar.
Customer support
TidyCal offers support via email and a FAQ section. Calendly provides support via a help center, email, and live chat.
What Calendly offers that TidyCal doesn’t
In addition to the features above, Calendly offers the following advanced features, which are either limited or unavailable in TidyCal:
Custom branding
Enhance your brand’s image by removing the Calendly logo, adding your company logo, and choosing specific colors that match your brand. TidyCal’s paid plan adds their logo and links when embedding your booking page on your website.
Workflows
Take full control of your communication with participants by setting up custom and automated email and/or SMS notifications and reminders. TidyCal allows email reminders but doesn’t provide full control.
Referral forms
Use this feature to direct people to the right person or resource based on their answers to questions you’ve set for them. This feature is currently not available in TidyCal.
Analytics
Calendly’s built-in analytics tool is particularly useful for business owners or sales managers who want to track usage (e.g., most popular days for booking appointments) and progress (e.g., which team member books the most/fewest demos) of their sales team. You can also link your Google Analytics account to track how customers interact with your booking page and connect with Meta Pixel to monitor conversions from your Meta ad campaigns. These features are currently not available in TidyCal.
Which appointment scheduler is best for me?
Use TidyCal if:
- The paid version with its features is sufficient for you or your organization.
- You have a limited budget. It’s a more affordable choice with a one-time payment compared to a monthly subscription with Calendly.
Use Calendly if:
- You need more advanced features.
- You cannot do without certain integrations that Calendly offers but TidyCal does not.
Kleidi’s experience
Personally, I’ve been using TidyCal for a few months now, and I’m impressed with how well it works. As mentioned above, it is simple to use but performs excellently.
Setting up TidyCal
Need help setting up TidyCal? Book a meeting now (via TidyCal), and Kleidi will assist you.
Tidycal review video
Check out the YouTube review video about TidyCal below. The video is in English.
Frequently asked questions about TidyCal
Why do I need an appointment tool?
If your (potential) client wants to schedule an appointment with you, it’s a straightforward way to view all availability directly and easily schedule a meeting without endless back-and-forth emails.
What is the difference between TidyCal and Calendly?
Both tools offer similar features, but Calendly is somewhat more advanced.
What does TidyCal do exactly?
TidyCal is an online appointment system that makes it easier for your clients to schedule an appointment with you.
What are the USPs of TidyCal?
It is user-friendly, simple, and affordable with a lifetime license deal for just $29. These are the main factors for choosing TidyCal over competitors.
What is the advantage of the lifetime deal?
With the TidyCal deal, you pay a one-time fee of $29 and can use the Pro version of TidyCal for life. No monthly fees and always the best features at your disposal.
Who is the TidyCal appointment system suitable for?
TidyCal is suitable for anyone with many meetings, but specific groups include smaller organizations, employees, and entrepreneurs.
Can you integrate TidyCal with WordPress?
Yes, TidyCal can be easily integrated into your WordPress website. Through TidyCal, you can embed a code on your site to display the offerings. Customers and visitors can then book an appointment with you through your website.
Does TidyCal send reminders?
Yes. TidyCal sends two reminders for each booking made. The first reminder is sent 24 hours in advance, and the second reminder is sent 1 hour before.
How does TidyCal handle time zones?
TidyCal automatically calculates the time zone so that both parties hold the meeting at the correct time. You can easily communicate with clients in different time zones.
Does TidyCal have a mobile app?
No, currently TidyCal does not have a mobile and/or desktop app yet. It only works on the web in all popular web browsers.
How does TidyCal handle appointment cancellations?
When an appointment is canceled, both parties receive a notification with the information.
Is TidyCal available in Dutch?
Yes, TidyCal is available in Dutch. Additionally, the appointment tool is available in 30+ other languages.
Can you import meetings from Calendly to TidyCal?
Yes, if you want to switch from Calendly to TidyCal, you can easily import all meetings from Calendly to TidyCal.
